October 5th, 2015
205 comments
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The Underwater Menace DVD Full Details
Available to order in the UK from www.bbcshop.com
Also available to order in the UK from www.amazon.co.uk
Available to order in the USA from www.amazon.com #ad
Doctor Who, Underwater Menace
Featuring the imitable Patrick Troughton as the Second Doctor and packed with wealth of un-missable extras, Doctor Who: The Underwater Menace will be available on DVD from 26th October.
The Underwater Menace is the fifth serial of the fourth season, which was first broadcast in four weekly parts from 14 January 1967 to 4 February 1967. The story introduces Jamie McCrimmon’s (Frazer Hines) on his first journey with the Doctor as a travelling companion.
This special release will contain the two re-mastered existing episodes, with the two missing episodes represented with restored audio and surviving stills, as well as over an hour of extras.
Extras
Commentary – For episode 1, Interview with actor Michael Troughton Part 2 (from Ice Warriors). For episodes 2 and 3, a commentary with actors Anneke Wills, Frazer Hines and Catherine Howe, special sounds supervisor Brian Hodgson and floor assistant Quentin Mann. For episode 4, archive material featuring Patrick Troughton, directors Julia Smith and Hugh David, and producer Innes Lloyd. Moderated and linked by Toby Hadoke.
A Fishy Tale (Feature, dur. 28’ 30”) – cast and crew look back on the making of the story. With actors Anneke Wills, Frazer Hines and Catherine Howe, AFM Gareth Gwelan, production assistant Berry Butler and new series writer Robert Shearman. Narrated by Peter Davison.
The Television Centre of the Universe – Part Two (dur. 32’ 10” ) – Yvette Fielding continues her tour of BBC Television Centre in the company of actors Peter Davison, Janet Fielding and Mark Strickson, with contributions from former colleagues along the way. With senior camera supervisor Alec Wheal, AFM Sue Hedden, former BBC producer and writer Richard Marson, exhibitions assistant Bob Richardson, production assistant Jane Ashford and videotape engineer Simon Anthony.
Categorised under: Doctor Who DVDs, DVD
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Antonio Zambonini
October 5th, 2015 - 6:31pmExcellent 🙂 only trouble though is Marko polo is missing 🙁 really wish that it gets found soon
Anonymous
October 6th, 2015 - 3:20pmWho knows if morris ain’t found more episodes as he said if he finds odds and sods he is saying nothing till he is finished.
He said he’s only announcing full serials.
Ollie
October 5th, 2015 - 4:35pmThis is a pretty shocking release to be honest… Animated episodes 1 & 4 would have dove-tailed perfectly into the animated release of ‘The Moonbase’. The two released stories would have been superb either as a box set or sold separately. BBC Worldwide have seriously let themselves, the fans and the whole DVD range down.
I’ll wait for this to come down in price now online rather than buy it straight away – don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan and a collector. If there was any hope for the range, i.e. more missing episodes, animations, special features etc., I’d happily pay £20-25 a DVD release if I knew I was getting my money’s worth. But the fact that I already have the DWM telesnap magazines plus the CD soundtrack plus I can watch episode 2 for free online doesn’t make this release a “must-have” purchase in my opinion. I like the cover; that’s it really… As fans, I also think we got seriously short changed with the ‘Web’ and ‘Enemy’ releases.
Gordon
October 5th, 2015 - 6:25pmIt’s not. This release is a victory for the fans who have worked tirelessly to make this dvd a reality. There is a couple of good reasons why this isn’t animated. Firstly animated stories didn’t sell as well as expected. Secondly 2 out of the three animation companies that did animations for them went bust and the third is far too busy on higher paid jobs to work for a loss on underwater menace. Thirdly there are no animation companies willing to work to the limited budget. Finally Dan hall who managed to get animations off the ground left. As for web and enemy having no extras those had half the normal budget as there was no budget left over as it had been used for the rest of the classic series and those were more expensive to restore than usual. Also pup ltd who produced the extras contracts expired. Only reason underwater menace is getting extras as it was produced in 2012 or we would have nothing extra on it
Ollie
October 5th, 2015 - 7:36pmI appreciate your viewpoint but you’ve basically just listed all the things we could have had on this release but haven’t so, like I said before, we have been let down and we are settling for second best. As for the “victory” for the fans comment, it was always going to be released given that all the extras and commentary were already recorded and paid for. And I’m sorry but I can’t believe for one moment that there aren’t any other animation companies out there that couldn’t do the job professionally to low budget. Companies starting out waiting for their first big project would probably have jumped at the opportunity.
Gordon
October 5th, 2015 - 10:21pmExcept it was most certainly cancelled. It was “pulled from the schedule” in bbcww DVD enquiry line own words in March this year. It was mentioned as “cancelled” in doctor who magazine in June this year (without Dan hall championing the DVD range and animation had fallen through they had no idea what to do with it and didn’t think it was viable). It was only uncanceled because Tom silsbury persuaded bbcww to change their stance. As for animation I don’t think people realised how cheap those animations were. It was expensive for a DVD feature but in the animation side It was a fifth of the industry standard. Most animation companies can’t afford to tie themselves to such a low paying project for a year (that’s what killed qurios) or you can take on extra work to stay afloat and then eventually have to turn down the doctor who work because of the amount of higher paid jobs (which was why planet 55 pulled out of menace). With Dan hall Having already left when the animation got pulled for menace the animation was dead. He was the one that got the price down so that it was affordable to be put on the DVD and there was no one else there at the helm able to champion the animation especially when previous animation lost money. At the end of the day bbc worldwide will do what is best for business. After all it’s their job to make money. I don’t see it as accepting 2nd best. I appreciate what we do get instead of moaning about what we do not get. No other range gets the love care and attention we get for the classic range. If you think we are screwed over look at other tv shows from the 60s and 70s. A lot of those don’t get any restoration extras animation or anything of the sort. They are just plonked on a disc without any care or attention. That is 1 thing that has never happened with any of the classic dr who range
skaroman
October 6th, 2015 - 12:14pmWell said Gordon, well said…
Ollie
October 6th, 2015 - 12:31pmYou’ve got a point Gordon regarding the extra features and the restoration – they’ve always been top-notch with regards to their production values and quality in comparison to other shows. I’d never dispute otherwise and I often dip into the special features on the discs as much as the stories themselves. It’s just such a shame because I think the lack of animation is the one black mark on an otherwise very good and highly-anticipated release. All of the previous animated releases have been stunning in my opinion, even Reign which I believe came in for a bit of criticism. As I said before, I’d happily pay extra to cover the costs of an animated release such as Menace or Crusade. I don’t believe in animating whole missing stories like Power or Fury; just those with the small gaps to fill such as Crusade and Web.
LastOfTheSonics
October 5th, 2015 - 4:19pmTheir budget is obviously low at the minute if they’re using stills for the missing episodes again
Sonex
October 8th, 2015 - 11:31amNow I am too fast!
Cyberdevil
October 5th, 2015 - 3:00pmYou can tell it’s a long time since a DVD release by the way they’ve worded the press release.
matparks08
October 5th, 2015 - 2:50pmwas getting a bit worried that Amazon didn’t have a date listed yet, so please it’s given a mention again here ……and the best news of all is it’s only 3 weeks away 😉
matparks08
October 5th, 2015 - 2:50pm*pleased
skaroman
October 3rd, 2015 - 8:31pmWell, we learnt from the Pandorica Event that Phil Morris genuinely had Web Of Fear Episode 3, but it was stolen and sold off when the news leaked in 2011. Sad…
Maybe The Underwater Menace really is the end of the line.
Maybe our expectations are becoming to high.
What do we do now?
Number 6
October 5th, 2015 - 3:56pmWell, I think that all we can do is to accept this is really the last DVD to be sold, like it or not.
But a few months ago, in July I believe, that I can across an article on Kasterborous. It was about the Underwater Menace DVD cancellation but there was a mysterious tweet from the BBC Worldwide. They have assured us that they hoped they will release more classic Doctor Who DVDs. I suggest not to raise your hopes but I believe that it can be more recovered missing episodes but so far, no news yet heard about the missing episodes.
Therefore, I’m afraid that’s the last DVD to be sold, but it isn’t the end. There are missing episodes are still lying around the world. One day, we shall have more coming. Be patient. Time will tell.
booboo
October 5th, 2015 - 4:03pmi expect we will see Doctor or season box sets at some stage but at the Moment i think they will be concentrating on the BBC store which is happening soon
Castrovala
October 5th, 2015 - 5:18pmI was at that event. Someone asked Philip if Syria and the middle east was a no go area and he replied “I’ve just spent six weeks in the middle east”. So you never know.
skaroman
September 25th, 2015 - 4:10pmAny news?…
Anyone?…
Gordon
September 25th, 2015 - 11:05pmSteve Roberts of the restoration team mentioned on Twitter that everything was delivered for it last week. Can’t be too long till it gets classified by the bbfc
Handbot10
September 17th, 2015 - 6:09pmI would like so much for them to be animated! Oh how great it was in the moonbase etc. However I hear it may not be? Bah, I dont mind personally. Its a bummer but frankly, my collection NEEDS this.
Gordon
September 17th, 2015 - 11:39pmIt’s not being animated
DouglasFir
September 17th, 2015 - 11:39amDoes the BBC still have a monthly 10% off coupon code or is it just the 10% off if spending over £30 these days?
Doctor Rules
September 16th, 2015 - 6:50pmOk everyone episodes 1 and 4 of The Underwater Menace have not been found or animated. They are just telesnaps.
skaroman
September 13th, 2015 - 9:57pmApparently at the Pandorica event in Bristol, guests include Phil Morris (missing episode hunter), William Russell, Anneke Wills, Frazer Hines and Deborah Watling. 25-27 September.
The BBC announces The Underwater Menace for a DVD release out of the blue.
Someone in the comments section of YouTube has left a message of his Grandfather having a few Doctor Who reels in his attic (unreliable source).
Does anyone else think that coincidence may not apply anymore?
booboo
September 13th, 2015 - 10:53pmto many things flying around for years now, wont believe anything until a press release drops in out in box
plydoc
September 13th, 2015 - 9:09amHas anyone seen any more info yet? I cant find a thing
booboo
September 13th, 2015 - 9:15amno there isn’t any, just waiting for the official press release
Cyberdevil
September 7th, 2015 - 6:41pmIs the more information tomorrow statement regarding the 8th September
booboo
September 7th, 2015 - 6:42pmno was supposed to be a few days ago we will just have to wait now
josh smith
September 6th, 2015 - 10:35amthis is great news, although i still need to get the moonbase
the real doctor
September 5th, 2015 - 4:53pmI meant dont
LastOfTheSonics
September 5th, 2015 - 10:51amare the 2 missing episodes going to be in telesnaps like the web of fear ep3? Or are they going to be animated or possibly even… found.
Anonymous
September 6th, 2015 - 2:37pmIf they had found them they would have removed the DVD from the listings for leaking it too early, it’s not happened.
Number 6
September 8th, 2015 - 12:10pmAgreed with you. But all we can wait when the BBC is prepared to give out the details about what will be on the DVD. Time will tell.
simonhanlon77
September 3rd, 2015 - 11:12pmI AM SURPRISED TOO HERE THAT IT’S GOING TOO BE RELEASED? I FIND IT ODD THAT THEY HAVE NOT PROMOTED IT AND IT’S FOR PRE-ORDER…(THEY DID DO THIS BEFORE) THEN IT JUST DISAPEARED! SAYING IT’S NOT VIABLE? SO WHY SUDDENLY DO IT NOW? I DON’T BELIEVE IT MYSELF,BUT I’LL WAIT AND SEE WHEN THE SO-CALLED RELEASED DATE COMES ALONG! I THINK IT WILL BE DONE WITH TELESNAPS AS ALL 3 ANIMATING COMPANIES HAVE GONE BUST! AND THEY WON’T BE TIME TOO DO FOR OCTOBER…
Simeon
September 5th, 2015 - 12:52amThis is the first time the release has been up for Pre-Order on the BBC Shop, I think creating an Amazon listing is pretty easy. The reason this has cropped up again now is probably down to fan pressure and also the efforts of Tom Splisbury from DWM. DWM have also confirmed this is legit so I wouldn’t worry. One of the animating companies is still going mind, just not doing Who 🙂 But yes, I guess, believe when it’s in your hands!
Simon W
September 5th, 2015 - 12:07pmthey found episode 2 sometime ago and episode 2 was on the dvd lost in time. so only episode 1 and 4 are still missing so it will eather be animated or telesnaps. we will see in Octoder
moonbase
September 3rd, 2015 - 7:54pmThe DVD contains:
Fully remastered Episodes 2 and 3.
Commentary on Episodes 2 and 3: a traditional commentary with actors Anneke Wills, Frazer Hines, Anneke Wills, Brian Hodgson, Catherine Howe, and Quentin Mann moderated by Toby Hadoke.
“Fishy Tales” – making of documentary
Tales of TV Centre – part 2
Programme subtitles.
Subtitle Production Notes.
heres what is on the dvd but what about episode 1-4
booboo
September 3rd, 2015 - 7:55pmthat what was know from the original cancelled release i assume
no official info has been sent out to anyone about what happening now
moonbase
September 3rd, 2015 - 8:12pmdo you think it shall be telesnap reconstruction then
Gordon
September 3rd, 2015 - 9:30pmPretty certain as it was canceled till a couple of months ago it won’t be animated. not anywhere near enough time to do that. Most in the know and involved with the DVD seem to be sure it’s a reconstruction for the missing episodes.
moonbase
September 3rd, 2015 - 10:32pmcant wait also they said more extras to be announced dose this mean other documentaries will be on their
moonbase
September 3rd, 2015 - 10:44pmsomeone asked what was the form of episode 1-4 going to be on the dvd and this was the reply from Anneke Wills.com
Anneke Wills.com – September 3, 2015:
We don’t have details of what form the missing episodes will take.
Ian
September 2nd, 2015 - 10:59pmWhat fans have been saying on Twitter. Also if you follow or watch Dr Freedom on Youtube he says that neither animated studios have done any animation and its cheaper for the BBC to use telesnaps as they can produce the DVD in house. I guess we will have to wait and see.
100,000BC
September 2nd, 2015 - 4:08pmThe billion grotzit question – animation, stills or something else…?
Anonymous
September 2nd, 2015 - 1:51pmYes now all we need is the crusade
Anonymous
September 2nd, 2015 - 5:14pmThey’ve already made it clear they won’t do The Crusade as there is simply no motivation behind releasing it. Short of any episodes coming back that’s the range finished.
simonhanlon77
September 19th, 2015 - 12:08amthe crusade could have been done with telesnaps. the same as the undewater menace is going to be alleged in oct. this hasn’t been done because it’s not viable. the same as the underwater menace so they said. it going to be released last year,then jan-feb this year…then june it was hoped too be released this year,then suddenly it was removed from schedule saying it not viable!!! now out the blue alleged in oct with no promoting it. the crusade could have been done months ago as telesnaps are easy and cheaper..
Gordon
September 19th, 2015 - 11:13amIf the crusade does ever get released its unlikely to get extras like web and enemy. The only reason underwater menace has any is because they were produced in 2012. The people involved in making those classic extras contracts ended and have moved on for a good 2 years now. If people are apprehensive about getting a recon version of underwater menace which has extras and an unseen episode i can definitely see fans not being interested in a version of crusade which has no extras and is slightly cleaned up when they already have that on lost on time
UNDERWATER MENACE (FINALLY)
September 2nd, 2015 - 9:46amI phoned up the BBC shop yesterday, after this has been announced.. And the woman on the phone said that It is confirmed! Its not a mess up of some sort!
WFK DVD Collector 15
September 2nd, 2015 - 12:47pmThat’s brilliant! Was thinking of doing that myself, but no need now! 🙂
skaroman
September 3rd, 2015 - 3:58pmThe woman on the phone…
Where did the number come from?
The woman in the shop?!
MISSY!!
Ian
September 2nd, 2015 - 8:59amI hear the missing episodes will not be animated but use telesnaps instead. I dislike telesnaps, find them boring.
Guest
September 2nd, 2015 - 3:06pmWhat’s the source for this?
NickD
September 2nd, 2015 - 7:06amI’m so looking forward to this story and having my collection completed. 🙂 Whoo Hoo!
Gordon
September 2nd, 2015 - 1:27amFandom baffles me at times. Fans whinge complain and petition for an underwater menace DVD and when it finally happens after a 4 year wait fans say they aren’t buying it because of the price and lack of animation. After the trouble gone to get it released I’m just grateful it’s being released at all.
the ergon
September 2nd, 2015 - 10:44amIts not that were not grateful, its just that we,ve waited 4 years+ for this and the animation helps fill the gaps. You tend to watch the stories more if completed. I don,t mind the telesnaps but i watch the tenth planet ,reign of terror , the moonbase and the invasion more because of the animation. Just glad its released at all though.
Gordon
September 2nd, 2015 - 5:01pmBut given the choice of a recon release and no release surely it’s better to have a reconstruction. Earlier this year it was effectively dead/canceled until it appeared on preorder yesterday. As much as I’ve loved the animated releases its been proven not to be viable. 2 of the 3 animation companies went to the wall. With all the trouble Tom silsbury (dwm editor) Chris mcalear (he did the petition) went to get this released we should be celebrating this release in any format as without their participation we wouldn’t be getting a DVD at all
the ergon
September 3rd, 2015 - 1:19pmWell they did say it would be released in one format or another. I anmongst others would have just prefered the former animated version for the reasons mentioned. Its just an easier watch.
Gordon
September 3rd, 2015 - 9:26pmThey did say they would release but it was pulled from the schedule earlier this year. In effect it was cancelled. It was even mentioned as canceled in a recent issue of doctor who magazine. The situation only got reversed as Tom silsbury persuaded bbcww to change their minds on the decision. Otherwise there would be no DVD release of it
Rikki Krystal
September 6th, 2015 - 7:26pmWell said Gordon.
toptimelord
September 2nd, 2015 - 12:57amOh’ this is going to be good!
WFK DVD Collector 15
September 1st, 2015 - 9:22pmYES!!! Thank you so much for posting this! It’s made my day!!! I’m so happy that in October I’ll have a complete DVD collection!!!
PedroPete
September 1st, 2015 - 8:07pmThe way I see it there are only five options that the BBC could take from now on:
1) Release the two existing episodes.
2) Release the two existing episodes with telesnap reconstructions of the missing episodes.
3) Release the two existing episodes with animated reconstructions of the missing episodes.
4) Release the two existing episodes with a surprise of the missing episodes recovered and released.
5) Cancel the release altogether (which seems very unlikely, but still possible)
Sean Bassett
September 1st, 2015 - 9:04pmNumber 1 would make the serial incomplete.
Number 2 would put a lot of people off buying the release at full price.
Number 5 would just annoy people all over again.
They only really have two options: either find the missing episodes or hire a animation company to complete the animation.
JellyBaby100
September 1st, 2015 - 11:26pmOr they could include the audio for episodes 1 & 2, which would be extremely easy as they’ve already made it. (http://tinyurl.com/MissingEps)
JellyBaby100
September 1st, 2015 - 11:27pmSorry I mean 1 & 4.
Simeon
September 2nd, 2015 - 1:45amPeople bought The Web of Fear though. I get that it’s a different situation and a different story but I don’t see why it won’t sell with a recon. You’re getting full restoration and (presumably) two documentaries, audio commentary and production subtitles/photo gallery/Radio Times clippings etc. I’ll happily pay £14 to finally have every existing episode!
PedroPete
September 2nd, 2015 - 7:07amYeah, I’ll buy it whatever happens, just might wait for it to come down in price if it is recons.
Warrior
September 1st, 2015 - 8:04pmYES! I’M CURRENTLY SAVING BYT I’LL LET THIS SLIDE!
Also, it’s annoying that the 15% has expired as I could’ve used that. Oh well, I’ll just wait for a 10% one instead.
Doctor Rules
September 1st, 2015 - 8:02pmIf episodes 1 and 4 are only telesnaps , I won’t be buying the DVD release. I can refer to telesnaps online for free, episode 3 is on the Lost in Time DVD set and episode 2 is on dailymotion. So I don ‘t see why I should spend £14.00 on a DVD release which has things I can easily refer to on other formats for free. I will only buy the release for animated episodes or existing ones.
booboo
September 1st, 2015 - 8:09pmon the other hand some people wont consider their collection complete without it and there are still some who would want to support a range rather then rely on illegal material.
Sean Bassett
September 1st, 2015 - 9:17pmI agree in terms of the telesnap reconstructions but not the already existing episodes. It’s only fair to pay for them; I just think that if telesnap reconstructions are used for the missing episodes, they should charge half the price instead of the full price they usually charge for new DVDs.
Gordon
September 2nd, 2015 - 10:36am@doctor rules You are missing the 2 excellent extra features. 2 documentaries the commentaries and production notes as well as the vidfired and fully restored episode 2 (the censor cuts are inserted but not restored). None of which will be available online
@sean you are already saving 6 pounds off the recomended retail price (£20.42 normally or thereabouts). They already tried to do a few stories at an rrp of 9.99 (timelash black orchid and 1 or 2 others) and it failed to make its money back. Telesnaps are expensive to clear and whether or not it’s the last release in the classic range it still needs to make its money back. its not going to do that at 7 pounds.
Lego Whovian
September 14th, 2015 - 5:06pmYou simply cannot rely on illegal internet sources. The videos could be taken down any time! Even when you’re marathoning the show!