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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Bit of a mixed bag all in all.
This show does have many of the problems that affected most of the Williams era. We have - poor production values (wobbly sets, the girl clutching the wrong part of her body after being shot, unconvincing monsters), hammy acting (Tryst's ridiculously fake accent means he cannot be taken seriously as a dangerous criminal and comes over as a fool instead) and misplaced, unfunny "humour" (the serial could have done without Tom Baker's ".. my everything" line in episode 4 for example).
Yet it cannot be dismissed quite so easily. David Daker's portrayal of the conscientious spaceship captain who thanks to drug addiction first becomes a giggling idiot and then into a violent, almost psychotic individual is most convincing. The scene where he confronts Romana, believing her to be able to provide him with another "fix", is quite chilling for its time, more reminiscent of past glories like "Seeds of Doom". The anti-drug message is one that I agree with and it was brave of Who to tackle such an issue.
As for the extras - I think they come across as perfunctory compared with what we have seen on other recent releases. The "making of" documentary is all over in about 13 minutes, shot against a boring plain white background and features only 3 of the main production team. All of whom believe that the whole thing was a disaster and that it was all someone else's fault. It's well-known that Alan Bromly quit the show (and his job soon after) after one heated argument with Tom too many, but the precise nature of their disagreements ? Unknown. It would have been good to have had one or two of the cast giving their tuppence worth on it, although I appreciate that Lalla and others are on the commentary. It was good to have the feature on Bob Baker going it alone, although this was short and we don't get much idea of why Dave Martin bailed out. The "strange love" feature I can take or leave - I don't dislike it strongly as others seem to.
The "coming soon" showcases the Ace boxset. I never liked the Sylvester era and nothing here is likely to make me change my mind. Michael Grade had this era of the show in mind I believe when he denounced it as rubbish on Room 101. Pity to give people like him ammunition.
Only 3 stars I think. Tom at his best was better than Pertwee or any other doctor in my opinion, but after Hinchcliffe left things were not the same for me, and Pertwee was much more consistent over his tenure of the role.
This show does have many of the problems that affected most of the Williams era. We have - poor production values (wobbly sets, the girl clutching the wrong part of her body after being shot, unconvincing monsters), hammy acting (Tryst's ridiculously fake accent means he cannot be taken seriously as a dangerous criminal and comes over as a fool instead) and misplaced, unfunny "humour" (the serial could have done without Tom Baker's ".. my everything" line in episode 4 for example).
Yet it cannot be dismissed quite so easily. David Daker's portrayal of the conscientious spaceship captain who thanks to drug addiction first becomes a giggling idiot and then into a violent, almost psychotic individual is most convincing. The scene where he confronts Romana, believing her to be able to provide him with another "fix", is quite chilling for its time, more reminiscent of past glories like "Seeds of Doom". The anti-drug message is one that I agree with and it was brave of Who to tackle such an issue.
As for the extras - I think they come across as perfunctory compared with what we have seen on other recent releases. The "making of" documentary is all over in about 13 minutes, shot against a boring plain white background and features only 3 of the main production team. All of whom believe that the whole thing was a disaster and that it was all someone else's fault. It's well-known that Alan Bromly quit the show (and his job soon after) after one heated argument with Tom too many, but the precise nature of their disagreements ? Unknown. It would have been good to have had one or two of the cast giving their tuppence worth on it, although I appreciate that Lalla and others are on the commentary. It was good to have the feature on Bob Baker going it alone, although this was short and we don't get much idea of why Dave Martin bailed out. The "strange love" feature I can take or leave - I don't dislike it strongly as others seem to.
The "coming soon" showcases the Ace boxset. I never liked the Sylvester era and nothing here is likely to make me change my mind. Michael Grade had this era of the show in mind I believe when he denounced it as rubbish on Room 101. Pity to give people like him ammunition.
Only 3 stars I think. Tom at his best was better than Pertwee or any other doctor in my opinion, but after Hinchcliffe left things were not the same for me, and Pertwee was much more consistent over his tenure of the role.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
The Nightmare of Eden is a really good title. So what of the story itself? Will it suffer from the same as its predecessor and be brought down by awful monsters and horrific non-Leeson K9 dialogue? The answer, thank goodness, is a resounding no. The plot is great - showing off a level of imagination unseen in present day sci-fi programmes. K9 is now tolerable as when he speaks its only one or two words. The monsters - the Mandrels- are excellent creatures, looking cheesy but scary at the same time. The Doctor is as hilarious and inventive as ever, and the supporting characters all play their various parts in the story with enthusiasm and believability. The allegory of this story is drug-smuggling and therefore has even more footing in believabiity than the pure sci-fi elements of many other stories. Altogether a fantastic piece that doesn't approach the mantle of 'a classic' but is definitely one of my favourites.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
A space liner transporting holiday-makers comes out of light-speed at the same point in space as a science vessel. As a result, the two are 'welded' together and there are soon rampaging wildlife aboard the pleasure cruiser courtesy of an 'artificial reality' machine on the science ship.
This is Dr Who at its far-out best. A story which combines some intriguing sci-fi ideas with the real-life horrors of drug-dealing/drug-smuggling. Tom Baker is at his best, David Daker gives a great performance as a stoned mercenary and the rest of the supporting cast are fun, including a pair of hilariously obnoxious law-enforcement types who want to 'slip something in the Doctor's pocket' and arrest him. Yes, the comedy content is quite high, but this is a great story with barely a dull moment and it works as a sci-fi show and as a social satire.
This is Dr Who at its far-out best. A story which combines some intriguing sci-fi ideas with the real-life horrors of drug-dealing/drug-smuggling. Tom Baker is at his best, David Daker gives a great performance as a stoned mercenary and the rest of the supporting cast are fun, including a pair of hilariously obnoxious law-enforcement types who want to 'slip something in the Doctor's pocket' and arrest him. Yes, the comedy content is quite high, but this is a great story with barely a dull moment and it works as a sci-fi show and as a social satire.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
March of the Mandrels
The fourth story from Tom Baker's sixth season as Doctor Who comes to dvd. This was originally shown in 1979, and all four episodes are here on one dvd. Read more
Published 5 days ago by Paul Tapner
Tom Baker at his best
One of my personal favourites with Tom Baker. The whole idea of drugs in aliens was mad to say the least. Read more
Published 7 days ago by Jay
"Falls short"
The ideas and script in this are actually quite good but get let down badly by production.The great opening moment as 2 ships come out of hyperspace or whatever and have a traffic... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Bob Marlowe
When ships collide
Nightmare Of Eden is a daft but fun romp which sees The Doctor, Romana and K9 onboard 2 spaceships that have somehow collided and merged together. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. R. W. Graham
The Nightmare Begins, ends, Starts Again
I think Nightmare of Eden is fantastic. I could watch it all day. Yes, it has a few over-the-top moments. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Richard Parkinson
"...professionalism lacking but the plot premise is exemplary..."
Being a DOCTOR WHO fan `pariah' is sometimes a pleasure and at other times it's a nightmare - with a single comment posted by an `internet troll' on a Forum snowballing with venom... Read more
Published 1 month ago by The EYE OF HORUS Editor
Short and Sweet
Season Seventeen was a love it or hate it kind of year, but I'm definitely in the "love it" camp, and even though Nightmare of Eden was my worst story of the season it doesn't have... Read more
Published 1 month ago by S. O'Neill
Be aware!
Mmm, the Ask Aspel special feature is not a complete programme, merely the conversation bits strung together....the complete programme might have justified the price!
Published 1 month ago by Mr. T. Alcock
Tom's Still Got It.
Nightmare of Eden's Synopsis
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Two spacecraft fuse in a hyperspace collision, and with the dimensional instabilities threatening everyone aboard,... Read more
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Two spacecraft fuse in a hyperspace collision, and with the dimensional instabilities threatening everyone aboard,... Read more
Published 2 months ago by M.B.E. Of Tooting
A show that only Doctor Who could do!
Q. Where else will you find a clever story about the evils of drug smuggling and the corruption of a once-good man; slapstick comedy; a robotic, talking dog and monsters that look... Read more
Published 3 months ago by K9 MK4
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