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The Ambassadors of Death DVD
The Ambassadors of Death DVD
Due for release on 01 October 2012.
Original VHS cover and information
When all communication is lost from Mars Probe 7 shortly after jt leaves. Mars and begins its trip back to Earth, a second craft is launched to investigate. As’ Recovery 7 docks in space, it ,too. loses all communication The Doctor and UNIT are given the task of investigating the mystery, as Recovery 7 returns to Earth.
It appears that no one can be trusted, as the space capsule is hijacked from its UNIT convoy With, military precision. What has happened to the missing astronauts? Could this be a secret-invasion from Mars, -or is the enemy much closer to home?
As the Doctor plans a daring space mission of his own, his assistant Liz Shaw goes missing. Who is working against UNIT in order to bring mankind into conflict with an alien race…? .
A few cost-saving measures were used on ‘Ambassadors’. The space:suits worn by the aliens incorporated helmets left over from the 1969 Hammer film ‘Moon Zero Two’. To further save costs on the building of the set of ‘Recovery 7’, it was agreed to share the expense with another BBC series, ‘Doomwatch’. The ‘Doomwatch’ crew filmed their material in the capsule interior first (tilled ‘Sunfire One’ for their purposes), whilst the ‘Doctor Who’ team were Mill in rehearsals.
The ‘Doomwatch’ episode featuring this set ‘Re Entry Forbidden’ – was screened on BBC! OTI Monday 16th March 1970, some five days prior to episode 1 of ‘The Ambassadors of Death’ transmission.
Director Michael Ferguson had firs! worked on ‘Doctor Who’ as a floor assistant on The Dale-Its’ (1963). As a director, he was responsible for ‘The War Machines’ (1966), ‘The Seeds of Death’ (1969) and ‘The Claws of Axos’ (1971). Working as floor assistant on this story was John Nathan Turner, who would go on to produce ‘Doctor Who’ from 1979 – 89.
The day that part 4 of this story was screened on BBCT – Saturday Illh April was also the day that the ill-fated Apollo 13 moonlanding mission launched in America. In the days that followed, the whole world was gripped as NASA tried everything in its power to return the three marooned astronauts safely to Earth.
Their successful return on 17th April the day before part 5 was screened was the cause of worldwide celabration. Eerily, life imitated art, as that week the Doctor was on his own quest to rescue some stranded astronauts.
This story’ was originally broadcast on BBC 1 between 21stMarch -2nd May 1970.
TheClassicsAreAce
October 16th, 2016 - 2:24pmSeverely underrated story! BBC and 2Entertain did a great job on the restoration
Calum Gillan
November 11th, 2012 - 1:14amI was able to get this, vengeance on varos special edition and planet of giants at WHSmiths
Doctor Who DVD Collector
October 5th, 2012 - 5:10pmthis has to have terrible colourisation quality must say
gordon
October 6th, 2012 - 9:54amThey did a great job. Its a miracle we got it in colour at all. Colour recovery can only really do so much especially on the limited budget they are on
MasterKasterborous
October 6th, 2012 - 11:49amCompare it to the VHS release and you wouldn’t be saying that! It’s not going to be perfect as a majority of the colour comes from an off-air recording in America with chroma dot recovery used as well. I saw episode 4 at ReCon and I don’t belive it is ‘terrible’.
Mr Zarbi
November 1st, 2012 - 8:03amI have to say it’s not good but they have done a good job.
Gordon
November 1st, 2012 - 9:43amExpect mind of evil eps 2 to 6 to be similar quality
Mr Zarbi
November 2nd, 2012 - 6:57pmWatching the other episodes they are realy good.
Anonymous
May 10th, 2013 - 2:47pmi agree mind of evil and ambassadors colourisation is as good as we r going 2 get them i’m afraid
MasterKasterborous
September 30th, 2012 - 7:02pmSaw episode 4 of this today in it’s full glory. Looks marvellous and will be a real treat to get on DVD. Also Reign episode 4’s animation is brilliant and I can’t wait to see episode 5 when it’s released on DVD. Lot’s to look forward to! Also Dan Hall has said that Galaxy 4: Episode 3 is being released in the Summer of 2013 and that there will be around 4 new Special Editions next year.
Blake
October 1st, 2012 - 11:23amI live in New Zealand and we have different season times to u. What are the summer months over there?
THE ERGON
October 1st, 2012 - 9:51pmSo-at least 4 reissues. Hope one is ghostlight.The picture quality on eps.1 and 2 are abysmal. I,d also like The green death,The mind robber,The aztecs,The liesure hive,Horror of fang rock,visitation,The two doctors and Curse of fenric please.
MasterKasterborous
October 2nd, 2012 - 7:21pmBlake: Summer here is June/July/August time.
THE ERGON: We know that Inferno is having a special edition release. I’m not sure that The Two Doctors needs a special edition release but I agree with The Aztecs, the quality could be improved as restoration techniques have advanced a lot since 2002!
THE ERGON
October 2nd, 2012 - 10:13pmI just think that most of the releases pre-2005 could be updated,picture wise and with new special features,’The two doctors’ a case in point. Ghostlight is the one i wish they could do some work on.Picture quality poor by todays standards.
THE ERGON
October 2nd, 2012 - 10:21pmReign of terror is bill at his most fun and mischievous especially the scenes with the jailor.very amusing. As ian says to barbara ‘I don,t know how he does it sometimes’.Referring to getting barbara and susan out of jail,without the jailor realising it.
Blake
October 2nd, 2012 - 10:33pmThanks, so we Expect galaxy 4 episode 3 around June/July/August then
James
October 3rd, 2012 - 6:03amI hope for DVD Releases from 2003 and 2002 to be the Special Editions
I find the majority of 2004 to be satisfactory in terms of quality and special features having said that the 3 l’d like to be is
– The Ark in Space
– The Aztecs
– The Dalek Invasion of Earth
Also Brilliant release Ambassadors, awaiting the Claws of Axos Special!
Blake
October 3rd, 2012 - 7:57amI would probably choose for the three SE are
The dalek invasion of earth
The ark in space
Two doctors
Although i think they actually be the Aztecs, ark in space and dalek invasion
gordon
October 6th, 2012 - 9:46amPersonally i think the other 3 SEs are going to be ark in space, aztecs and visitation
MasterKasterborous
October 6th, 2012 - 11:52amA lot of people are requesting a special edition of The Dalek Invasion Of Earth and I can’t really see why it’s needed. The quality is of a good standard and the special features are very good also. So why do many want this SE?
Blake
October 7th, 2012 - 12:59amI suppose the visitation would be alright for a SE.
I want a new SE of Dalek Invasion Of Earth because here in NZ we get this 40th anniversary logo on that DVD and it just dosent match up with the rest of the collection
James
September 24th, 2012 - 2:14pmLittle over 9 days wait for Australia can’t wait, liking the fact that two jon pertwee stories are coming within little over a month after each other, but l can’t wait to finally finish Jon Pertwee with the Mind of Evil and Inferno Special Edition.
Am wondering though whether in the future Special Edition releases will come about just because of age from the original release or plainly for a better cover artwork…
gordon
September 10th, 2012 - 11:58amJust seen the trailer for this. Excellent
Andrew Shaw
September 2nd, 2012 - 6:37pmI want to see this again as I have it on Video but only watched it once and want to complete my DVD set anyway but as with The Invasion they should release some of the ones which have most episodes I like someone mentioned before think definately The Ice Warriors,Moonbase,Faceles Ones,Maybe The Crusade,Tenth Planet,Reign of Terror,Underwater menace, I think thats all the ones with a few full episodes, would love to see others but that would be impossible unless they were almost full animation.
gordon
September 3rd, 2012 - 12:51amReign of terror is already officially confirmed. Ice warriors, tenth planet Underwater menace are Very strongly rumoured. Moonbase is rumoured Crusade is a possibility. Only one questionable is faceless ones due to the cost of animation of 4 eps but depending on sales of reign could all change
WHOlikes Jelly Babies
July 25th, 2012 - 12:57pmHow will this DVD be set out? Will it be like the Silurians with 4 episodes on one disc and 3 on another or like Inferno were there are all seven on one and there are special features on disc 2?
gordon
July 25th, 2012 - 1:11pmId like it to be all 7 on 1 disc but as there is only 45 mins of extras i doubt that will happen as it will make the 2nd disc look bare. Most likely 4 on disc 1 and 3 with extras on disc 2 to space it out properly and to make the episodes less compressed which i do believe was an issue with inferno
SPACE 1999
July 25th, 2012 - 2:30pmdid it with the daleks so why not???
gordon
July 25th, 2012 - 11:23pmThe daleks is a black and white story though. The mpeg video for that takes up less space. Mpeg video for colour stories take up more space.Going by inferno It can fit on 1 disc but going by the ammount of complaints the restoration team got the picture quality suffered. Dont think it matters either way they will get complaints if its on 1 disc saying the picture quality suffers and they get complaints if its split.They cant win. I dont mind either way as long as the picture quality is best they can do
Gordon
August 16th, 2012 - 10:46pmRestoration team website lists all 7 eps on disc 1. Very suprised to hear that after the complaints they got with inferno about the quality suffering by having 7 colour episodes on 1 disc
gordon
July 25th, 2012 - 9:13amDWM #450 lists the special features.
Commentary with Caroline John, Nicholas Courtney, Peter Halliday, Geoffrey Beevers, Michael Ferguson, Terrance Dicks, Derek Ware, Roy Scammell and Derek Martin. Moderated by Toby Hadoke, recorded Nov 2009.
Also a making of documentary, Tomorrows Times (with Peter Purves) the original BBC trailer and the usual photo gallery, subtitles etc.
Simon B
July 26th, 2012 - 5:06pmWish they didnt have a moderator on the commentary i prefer just the original cast
gordon
July 27th, 2012 - 9:00amIts the cast that request a moderator i believe
Simon B
July 27th, 2012 - 3:52pmReally? Thats interesting i wonder why?
Also too bad the commentary wasnt recorded a few months earlier then we might have had Barry Letts aswell.
harold saxon
July 10th, 2012 - 6:46pmnever owned the vhs,never seen it,hav the audio version,will be great to see it!
LG
July 11th, 2012 - 7:01pmI haven’t seen it also, I have seen a few minuites on the planet of the spiders dvd documentry
gordon
July 25th, 2012 - 9:13amIts one of pertwee’s best in my opinion
RICHARD MANSELL
July 9th, 2012 - 4:43pmAt last! Ambassadors on DVD. It will be a good tribute to Caroline John, an excellent and a very talented Actress. R.I.P Caroline you gave us something special.
Gordon
July 10th, 2012 - 10:18amIts not a tribute to her. The dvd was completed before her death so Too late for a tribute. Most we are going to get is a little note in the leaflet that she died under her name when it lists what she has done. Hopefully inferno will be a proper tribute to her with documentary
gary
July 20th, 2012 - 10:01amWell, at the end of the day, it is a tribute to her!
Gordon
July 20th, 2012 - 11:02pmNo its not. For the dvd range a tribute is a documentary covering a character/actor. As there is not 1 on this release its not a tribute. You can say this dvd is a tribute but then whats stopping it being every jon pertwee dvd release a tribute to jon pertwee
A Walters
October 1st, 2012 - 3:58pmI think they just mean its a tribute because its the first DVD release including Liz Shaw to be released after her death so I suppose fans could dub it a tribute to her.
Doctor Who DVD Collector
July 8th, 2012 - 4:27pmWhat DVD’s I think should come out 2012/ 2013:
2013:
Reign of Terror – Jan
Terror of the Zygons – Feb
Legacy Boxset – Mar
Tenth Planet (with galaxy 4) – Apr
Ice Warriors (with Underwater Menace) – May
Inferno SE – Jun
Gordon
July 8th, 2012 - 11:17pmI actually think legacy box will start the year off on the 7th january. The americans will need a january release in the 2nd tuesday of the month. Also 5 out of the last 6 years we have had box sets to start off. Just feels logical. Then reign on the 28th jan (if the rumours are true). After that i dare not guess as i feel BBC Worldwide have some suprises up their sleaves
LG
July 11th, 2012 - 7:02pmReign of Terror should be out in time for christmas!
Anonymous
July 11th, 2012 - 7:09pmThey’ve seemngly revealed everything for this year, and there is never a December release.
Gordon
July 11th, 2012 - 7:55pmNo LG Reign of terror was supposed to be out this year but the rumour is its been shifted to 28 jan to give animation more time to polish it off.Guesswork is that it was originally coming out in the same slot that axos got but delay in the animation ment they have swapped round with the next single release in the schedule. It is very unlikely it will be out nov or dec as we havent a classic release in those months since 2007.
A Walters
October 1st, 2012 - 4:01pmI really don’t understand why theres never a December release…it seems like the opportune moment to release DVDs.
Gordon
July 6th, 2012 - 11:12pmSuprising news: Knew there was rumours of claws of axos special edition dvd but didnt expect it out this year. Out 22nd october 2012 acording to play.com http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/33787379/0/Doctor-Who-The-Claws-Of-Axos/ListingDetails.html
HarryFLovesDRWHO
July 5th, 2012 - 11:25pmCannot wait! And we’ve waited ages! Why is it 2 entertain are releasing the brilliant ones last.
Doctor Who DVD Collector
July 5th, 2012 - 7:18pmUndissapointing cover, love it. Great cover for a great cover
Doctor Who DVD Collector
July 8th, 2012 - 9:14amI mean grreat cover for a great Story
Classic Who Is Cool
July 5th, 2012 - 9:15amjust a random question about classic doctor who dvds in general, how do you watch the commentary ? cuz its not under special features and i cant find them on the dvds, i know this is a stupid question to ask but can someone tell me were they are or what they are under on the dvd so i can watch them 😀
Gordon
July 5th, 2012 - 10:15amIt is under audio options which can be found special features normally (sometimes on the 2nd page of special features). You can also switch it on through your remote by pressing the audio button when the main feature is on
Classic Who Is Cool
July 6th, 2012 - 4:20pmThanks i will try this out later 😀
Alan Dobbie
July 10th, 2012 - 11:11amI really like listening to the commentaries, though the recent Paddy Russell one was difficult to enjoy, Though sometimes they repeat themselves if watching in order of transmission
prof horner
July 4th, 2012 - 8:45pmAt last the ambassadors of death. Ilove the spooky cover. but I thought the cover was going to be green.
Gordon
July 5th, 2012 - 10:16amI think lee binding was being sarcastic about fans not liking the colours he gives them
The Monitor
July 4th, 2012 - 5:39pmTotally over the moon.
I remember watching this on PBS in America in the early 1980s. (and obviously on pirate VHS and subsequently official VHS).
I am so glad that a top 5 Doctor Who season will finally be complete and hopefully something of a tribute to the sorely missed Caroline John.
Gordon
July 5th, 2012 - 12:58amToo late for a tribute for caroline john to appear on the dvd but inferno is getting a se release in 2013. Hopefully get something on that
Doctor Who DVD Collector
July 10th, 2012 - 7:06amWhat is the point of 2|E releasing a special edition for inferno? It is fine the way it is, it is one of my favourite DVDs and I dont collect special editions because it looks abit weird having the same story twice!
Gordon
July 10th, 2012 - 12:38pmThe picture quality could be vastly improved due to technical advances in the restoration process since the original dvd release. Picture quality of inferno is poor compared with what they can acheive now. The picture quality of the new version will be much better as they are utilising a combination of film recordings and RSC colour which wasnt available to do on the original release as the technology wasnt available in 2005/6 when the original dvd was restored for dvd. Thats the same reason why axos is getting a rerelease