The Reign Of Terror

When this story was released on video in November 2003, I wonder just how many Doctor Who fans had actually ever seen it? It had never been released on video previously, or even broadcast on UK Gold because of the missing episodes. As I hadn't been born in the summer of пїЅ64, the anniversary release of пїЅThe Reign of TerrorпїЅ box set was my first chance to get up to speed on the first DoctorпїЅs exploits in revolutionary France. Whilst I canпїЅt say that I was completely disappointed with it, as historical TV stories go I have to rank this as one of the worst. 

The bad? Well, nothing really happensпїЅ at all. Capture, escape, rescue; capture, escape, rescue. Only the angle about Stirling, the spy, managed to really grab my attention and the pay off to that was predictable and disappointing. Barbara and Susan are both used appallingly; Susan is scared of rats for heavenпїЅs sake! I know sheпїЅs supposed to be a young пїЅteenageпїЅ girl, but cпїЅmon! SheпїЅs faced Daleks and Sensorites! Most disappointing of all though is the reconstruction of the missing fourth and fifth episodes. To be fair, weпїЅve been spoiled of late with superb efforts like пїЅThe Tenth PlanetпїЅ and пїЅThe Ice Warriors,пїЅ and of course the Restoration Team had far less to work with here. The existing clips are used well, and combined with Carol Anne FordпїЅs narration they do bridge the gap satisfactorilyпїЅ but not amazingly. Animation looks like the way to go for stories like this where there just isnпїЅt enough photographic material available to make a good reconstruction. Of course, we wonпїЅt get that until the BBC have also sold us the soundtrack CDпїЅ

The good? William Hartnell is superb, enjoying his own private little adventure in episodes two and three. The plot may be absolute pants, but the Doctor is a laugh a minute. The scenes with the slave driver, the shopkeeper and in the prison are all absolutely priceless. William Russell is also impressive, as always. HeпїЅs very Ivanhoe in the story, every bit the dashing Saturday afternoon hero in his big French shirt. Moreover, I particularly enjoyed the opening episode, пїЅA Land of Fear,пїЅ as it dwelt on the rift that developed between the Doctor and Ian during пїЅThe Sensorites.пїЅ ItпїЅs tantamount to soap opera! I can see why so many fans say that the 2005 series is more similar to Season 1 than to any other. Interestingly, I love the little scene where Ian and Barbara are actually quite glad they havenпїЅt landed in sixties England; it shows just how much they are enjoying their amazing travels even if they donпїЅt always show it. The final episode also has a nice, rather sentimental ending; the regulars are all friends again and are shown heading off into time and space for more adventuresпїЅ

The verdict? Quite a touching end to the season, but nevertheless an end which just doesnпїЅt cut the mustard when compared to the rest of the season. Just about worth the пїЅ20 for the VHS box setпїЅ although this cynic wouldnпїЅt recommend forking out another fifteen notes for the BBC Audio CD!