Featuring 1971’s ‘Terror Of The Autons’ and a Special Edition of 1970’s ‘Spearhead From Space’, the set will be available on DVD from 9th May. All episodes are newly remastered and come with an expanded collection of bonus features.
In ‘Spearhead From Space’, the Doctor is exiled to Earth in the late 20th Century by his own people – the Time Lords. The newly regenerated Doctor finds himself in Oxley Woods alongside a shower of mysterious meteorites.
In ‘Terror Of The Autons’, Earth is in terrible danger. The Master has arrived with an evil scheme to destroy humanity and silence the Doctor forever by awakening the awesome power of the Nestene – a ruthlessly aggressive alien life form. With their control over all types of plastic, they form into faceless automatons, a willing army of destruction easily controlled by the evil Time Lord himself.
The extras are as follows:
‘Spearhead From Space’: Special Edition
– Two commentaries – one with actors Caroline John and Nicholas Courtney and another with producer Derrick Sherwin and script editor Terrance Dicks.
– Down To Earth – Cast and crew look back at the making of this story and how a strike at the BBC studios inadvertently created the only classic series story to be made entirely on film. With actor Jon Pertwee, producers Derrick Sherwin and Barry Letts, script editor Terrance Dicks, costume designer Christine Rawlins and assistant script editor (and inadvertent Auton actor) Robin Squire. Narrated by Carl Kennedy.
– Regenerations – From Black and White to Colour – ‘Spearhead From Space’ marked not only the arrival of a new Doctor but also the transition from black and white to colour. This documentary looks at the challenges faced by programme makers during this period. With actors Frazer Hines and Wendy Padbury, producer Derrick Sherwin, script editor Terrance Dicks, directors Timothy Combe, Christopher Barry and Michael Ferguson, designer Roger Cheveley and graphic designer Bernard Lodge. UNIT Recruitment Film (dur. 4’ 48”) – a spoof army recruitment film put together for BBC transmission during Doctor Who’s 30th anniversary celebrations in 1993.
– Trailers – two trailers for the 1999 BBC Two transmission of the story and for ‘Doctor Who Night’ from the same year.
– Photo gallery – production, design and publicity photos from the story.
– Coming soon – a trailer for a forthcoming DVD release.
– Radio Times listings in Adobe PDF format.
‘Terror Of The Autons’
– Commentary with actors Katy Manning and Nicolas Courtney, producer Barry Letts.
– Life on Earth – In this documentary, cast and crew look back at the making of the story and the differences in the way Doctor Who was made in the 1970s compared to now. With actors Jon Pertwee, Katy Manning and Richard Franklin, producer Barry Letts, script editor Terrance Dicks and new series producer Phil Collinson.
– The Doctor’s Moriarty – with the introduction of the Master, the Doctor now had his very own Moriarty, who would be the dark figure behind every story in Season 8, and many more beyond that. This featurette discusses the enduring appeal of the character. With actor Katy Manning, producer Barry Letts, script editors Terrance Dicks and Christopher H Bidmead and writers Robert Shearman and Joe Lidster.
– Plastic Fantastic – how did the writers of Doctor Who and other programmes take something as everyday as plastic and turn it against us? With writers Francesca Gavin, Robert Shearman and new series designer Matthew Savage.
– Photo gallery – production, design and publicity photos from the story.
– Coming soon – a trailer for a forthcoming DVD release.
– Radio Times listings and promotional material for Sugar Smacks and Nestle products in Adobe PDF format.