Dr Who: Mara Tales: DVD Review
Dr Who - Mara Tales
Rating: G
Released by BBC and Roadshow
Peter Davison stars in these two classic Who tales which have been
fan favourites for a long time.
In Kinda and Snakedance, companion Tegan (Janet Fielding) and
Davison's fifth doctor take the spotlight as they take on the
forces of pure evil, the Mara which infests Tegan's mind and
threatens the universe.
The sequel Snakedance sees the Mara reborn again and on the verge
of once again destroying both Tegan and the creature's homeworld
Manussa.
Quite simply this is classic Who at its best - and worst thanks to
budgetary confines; a brilliantly realized concept is crippled by
the fact its main effect looks like a snake made from cardboard;
but with the release of these DVDs and the steps made in
technology, you'll be able to see how it should have been done -
thanks to a re-envisioning.
The stories are well written and acted too - concepts of faith,
Buddhism and belief in good and evil are all explored and given
life; and Snakedance sees the very first acting job of Martin
Clunes.
Once again, the extras are superlative and commentaries, deleted
scenes and some great behind the scenes docos show why this pair of
stories have an enduring appeal.
Sure, some will get lost in the fact it's 80s Dr Who - but fans
will truly adore this set which has been a long time coming.
Rating: 7/10
