Doctor Who: Delta And The Bannermen [VHS]

This is another good story for McCoy. This first season of the Seventh Doctor is such a fresh change since Baker's last season (not C Baker's fault either), and this is another story which is so different to what went before and after - that's it is well worth re-looking at it. What's good about it?

(1) It's a lovely, fresh, and colourful piece for McCoy - even Langford seems more comfortable in this story.
(2) Ken Dodd is pretty good. The way people go on about Dodd being in the show, he was abysmal. He really isn't and again is so fresh.
(3) It's very much character led, and you find yourself feeling very sorry for the people murdered by Gavrok - like Murray and the Tollmaster. :(
(4) Don Henderson as Gavrok is so brilliant. He's one of the most evil characters for such a long time and beats the many that have become before for evilness. His acting is excellent. Well worth watching just for Gavrok.
(5) The incidental music put together by Keff McCullough is really excellent and has such a brilliant feel of 1950's pop music - amazing. Shame there was never a soundtrack released. :(
(6) Who is the mysterious Goronwy? Is he a Time Lord?
(7) There is a real feeling of panic and big fear by episode two and three.

Come and give it another go - it really is excellent. :)

Whilst this 1987 TV adventure, that sees Sylvester McCoy and Bonnie Langford at a 1950s Welsh holiday camp helping an oppressed princess escape the clutches of a band of greasy killers, isn't the series' high-point, it's still a lot of fun; and some superb DVD extras make this a worthwhile purchase.
With the likes of Ken Dodd appearing in this serial, it's no surprise that it gets a lot of stick; Producer John Nathan-Turner was very accomplished at persuading big TV names to appear in the show during the 1980s (Richard Briers, Stratford Johns, Anton Diffring, Rula Lenska, Kate O'Mara et al); but none of his casting decisions were quite as bizarre as Ken playing an intergalactic toll-keeper who is mercifully obliterated early on in proceedings. That, and the sideburned guy from early 80s acapella troubadours `The Flying Pickets' as a mercenary hired by the eponymous Bannermen, make this story memorable to many; for all the wrong reasons.

Casting shenanigans aside, the actual story is fast-paced and fun, with some great 1950s characters; lots of energetic Rock 'n Roll; and a few hints that this Seventh incarnation of The Doctor isn't all sweetness and light. The much-maligned Bonnie Langford was nearing the end of her tenure on the show, and this serial represents for me, an upturn in the quality of the show that hadn't been seen since the decade began.

DVD extras are pretty good and include: 'Stripped for Action': The story of Doctor Who comics, and 'Clown Court': A study of the Seventh Doctor. There are also the usual production stills, interviews and PDF files, plus an insightful look into the career of actor Hugh Lloyd, who played the enigmatic beekeeper Geronwy.

I have always been a massive fan of doctor who and i still am, i had high hopes for this episode and was looking forward to seeing it. Sadly the only thing i can say is the name of the review (PRETTY DAFT) the storyline is ridiculous, the special effects could of been better and the thing that really got on my nerves was the extremely poor acting. I tried my best to keep hooked to the story but the whole thing was just laughable. A major disappointment and a complete waist of money, the only reason i rated it a 2 star and not 1 was because im to much of a who fan to rate it that low. I hope this review helps.