March 16th, 2020
151 comments
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Doctor Who The Faceless Ones Steelbook – update
Available to order from www.zoom.co.uk and www.zavvi.com
All formats are available to order from www.amazon.co.uk ( (Steelbook delayed)
Doctor Who’s missing serial The Faceless Ones will be released on DVD, Blu-Ray and SteelBook on 16th March 2020.
BBC Studios is pleased to announce that The Faceless Ones will be the next animated Doctor Who release, filling a gap in missing content. Following the success of The Power of the Daleks, Shada and The Macra Terror, The Faceless Ones will be released on DVD, Blu-Ray and as an exclusive steelbook next year.
The Faceless Ones is the mostly missing eighth serial of the fourth season of Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in six weekly parts from April to May 1967. Starring Patrick Troughton as the Doctor, the story concerns a sinister race of identity-stealing aliens known as the Chameleons.
Only two of the six episodes are held in the BBC film archives with snippets of footage and still images existing from the other four. Fortunately, off-air recordings of the soundtrack also still exist, making the animation of a complete serial possible once again.
The six new animated episodes are being made in full colour and high definition and will include the following exclusive special features:
- Photographic reconstruction of the story, including surviving footage of episodes 1 & 3
- Audio commentary on episodes 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6
- ‘Making of the animated series’
- Camera script PDF’s
- Surviving film fragments from the story
- x5 ‘Easter Egg’ surprises
- Coming Soon Fury from the Deep trailer
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Fitz
March 16th, 2020 - 2:01pmVery sorry to hear about people not receiving theirs from amazon, is very unlike them so hopefully everyone who ordered one will eventually get it. I rushed to HMV in my uni break today to grab one after seeing how fast they are disappearing, luckily I got one. So if people are hunting them, give HMV a try 🙂
Things that go bump in the night
March 17th, 2020 - 2:24pm“…how fast they were disappearing….” Sounds like this Blu Ray steel book is the next thing that the public are panic buying…
Alan Silvester
March 16th, 2020 - 12:15pmAmazon are hopeless. Had the steelbook on pre-order since last June and, up until yesterday, it was saying “arriving tomorrow”. Now I get an e-mail saying it is not available and no estimated date or any other information given. Ridiculous – they must have known they couldn’t fulfil the orders and let us know earlier. I have cancelled the order, and gone to Zoom instead. How come they have stock and have already sent these out before the release date? As I said, Amazon are hopeless.
TheBrigadier@2013
March 16th, 2020 - 8:00pmSame here Alan!
Savo79
March 16th, 2020 - 11:52amDamn. I’m home alone for once. Wife at work, kids at school and, like any middle aged man, I had planned to spend the day watching animated Doctor Who but Amazon have let me down. Guess I’ll just have to play with my 3rd Doctor and TARDIS I got from B&M the other day.
Mjs
March 16th, 2020 - 9:09amHas anyone received theirs from Amazon yet? I’ve checked my orders and it says it’s not even dispatched. There’s nothing about a delay.
Rob W
March 16th, 2020 - 9:13amMine says delivery by next Monday. Might cancel and get the Steelbook from HMV as it is £25.99 too.
booboo
March 16th, 2020 - 9:39ami have hardly seen anyone if any get the steelbook from Amazon yet, they don’t have stock on the release date either either
booboo
March 16th, 2020 - 9:47amjust had an email saying its delayed
Gordon
March 16th, 2020 - 9:48amApparently amazon has had delays shipping the steelbook.
Anonymous
March 16th, 2020 - 10:03amI received an email saying that amerzon where still trying to get the steal book them selves
Gordon
March 16th, 2020 - 10:13amWith everything that is going on in the world I’m not surprised that there is delays to some suppliers. Expect more of this in the coming months
Anonymous
March 16th, 2020 - 11:21amAs annoying as it is, and yes I’m annoyed as I was expecting the DVD today but now have no idea what is going on, I do understand that the current situation may be affecting things and as Gordon says we may have to expect a lot more delays in the coming months, not just DVDs or bluray but books, magazines and toys will almost certainly be delayed as well as delays to potential filming dates for not just doctor who but many TV and film projects. I know all that and I’m still annoyed lol
TheMaster
March 16th, 2020 - 12:18pmHmv have them in stock in the shops all three versions
Rob W
March 16th, 2020 - 1:03pmYes, £17.99 3 Standard and £25.99 Steelbook BD editions
MJS
March 16th, 2020 - 1:36pmEven Zoom say in stock, but then when the order is placed it says awaiting import to warehouse
BtsR
March 15th, 2020 - 12:25amI think they missed a trick of having an art card of a postcard from the episode, so you can fill in your own message to your parents as you go on the chameleon tours. Would of been a nice little and cheap to produce bonus for the steelbook.
Dean Wells
March 14th, 2020 - 11:10amMy copy has just arrived from Zoom. This steelbook is definitely the most stunning one yet!
Lee D
March 14th, 2020 - 4:58pmCan’t wait to pick mine up from HMV on Monday. Hope the Easter eggs on the disc are very subtle?
Anonymous
March 14th, 2020 - 9:37pmMy copy arrived today too, already on episode four of the b&w version- it’s amazing!
Mikewho2
March 13th, 2020 - 8:17pmZoom have emailed this had despatched. Be great if we get this tomorrow.
Anonymous
March 12th, 2020 - 11:13amJust got my dispatch notice of this from Zavvi.
RPG74
March 3rd, 2020 - 10:17amIt just occurs, that since I have extras on Power for Amazon, and I know they have them on Itunes, the extras for Faceless-sans commentaries-should appear on both platforms the day the disc version hits shelves. Probably.
RPG74
March 3rd, 2020 - 9:03amThe Faceless Ones just popped up on Amazon Digital/Google Play/Itunes as an early release. Episodes in colour and black and white, for £13.49 Amazon and Google, £14.99 Itunes. No special features though, which makes it kind of expensive. But for those among you who haven’t been soured by Chibnall’s recent contributions, and who just can’t wait…
Stephen Watson
February 28th, 2020 - 5:38pmWill there be any difference in content between the Steelbook and standard release. Blurb for each appears to be identical?
Gordon
February 28th, 2020 - 6:32pmIt’s the same contents
RPG74
February 29th, 2020 - 1:52pmAll the content across all versions. Good. Although those who bought the standard versions of Power, Macra and Shada, may now feel short-changed somewhat.
Rob W
February 29th, 2020 - 2:12pmLooks like the Steelbook price is currently £25.99 so it’s a bit more of a bargain. The standard BD and DVD prices by £2 each too.
Rob W
February 29th, 2020 - 2:13pmAmazon prices I should add.
Anonymous
February 12th, 2020 - 11:32pmDo I have to keep typing in a name to post comments or is their a way to stick with one
Anonymous
March 12th, 2020 - 11:10amJust for my dispatch notice for this from Zavvi
Who’s Who
February 12th, 2020 - 12:01amLove that they are doing these animations I really hope they do get around to doing all of them even the really difficult ones
philip shaw
February 12th, 2020 - 7:44amMy guess on the next 2 being ‘Evil of the Daleks’ and ‘Wheel in Space’. They seem to want to complete the Troughtons first which is good news to me, he’s my fave doc!
I would also love to see ‘The Highlanders’.
philip shaw
February 12th, 2020 - 7:47amThey should do ‘The Dalek Masterplan’ volume 1&2, seperate releases the first of course featuring the new re-enacted ‘mission to the unknown’.
Gordon
February 12th, 2020 - 11:16amI definitely think they will be announcing evil next. It follows on from faceless ones and has the faceless ones cliffhanger to resolve. I’m thinking abominable for the other 2021 release from big finish creative. It splits up the big monsters of Daleks and cybermen so they aren’t all out at once and has the same team as fury. Also wheel has a britbox recon but abominable doesn’t have any sort of recon which may make them prioritise abominable over wheel.
In 2022 wheel to start from the bbc studios team and the space pirates from the big finish creative as they are the only 2 easy troughton’s that haven’t had a dvd release.
The highlanders from the bbc studios team in 2023 as to test how a more expensive historical and underwater menace and web 3 from Big finish creative to finish off the Troughton era.
If highlanders is successful In 2024 the bbc studios team could do the smugglers and the other team could tackle galaxy 4.
2025 could see the savages and the other team could do the myth makers as a test for the remaining most expensive stories like crusade and Marco.
2026 could see toymaker from bbc studios and the other team could tackle masterplan part 1.
2027 could see the massacre from bbc studios and masterplan part 2 from the other team.
2028 could be the crusade
2029 could be Marco Polo.
Providing the sales continue to be strong we could have a full set in 10 years. Would love a 3rd animation team on the go as it would cut things down considerably however it’s a marathon not a sprint.
BeeversMaster
February 13th, 2020 - 2:46pmHopefully we will get an animated version of Mission to the unknown to make it more in line with the animations as the re-make should be kept on YouTube and we have a proper version with an animation of how the original should have looked as there were lots of things wrong with the remake.
Anonymous
February 13th, 2020 - 3:05pmThe remake is great, done on a tiny budget they did brilliantly. I do think evil willbe next and I would love abominable as well. The audio is good but as the yeti don’t roar they have zero presence! Be so much better to be able to see them.
Philip Shaw
February 14th, 2020 - 1:12pmGordon…you forgot ‘The Space pirates’ but I like your list ideas. I personally love Pat Troughton and looking at the animation so far they may make ‘Pirates’ more exciting that it’s supposed to be, the audio without visuals is particularly dull!
philip Shaw
February 14th, 2020 - 1:33pmSorry Gordon you didn’t miss of ‘Space Pirates’…read it too quickly !!!
TheBrigadier@2013
February 9th, 2020 - 7:16pmThis steelbook looks glorious!
Anonymous
February 9th, 2020 - 8:34amWhen they get around to doing The Collection: Season 4 Blu-Ray set in the future will they include these animated stories in them?
Gordon
February 9th, 2020 - 8:53amYes animations will be included. However I wouldn’t be surprised if the colour animations or the reconstructions aren’t included. Season 4 is going to be a massive beast of a set if it includes black and white and colour animations with reconstructions. About 16-17 discs to fit it all in
Anonymous
February 9th, 2020 - 10:32amYes I was thinking that myself the box set itself would be huge I don’t know how they would approach that quantity of discs with the current box design whether it would be split into two a Season 4 part 1 and Season 4 part 2 or something else as the housing for the discs currently would strain glue also would imagine cost effectiveness would need to be looked at cannot see them marketing that much content for £40
Kenman
February 10th, 2020 - 1:37amAs someone unable to afford all the animations (instead focusing on the Collection sets), can I ask how they have included both black and white and color versions thus far? Have they been separate discs or have they utilized seamless branching in some way?
Gordon
February 10th, 2020 - 1:50amSeparate discs so far.
Kenman
February 13th, 2020 - 2:41pmInteresting. Be curious to see what they do when the Collection comes a rolling towards the 60s stuff.
MrAnonymous
February 8th, 2020 - 8:24pmBooboo, will you be updating the Classic DVD/Bluray lists with this new artwork?
booboo
February 9th, 2020 - 11:02amyes soon
Nick r
February 7th, 2020 - 7:19pmJust pre order this indeed my brother works at Gatwick airport to See what it looked like in 1968.
Anonymous
February 7th, 2020 - 6:57pmI’m sorry but this is genuinely stunning.
booboo
February 7th, 2020 - 6:58pmi would tend to agree
Anonymous
February 7th, 2020 - 1:55pmIf the steelbook is available from at least three different suppliers, in what way is it exclusive?
Rob W
February 7th, 2020 - 2:46pmIt’s now a ‘Limited Edition’ according to Zavvi’s listing.
Rob W
February 7th, 2020 - 1:36pmYou wait ages for a Doctor Who Blu-Ray then 3 arrive on the smae day.
Rob W
February 7th, 2020 - 1:43pmOops, I can’t count, that’s 2 on the same day
Master of M
February 7th, 2020 - 11:53amVery reminiscent of a 1960s holiday brochure. Perfect design, and full marks to the designer.
ChrisP
February 7th, 2020 - 1:39pmYes love this design
The Ergon
February 7th, 2020 - 11:24amThe artwork for this is beautiful and more in tone with the story. Shame i don,t collect the steelbook versions.
Darren
February 7th, 2020 - 10:43amWhy no cardboard sleeve in the reveal photos?
Gordon
February 7th, 2020 - 10:46amI’m sure it will be there. They probably just want to show off the artwork
Gordon
February 7th, 2020 - 10:25amSaw the steelbook on amazon. It’s gorgeous
Gordon
February 7th, 2020 - 10:38amAlso doesn’t look like there is anything exclusive on the steelbook
Alvin Amey
June 6th, 2019 - 1:08pmI’ve ordered the steelbook, I wonder if there will be extra content with the steelbook version, I’m hoping for an updated Loose Cannon recon including the existing footage 🙂
Rob W
June 8th, 2019 - 2:49pmThe last 2 releases had a bonus disc so here’s hoping…
VHS
June 4th, 2019 - 6:45pmThe old three bears of format choice…
Steelbook – Far too expencive, will get a scratch on the front and the J-card will disapear.
DVD – Those round things that took over from tape, that are now cheaper low quality Blu-Rays.
Blu-Ray – Just right but no card slip cover please they are the devil.
Download – Virtual none existant thing that has no artwork…nope never.
TigerMan1995
June 6th, 2019 - 9:57amenjoy those slipcovers.
DVD doesn’t do HD, so they are not “low quality BD”
steelbooks shouldn’t get scratched if you take care of it, put your j-cards in a box. the steelbook is actually cheaper this time around.
the only thing i agree with here is download / digital.
Anonymous
June 6th, 2019 - 2:50pmVHS tapes – lower quality, wore our over time, picture some times jumped and the tape could get mashed in the machine, takes up loads of room and sometimes the doctor who cover art wasn’t very good.
booboo
June 6th, 2019 - 3:00pmi know, but back in the day you couldn’t wait to rush down the WH Smiths on the first Monday in the month to see what the next releases were, its was much more exiting back then.
Anonymous
June 6th, 2019 - 4:35pmYour so right booboo, it was more exciting, and the original VHS releases were the only way you could watch older stories, before they were shown on satellite tv, so every release was hugely looked forward to.
Who rules
June 6th, 2019 - 8:11pmThe target books and vhs – those were the days alright. And yes, vhs were bulky and poor quality but to us who fans of a certain age they were heaven sent. My daughter cannot understand that we couldn’t just call back a story we hadn’t seen or had missed. I was away on holiday with my family so missed the first two episodes of the leisure hive. Because of that I didn’t watch the remaining episodes rejoining the series for meglos. So the target book in 1982 was great but it wasn’t until 1997 I saw the leisure hive when the vhs was released. I didn’t have access to UK gold repeats. It’s a different world now.
booboo
June 7th, 2019 - 4:24pmits called business and keeps people in jobs.
also just because you bought all the the VHS and DVD’s doesn’t mean every one else has, there are 2-3 new generations of fans since all that happened.
booboo
June 7th, 2019 - 4:51pmso you are saying that companies should not re-releases stuff in up to date formats or produce better Tv’s etc as technology improves
I’m not sure exactly how will any of these companies could stay in business and keep people in jobs if they don’t move with the times.
Anonymous
February 7th, 2020 - 10:42amHonestly who rules story reminds me we should be grateful doctor who’s is available on dvd, blu Ray, britbox!
Bobby Fackrell
February 7th, 2020 - 2:18pmSteelbook every day!!
Whorules
February 11th, 2020 - 4:46pmI’m confused about your comments boo boo, I never said anything about these DVDs or bluray releases being wrong. I buy the DVDs. I was just reminiscing about the old days.
booboo
February 11th, 2020 - 5:13pmso am i, i think those are in the wrong place for some reason, i think they are a reply to comments that aren’t there anymore
Anonymous
February 11th, 2020 - 5:57pmAh, right that would explain it! Thought I’d said something without realising it.
Wputube
June 4th, 2019 - 5:18pmThey are animating season 4 so we can have a complete blu ray boxset probably
Daniel
June 4th, 2019 - 4:36pmOrdered mine from Amazon UK
Doctor Mysterio
June 4th, 2019 - 2:55pmExcellent news. Ordered mine already.
Phasergrim
June 4th, 2019 - 1:30pmCan’t wait. I’m sure it’ll be worth the wait. They’ve always been superb