In April 2007 the Classic Series DVD will be “Survival,” the last regular adventure of the original Doctor Who TV series, starring Sylvester McCoy as The Doctor.
In a year that already sees the release of The Keeper of Traken, Logopolis and Castrovalva, Survival features Anthony Ainley’s final performance as the Doctor’s arch-nemesis.
The plot of Survival thickens as The Doctor takes Ace to present day Perivale so that she can revisit old friends. Most of them however have been transported by cat-like Kitlings to the planet of the Cheetah People, a race with the power to teleport through space. Ace is transported and joins up with two of her friends, Midge and Shreela, and a boy named Derek.
The Doctor follows and encounters the Master, who has drawn him into a trap to try to gain his help. This planet gradually transforms its inhabitants into Cheetah People – an influence to which the Master himself has fallen victim – while they in turn, through the savagery of their actions, cause the planet to move ever closer to total destruction.
Midge is overcome by the planet’s influence, and the Master uses him to teleport to Perivale. Ace, who has developed an affinity with a Cheetah woman called Karra, gains the same ability and takes the Doctor and the others back as well. The Master causes Midge’s death and kills Karra, who has followed them all to Earth. Then, succumbing to the influence of the now-disintegrating Cheetah planet, he drags the Doctor back there.
The Doctor refuses to fight him, however, and is transported back to Earth. He rejoins Ace, and they head off for new adventures
It also features cats on horses, which is almost as strange as cat nurses, and the comedy stylings of 80’s rib-ticklers Gareth Hale and Norman Pace.
Other cast members include Sophie Aldred as Ace, Kate Eaton, David John with Alan Wareing directing the script from writer Rona Mura.
Details of extras have yet to be announced, although the disc will feature a fan commentary recorded by a Doctor Who Magazine competition winner.
Look for Survival to be released on 3 April 2007.
CLICK HERE for the Survival Episode Guide.
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