Doctor Who - Inferno [DVD] [1970]

 

 

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One of the most striking things about this 7-part serial from 1970 isn't just how different it is from contemporary Doctor Who, but how unusual it is even when compared to most other stories from the original series. The Doctor is mostly without a companion; he isn't just facing a single enemy - he's surrounded by people who are almost universally hostile towards him, and the Earth isn't just threatened by destruction - it actually is destroyed.

This is Doctor Who at its most bleak and serious - indeed, at times its almost dystopian. The dramatic tension starts ramping up quite quickly - when we first encounter Professor Stahlman, he's already agitated and prickly about any further delays to his cherished project to drill into the earth's crust. By the time that the Doctor is accidentally thrust into the parallel world, theres already a sense that he's needed back in his own adopted world, as only he has any chance of moderating Stahlman's resolute will.

Parallel worlds are something of a science-fiction cliche, but not here. The alt.universe that the Doctor finds himself in is crucial to the narrative - largely in depicting a world in which the clock has been wound slightly forward on Stahlman's programme, with the catastrophic consequences unfolding rapidly and alarmingly. When he arrives, the Doctor is a peripheral figure, powerless even to get his voice heard let alone prevent the world from ending. As the Doctor tries ever harder to be listened to, theres a real sense of this being a cold, harsh environment - familiar but remote, reminiscent but bleak and sinister. This is a world in which the military are all powerful - how can the Doctor ever hope to prevail upon his captors to let him slow down or halt Stahlman's project? He tries his best - there's some excellent dialogue along the way ("Listen to that - its the sound of the planet screaming out it's rage") - but from an early stage there's a belief that this time, its just not going to be enough. The atmosphere is, for Doctor Who, uncharacteristically and unremittingly chilly.

As the side-effects of the drilling begin to make themselves felt, the Doctor gains in strength - what if he is telling the truth? How come he knows so much about the project? But already there's a sense that things have gone too far - the cold wind that cut through the earlier episodes has given way to a searing, devastating heat - brilliantly captured in the penultimate episode. The world is literally burning up - the exterior shots practically melt on the screen and are highly effective in conveying the reality of a world about to scorch and blister. Time is running out not just for the parallel world, but also for the Doctor to return home and try and avert the same fate befalling his own Earth - a feat he has been conspicuously unable to perform in the alternative universe.

Without doubt, one of the strongest, most captivating and tense Doctor Who stories ever made. There's an unusual sense of powerlessness, and of the Doctor being at the mercy of events, and time rather than in their command. The horror and fear is therefore almost entirely psychological - if even the Doctor can't help, then what can be done? This is Doctor Who - and it has to be said, Jon Pertwee - on peak form. Highly recommended.

This was one of the first classic Doctor Who episodes I watched, and after viewing more than 40 others, this is still my favourite.

The Doctor is being provided with the means to experiment with his TARDIS console in exchange for him working as a scientific advisor at a drilling project. But when he goes into a parallel universe using his TARDIS, he discovers the horrors that will take place if the drilling on our world isn't stopped...

This episode is fantastic. It was the last episode to be recorded without incidental music, but the ever present sound of the drill reminds us constantly of the danger the Earth is in.

If I had to point out one bad point of this story, it would be that LIz does an awful lot of running between the drill and the Doctor's hut, even in the parallel universe. However, the acting is superb, and although the sound effects of the monsters aren't very convincing, it still deserves five stars.

My final point is that the cliffhanger to episode six is the best I have ever seen in Doctor Who.

This is one of the very best stories ever, from one of the best seasons ever. The writing is excellent, despite the story being a 7 parter, and having the consequent occasional story lags. The quality of the acting and direction matches that of the writing, even though director Douglas Camfield was taken ill part way through the filming, and had to be replaced by Barry Letts. Only the realisation of the Primords disappoints. The story is almost devoid of incidental music, and somehow this adds to the tension and feeling of foreboding. Regarding extras, the documentary is very interesting, and the commentary is entertaining but the commentators have a tendancy to repeat themselves. Mind you they do have 7 episodes to cover. All in all this DVD is superb, and a must have for any Who fan.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Originally odd
This is an original good story but it runs unnecessary a bit too slow in the middle it usually happens in more than 4 episodes Dr. Who stories ). Read more

Published 3 months ago by Ruben G. Margarit

4.0 out of 5 stars An Oldie But A Goodie
I'd read about Inferno being a bit different and I'm a big Jon Pertwee fan so thought I'd give it a go. Read more

Published 3 months ago by T. Hurt

4.0 out of 5 stars Sideways in time
Meddling in the unknown tends to be a deadly practice in the Dr. Who stories, and "Doctor Who: Inferno (Story 54)" brings on a fresh disaster from below the Earth's crust. Read more

Published 5 months ago by E. A Solinas

5.0 out of 5 stars Dr Who - Inferno (1970)
I really enjoyed watching Dr Who - Inferno, as I found both acting and the story line very gripping. Read more

Published 10 months ago by Mr G Turner

5.0 out of 5 stars Eye eye Brigadier!
Jon Pertwee had just begun to settle into the role of The Doctor when this epic 7 part serial was transmitted. Read more

Published 10 months ago by Scaroth, Last of the Jagaroth

4.0 out of 5 stars Doctor Who - Inferno [DVD] [1970] Review
It was an interesting plot and was one of the third doctors stronger storys, i would strongly recomend this product to dr who fans. Read more

Published 12 months ago by karen

5.0 out of 5 stars Doctor Who in Dante's Inferno
In the finest tradition of the BBC's Quatermass serials, the 1970 season of Doctor Who featured a spellbinding array of serials dealing with doomsday scenarios on Earth, in a way... Read more

Published 13 months ago by S. Poppitt

5.0 out of 5 stars Insanely brilliant!!
This story is a contender for the best ever.

A very well written and believable episode with a fabulous twist that is a classic Doctor Who moment. Read more

Published 16 months ago by Ian Sharp

5.0 out of 5 stars Not in Front of the Children
One of the greatest stories of the 1970s and surely in the top ten for the entire classic series. Jon Pertwee's performance exudes sheer power and is very convincing, particularly... Read more

Published 16 months ago by Antares

5.0 out of 5 stars Probably Pertwees best available series
Until the long awaited The Daemons is finally released anyway.

This is a great Doctor Who series, which I remember watching as a youngster back in 1970. Read more

Published 16 months ago by S J Buck

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