Rating: 
Summary: Rewriting History
Review: It seems naive to keep declaring every new "Doctor Who" DVD release the "best one ever", but I think "The Aztecs" actually fits the bill this time. I mean, compared to one of the earliest releases ("Spearhead From Space", about which I raved), this disc really seems to have an impossibly high numbers of features and improvements.Most notably is frame-by-frame restoration of the story. Part and parcel of being a "Doctor Who" fan is accepting the show's poor visual look. Not poor as in aged special effects or wobbly sets, but poor as in picture quality. "Who" was always recorded on videotape, but the tape from the show's entire 1960s run has long since been destroyed, and those episodes are only available now on ancient, scratchy film transfers. "The Aztecs" DVD doesn't miraculously unearth the original videotapes... but it does run the film through a special restoration process which mostly restores the old video look. No scratches, no jumps, this time. Now you can see the original sets and flimsy decorations in all their harsh studio-light glare, and you can see those lights reflected in all the actors' foreheads. Now, while I'm sure most people who still watch "Doctor Who" don't watch it for picture quality, these DVDs do serve an extreme niche market, and it's nice to know that someone on the DVD-production end is actually trying to put out a worthwhile product. Apart from the story (which is so brilliant that I won't do it the injustice of a 3-sentence plot summary), the DVD also benefits from the inclusion of the original actors in the special features. The audio commentary track is a major disappointment. Actor William Russell (Ian) is so old that he doesn't seem to realize he's watching a younger version of himself. Carole Anne Ford (Susan) was on vacation for most of "The Aztecs", so her comments are limited to several variations on "Oh, that's pretty!". The star of the commentary is the show's original producer, Verity Lambert, though there was slightly less insight on "Doctor Who"'s beginnings than I expected. I do hope she'll be included on future Season 1 DVDs Three actors from the "Aztec"'s secondary cast take part in a 30-minute "Remembering the Aztecs" featurette. Ian Cullen (Ixta) sits at a table in a garden, reading from a very visible script, although his glasses are off. Walter Randall (Tonila) and John Ringham (Tlotoxl, a name not pronounced the same way twice throughout the entire story) sit together on a couch, Randall with his shirt unbuttoned and navel revealed. What's up with that? Best of all, Randall and Ringham provide *new* character voices for a hilarious animated short ("Making Cocoa") done in South-Park style, and all three record in-character voice introductions when you select the "Play All" option. And look for the easter egg hidden on the Special Features menu. There's also a nice 5-minute history lesson on the Aztecs, thrown in from a 1971 children's TV program. The half-hour interview with the episode's set designer, Barry Newbery, goes on a bit too long, but again, these DVDs are aimed at the kind of audience that might appreciate this sort of excess. Happily, the usually interminable photo gallery now plays by itself, so you don't have to stab the "next" button on your remote every 3 seconds. The photos are mostly useless, but the color snapshots are fun, since you can see what the costumes were actually supposed to look like, before the 1964 story was recorded in glorious Black-&-White-O-Vision.
Rating:
Summary: Rewriting History
Review: It seems naive to keep declaring every new "Doctor Who" DVD release the "best one ever", but I think "The Aztecs" actually fits the bill this time. I mean, compared to one of the earliest releases ("Spearhead From Space", about which I raved), this disc really seems to have an impossibly high numbers of features and improvements. Most notably is frame-by-frame restoration of the story. Part and parcel of being a "Doctor Who" fan is accepting the show's poor visual look. Not poor as in aged special effects or wobbly sets, but poor as in picture quality. "Who" was always recorded on videotape, but the tape from the show's entire 1960s run has long since been destroyed, and those episodes are only available now on ancient, scratchy film transfers. "The Aztecs" DVD doesn't miraculously unearth the original videotapes... but it does run the film through a special restoration process which mostly restores the old video look. No scratches, no jumps, this time. Now you can see the original sets and flimsy decorations in all their harsh studio-light glare, and you can see those lights reflected in all the actors' foreheads. Now, while I'm sure most people who still watch "Doctor Who" don't watch it for picture quality, these DVDs do serve an extreme niche market, and it's nice to know that someone on the DVD-production end is actually trying to put out a worthwhile product. Apart from the story (which is so brilliant that I won't do it the injustice of a 3-sentence plot summary), the DVD also benefits from the inclusion of the original actors in the special features. The audio commentary track is a major disappointment. Actor William Russell (Ian) is so old that he doesn't seem to realize he's watching a younger version of himself. Carole Anne Ford (Susan) was on vacation for most of "The Aztecs", so her comments are limited to several variations on "Oh, that's pretty!". The star of the commentary is the show's original producer, Verity Lambert, though there was slightly less insight on "Doctor Who"'s beginnings than I expected. I do hope she'll be included on future Season 1 DVDs Three actors from the "Aztec"'s secondary cast take part in a 30-minute "Remembering the Aztecs" featurette. Ian Cullen (Ixta) sits at a table in a garden, reading from a very visible script, although his glasses are off. Walter Randall (Tonila) and John Ringham (Tlotoxl, a name not pronounced the same way twice throughout the entire story) sit together on a couch, Randall with his shirt unbuttoned and navel revealed. What's up with that? Best of all, Randall and Ringham provide *new* character voices for a hilarious animated short ("Making Cocoa") done in South-Park style, and all three record in-character voice introductions when you select the "Play All" option. And look for the easter egg hidden on the Special Features menu. There's also a nice 5-minute history lesson on the Aztecs, thrown in from a 1971 children's TV program. The half-hour interview with the episode's set designer, Barry Newbery, goes on a bit too long, but again, these DVDs are aimed at the kind of audience that might appreciate this sort of excess. Happily, the usually interminable photo gallery now plays by itself, so you don't have to stab the "next" button on your remote every 3 seconds. The photos are mostly useless, but the color snapshots are fun, since you can see what the costumes were actually supposed to look like, before the 1964 story was recorded in glorious Black-&-White-O-Vision.
Rating:
Summary: Rewriting History
Review: It seems naive to keep declaring every new "Doctor Who" DVD release the "best one ever", but I think "The Aztecs" actually fits the bill this time. I mean, compared to one of the earliest releases ("Spearhead From Space", about which I raved), this disc really seems to have an impossibly high numbers of features and improvements. Most notably is frame-by-frame restoration of the story. Part and parcel of being a "Doctor Who" fan is accepting the show's poor visual look. Not poor as in aged special effects or wobbly sets, but poor as in picture quality. "Who" was always recorded on videotape, but the tape from the show's entire 1960s run has long since been destroyed, and those episodes are only available now on ancient, scratchy film transfers. "The Aztecs" DVD doesn't miraculously unearth the original videotapes... but it does run the film through a special restoration process which mostly restores the old video look. No scratches, no jumps, this time. Now you can see the original sets and flimsy decorations in all their harsh studio-light glare, and you can see those lights reflected in all the actors' foreheads. Now, while I'm sure most people who still watch "Doctor Who" don't watch it for picture quality, these DVDs do serve an extreme niche market, and it's nice to know that someone on the DVD-production end is actually trying to put out a worthwhile product. Apart from the story (which is so brilliant that I won't do it the injustice of a 3-sentence plot summary), the DVD also benefits from the inclusion of the original actors in the special features. The audio commentary track is a major disappointment. Actor William Russell (Ian) is so old that he doesn't seem to realize he's watching a younger version of himself. Carole Anne Ford (Susan) was on vacation for most of "The Aztecs", so her comments are limited to several variations on "Oh, that's pretty!". The star of the commentary is the show's original producer, Verity Lambert, though there was slightly less insight on "Doctor Who"'s beginnings than I expected. I do hope she'll be included on future Season 1 DVDs Three actors from the "Aztec"'s secondary cast take part in a 30-minute "Remembering the Aztecs" featurette. Ian Cullen (Ixta) sits at a table in a garden, reading from a very visible script, although his glasses are off. Walter Randall (Tonila) and John Ringham (Tlotoxl, a name not pronounced the same way twice throughout the entire story) sit together on a couch, Randall with his shirt unbuttoned and navel revealed. What's up with that? Best of all, Randall and Ringham provide *new* character voices for a hilarious animated short ("Making Cocoa") done in South-Park style, and all three record in-character voice introductions when you select the "Play All" option. And look for the easter egg hidden on the Special Features menu. There's also a nice 5-minute history lesson on the Aztecs, thrown in from a 1971 children's TV program. The half-hour interview with the episode's set designer, Barry Newbery, goes on a bit too long, but again, these DVDs are aimed at the kind of audience that might appreciate this sort of excess. Happily, the usually interminable photo gallery now plays by itself, so you don't have to stab the "next" button on your remote every 3 seconds. The photos are mostly useless, but the color snapshots are fun, since you can see what the costumes were actually supposed to look like, before the 1964 story was recorded in glorious Black-&-White-O-Vision.
Rating: 
Summary: An excellent episode
Review: More than one school in Britain based it's history lessons on the historical episodes of Dr Who, so accurate were the costumes and characters. This episode is no exception, with a very vivid and accurate portrayal of Aztec life woven into this excellent piece of drama. Yes, there are some bloopers in this story, but they are barely noticable. An excellent story, all round.
Rating:
Summary: Astonishing restoration of a great story.
Review: No disrespect to the wonderful original cast but the majority of Doctor Who entries from the William Hartnell era are overlong overpadded, absolute cures for insomnia. "The Aztecs" is one of the notable exceptions. It is a well written, well paced, beautifully designed show. All of the regular cast are given something to do which seems lacking in other episodes. William Hartnell's Doctor makes a strong showing in this one in an era when Ian Chesterson took center stage much of the time. The first Doctor's accidental engagement is priceless. Even the usually boring and frumpy Barbara is interesting in this one! This was my favorite Hartnell story when I first saw it years ago in its previous condition. That being said, the DVD restoration is absolutely astonishing! They have managed to restore it to its original videotaped look and it is clean as a whistle and sharp as a tack. The soundtrack has been equally cleaned up and I was actually taken aback as to how clear the opening theme was when I first popped it into the player. This is a MUST for any fan. You won't be dissapointed.
Rating:
Summary: Astonishing restoration of a great story.
Review: No disrespect to the wonderful original cast but the majority of Doctor Who entries from the William Hartnell era are overlong overpadded, absolute cures for insomnia. "The Aztecs" is one of the notable exceptions. It is a well written, well paced, beautifully designed show. All of the regular cast are given something to do which seems lacking in other episodes. William Hartnell's Doctor makes a strong showing in this one in an era when Ian Chesterson took center stage much of the time. The first Doctor's accidental engagement is priceless. Even the usually boring and frumpy Barbara is interesting in this one! This was my favorite Hartnell story when I first saw it years ago in its previous condition. That being said, the DVD restoration is absolutely astonishing! They have managed to restore it to its original videotaped look and it is clean as a whistle and sharp as a tack. The soundtrack has been equally cleaned up and I was actually taken aback as to how clear the opening theme was when I first popped it into the player. This is a MUST for any fan. You won't be dissapointed.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Historical Doctor Who I've Seen
Review: Right off the bat, let me clarify that I am not too keen on the historical episodes of the show (isolated pretty much to the Hartnell era), but as far as historical stories go, this is the most entertaining.
THE GOOD: The charming Hartnell romancing an old Aztec woman in order to find out information, solid performance by supporting cast member Autloc, lots to learn about Aztec culture, and a suspense of "will the travellers be exposed as frauds."
THE BAD: The actor playing "local butcher" Tlotoxyl doing a very English over the top, crouched villain (I also liked that this character was not evil, just... different in thought process than the travellers)
THE UGLY: The fight scenes with Ian and Ixta and Ixta and the other man in the beginning are embarassing even by Doctor Who standards, as is the obvious light foam cover to the temple, which is supposed to be heavy stone. But hey, if you're looking for mind blowing special effects, go elsewhere, Doctor Who never needed Jar-Jar Binks and lightsabers to get its point across.
Rating:
Summary: Superb DVD of one of the best 1960s Doctor Who stories
Review: The Aztecs was one Doctor Who story where it all came together - cast, director, set design, writer, and musicians all worked well to make an interesting, educational story about one of our most fascinating ancient civilisations. Forget science-fiction for a minute, this is a story about people and how they behave to one another. Barbara's disgust at the Aztecs' sacrifice and the Doctor's acceptance of different cultural values will no doubt reflect our own feelings. The way the TARDIS crew behaves towards the indigenous people tells us something about how early colonisers behaved, and also how explorers and documentary makers now treat isolated tribes and peoples. There is a strong dramatic story here, and John Ringham's Tlotoxl makes an excellent villain, while all of the regular cast are good in their own way. There are a few shortcomings which can be put down to the television production values of the day, such as the rather choreographed look of the fight sequences and the painted look of some of the backcloths, but the accompanying documentaries explain these. It is remarkable to consider that the story was made in Studio D at Lime Grove which in its later years the BBC considered only suitable for current affairs programmes and far too small for drama. The DVD is one of the best I have seen. The BBC seems to be taking a pride in their picture and sound quality now, as well as giving a decent number of well-made extras. The picture has been extensively restored from a filmed copy of a video recording, with much effort spent to eliminate scratches, missing frames, distortion and sound problems. This release also benefits from the new Vidfire system which converts the sometimes jerky look of filmed television into a smooth looking video picture. This looks so good, you would think it was recorded yesterday if it had not been black and white. The commentary is interesting, featuring the two surviving lead actors, Carole Ann Ford (Susan) and William Russell (Ian) plus the series' producer Verity Lambert. There is an element of memory loss which is unsurprising after nearly forty years, and this means that it is probably about right to have three people doing the commentary. The information subtitles are similarly useful but more thorough, however I think these should be written after the commentary to avoid duplication and to correct any mistakes the cast may make in remembering things. There is a comic section on how to make coffee Aztec style with John Ringham and Walter Randall supplying voice-overs to a South Park style cartoon of their Doctor Who characters Tlotoxl and Tonila. This has to be seen to believed. Unfortunately Randall seems to have forgotten how to act, but full marks to him for taking part. The same two actors are featured in a short documentary 'Remembering The Aztecs', alongside an impossibly young looking Ian Cullen. All three have interesting things to say about the story, its production, and its stars. The actors also each contribute two spoken introductions to the story, selected at random when the story is played. Set designer Barry Newbery contributes another short documentary about his work on the serial, well illustrated with his own superb photographs (some in colour). Another short piece shows the viewer what efforts have been made to restore the picture and sound, a textbook example of video restoration. I usually find DVD photo galleries rather boring, but the gallery on this disc is presented more imaginatively - the pictures fade swiftly from one to the next with a nice frame and sound effect. There is the now standard TARDIS Cam - all very well done, but what is the point of them? Except to show what the BBC Special effects department could do these days if only the BBC commissioned another series of Doctor Who! Another odd inclusion (Useful for completists) is the option to select an Arabic soundtrack for episode 4. I think I might try this one day for fun! The disc is rounded off with a small except from Blue Peter with Val Singleton sitting on the steps of a Ziggurat telling the story of Cortez and Montezuma. I recommend this disc for anyone who is interested in 1960s television production, Aztec history, or who just wants to watch a cracking Doctor Who story.
Rating:
Summary: Oldest Doctor Who DVD story released so far. Excellent.
Review: The Aztecs was the 6th storyline of the first doctor, William Hartnell. This was one of the Historical Doctor Who episodes, and a fascinating one at that. Watching this story, you can see the appeal of the doctor. He goes everywhere in and out of time and space. He has knowledge that only a time traveller of his caliber could possess. He wants to learn as much as he can about the places and people he visits. In this particular show the Doctor and his companions travel back into earth's time to when the Aztec culture was flourishing. It is a great story, and makes me wish that the oldest historical Dr. Who storyline: "Marco Polo" had survived. The DVD quality is excellent, and if someone wants to watch it with the quality it was originally aired, then they would need a Tardis in order to do that. But the rest of us who regret the fragility of the first two doctors' stories (over 1/3 are presumably lost forever), a disc like this is most welcome. "The Dalek Invasion of Earth" and "Tomb of the Cybermen" are also fantastic. Here is hoping that more of the first two Dr.s are released on DVD in such a respectful way!
Rating:
Summary: Oldest Doctor Who DVD story released so far. Excellent.
Review: The Aztecs was the 6th storyline of the first doctor, William Hartnell. This was one of the Historical Doctor Who episodes, and a fascinating one at that. Watching this story, you can see the appeal of the doctor. He goes everywhere in and out of time and space. He has knowledge that only a time traveller of his caliber could possess. He wants to learn as much as he can about the places and people he visits. In this particular show the Doctor and his companions travel back into earth's time to when the Aztec culture was flourishing. It is a great story, and makes me wish that the oldest historical Dr. Who storyline: "Marco Polo" had survived. The DVD quality is excellent, and if someone wants to watch it with the quality it was originally aired, then they would need a Tardis in order to do that. But the rest of us who regret the fragility of the first two doctors' stories (over 1/3 are presumably lost forever), a disc like this is most welcome. "The Dalek Invasion of Earth" and "Tomb of the Cybermen" are also fantastic. Here is hoping that more of the first two Dr.s are released on DVD in such a respectful way!
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