Doctor Who - Death to the Daleks [DVD] [1974]

I first saw this story on it's original broadcast and found it entertaining as a kid. I didn't see it again until the 1987 budget VHS video release and was just as entertaining. Now this polished DVD release is the icing on the cake for this Dr Who story and the very last complete debut DVD classic Dalek story. Personally I like this Dalek story throughout, because it's different to other Daleks stories (Daleks firing bullets!).

I won't go into the storyline as other reviewers have already done so. In this story you can see why Sarah Jane Smith became such an immense popular companion. Elizabeth Sladen's early portrayal of SJS really blossoms as evidently proved in the testament of time. A character called Bellal in this story plays well opposite Jon Pertwee especially in the last two parts. Just great. Visually I think the Daleks looks stunning in their silver and black, especially on location.

I viewed the entire DVD. And WOW! the extras are worth the cost of the DVD alone, let alone the story.
It's starts off with 'Beneath the city of the Exxilons' which is an enjoyable making of the story put together.
'Studio recordings' is just simply Brilliant! Clocking in around 23 minutes, this gives an insight of Jon Pertwee's Doctor on set. I thought this was well edited together with the behind the scenes with the actors and Daleks, with various TAKES on certain scenes. Really entertaining!

'On the set of Dr Who & The Daleks' is one of the highlights of this DVD. Though short around 13 mins, it crams a lot in. Being used to the film alone it was really a treat to see various snippets of behind the scenes footage from 'Dr Who & The Daleks'. Jason Flemying gives a warm account of his father's directing of the film. (Incidently I understand similar footage of behind the scenes/Gordon Flemying Interview for Daleks: Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. from a mid-60s TV programme has recently been discovered.)

'Dr Who Stories- Dalek Men' is a rather an amusing interviews from a couple of Dalek operators namely the late John-Scott Martin and Nicholas Evans giving their accounts what it was like being inside the Daleks as well as other parts in Dr Who.

The photo gallery has a brilliant selection of photos, with classic pictures that you would have seen in Dr Who Magazines/Books and to my knowledge some unpublished photos that I have never seen before. Some of the Dalek pictures on location are stunning! All in all a terrific selection of photos.

Though not listed on the extras there's an EASTER EGG on this DVD. By clicking right on Photo Gallery in the special features. I won't reveal it. But it's great.

The coming soon trailer for the next DVD release is The Krotons. I thought this trailer was nicely compiled together.

This surely is a must by DVD.

10/10 for the story
10/10 for the extras

4 episodes with one of the best doctors .
picture is clean and sound is clear . 4:3 original aspect ratio .
owned this on vhs and have waited for what seems like an eternity for this on dvd. (the doctor has regenerated 3 times while i have waited alone in the cosmic void)
what this release has is one of the best Dr Who stories ever .
trapped on a planet that appears to feed on all power sources the doctor and sarah jane are forced to find what is draining the tardis of its power and while doing so meet up with an earth scout ship sent there to mine perinium , a mineral that can save the lives of millions caught in a deadly galactic plague.
the doctor and the earthers are having there problems with the locals when the Daleks show up .
what insues is science fiction at its best .
there is some reasonable action , some good acting and erie music to set the mood .
special effects are as you would expect from 1974 but don't really detract from the story .
all in all an excellent sci-fi story and i still remember the sound of the beacon as clearly as when it was first broadcast .... i was 7 years old

When Doctor Who was released on VHS i only ever owned two titles, this was one of them.
Fascinating story, well told and well acted. Sure there have been many Dalek stories and some
probably better than this but for me its the one. Watched the tape to death now will do likewise
with the dvd. Enjoy it and get it as well as every single Doctor Who dvd or blu ray cause there is
no other sci-fi show that comes close.