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6 Degrees Entertainment

'Doctor Who: Carnival of Monsters Special Edition'
(Jon Pertwee, et al / 2-Disc DVD / NR / (1971) 2012 / BBC Video)

Overview: Freed from his exile on Earth, the Doctor takes Jo on a test flight in the TARDIS, landing aboard SS Bernice, a cargo ship crossing the Indian Ocean in 1926. As events take a dangerous and unexpected twist, it seems that their fate lies in the hands of a traveling showman named Vorg and his assistant Shirna, who have just arrived on the distant planet of Inter Minor with an amazing intergalactic peepshow called the Miniscope.

DVD Verdict: In truth, and even though I am a stalwart Dr. Who fan, this episode sort of felt like the BBC was running out of ways to portray humanoid aliens. The Minorians are rather silly looking with their bald cap wigs and grey-green face paint. The pink around their eyes and mouth is clearly visible and they just look so thrown together.

The Minorians’ slave race is equally as bad with lumpy, ill fitting masks used to make them stand out. On the other extreme, the Drashigs look much much better, especially giving some of the foam hand puppets in episodes from the same timeframe. Also of note is that a Cyberman makes a brief cameo as another prisoner in the Miniscope.

Vorg, the showman, who is clad in the most ridiculous outfits in the history of Doctor Who, is played by Leslie Dwyer. Despite the see through bowler hat and bead curtain inspired coat lapels, he plays the barker perfectly and adds a lot of humor to the role. One of the best moments is when he attempts to talk to the Doctor in what he believes to be his native language to the Doctor’s confusion!

In summar, 'Carnival of Monsters' is a Jon Pertwee episode that features an interesting story despite the fact that the serial itself does not age well. With laughably lame looking aliens and bizarre costumes as well as some early blue screen shots, this story will mainly appeal to longtime fans of classic Who, that will appreciate the nostalgic, 1960s-70s feel of the story. This is a Full Screen Presentation (1.33:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs and comes with the Special Features of:

Disc 1:
* 4 x 25 min episodes with mono audio.
* Commentaries x 2 - with with cast and crew
* Episode Two - Early Edit- a longer early edit of the second episode, featuring the subsequently rejected `Delaware' version of the theme music. It is presented here completely un-restored.
* Behind the Scenes
* Visual Effects Models
* `Five Faces of Doctor Who' Trailer
* Director's Amended Ending
* CSO Demo
* TARDIS Cam no.2
* Easter Egg
* Coming Soon Trailer
* PDF material
* Programme Subtitles

Disc 2:
* Destroy All Monsters! Making of with cast and crew
* On Target with Ian Marter
* The A-Z of Gadgets and Gizmos
* Mary Celeste Documentary
* Photo Gallery
* Resurrection of the Daleks:
* The TARDIS materialises in present day London within sight of Tower Bridge. Investigating some nearby warehouses, the travellers stumble into a trap that the Daleks have set for them..."





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