Rating: 
Summary: Hurray......What the.....?
Review: I was so happy when Amazon delivered this to my door, I loaded it up into my DVD player was so happy to see and hear DW on DVD!!!! I really enjoyed the UNIT recuiting feature and the commentary was good (I could listen to The Brig talk all day!) but I noticed during Part 4 the soundtrack was off from the film! Now I expect to see something like that in a Godzilla movie, but not in a long awaited DW DVD release. ...
Rating: 
Summary: The first Jon Pertwee episode, no epic but worthy
Review: In this 4 part episode Jon Pertwee is introduced as the third Doctor.This story is quiet average, like most introduction episodes. The first 3 parts are rather boring, except for the excellent Pertwee-humor, part 4 gains some tension and the typical Who atmosphere.
Rating: 
Summary: No BEMs (Bug Eyed Monsters) but Still a Thrill.
Review: In what was to become the trend for the Jon Pertwee era, Doctor Who is earthbound. With a shoe-string budget the BBC wisely decided that Doctor Who could survive without wasting money on elaborate (and unconvincing) expensive sets by limiting the action to more earthly realms. The focus then shifted to devising storylines which captivate the imagination rather than going for razzle dazzle effects. Spearhead is the first installment in this new perspective. Notwithstanding that this is the first time the series was filmed in colour, it has a more captivating look to it than its predecessors. Much of the action is filmed outside the studio and has a "realism" which was novel at the time. I can't conceive one reason why a fan of the series would be disappointed with this outing. Although the story is brief it has one of the best concepts of the whole series and has a tremendous visual appeal. One of the best features of most of the Pertwee era (save the later season which strayed from its earthly abode) is that the producers knew their limitations artistically and technically and rarely tried to exceed them. The Autons are a perfect construct for the budget minded series and we appreciate their silent homicidal villainy because they have a greater realism than a clumsy Dalek or Ice Warrior. Thankfully, the musical accompaniment had not yet gravitated toward the sickening electronic dross heard excruciatingly in later 70's seasons, so enjoy the tranquillity while you may. What the hell is wrong with Mr. Pertwee in the shower? (As one reviewer protested) I have seen Tom Baker with his tackle hanging out (Pasolini's Canterbury Tales) and I can assure you that was not a sight for the squeamish!
Rating:
Summary: Doctor Who: Spearhead from Space
Review: It's appropriate that "Spearhead from Space" is one of the first DVD "Doctor Who" releases since it's Jon Pertwee's debut as the Doctor, the first color "Doctor Who" story and the first to be made entirely on location and film. For reasons of space, I won't go into plot details but it's a strong story with top notch performances by the entire cast. This DVD rendering really shines with a clean print presented in episodic form for the first time on US video. (The cassette is a compilation print.) Also restored is the missing "Episode 3" caption which is mysteriously missing from US television prints. There are plenty of extras too. A running commentary by actors Nicholas Courtney and Caroline John is fun to listen to. Their recall about events and people from 30+ years ago is suprising but very welcome. The 5-minute UNIT recruitment film which spoofs army films is good for a chuckle. There's also an Easter Egg of an alternate Pertwee title sequence. To find it, select "Scene Selection" from the main menu and press the left arrow on your remote twice. It's surprising how much work went into this DVD for a show supposedly with declining popularity while other more well known shows get the short end of the stick on DVD. ("Star Trek" anyone?) All in all a good way to start your "Doctor Who" DVD collection.
Rating:
Summary: Doctor Who: Spearhead from Space
Review: It's appropriate that "Spearhead from Space" is one of the first DVD "Doctor Who" releases since it's Jon Pertwee's debut as the Doctor, the first color "Doctor Who" story and the first to be made entirely on location and film. For reasons of space, I won't go into plot details but it's a strong story with top notch performances by the entire cast. This DVD rendering really shines with a clean print presented in episodic form for the first time on US video. (The cassette is a compilation print.) Also restored is the missing "Episode 3" caption which is mysteriously missing from US television prints. There are plenty of extras too. A running commentary by actors Nicholas Courtney and Caroline John is fun to listen to. Their recall about events and people from 30+ years ago is suprising but very welcome. The 5-minute UNIT recruitment film which spoofs army films is good for a chuckle. There's also an Easter Egg of an alternate Pertwee title sequence. To find it, select "Scene Selection" from the main menu and press the left arrow on your remote twice. It's surprising how much work went into this DVD for a show supposedly with declining popularity while other more well known shows get the short end of the stick on DVD. ("Star Trek" anyone?) All in all a good way to start your "Doctor Who" DVD collection.
Rating:
Summary: A bit duller than many other episodes, but still fun moments
Review: John Pertwee is fun to watch and is one of the livelier actors to play the Doctor. However, this episode takes a while to get going and is slow at times, even for Dr. Who. It is good goofy fun like most Dr. Who, but it is not the most exciting episode and I've seen other Pertwee episodes that should have been on DVD ahead of this one. Dr. Who fans will still enjoy it, but if you're looking for your first Dr. Who episode to buy, try The Ark In Space or Tomb Of The Cybermen first.
Rating:
Summary: A Chilling Classic
Review: Jon Pertwee's debut story has always been considered to be a superior story, arguably the best written debut of any incarnation of the Doctor, and one which introduced many new aspects to his character. Robert Holmes' third script for Doctor Who and his first bonafide classic, 'Spearhead' is equal parts suspense, action and whimsy, presented in an adult and often chilling manner. That's not to say it is perfect. The puppets used for the Nestenes are no where nearly as frightening as the faceless Autons, and the climax is quite comical (possibly intentionally, as it is preceded by so many disturbing scenes of mayhem).
As is often mentioned, the look of this story is unique. Having been shot entirely on location with film, this story has a gritty, realistic look to it which would never be emulated again by the series after the seventh season. As a result, 'Spearhead From Space' is one of the stories most suited for presentation on DVD. The image transfer is crisp, vibrant and probably looks better than it did upon its original transmission.
The DVD extras are fun additions. Caroline Shaw and Nicholas Courtney provide occassionally nostalgic commentary (Courtney's memory is quite remarkable), though much of it consists simply of their reactions to parts of the story that are chilling or funny etc. Narrated by Courtney and Dexter Fletcher ('Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels'), the UNIT recruitment short is amusing and features many short choice scenes from DW stories that have involved UNIT from 'The Invasion' right through 1989's 'Battlefield.' The photo gallery is notable for some charmingly silly publicity poses by Pertwee. The included trailers are for a '90s DW night on BBC2 and rerun of 'Spearhead,' really more of a filler than a truly interesting extra, but if the idea of a DW advert set to a Blink-182 song intrigues you, behold!
While the most compelling extras are on later DVD releases, the appeal of this story comes from the thrilling writing, inspired direction, cinematic photography and exquisite acting from Nicholas Courtney, Caroline Shaw, the guest cast and of course the delightful Jon Pertwee. 'Spearhead From Space' has stood the test of time and remains a fun and haunting classic, one that looks better now than ever.
Rating:
Summary: Great Fun
Review: Jon Pertwee's first appearance as The Doctor is a success thanks to a likeable characterization by the actor, and a fine spooky story. The most enjoyable part of this disc is the commentary from actors Caroline John (Liz Shaw) and Nicholas Courtney (The Brigadier) -- its like watching the show along with two old friends. And the "pop up" production notes option is terrific for obsessed fans (like myself) who want to know everything about the show. Look for the clasic scene when the eerie mannequins suddenly spring to life.
Rating:
Summary: Exiled to Earth....
Review: Jon Pertwee's first story is the best opening story of all of the Doctors, in my opinion.
The story has a very cinematic look, having been done entirely on film. The Doctor Who Restoration Team have done a fabulous job in restoring this story. It looks better than any PBS broadcast that I've ever seen.
The Autons are a nice departure from the usual Doctor Who enemy as they are a fairly convincing threat. Replacing public figures with replicas is kind of a scary thought!
The extras are good, especially the production subtitles, which you can turn on and learn many facts about the story. Caroline John (Liz Shaw) & Nicholas Courtney (Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart) provide an entertaining commentary, although the facts they share aren't anything that most fans didn't know already. Still, one can't expect them to remember every detail of a program they were in over 30 years ago!
The UNIT Recruitment film and trailers from a few years ago are nice. I wish that some interview footage of Pertwee from the 70s could have been included. It is possible that footage like this doesn't exist, as much of the BBC's archive holdings before 1975 are spotty.
A very enjoyable DVD and a worthy addition to any Doctor Who fan's collection.
Rating:
Summary: Exiled to Earth....
Review: Jon Pertwee's first story is the best opening story of all of the Doctors, in my opinion.
The story has a very cinematic look, having been done entirely on film. The Doctor Who Restoration Team have done a fabulous job in restoring this story. It looks better than any PBS broadcast that I've ever seen.
The Autons are a nice departure from the usual Doctor Who enemy as they are a fairly convincing threat. Replacing public figures with replicas is kind of a scary thought!
The extras are good, especially the production subtitles, which you can turn on and learn many facts about the story. Caroline John (Liz Shaw) & Nicholas Courtney (Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart) provide an entertaining commentary, although the facts they share aren't anything that most fans didn't know already. Still, one can't expect them to remember every detail of a program they were in over 30 years ago!
The UNIT Recruitment film and trailers from a few years ago are nice. I wish that some interview footage of Pertwee from the 70s could have been included. It is possible that footage like this doesn't exist, as much of the BBC's archive holdings before 1975 are spotty.
A very enjoyable DVD and a worthy addition to any Doctor Who fan's collection.
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