Dreams do come true!
Like many 'whovians' Christmas came early this year with the return of nine previously missing Patrick Troughton episodes
thanks to the sterling work of Philip Morris. Having heard rumours
for months the news eventually hit national newspapers and internet
forums buzzed with excitement, and then the tentative wait began for an official
announcement. As I waited an eternity for midnight to pass
and the official unveiling, I prayed that some of ‘The Web of Fear’ had
been found, as had been the rumour and press.
It was a story that promised so much hope! The first time we met Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart, Yeti’s in the London Underground, the surviving soundtrack had been eerie, dark and mysterious and of course the success of the story eventually sparked the ‘UNIT years’. The only surviving episode had set up a wonderful story, promising so much and it had always broken my heart every time I watched it my enjoyment was always cut short. At last the news was announced, that four of the five missing episodes had been found! Days later I was able to download the episodes and wasted little time in doing so.
The fifth season of Doctor Who is perhaps one of the most iconic of the classic series. Often dubbed as ‘the monster era’, no story epitomizes this era more than ‘The Web of Fear’. The Yeti’s, even forty five years later, are still quite frightening. Their bright eyes in the darkness of the London Underground sent shivers up my spine as they marched on undeterred despite the valiant but futile efforts of the military. Sadly the Yeti's are less frightening during the battles around Covent Garden, as the scenes take place in daylight and monsters look perhaps a little too ‘cuddly’ in these scenes (Also to be noted the zips at the back of the costumes can also be clearly seen in a few shots!) The battle scenes however are marvellously portrayed, expertly directed by former military man and director Douglas Camfield.
The story is certainly the stuff of nightmares, with its use of darkness, cobwebs, mists and the sense of confinement and the claustrophobic setting of the London Underground. Credit must be said for the set designers of the Underground tunnels and stations. The BBC were refused permission to film in the London Underground itself so the BBC had to make sets; So accurate were they that London Transport contacted the BBC with a letter of complaint that filming had taken place without the permission of the London Underground!
Praise must also be passed again to Douglas Camfield, who’s understanding of the script adds an atmospheric direction that creates a perfect suspense that drives the viewer along. The ‘enemy among us’ mystery also compels the viewer as one suspect is crossed off only for someone else to have suspicion passed on to them. The real success of this story is making use of primal fears and still telling a good, believable, solid story. Patrick Troughton is on fine form, as are the entire cast. I did however find Driver Evans character (almost a 'comedy Welshman') a little tedious after a while. The ending was a little abrupt too, but perhaps that was because I wanted more. These were only minor faults, in what is a true Troughton classic, and it is wonderful to be able to see it again in all its glory! Let's cross our fingers very tightly and prey to the pink pixie in the sky and hope more missing episodes are found! In the meanwhile thank you so much Mr Morris! You've made many fans Christmas 2013 something very special!
It was a story that promised so much hope! The first time we met Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart, Yeti’s in the London Underground, the surviving soundtrack had been eerie, dark and mysterious and of course the success of the story eventually sparked the ‘UNIT years’. The only surviving episode had set up a wonderful story, promising so much and it had always broken my heart every time I watched it my enjoyment was always cut short. At last the news was announced, that four of the five missing episodes had been found! Days later I was able to download the episodes and wasted little time in doing so.
The fifth season of Doctor Who is perhaps one of the most iconic of the classic series. Often dubbed as ‘the monster era’, no story epitomizes this era more than ‘The Web of Fear’. The Yeti’s, even forty five years later, are still quite frightening. Their bright eyes in the darkness of the London Underground sent shivers up my spine as they marched on undeterred despite the valiant but futile efforts of the military. Sadly the Yeti's are less frightening during the battles around Covent Garden, as the scenes take place in daylight and monsters look perhaps a little too ‘cuddly’ in these scenes (Also to be noted the zips at the back of the costumes can also be clearly seen in a few shots!) The battle scenes however are marvellously portrayed, expertly directed by former military man and director Douglas Camfield.
The story is certainly the stuff of nightmares, with its use of darkness, cobwebs, mists and the sense of confinement and the claustrophobic setting of the London Underground. Credit must be said for the set designers of the Underground tunnels and stations. The BBC were refused permission to film in the London Underground itself so the BBC had to make sets; So accurate were they that London Transport contacted the BBC with a letter of complaint that filming had taken place without the permission of the London Underground!
Praise must also be passed again to Douglas Camfield, who’s understanding of the script adds an atmospheric direction that creates a perfect suspense that drives the viewer along. The ‘enemy among us’ mystery also compels the viewer as one suspect is crossed off only for someone else to have suspicion passed on to them. The real success of this story is making use of primal fears and still telling a good, believable, solid story. Patrick Troughton is on fine form, as are the entire cast. I did however find Driver Evans character (almost a 'comedy Welshman') a little tedious after a while. The ending was a little abrupt too, but perhaps that was because I wanted more. These were only minor faults, in what is a true Troughton classic, and it is wonderful to be able to see it again in all its glory! Let's cross our fingers very tightly and prey to the pink pixie in the sky and hope more missing episodes are found! In the meanwhile thank you so much Mr Morris! You've made many fans Christmas 2013 something very special!
Comments
Post a Comment