A pair of bumpy William Hartnell Doctor Who adventures are treated to a terrific DVD release…
The Chase: The Daleks can time travel!
Through Time and Space!
Why, Goddess, why?
For it is a largely a misfire.
Unfortunately, its less dangerous, and just dull.
So there are good things here.
Its just a shame things happenso slowly, and lines like How have arms fallen into Morok hands?
read like great jokes mangled through rewrites and humourlessly directed performances.
To the disc itself, the episodes are the usual Vidfired telerecordings.
Warping evident on the video has been corrected and overall the picture quality is excellent.
Peter Purves, who was (nearly) there at the time, makes an effective moderator.
But this is bizarre Easter egg stuff, at best.
I didnt hate it.
OntoThe Chase,and things become more entertaining, although frequently unintentionally.
Your appreciation will depend on how you view budget squeezed, shambolicly directed, Terry Nation scripted romps.
This is a production in which nothing goes particularly well for the most part.
Nation repeats hisKeys Of Marinustrick of splitting the six parter into several individual stories.
Ive been wondering about that since I was twelve.
WhereThe Chasereally comes into its own is the final episode,Planet of Decision.
The departure of Ian and Barbara!
Their happy coda in 1965 is charming; Hartnells performance, beyond the floating around in Spain!
fluff, is powerful (Come along, my dear.
Its time we were off.)
compliments it, amongst, if not the best of companion exits for, arguably, the best companions.
So, its a struggle, but it comes good in the end.
Theres a good two hours worth of features on the second disc.
So, not my favourite stories, I have to say, but the presentation is grand.
A wonderful TARDIS crew and the extras onThe Chasemake it essential.
