Rating: 
Summary: Classic Who
Review: I sat down the other day to watch this story for the first time, all ready to dispute its "classic" status. Once it was over, however, I felt like I might have to amend my all-time top ten list of Doctor Who stories. There were some notably poor elements (the "american" captain was just begging to be made fun of and the cybermats were used one too many times), but aside from these relatively small complaints there weren't very many problems. My favorite scene happened in the last episode when the Doctor pretends to agree with Klieg's plans, just to determine for sure that Klieg was mad. This was a very well realized episode and definitely deserves it's status as "classic" Who.
Rating:
Summary: One of the strongest Cybermen - and Troughton - episodes!
Review: American fans of "Doctor Who" were usually introduced to the series through Tom Baker, the "Doctor with the floppy hat and long scarf" -- and rarely if ever got to see William Hartnell or Patrick Troughton in their roles as the first and second Doctors. Troughton's Doctor, although he remains one of the most loved actors in the role, has the least amount of surviving episodes, since the BBC thoughtlessly destroyed several stories in the 1970s. Ironically, since Troughton's great portrayal cemented "Doctor Who" as a continuing series. If he had failed in his role as the second Doctor, we wouldn't have forty years of the series to look back upon.Ten years ago, I remember when word first leaked out about the discovery of more Patrick Troughton episodes. "Tomb" was considered a treasure, but if you held out for the DVD instead of buying it then, it was well worth the wait. This story has been lovingly restored, looking beautiful and not muddy, as the 1993 VHS release did. And what a story - opened up tremendously by the restoration. The stop animation of the Tomb manages to be suitably creepy thirty-odd years later, and there's great acting all around, from Troughton to the supporting cast. The spaceship crew is a team of overeager Americans, which is the first time I'd ever seen "colonists", so to speak, on "Doctor Who". The creature Cybermats are also introduced, which are darling and just a bit menacing - although they didn't manage to storm the UK, and become as popular with children as the Daleks had. (My older brother had his own toy Daleks in the mid 1960s - too bad none of them made it into his adulthood.) The extras on the DVD are also stellar, namely a short with background music, featuring snippets from lost story "Evil of the Daleks," and a fascinating convention discussion with the surviving cast and crew. Comments from Deborah Watling (Victoria) are particularly interesting - she was one of the companions least seen, as most of her episodes had been destroyed. Watling, nicknamed "Leatherlungs" by Troughton and costar Fraser Hines (Jamie), because of all the screaming she did throughout the serial, turns out to be an loyal and fairly smart companion, not the dainty dips*** she had been previously remembered as.
A wonderful scene between her and Troughton show the world-weariness of the renegade Doctor, and how both he and Victoria miss their home and families. Hines, as always, retains his roguish charm both in the story and in the documentary. Only two teeny drawbacks. One, the Cybermen costumes aren't quite as scary as in future stories, although the white goop coming from a flailing Cyberman in death throes apparently got the Mrs. Mary Whitehead types very upset. Two, this DVD would be even better if it showcased the fab vocal stylings of Frazer Hines, singing a dippy and jangly guitar-ridden "Who is Doctor Who", a la William Shatner and "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds".
Rating:
Summary: THE FIRST EPISODE I EVER GAVE 5 STARS TO
Review: This is one of the best Doctor Who episodes ever. That's saying very little... this is one of the best examples of sci fi tv ever! What's so good? What isn't? Patrick Torughton as the Doctor and Frzer Hines as Jamie are probably the best Doctor / companion team in the history of Doctor Who (that is saying a lot) and here they are in fine form, playing off of each other quite well. The episode is moody, superbly written television and the supporting cast is pretty strong (except for the Pilot). This is the best pre-Tom Baker Doctor Who in my opinion, and is a sad lone relic of complete episodes from the missing early Troughton era. And by the way, a great starting point for non-fans or fans unfamiliar with the "classic" era. There is a great opening scene where the Doctor explains the whole premise of the show to the new companion Victoria. HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for fans and non fans alike. OH and one more thing: why they changed the Cybermen after this is beyond me.
Rating:
Summary: A classic must see for all Doctor Who fans.
Review: "Tomb of the Cybermen" is a classic. The Cybermen are menacing and I think have the best design, except for the later versions in the 80's. The story has some good characters, especially Eric Kleig being the meglomaniac scientist who actually thinks that he can control and rule over the Cybermen. "Tomb" itself goes along at a decent pace and doesn't drag. The Cybermen are only in three of the four episodes and used effectively; though their voices were sometimes hard to comprehend. I would recommend to anyone to get the script book to clarify any of their dialogue. All of the cast did an excellent job and the special effects were done with perfection. The best one being when the Cybermen are "defrosted" and come out of their tombs. That was something to see. Overall "The Tomb of the Cybermen" delivers classic Doctor Who from the 60's with convincable acting, decent story and plot lines, and excellent cliff hangers. Enjoy it.
Rating:
Summary: One of the strongest Cybermen - and Troughton - episodes!
Review: American fans of "Doctor Who" were usually introduced to the series through Tom Baker, the "Doctor with the floppy hat and long scarf" -- and rarely if ever got to see William Hartnell or Patrick Troughton in their roles as the first and second Doctors. Troughton's Doctor, although he remains one of the most loved actors in the role, has the least amount of surviving episodes, since the BBC thoughtlessly destroyed several stories in the 1970s. Ironically, since Troughton's great portrayal cemented "Doctor Who" as a continuing series. If he had failed in his role as the second Doctor, we wouldn't have forty years of the series to look back upon. Ten years ago, I remember when word first leaked out about the discovery of more Patrick Troughton episodes. "Tomb" was considered a treasure, but if you held out for the DVD instead of buying it then, it was well worth the wait. This story has been lovingly restored, looking beautiful and not muddy, as the 1993 VHS release did. And what a story - opened up tremendously by the restoration. The stop animation of the Tomb manages to be suitably creepy thirty-odd years later, and there's great acting all around, from Troughton to the supporting cast. The spaceship crew is a team of overeager Americans, which is the first time I'd ever seen "colonists", so to speak, on "Doctor Who". The creature Cybermats are also introduced, which are darling and just a bit menacing - although they didn't manage to storm the UK, and become as popular with children as the Daleks had. (My older brother had his own toy Daleks in the mid 1960s - too bad none of them made it into his adulthood.) The extras on the DVD are also stellar, namely a short with background music, featuring snippets from lost story "Evil of the Daleks," and a fascinating convention discussion with the surviving cast and crew. Comments from Deborah Watling (Victoria) are particularly interesting - she was one of the companions least seen, as most of her episodes had been destroyed. Watling, nicknamed "Leatherlungs" by Troughton and costar Fraser Hines (Jamie), because of all the screaming she did throughout the serial, turns out to be an loyal and fairly smart companion, not the dainty dips*** she had been previously remembered as.
A wonderful scene between her and Troughton show the world-weariness of the renegade Doctor, and how both he and Victoria miss their home and families. Hines, as always, retains his roguish charm both in the story and in the documentary. Only two teeny drawbacks. One, the Cybermen costumes aren't quite as scary as in future stories, although the white goop coming from a flailing Cyberman in death throes apparently got the Mrs. Mary Whitehead types very upset. Two, this DVD would be even better if it showcased the fab vocal stylings of Frazer Hines, singing a dippy and jangly guitar-ridden "Who is Doctor Who", a la William Shatner and "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds".
Rating:
Summary: Classic Who
Review: I sat down the other day to watch this story for the first time, all ready to dispute its "classic" status. Once it was over, however, I felt like I might have to amend my all-time top ten list of Doctor Who stories. There were some notably poor elements (the "american" captain was just begging to be made fun of and the cybermats were used one too many times), but aside from these relatively small complaints there weren't very many problems. My favorite scene happened in the last episode when the Doctor pretends to agree with Klieg's plans, just to determine for sure that Klieg was mad. This was a very well realized episode and definitely deserves it's status as "classic" Who.
Rating:
Summary: Action, silly costumes, melodrama: Dr Who at its best
Review: This is one of the best Dr. Who episodes I've seen and children and adults alike will enjoy the mystery, action and drama encountered in The Tomb Of The Cybermen. The story is entertaining as are the costumes, performances and FX (such as they are). This one is fun to watch repeatedly and is a good introduction for anyone who wants to see what Dr. Who is about. For fans, you've got to have this one!
Rating:
Summary: Best of Patrick Troughton
Review: This goodacted and funny adventure marks the best of the 2nd Doctor's stories.
Mind that this is a black&white story from the 60's, but don't let that stop you, I PROMISE you will be amazed by the good acting and filming, it seems ahead of its time!!
Rating:
Summary: YAY
Review: This 2nd doctor adventure, while disliked when aired, is perhaps one of his best...and that's rare in the surviving 2nd doctor stories. A MUST HAVE, even if you own the video. The quality and features are worth another purchase!
Rating:
Summary: well done, more of the same please
Review: This by far the a classic. I first saw this as a child of five and the image of the cybermen coming out of there tombs stayed with me and is why the second doctor is by far my favorite.
Im not going to talk about the story as that has been done by other reviewers, but about the DVD. I already owned the video and loved it but was disappointed by the quality. we have to remember the original medium it was recorded on was not high quality film but BW video. THe DVD did an excellent job of restoring the video to as near original condition. The old video look adds charm and character. THe extras are fine I love the alternate titles, the restoration feature shows the damage that was cleaned up, Damage that was quite evident in the VHS video. Another feature I like, not just with this video but others, is the use of an additional closed caption track to give behind the scenes info. All in all a fine job especially considering the age of the material. I Own a good number of DR Who videos and would buy them again on DVD on the strength of this release
|
