Doctor Who: Revelation of the Daleks (Story 143)

Doctor Who: Revelation of the Daleks (Story 143)
by Graham Harper

Doctor Who: Revelation of the Daleks (Story 143)
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DVD details

Actor: Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Terry Malloy
Director: Graham Harper
Brand: WARNER HOME VIDEO
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; English (Subtitled)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 89 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-06-06
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: BBC Video / Warner Bros.
Product features:
  • The TARDIS takes the Doctor and Peri to the planet Necros, where the Doctor plans to visit his old friend Professor Arthur Stengos. But after an encounter with the Great Healer, Stengos is not quite the man the Doctor once knew. The Great Healer works in the catacombs beneath Tranquil Repose, the galactically-famous final resting place for the dead and the not-quite-yet-dead. In the upper chambers

DVD Reviews of Doctor Who: Revelation of the Daleks (Story 143)

DVD Review: The Daleks are back!
Summary: 4 Stars

The Doctor and Peri come to a planet which is a funeral home for the galaxy's elite. But to their horror they find Daleks guarding the lower levels of the complex. Why are there Daleks here to begin with and who is in charge of them?
The idea of a new, updated race of Daleks is excellent but is ruined, for me, by bringing Darvos into the mix. I am not a fan of Darvos and that is why I took away a point. The rest is wonderful and the extras are nice. Nicola Bryant and Terry Malloy have audio commentary on the DVD with Eric Saward who wrote the episodes and Graeme Harper who directed the episodes. I found it funny when The Tripods was mentioned during the commentary and the photo gallery was nice. It is always interesting to understand what happened behind the scenes and, in some cases, what did not happen because of bad luck or funding issues.
A must for any Dr. Who fan or Daleks fan.

DVD Review: Old frients and old enemy's
Summary: 4 Stars

This episode is toward the end of the Colin Bakers years and that is fortunate, but it was needed for the story line and the 7th doctor.

DVD Review: One of the worst I've seen
Summary: 1 Stars

I try to be as fair as I can to the Sixth Doctor era, and I admit that I am biased against it. I find Peri to be obnoxious and whiney, and I think Six is an emotionally abusive, badly dressed jerk. However, they're not all totally bad episodes. In fact, I rather liked Mark of the Rani, though mostly because of the competing villains.

But all things considered, this has got to be one of the worst Doctor Who episodes I've ever seen, and let me go over a few reasons why:

- This is a two parter (each part is 45 min, as opposed to the usual 24 min per part), and the entire main story takes place at a massive funeral home/cryogenic preservation center called Tranquil Repose. And yet, the Doctor never even enters this place until the SECOND PART! For the entire first half of the story, Six and Peri are literally just walking around trying to find the place, and then trying to find a way in. The contrived cliffhanger, which makes no sense at all, involves a rather non-threatening chunk of styrofoam.

- A large portion of Revelation revolves around two wholly unimportant characters, namely the funeral director and his assistant who is infatuated with him. With Davros interceding and toying with these characters to his own evil ends, this could have been a great opportunity for some intrigue, but instead these characters ultimately have absolutely no bearing on the main plot whatsoever, and I'm left wondering why Davros even bothered. Is this what the great, maniacal Davros has been reduced to? Eric Saward defends his script, telling us that this portion was largely based on one of his favorite books, but so what? Does it have any place in an episode of Doctor Who? Does it add anything to the story? A resounding "NO" I'm afraid.

- The plot involving Stengos is so undercooked, they might as well have just left it out. But as Davros explains, it was all part of his plan to lure the Doctor. Sure it was...

- Genesis of the Daleks, one of my favorite episodes from the Tom Baker era, made great use of lighting and camera position to lend a menacing air to the Daleks and to Davros, and each had a wonderfully sinister introduction. In this episode, the Daleks and Davros just kind of show up suddenly. No introduction, no creepy atmosphere. Again, a classic Who villain like Davros deserves much better than this, and I'm baffled that this episode was directed (clumsily) by Graeme Harper, who would later go on to direct some of the best episodes of the revived series.

- I've mentioned my feelings toward Peri as a character, but as a heterosexual male I must admit that actress Nicola Bryant is rather nice to look at. In fact, given the hateful, belligerent attitude of Six, I often wonder if Peri's penchant for chest-baring outfits is solely responsible for keeping the series alive during what I consider the weakest period in Doctor Who. Even so, I am denied even this carnal pleasure in Revelation of the Daleks, as Peri is wrapped up in a heavy coat for nearly the entire episode. Fans of Peri's bodacious bod, beware. You're better off watching Vengeance on Varos.

- The cryogenically frozen bodies at Tranquil Repose are kept informed about outside events (subconciously I suppose) by a sort of retro-American DJ, played by Brit comedian Alexei Sayle. Now I'm sure this guy has been funny at some point in the past, but there's no evidence of any talent here. His scenes, which frequently interrupt the narrative, go on far too long, and it's often difficult to even understand what he's saying in his overbearing imitation of American radio personalities. On top of that, I wasn't even sure what purpose (if any) his character served until well into the second half of the episode. Truly needless.

I will admit that the second part, involving bounty hunter assassins and the conflict between Davros' forces and the Imperial Daleks, was much more interesting than the first part, but it's too little too late. I know, better than most people, that allowances must be made for a low budget show like Doctor Who, but even with that in mind, I'm afraid the negatives far outweigh the positives. Thumbs way down for me.

DVD Review: One of the best by the 'forgotten' doctor
Summary: 4 Stars

Doctor Who, Daleks - Davros what could be better? A story with great sub plots and Alexi Sayle (not to mention Wiliam Gaunt and Eleanor Bron)make this one of the better Colin Baker stories and keeps on going right up to the end.

Colin Baker oftern had weak stories to play such as Trial of a Time Lord which took Dr Who to previously unknown depths; but always played the part with his own inimitable style. In Revelation of the Daleks he is at his best. For those new fans of the doctor you missed the best - for those of us who saw the first episodes in 1963 Colin Baker was one of the greats - buy this and see what you missed

DVD Review: Ended well
Summary: 5 Stars

This was a slow starter but ended up pretty good.
Dr. Who is still going strong.

Description of Doctor Who: Revelation of the Daleks (Story 143)

The TARDIS takes the Doctor and Peri to the planet Necros, where the Doctor plans to visit his old friend Professor Arthur Stengos. But after an encounter with the Great Healer, Stengos is not quite the man the Doctor once knew. The Great Healer works in the catacombs beneath Tranquil Repose, the galactically-famous final resting place for the dead and the not-quite-yet-dead. In the upper chambers the busy workers prepare the deceased for their final burial, while deep below the Great Healer is using their bodies for a sinister project of his own. For the Great Healer is also known by another name - Davros, creator of the Daleks, who's using the bodies to build himself a brand new Dalek army. The Doctor attempts to stop Davros while Stengos' daughter searches for her missing father and the local DJ uses rock 'n' roll music as a defense against the Daleks. Many are searching for Davros, but the evil scientist has a plan that will eradicate all opposition and enable him to lead his Daleks on a new mission of universal conquest... This stylish adventure with its uniquely dark humor was first broadcast 23-30 March 1985.
The sixth embodiment of Doctor Who, Colin Baker, faces his long-running foes the Daleks in this two-part story from 1985. Revelation has the Doctor and companion Peri (Nicola Bryant) traveling to the planet Necros, where a plan to pay respects to a late friend uncovers a scheme by Dalek scientist Davros (Terry Malloy, the only actor to play the role more than once) to use the bodies of the recently deceased to build a new and terrible Dalek army. The only Dalek story to be produced during the Colin Baker years, Revelation doesn't quite rise to the level of classic Dalek episodes from the past (like Genesis of the Daleks, with Tom Baker), but Who fans will still find much excitement and intrigue to enjoy here. The story is probably better known for its historical impact as the last Doctor Who serial to be produced before the BBC imposed an 18-month hiatus on the series in 1985. Extras include commentary by Bryant, Malloy, writer/script editor Eric Saward, and director Graeme Harper, as well as the featurette "Revelation Exhumed," which examines the story through interviews with the cast and crew (including comedian Alexei Sayle, who contributes an amusing performance to the story as a DJ), though Baker is noticeably absent. There's also an optional video track that allows viewers to watch the story with improved visual effects, as well as an isolated score audio option, and a selection of deleted scenes. --Paul Gaita

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