Written by: Michael Hickerson (SoSF Staff Journalist)
After months of rumors and intense fan speculation, the next set of classic “Doctor Who” serials for release on DVD is official.
Please note: The release dates here are for the UK with other regions following in the coming months.
On August 6, fans of the fifth Doctor can pick-up the dual-release “Tegan Tales” set which includes “Time-Flight” and “Arc of Infinity.” Both stories will include a wealth of extras, highlighted by the first commentary by two actors who played the role of the famous Time Lord. Peter Davison was the fifth Doctor in “Arc of Infinity” and (then) guest-star Colin Baker starred as the head of Time Lord security. It was this role that brought Baker to the attention of John-Nathan Turner and lead to Baker’s becoming the sixth Time Lord.
September will be a feature two releases, covering seven complete stories.
First up on Sept. 3 is the Jon Pertwee classic, “The Time Warrior.” The story features the introduction of popular companion Sarah Jane Smith as well as the villainous Sontarans. The
BBC has commissioned new digital effects for this popular story, which can be turned on or off based on viewer preference. (We “Doctor Who” fans prefer our stories in tact–cheap effects and all!)
Then on Sept. 23, the “Key to Time” box-set will finally see the light of day in the UK. This set was released several years ago in the United States with a minimum of restoration and rather meager extras. The “Doctor Who” restoration team promises to correct this for the UK release and give this classic set of six stories the restoration and attention it deserves. The quest for the “Key to Time” covered all the stories from season sixteen, which starred Tom Baker as the Doctor and Mary Tamm as the Time Lady assistant, Romana. No word yet on if the United States will get a re-release of this box-set.
Finally, the BBC has received clearance to release another Tom Baker four-part story later this year or early next. A DVD release of “Planet of Evil” has been commissioned. No word yet on a release date.
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