Dr Who: Peladon Tales: DVD Review
Doctor Who - Peladon Tales
Released by BBC and Roadshow Entertainment
Rating: PG
So it's back to the 1970s for this double outing for Jon Pertwee's
Doctor.
These two tales have been thrown together on one release as they're
both set on the planet Peladon - in the first, The Curse of
Peladon, The Doctor and Jo (Katy Manning) arrive at a time when
Peladon is being considered for entrance into the galactic
federation. But it appears someone will stop at nothing to ensure
this doesn't happen.
In the sequel (of sorts) The Monster of Peladon, set 50 years after
the first, the Doc returns - this time with new companion Sarah
Jane Smith - to find Peladon torn apart by squabbling and with an
ancient beast threatening to drag them back to their savage
ways.
Each of the Peladon Tales releases sees the Doc facing off with his
old nemeses the Ice Warriors - and for the first time in
colour.
Both these adventures are pacy and zip along relatively well -
given how time isn't always kind to early Doctor Who. It's also a
great reminder of how popular and good Pertwee was in the
role.
Extras: Once again, it's the set's extras which
shine out rather than the stories themselves. For a two disc
release, there's plenty to ponder on with commentaries from those
involved (including the late much missed producer Barry Letts), a
two part retrospective looking back at the making of these, a look
back at the Ice Warriors, and a short piece from Katy Manning aka
Jo Grant remembering the partnership she had with Jon Pertwee in
her run of stories.
Rating: 7/10
