Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Spack Off !, 20 Dec 2008
'Destiny of the Daleks' undeserved reputation comes from 'fans' in the know writing nasty things about it in the early Doctor Who Weekly and fanzines of the late 70s. I can only assume this is because it does not quite match up to the greatness of 'Genesis of the Daleks' (the ALL time best Dr Who story) AND the problems caused by hyper inflation at the time decimating the budget like the Dalek's slaves are at the end of episode 4 ! However this is a strong, fast paced solid script by the great Terry Nation (with hints of script editor Douglas Adams style thrown in) and although the Daleks (and Davros) are a bit battered and dented this does not detract from the quality of the story. The first 2 cliff hangars are actually among the entire series finest. Tom Baker and Lalla Ward quickly establish a great team, and David Gooderson with the uneviable task of taking over from Michael Wisher as Davros turns in a great performance albeit in a decrepit mask! It is no exaggeration that this IS the best (and first) of the 'Genesis' sequels..oh and the title of this review is one of Tom's most famous fluffs, from this story, during the 'Mexican standoff' scene, presumeably aimed at the 'Destiny' deriders ?
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21 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
"Boom,boom Davros...", 2 Dec 2007
DESTINY OF THE DALEKS is a story that rather unfortunately reinforces the idea of what most casual viewers think 1970's DR WHO stories were like. It's filmed in a Dorset quarry, it's a rather lightweight and superficial tale, it's got Daleks, a race of robot people who look like they're all members of a Boney M tribute act, polystyrene boulders, lots of chasing around corridors and much arch sending up of the programme's own conventions. If you're keen on the idea of camp nonsense or nostalgia for late '70's kitsch then this might be perfect for you, but in all honesty, DESTINY isn't very good and I couldn't recommend it as a must-see. But it's also not appalling and there are far worse serials in DR WHO's back catalogue. Indeed I'd have to admit that as a not terribly discerning 8-year old at the time of transmission I loved it, and if I'm honest, that inner 8-year old still secretly rather likes it, even if he is worried about people taking the mickey. And that's rather the point of this one: it is DR WHO as a children's programme, without any pretensions to be anything else. On the other hand, the serial transmitted straight after DESTINY... was CITY OF DEATH, which is far, far more sophisticated, and most fans would want people to gain their understanding of the show from similarly multi-layered stories. But after years of being mocked and misunderstood by non-fans, I'm quite resigned to having DESTINY... as poster boy for the show in the mid to late '70's.
What we can see both from the show itself and from the disc's extras is that director Ken Grieve and his production team clearly made a big effort to create an entertaining piece of TV. The sets have interesting details (e.g. ceilings); and though dated now, are pretty good for the time of transmission and budget of the series. Grieve films the Daleks quite well, often using low angle shots to invest them with greater menace and the use of the SteadiCam rig gives a more fluidity to the shots in certain scenes. Tom Baker does his usual schtick to mildly entertaining effect and Lalla Ward makes a good start as the new cheekier, less haughty incarnation of Romana (even if you are one of the many people do think that the "trying on bodies" scene in episode one was a joke too far).
What seems to be one of the main problems with DESTINY... as far as most fans are concerned is that it's not (nor does it try to be) its prequel from 1975: GENESIS OF THE DALEKS. Compared to it's big brother, this one always comes off looking worse. The biggest casualty of this at first glance appears to be David Gooderson's performance as the resurrected Davros. He lacks the intensity and layers of Michael Wisher's version, but at least some of the blame can be attributed to the script. Tom Baker obviously relishes the opportunities he's given to belittle and mock his foe, but this was something he never did during their first encounter and it ends up meaning that we never really believe that Davros is much of a threat to civilisation. In the end, too much of Davros' power is diminished by the fact that he's reduced to being a ranting villain, without any of the pathos, seductive rationalising or operatic quality of his old self.
My belief is that what DESTINY... desperately needed was a greater sense of urgency. Even Lalla Ward notices this during the commentary, when she notes that characters creeping around the corridors of the Dalek HQ in episode 2 appear to be not so much infiltrating as drifting in a rather dream-like state. The story could have overcome its lack of depth had there been more pace to proceedings and more jeopardy thrown into the mix, Davros or no Davros. Again, I would suggest this is a major weakness in the script.
Nevertheless, I can't help being fond of the show for all it's faults, and the excellent commentary by Ward, Grieve and Gooderson bolstered my pleasure. Ward's occasionally catty remarks and sweet enthusiasm make her one of the brightest stars of these features. However, the real treat on the disc is the documentary: TERROR NATION that looks at the DR WHO career of writer and Dalek creator, Terry Nation. This is effectively illustrated by well chosen clips, has mostly intelligent and illuminating remarks from various WHO-alumni (e.g.Terrance Dicks, Richard Martin, Nick Briggs) and works as an effective tribute to the man's life and work. It's fascinating to hear the stories of Nation's wealth and that according to Terrance Dicks, he was "the only writer who ever got rich through DR WHO". Fans of Tony Hancock, BLAKES 7 and SURVIVORS might well find interest in this piece as well.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Rainbow's 'Zippy' doing Dalek voices., 2 Dec 2008
Destiny for me is the most memorable story (just) over City of Death. Looking at again, I thought the location work was very good around the ruined city.
I didn't notice it as a nine year old, but now I've noticed the Dalek casing are in really bad shape. Patched up panels and touched up here and there. Roy Skelton's Dalek voices send images of Rainbow's 'Zippy' on the Ring Modulator!
The Movellan's are a nice creation and still look good. Suzanne Danielle looks gorgeous. I can understand the equally attractive Lalla Ward being catty towards her regarding Danielle getting the 'new girl' treatment.
I thought David Goodison's Davros portrail was very good at the time. Not as perfect as Micheal Wisher, but still very good.
The set's are also very good. The Movellan ship interior still work's.
The commentry is is also good and focuses on many interesting issues. I notice director Ken Grieves is trying to build bridges between Tom Baker and Lalla Ward by praising Tom as a great actor, which he is and is still my quintessential Doctor.
After enjoying it over again, it would be nice to have Tom Baker and Lalla Ward do commentry on future 17th & 18th season stories.
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