September 13th, 2023
156 comments
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Doctor Who The Underwater Menace Ltd Edition Steelbook
Available to order from www.amazon.co.uk
BBC Studios continues to offer Doctor Who fans the opportunity to extend their at home collection by announcing the latest release Doctor Who: The Underwater Menace on DVD and Blu-Ray. The two-disc box set contains the fourth series story as well as special features. This classic series stars the second Doctor Patrick Troughton and co-stars Anneke Wills as Polly, Michael Craze as Ben and Frazer Hines as Jamie McCrimmon.
The original 1967 master recordings of all except episodes two and three of The Underwater Menace were lost soon after the programme’s original transmission. However, audio-only recordings of the missing two episodes have survived and have been used to create a brand new fully animated presentation of this lost classic.
This story sees these characters navigate through their adventures in the underwater city of Atlantis where they meet with Professor Zaroff, who plots to destroy the Earth by draining the oceans. Fans can expect a super jam-packed series bursting with unseen exclusive content. All episodes have been animated in colour and black and white whilst including original film elements.
DISC ONE (Main Feature)
- Episodes 1-4 – Animation – Colour
- Episodes 1-4 – Animation – Black and White
DISC TWO (Special Features)
- Episode 1 – Reconstruction
- Episodes 2 & 3 – Original 1967 Episode
- Episode 4 – Reconstruction
- A Fishy Tale – Making of Documentary
- Australian Censor Clips
- The Man from Miditz
- Frazer Hines Introduction for episode 2 as per the original VHS release
- BBC News Report (South Today)
- BBC Radio Solent Piece (audio only)
- Photo Gallery
- Animation Gallery
- PDF material including camera script
Doctor Who: The Underwater Menace will be available for fans to buy from November 2023.
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Bookcollector
November 13th, 2023 - 9:24pmArrived today and I’ve watched the black and white animation, the reconstruction and the extras. The animation is good, the changes in sets and costumes work well but it does mean the original episodes and the missing episode animations jar a little. Personally I decided to watch just the animation and then the reconstruction. The recon is better than the original but I would recommend turning on the narration soundtrack as it really helps tell the story. Extras are decent but I do have one quibble. The man from Miditz is very good, very watchable but there is no explanation for what happens in the rest of the story! Overall though a great release so far. Tomorrow I’ll watch the full colour animation which I’m looking forward to.
D84
November 13th, 2023 - 8:10pmThis release seems to be a little confused from a Branding perspective.
We have a new Logo on the spine, booklet and the actual discs – but then the “splash screen” as the disc loads is the Jodie era along her music ident/sting and graphics (asteroid field)
A little odd
Anon
November 13th, 2023 - 9:18pmNot really as the new doctor has yet to air. If this had been released in December then it would have used the new logo on the ident page but as I say, technically it’s still Jodie’s era until Tennant’s new stories air.
D84
November 14th, 2023 - 9:27amBut then why use the new logo on the cover / booklet / disc etc?
Just seems an odd choice, unless they wanted to keep the ident etc for the new era under wraps – or as you say – “launched” on the specials
Just seems a little confused and out of place – but if this had come out a couple of months ago – or after Christmas – I dare say the branding would be consistent
I am expecting whatever is next out on the animation front to use all new branding – and also the release of the specials
For the upscale of S1-S4 – I’m really not sure, we’ll see when it arrives i guess
Gordon
November 14th, 2023 - 12:31pmBecause the new logo had already been revealed and already been intergrated to merchandise and the new intro had not been announced or revealed when the discs had been sent away to be produced.
D84
November 13th, 2023 - 2:02pmJust arrived from Amazon and in perfect condition thankfully
I can confirm that the B&W Animation is on Disc 1 along with the 2 surviving episodes
The full colour animation is contained on Disc 2
Interestingly, quickly skimming the booklet – it says that “A completely new animated production of “The Underwater Menace” was commissioned in May 2022 for BBC Studio’s – completed in July 2023
So thats 6 months before the leak to the mirror occured in Jan 23.
They did well to keep it hidden for that long i feel.
But furthermore – what else have we got to look forward to if the 2nd part of that leak proves to be also true. At around 12/14 months for this 4 part story, and if work concluded on this in July 2023 – we may have a little bit of a wait before another story comes out if there is only 1 team working on them.
We’ll see i guess, exciting times
Prof Horner
November 13th, 2023 - 2:28pmWell this interesting. Wasn’t it the beginning of last year when the funding from BBC America stopped? So who funded this one I wonder ? The fact they said last year that there was no more at the same as time working on another it seems.
Got my copy this morning from HMV here in Leeds. Look forward watching this to tonight.
D84
November 13th, 2023 - 3:41pmYes exactly Prof it was Jan 2022 when news emerged that the previous BBC America funding arrangement had wrapped up and no more animation projects were planned beyond Abominable.
News broke in Jan 2023 that 2 more animations were planned (UWM and Smugglers), alongside colourised episodes – but it seems that UWM had been commissioned and in production 7 months at that point – plus if the Colourised/trimmed down version of “The Daleks has been a 12 month project – that too would have been underway at least 2-3 months by the time the news broke
My point is – they seem to be getting better at keeping things under wraps
Am looking forward to the next one, whatever it turns out to be im sure it will be very good
ex15
November 13th, 2023 - 3:50pmMine arrived complete with a dent, so returning, replacement en route.
Not the packaging damaged though, so already dented prior to packing.
Gordon
November 13th, 2023 - 5:02pmIt was said at the underwater menace bfi screening that there is 2 teams working on the animations Paul Hembery is executive producing one team and Russell Minton is doing the other.
According to her cv Chloe Grech (galaxy 4 director) has been working on something in 3d for Shapeshifter studios since 2022 for a 4×24 minute story that the discription fits doctor who to a glove. Would be surprised if it wasn’t celestial toymaker that will be getting announced Soon.
To be fair the bbc never confirmed or denied that it would be it. It was Gary Russell who isn’t involved with the new animations said that was it.
As for the next animation from the menace team. underwater menace took 14 months. As there was a gap between evil ending and menace beginning the team would need reassembled and new people needed hiring as some animators (like rob Ritchie) didn’t return which probably took a little bit of time . If it’s the exact same team that did menace they won’t need to hire new people. They can just go straight into the next one. Depending on which story they tackle if it has less characters and sets it may take less than 14 months. Considering it was 6 months since they finished menace depending on how quickly they started and how complex they could be half way through the next one already
D84
November 13th, 2023 - 6:35pmI am still hopefull one of them will be Wheel in Space soon
The Chloe Grech entry could well be Toymaker or Smugglers I guess?
Rex F
November 13th, 2023 - 7:30pmRussell Minton’s back? I thought he’d said he’d almost been driven mad by the workload? Unless they’ve improved things now?
Prof Horner
November 13th, 2023 - 7:45pmI want wheel in Space too D84. Finished watching this animation. Well done to all concerned. Look forward to the next one. Great times ahead I think.
Gordon
November 13th, 2023 - 9:09pmI think you are thinking of Charles Norton Rex F. He does still work on the animated releases but just the extras. He co produced the new underwater menace recon with John Kelly and put together the photo gallery’s on this release.
I think wheel will get done eventually. I suspect that smugglers is being done by the menace team and if I’m right about Chloe and her team doing toymaker it only leaves 9 stories (10 if you count mission as a separate story). If the animations carry on after that it will only be a matter of time before they get to it.
Rex F
November 14th, 2023 - 2:30pmThanks Gordon, that’s the fella. I’m pleased to hear he’s still involved with the releases, because he was so enthusiastic about them and keen on getting a quality product. Hopefully the powers that be will make sure the current teams are less likely to suffer burn out in future.
Deano
November 13th, 2023 - 10:57amMines been dispatched from Amazon but via Royal Mail this time which is what I suspect will be the case for many who had a date of the 20th for delivery estimate especially if your not a Prime member but it’s free p+p so can’t complain really and after all no rush as I only at best get post twice a week anyway but look forward to receiving it when I do.
Dave
November 13th, 2023 - 1:06pmMy amazon order via royal mail just arrived , brave heart tegan
D84
November 13th, 2023 - 1:23pmInteresting
I went for the free delivery (non prime) as I usually do – but my copy is coming via Amazon logistics
Although I do have another couple of items arriving today from them too so could be that
Bob
November 12th, 2023 - 12:55pmGot mine today, to be honest I almost forgot it was coming out.
The animation is decent but doesn’t flow that seamlessly with the surviving episodes.
Speaking of the surviving episodes, it could be due to the quality of the film reels but they seem to have similar issues to the Season 20 boxset, at least when played on a PS5 anyway.
D84
November 12th, 2023 - 11:48amNo sign of my Amazon order status changing to “Preparing for despatch” or ” Dispatching now” yet
Not gonna lie – starting to get concerned my copy won’t turn up tomorrow
D84
November 12th, 2023 - 4:28pmAnd we have a despatch …. “all is well”
Looking forward to watching this
MDS
November 11th, 2023 - 12:50pmReceived mine from HMV this morning. I had an email from Royal Mail saying delivery on Monday so very happy.
The Fishmonger
November 11th, 2023 - 10:30amJust had my delivery confirmation from Amazon eta Monday
D84
November 11th, 2023 - 1:35pmMines still showing “arriving Mon 20th” and “Not yet Despatched” on my Amazon order but that usually changes Sat/Sun before release day Monday.
We’ll see ….
Gordon
November 8th, 2023 - 8:33pmMy dvd and steelbook turned up from galaxy 4 shop.
SV7
November 8th, 2023 - 9:01pmWow, nice and early! OK, tell us slowly… Are the surviving episodes on the same disc as the B&W animation?
Gordon
November 8th, 2023 - 9:07pmHaven’t properly checked but it looks like the black and white animations, the recons and surviving episodes are all on the same disc.
Dave
November 8th, 2023 - 9:18pmMY amazon order says 20th nov !!! liberty hall
SV7
November 8th, 2023 - 9:26pmFantastic news, thank you Gordon! Very excited about getting my hands on a copy soon!
D84
November 8th, 2023 - 10:51pmGreat news thanks Gordon.
I’m guessing the full colour animation is therefore on the other disc?
Dave – my Amazon copy says delivery 20th too but that usually changes at the weekend and they arrive in the afternoon of release day
Although I’ve seen others take days to arrive so I guess I’ve been lucky to to now
Will report back what happens with my pre order
Gordon
November 8th, 2023 - 11:21pmDisc line up is as follows
Disc 1: Black and white animation
Bonus features: Episode 1 2023 recon (with optional narration and also 2015 commentary)
Surviving episode 2 (with optional 2015 commentary
Surviving episode 3 (with optional 2015 commentary
Episode 4 2023 recon (with optional narration and also 2015 commentary)
Disc 2: colour animation
Bonus features: Fishy tales (2015 making of)
Man from Miditz
Censor clips
Fraser Hines episode 3 introduction
Bbc South today report
Bbc radio Solent
Photo gallery
Animation gallery
Pdf material
D84
November 9th, 2023 - 7:05amGreat thanks Gordon
Gordon
November 9th, 2023 - 11:37amI rather enjoyed the animation for this one. Animation style Fits in with the ott b movie style of story. Animation is Very fluid. It’s completely 2d. Some purists might get annoyed at the sets being expanded but as I understand they have based the sets on the original scripting. The fish people have had a wee bit of a redesign but it fits the animation style they went for.
Prof Horner
November 9th, 2023 - 11:44amWell I wait till Monday to get mine. I always get the animations from HMV here Leeds. It is only the season Boxsets I get off Amazon.
Enjoying certain stories I haven’t got DVD on iPlayer. Reign of Terror tonight I think.
Rory
November 9th, 2023 - 12:31pmGot a bit more of a wait for mine as I bought the Anneke Wills autographed version, but that’s okay as I’m not home for another week. Something to look forward to when I get back.
Jake E
November 10th, 2023 - 10:02amDoes Galaxy 4 charge more? If they don’t then I might start using them
Rex F
November 10th, 2023 - 10:40amAbout 25% more.
DPHill
November 2nd, 2023 - 9:30pmLooks like The Daleks will be receiving the omnibus treatment alongside COLOURISATION! Seven parts condensed to 75 minutes, airing 23rd November!! Put it here as it kinda be relevant to the 60s stuff
Prowl 1701
November 3rd, 2023 - 4:33amNew sounds and music by mark too
Rex F
November 3rd, 2023 - 5:09amThat explains why they finally got the part 7 negative back from the BFI.
Gordon
November 3rd, 2023 - 7:18amCouple of Newly shot scenes added too according to Benjamin cook.
Wonder if it will be structured as a tales from the tardis. Maybe have Carole Ann Ford and David Bradley meet on the remembered tardis
Jake E
November 3rd, 2023 - 5:45pmGordon that is a fantastic idea. I don’t think it will happen because it’s just too good to be true haha
RPG74
October 28th, 2023 - 12:48pmIf US viewers are interested, the release date for this is January 9th (according to bluray.com).
RPG74
October 28th, 2023 - 1:30pmBlu ray I mean, not steelbook.
DPHill
October 23rd, 2023 - 7:39amA few more animations are in the works, and the animation was good overall!
SV7
October 23rd, 2023 - 7:54amI did hear from someone who attended that it was confirmed that there are once again two teams working on the animations. Very good news if true!
D84
October 23rd, 2023 - 9:15amOoooh excellent news thanks guys
Was this leaked at the BFI screening?
Details ……….. details ………
DPHill
October 23rd, 2023 - 9:58amThere wasn’t much more than that, other than two teams are working on it, like SV7 said, I think we will get an announcement very soon! And yes it was at the BFI screening :))
D84
October 23rd, 2023 - 10:43am2 teams working on UWM? Or 2 teams working on “Animations”
We had 2 teams working on them before didn’t we?
We appear to have worked out that UWM is being done by BBC Studio’s so do we think The Smugglers (if that is the other one being worked on just now) is being done by BFC / Shapeshifter?
DPHill
October 23rd, 2023 - 3:57pmAlso it is worth mentioning that when asked in the Q and A, someone asked if the animations would correspond on to the collection sets, the person said she believes they ‘absolutely will be’ so it’s nice for a small morsel of confirmation
D84
October 23rd, 2023 - 8:23pmOne could surmise then that although the teams involved have said they are “not” waiting for animations – there may still be an element of that ????
14 releases in and so far only 1 of them B&W and that one being one of the sets/stories called out very early as unlikely to be animated soon – if ever ….
Prof Horner
October 24th, 2023 - 10:27amWell they are going to have to wait for the animations for season 3 I think. All the rest of the sixties season will only have one story missing, if as seems likely The Smugglers is being animated. But as I have said many times. Season 5 will be the only complete sixties season on Boxset. With The Wheel in Space being almost certainly animated.
D84
October 24th, 2023 - 7:50pmYes I would agree they “need” some more animations to come along to make S3 a viable product (in my view)
The intention to include the animations is clearly there as the trailer for the Galaxy Four Animation (in colour) which opens S3 – is on the final disc is the S2 Collection Box set as part of the “coming soon” links – so I would say the intention is to include them where they can
I am.hoping for a Wheel In Space animation too – it would just fit so well as a story suited to animation treatment
James
October 25th, 2023 - 7:41amDaily Mirror says Celestial Toymaker will be the next animation. Today’s tv news wed 25th October 23)
D84
October 16th, 2023 - 9:52am4 weeks to guy boys and girls – are we getting excited for this one?
I’m still hoping for an announcement re Animation of The Smugglers, lets hope that one plays out to be true too
Anyone seen or heard any snippets of leaks surrounding an official animation of Celestial Toymaker?
Prof Horner
October 16th, 2023 - 11:27amYes! Most definitely! As dear old is my Pat is my favourite Doctor, it will be great to see another of his ‘ missing stories ‘ come to life again. Only three left of Pat’s to go. Amazing! Yes I expect Toymaker to be animated soon . Maybe in 3D as suggested by are good friend Mr Prowl in one of his excellent videos. I certainly hope we will get The Smugglers soon too. It one of my favourites. A little gem of a story. After that The Wheel in Space to complete season 5. Which may come out on season Boxset sooner than you think if season 1 is delayed because of one man’s , well I can’t say !
Rob
October 16th, 2023 - 12:02pmHi Jake, It’s odd as season 17 and 2 are sold out as limited, so if I was the BBC I would go and get those out ASAP. then maybe leave the ones that are still available such as 22 until they completely sell out.
Who knows, only Russell Milton?
D84
October 16th, 2023 - 1:50pmProf i am hoping for Wheel in Space to be fully animated too – its a guilty pleasure of mine as a story i love
Duncan
October 30th, 2023 - 3:15pmCelestial Toymaker has been announced. Im surprised it hasn’t popped up on here.
Not sure what’s happening with The Smugglers though. I live in hope its been found somewhere. .
booboo
October 30th, 2023 - 3:23pmwhere has it been announced? We have had no press release
D84
October 30th, 2023 - 10:02pmWhat ….. What! …… WHAT!!!
Where?
Bookcollector
October 31st, 2023 - 4:55amRumours only… not officially announced.
Goody
October 3rd, 2023 - 12:25amMy question is not related to this release but can someone tell me when the next standard edition of the collection will be announced?
SV7
October 3rd, 2023 - 7:39amSadly not known at the moment… 🙁
James
October 3rd, 2023 - 12:23pmGoing by the last 2 should have been july/august/September time. Why do they they release them at the same time? It’s the same set just a plastic Box and cardboard case with a smaller booklet. The animations sets aren’t released like this; the expensive steel book first the a year or more later for dvd/blu ray
Gordon
October 3rd, 2023 - 2:27pmGoing by those involved in making the sets It’s because the sales of the limited edition sets make the standard versions viable. They need the limited sets to sell out or almost sell out first before the standard sets become viable
James
October 3rd, 2023 - 2:52pmGordon. So if a set doesn’t sell well the Std version isn’t released until it does? I thought they were around 10k or 20k sets made for each?
It be investing so know the full sales figures for both versions since the collection started.
Gordon
October 3rd, 2023 - 10:39pmHeard it was 14-16k. That was before the pre standard edition days. Not sure how much it is now though
Rob
October 4th, 2023 - 9:39amSeason 17 limited ed is sold out, however season 22 is now reduced on Amazon (along with lots of other standard editions reduced). So maybe Season 17 on standard for Christmas as a sold out edition and it’s Tom Baker. Sadly McCoy and C Baker were never good sellers, even in the DVD days. Hence why you use to get bundles of Silver Nemesis and Revenge of the Cybermen. Together Dan Hall could budget for extras across both. I think, Hartnell, McCoy and C Baker would sell 2000, and the others 3000 units or more if Tom.
RPG74
October 4th, 2023 - 10:54amWouldn’t surprise me if 17 and 22 are released in standard over xmas. They released 12 and 19 together.
James
October 4th, 2023 - 11:50amShame 12 didn’t get its own promo epsiode like the rest have. I know 12 was just a tester release. Be hard now as Tom’s getting on and only John (Sgt Benton) left. (No harry, Sarah, davros, styre. Unless they have Benton on the phone to the Brig about spotting a sontaran (played by dan starky).
17 would be out 2 years in December. Most of the std versions seem to come out 2 years on less.
Rob
October 4th, 2023 - 1:58pmI sent an email to the dvdsupport box to ask about the next standard edition, not sure if that is the right place to contact.
Jake E
October 4th, 2023 - 4:36pmYou say that but Season 24 has a standard edition available and yet the Limited Edition has been readily available for years now so must not be selling well at all yet they gave it a Standard which is weird and the Limited has had great reductions in price for a year or something
Rob
October 16th, 2023 - 12:00pmHi Jake, It’s odd as season 17 and 2 are sold out as limited, so if I was the BBC I would go and get those out ASAP. then maybe leave the ones that are still available such as 22 until they completely sell out.
Who knows, only Russell Milton?
[email protected]
October 16th, 2023 - 12:02pmHi Jake, It’s odd as season 17 and 2 are sold out as limited, so if I was the BBC I would go and get those out ASAP. then maybe leave the ones that are still available such as 22 until they completely sell out.
Who knows, only Russell Milton?
MJS
September 23rd, 2023 - 2:28pmAw no, another logo change on the spine. That’s 3 different ones on the steel book range now
D84
September 23rd, 2023 - 9:13pmYea I spotted that – not great
D84
September 23rd, 2023 - 1:39pmHas anyone heard or seen any further leaks or teasers or stuff/extras that “could be” for a potential “The Smugglers” Animation?
Not seen anything on that to confirm it as yet
James
September 23rd, 2023 - 3:57pmNothing since the story about it and uwm in January. And the possibility of unearthly child being coloured for transmission
D84
September 23rd, 2023 - 9:14pmToymaker confirmed for 60th!!!
Do we still think the original story will be animated?
Gordon
September 24th, 2023 - 2:07amI suspect we will get the smugglers announced in November. Toymaker announced some point next year. Don’t expect the n word in toymaker to be included. That’s most certainly gonna get changed to fit something a little less offensive.
Chloe grech (she directed galaxy 4 and was pretty much earmarked to replace Gary Russell for big finish creative) has an Interesting post on her LinkedIn account. She’s been working for shapeshifter (web 3) since last year. “Currently we have been commissioned for a 4x24min 3D animated series which I am both production managing and supporting the animation team.“ Now I’m not saying it’s doctor who but the description fits.
Prof Horner
September 24th, 2023 - 10:22amWell if the 3D team are working a Doctor Who serial, it will have to be a Hartnell don’t you think? I hope they have taken on board the criticism of Web of Fear three and done something about the body movement. I don’t think I could sit through 4 episodes of twitching!
D84
September 24th, 2023 - 2:14pmThat’s a fair shout Gordon. The episode run time and count would fit.
I’m happy with any of the animation styles – anything is better than stills (Even Web Ep3) IMO
Let’s pray ….
Gregor
September 24th, 2023 - 6:08pmWouldn’t the highlanders fit more for 3d since it’s a “difficult” story to animate
Gordon
September 24th, 2023 - 10:51pmWell they have had 2 and a half years to improve on things. I always said it holds potential if more time money and animators and I suspect with it being a 4 parter it will have that. Won’t be the exact same animators as 1 of them left shapeshifter. Michael Puglisi now does visual effects for shows like Ashoka and films like the new Indiana Jones film and aquaman 2
Gordon
September 24th, 2023 - 10:54pmAs for which story I think either toymaker would fit perfectly or the heavily rumoured smugglers would be a good improving ground for it
Scotel
September 25th, 2023 - 2:28amI do expect the 3D team will end up being the ones to do The Highlanders (assuming everything carries on) but I don’t see it being the current story they are working on, maybe for 2025 though.
Prof Horner
September 25th, 2023 - 11:37amI think The Toymaker would benefit from the 3D treatment. Certainly it is a serial which would benefit from a animation makeover. Although the people on Ian Levine’s Facebook site, would probably have a meltdown on that.
Gordon
September 28th, 2023 - 12:51amIan Levine was interviewed by time scales on YouTube. Think by the mentions of comic con just being passed it was filmed in July. He made an interesting claim.
He handed Damian shanahan (snowman associate producer) his toymaker transcripts for the official animation. According to Ian Damian came back and told him Gary Russell doesn’t want to see it as he wants to do it his way.
One slight problem. In august Gary has denied he is doing anymore animations and snowmen was his last. I can see there being three posibilities
a) Ian is right and Gary is lying
B) Gary is telling the truth and Ian is lying
C) both are telling the truth and there is mixed wires about who actually rejected the transcript.
SV7
October 1st, 2023 - 1:27pmGordon, is it possible that Gary is working in an advisory only role in regards to the rumoured Toymaker animation? If he was just giving Chloe Grech advice, it would make sense why he keeps saying Snowmen was his “last” project while still being able to reject Ian’s transcripts. If Chloe didn’t want to upset Ian it would make sense that she would ask Gary to tell Damien to then tell Ian that his transcripts weren’t required.
Also, Shapeshifter is still based in Australia as far as I know.
Just a theory that I wanted to share.
Gordon
October 1st, 2023 - 3:50pmGary says he has nothing to do with any of the new animations. Ian has pretty much burned nearly all of his bridges with the bbc with his various antics over the years I suspect it’s one of the higher ups that rejected it on the basis that it’s from him.ian spent a good chunk of the interview blaming and slagging Gary off for numerous things It wouldn’t be too much of a surprise if he’s just using that as another excuse to bash him. .
His transcript notes are so in depth with stage directions which way people went, things they hold set discriptictions etc they would be effectively adapting ians memory of what happened in the episode which may or may not be accurate. Animation is a different medium. What that is written down might not adapt or adapt well to animation. Also what that is written down wouldn’t give Chloe a chance to make her mark on the animation. Can see it being rejected for that alone.
SV7
October 1st, 2023 - 4:17pmVery true 🙂
Rory
September 22nd, 2023 - 9:26amJust a heads up that Anneke Wills has signed copies for pre-order on her site.
D84
September 21st, 2023 - 2:26pmBeautiful Artwork for the Steelbook
Prowl 1701
September 21st, 2023 - 5:37pmit does look really good.
Bobby Davros
September 23rd, 2023 - 1:48pmShame none of that happened In the actual story.
Alvin
August 11th, 2023 - 6:56pmI’m pleased that the animated Underwater Menace has been done as its a story I haven’t seen yet, I gave up trying to watch the DVD version due to the way the reconstruction was made.
Samuel
August 17th, 2023 - 4:12amWhat exactly was so bad about the 2015 dvd?
I vaguely remember them using telesnaps, but telesnaps themselves are not a bad thing. Was it the same issue as the 2013 Web of Fear dvd (and the old photo recon on The Tenth Planet 2016 dvd) where they used production photos and bounced them around the screen like a round of Have I Got News For You?
If it’s the latter, then I can definitely agree.
Just can’t believe they would deliberately get Jamie’s costume wrong on The Underwater Menace animation though – something so strikingly incorrect – must’ve been on purpose to avoid whatever his real costume’s supposed to be?
Gordon
August 17th, 2023 - 8:17amIt wasn’t that they used telesnaps it was how they were used. As basic as possible and next to impossible to follow what was going on. The restoration website mentions: Rather than animate the missing episodes, the instruction that came to us via our commissioning editor was that they were to be presented as an inexplicably basic telesnap and off-air soundtrack reconstruction. Although we offered to prepare reconstructions to the standard of that featured on The Web of Fear for no extra cost, we were firmly told that the reconstruction must be exceptionally basic – no recreated opening titles or credits, no composite shots, no moves to add life to the storytelling, and all the telesnaps had to be presented one after another in the order they were shot and without repetition. A very odd commercial decision which were are at a loss to understand.
As for Jamie wearing the wrong costume we cannot forget these animations are their own productions separate from the 1967 versions. It’s also very much a budgetary reason (I believe it’s reused from the evil animation) and to save the animation team from doing a head to toe tartan for just 1 or 2 scenes as doing tartan has been a bit of a nightmare for them to do.
Anon
August 20th, 2023 - 1:51pmZoe is wearing the wrong costume in episode 1 of the invasion yet no one seems to complain about that!
Jake E
August 21st, 2023 - 8:25amAnon, I didn’t even notice. Probably some of the reasons I’m able to happily watch the animations with the surviving episodes as it doesn’t bother me too much.
Like with abominable everyone is saying that the surviving episode doesn’t match at all but I didn’t really notice many differences. Nothing that ruined it for me anyway 🙂
Anon
August 21st, 2023 - 9:15amThe differences don’t brother me particularly. The only thing I find with these newer animations is that they tend to be better enjoyed in full. So I now tend towards watching the full animation when I rewatch them. Still happy to watch the black and white with surviving episodes on occasion though.
Judooning
August 11th, 2023 - 3:20pmI wouldn’t normally get the steelbook for animated stories, but since it’s the 60th – in the words of the 11th Dr “My whole brain just went what the hell!”
Jake E
August 11th, 2023 - 1:45pmI think this 2 disc layout is what will happen to the previous 3 disc animations for the future Collection Blu-Ray sets so that they don’t have to go above 10 discs or whatever
Jake E
August 11th, 2023 - 1:39pmI’m excited it feels like I’m one of the only people that actually like the 2 surviving episode and it’s quite funny the timing of this. It feels like a bit of a screw you to Ian Levine from the BBC (although I’m sure they have no idea what he’s doing) 🙂
pupbenny
August 11th, 2023 - 2:17pmWhy, what’s Ian doing?
Rex F
August 11th, 2023 - 4:22pmPupbenny: His usual.
Jake E
August 11th, 2023 - 4:29pmHe’s confirmed he’s animating Classic Who stories
Rex F
August 11th, 2023 - 4:38pmI have fond memories of this story from another life. Including a plan to submit a sequel idea to Big Finish when they had their open submission season – we ignored the bit about not using preexisting villains because we were just taking the mick (not really fans of BF). The third Doctor and Jo Grant would confront Professor Zaroff on Route 66 and the highways of present day America, as he fought to raise Atlantis from beneath the waves. I can’t recall the full plot, but The Doctor eventually defeated Zaroff by reprogramming Stephen Hawking’s voice computer. (I would have loved to have seen BF’s feedback if we’d actually sent it in…)
Gordon
August 11th, 2023 - 10:40pmIan’s got an unnamed animation team from California animating the massacre very cheaply (20k) using fans money. Very Unlikely to be getting an official release due to the crowdfund nature of how he’s funding it and not doing any of the legal and copyright clearances. According to him Friends of his are working on The Master Plan, The Savages, The Crusade. He also want to find private animators to work on Marco Polo and the Myth Makers. He has 5 different productions in the works in total.
Who is who?
August 13th, 2023 - 9:54pmAnything Ian Levine is doing is for himself. I see he’s asking fans of his group for money to animate the Massacre. It’ll all end in tears
Gordon
August 16th, 2023 - 8:53amIt also turns out that he’s already financed the massacre animation despite telling people the project would not funded unless people chipped in. He’s just trying to recoup the 20k he’s spent on it.
Jake E
August 11th, 2023 - 1:37pmThe animation seems a bit less quality than before and more like Scooby-Doo but I’m cool with that. Just happy to have the animations back 🙂
BUT it absolutely sucks that you can’t watch the animations and the surviving episodes together. You have to BLOOMING switch the discs over!
Anon
August 11th, 2023 - 4:28pmIt’s not a hardship to switch discs. Personally I’ll just watch either the full animation or the reconstruction on future watches.
Rex F
August 11th, 2023 - 4:28pmHa! I knew that image of the characters in a corridor reminded me of something… Clearly they have reduced funds to work with, but if it’s good enough to tell the story then I would hope the animation fans would be happy.
D84
August 11th, 2023 - 5:10pmI’m happy with any of the animation styles. All of the previous efforts are a little different to each other, with some being generally perceived better than others – but for me – any visual as a replacement for a previously lost story will do just grand.
Roll on November
Looking forward to the 2nd announcement if the rumours prove to be true, and hopefully there will be more beyond those 2
Happy Days
Bookcollector
August 11th, 2023 - 5:34pmTotally agree D84
NickD
August 14th, 2023 - 5:49amNever seen Scooby Doo of this quality. These are good for what they are but The Invasion was the gold standard I feel – and The Ice Warriors its nadir
Jake E
August 15th, 2023 - 12:08pmNickD watch Scooby-Doo from 1969 the animation is perfect. I love the old look.
But anyway yes this animation looks fine from the little we’ve seen. I agree with you in that I kind of prefer how the original Classic Who animations were but then having said that Evil and Abominable are my fav animations so I guess I love it all. Who Knows? Who “nose”? 🙂
D84
August 11th, 2023 - 1:31pmAmazon’s product listing has Anne-Marie Walsh credited for the 2023 Production of this story.
So would guess its BBC Studio’s themselves doing this one?
Although the character likeness is a bit different in the trailer to that we have seen in Faceless / Evil – wonder if they are partnering with a new or different studio for final imagery?
Prof Horner
August 11th, 2023 - 1:24pmFantastic news! Underwater Menace should really work as a animation. It will be interesting to see what they do with it. The original suffered from lack of budget and space. The market scene in episode three should be interesting to see. Given in the original, there was no room to swing a cat! Great news though. The first of many more to come we hope. Leaving just three Troughtons left to animate.
Bobby Fackrell
August 13th, 2023 - 8:04amI thought you would be pleased Prof, it’s a very whacky story, it has a McCoy feel about it so I get why you love it so much
D84
August 11th, 2023 - 1:09pmDo we know who has animated this?
Is this Big Finish Creative?
Sofia Fox
August 13th, 2023 - 1:27amBBC Studios did this one. (Faceless Ones/Evil of the Daleks)
D84
August 11th, 2023 - 1:02pmPre Ordered instantly!
So happy these are continuing, cant wait to see another gap on the shelf filled in
Zaroff’s pet octopus
August 11th, 2023 - 12:33pmI will likely but both the DVD and Blu-ray steelbook.
James
August 11th, 2023 - 12:28pm1 down just the smugglers to be Offical announced. Means that we now know the season 4 collection will be a few years away. Won’t release so soon after this standalone release. So when/if smugglers is released will just leave the highlanders for season 4. Maybe 1 recon per set but seems a shame not to do highlanders then this will be a full visual season 4 release. 4 others (fury, evil, power and macra) already animated, moonbase and tenth completed. Nice gift for 60th. Then 60th eps box set for Xmas and an Xmas day episode woooop
Kenneth
August 12th, 2023 - 8:28pmI’ve been a fan for 35+ years. They used to say they would never animate any missing episodes and the classic series would never be released on Blu-ray. I’ve learned to never say never. I fell confident they’ll do the Highlanders at some point.
Scott H
September 27th, 2023 - 12:35pmKenneth, I remember being in a forum back in 2001 and asking the question “If Doctor Who was released in season box sets how would you like the, released – random of chronologically from Season 1 onwards?” to which someone replied “Doctor Who will *never* be released in season box sets, ever. It’s a stupid pointless question. To that idiot I’d like to say “Ha!”
Snowman
August 11th, 2023 - 12:27pmJust Ordered. Now for the long wait.