Released on DVD on Monday 18th July, all four episodes are newly remastered and are supported by a large collection of bonus features. Guest starring Richard Briers, the story was originally broadcast in October 1987.
The official synopsis reads: “Mel wants to go swimming and, as the TARDIS pool has been jettisoned due to a leak, Paradise Towers seems to fit the bill. However, when she and the Doctor arrive, instead of the bright squares and charming cloisters the brochure promised, they find dark, rat-infested corridors full of uncontrollable cleaning machines, undisciplined street gangs and over-worked and belligerent caretakers. Some of the residents seem to be disappearing in mysterious circumstances, too.
“What has caused such terrible decay? How could such perfect accommodation have become so rundown and dangerous? And why do the street-wise Kangs, apathetic caretakers, sinister Rezzies and Pex – the self-appointed warrior who puts the world of Paradise Towers to rights – all fear whatever terrible force dwells in the basement? Only the unpredictable Chief Caretaker knows what is down there – and the real secret behind the disappearances…”
The extras are as follows:
– Commentary with actress Judy Cornwell, writer Stephen Wyatt, special sounds supervisor Dick Mills and moderated by Mark Ayres.
– ‘Horror on the High Rise’ – Doctor Who composer Mark Ayres presents a look at the making of ‘Paradise Towers’. With actors Richard Briers, Howard Cooke and Catherine Cusack, writer Stephen Wyatt, script editor Andrew Cartmel, original score composer David Snell and replacement score composer Keff McCulloch.
– Deleted and extended scenes from the first edit of the story.
– Continuity announcements from the story’s original transmission.
– ‘Girls! Girls! Girls!: The Eighties’ – three actresses who played companions in the 1980s – Sophie Aldred, Janet Fielding and Sarah Sutton – discuss the trials and tribulations of being a Doctor Who girl. Introduced by Peter Purves.
– ‘Casting Sylvester’ – Jigsaw producer Clive Doig explains his relationship with Sylvester McCoy and his role in the actor’s casting as the Seventh Doctor.
– Photo gallery of production, design and publicity photos from the story.
– A trailer for a forthcoming DVD release.
– Radio Times listings in Adobe PDF format.
– Programme subtitles.
– Subtitle Production Notes.
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