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Amazon.co.uk Review
While Dr. Who is often fondly remembered for its slipshod production values (disused quarries as barren planets etc.), it's worth remembering that the show featured its fair share of cracking storylines. One of Dr. Who's infamous "lost" episodes, with only the soundtrack remaining, Myth Makers allows a wonderfully inventive take on Greek myths to shine through (aided by Peter Purves' scene-setting narration), without the distraction of dodgy sets. When the TARDIS lands in ancient Greece, the original Doctor (William Hartnell) and his companions get mixed up with Greek Gods and the Trojan War. Mistaken for the great god Zeus by Achilles, Agamemnon and Odysseus, the Doctor is forced is to come up with a plan to defeat the Trojans--in just two days. Meanwhile, companions Steven and Vicky have been taken prisoner by the Trojans. To prove her loyalty, Vicky must come up with a plan to defeat the Greeks in the same time. However, for the Doctor, a certain plan involving a giant wooden horse may save him, but doom the others. Mixing the staples of historical adventure with farce, bolstered with a literate, witty script makes Myth Makers hugely enjoyable, a must for fans and excellent reminder of the series' early inventiveness. --Danny Graydon
Product Description
Whent the Tardis lands in Asia Minor, not far from the city of Troy, the Doctor is introduced to Agamemnon and Odysseus and is forced to admit his less than God-like status. He is then given just two days to come up with a plan for beating the Trojans.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Horse Doctor,
By Emanon "Mr Holmes (they were the footprints o... (Derbyshire) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)
This review is from: "Doctor Who" - The Myth Makers (Classic Novels) (Audio CD)
This is another enjoyable release in the range of audiobook versions of the Target range of DOCTOR WHO novelisations first released in the 1970s and 1980s. THE MYTH MAKERS was one of the later entries in the range and is a rather loose adaptation, by the original author, of his own television episodes, but they are adapted in such a way that I think he in many ways manages to improve upon them. Whilst it is undoubtedly the early Target novelisations that were amongst the strongest in the entire range, this release certainly gives them a run for their money.
Basically, the story is told from the point of view of the aged and blind poet Homer, reworking parts of his works late in his life. In earlier versions of his tales, he realises that he completely failed to mention the part the occupants of a certain Blue Police Box played in the fall of Troy, and now he wants to set the record straight. Or maybe he's just decided to "reimagine" his early works to maximise his profits...? Whatever the reason, when The Doctor (in white-haired old man mode), Steven and Vicki emerge from one of Zeus's portable temples at a crucial moment in the battle between Hector and Achilles, events start to unfold at a rapid pace and (after the dismissal of other notable plans) a certain legendary horse tends to reluctantly become a racing certainty of playing a pivotal role in history. You might have been led to believe that the early years of DOCTOR WHO are a little slow and humourless, but this version is far from either, as it positively rattles along over its 4 CD running time and Donald Cotton has fashioned an amusing and witty take on his original that in many ways surpasses it. At times this is just very, very funny, and any student of the classics would find a lot to enjoy in this jolly spin on the usual myths and legends with its knowing nods and winks towards other literary works and some of the most excruciating puns you're ever likely to come across. Stephen Thorne narrates in a jaunty and avuncular manner and his various characterisations - with the occasional Somerset (?) burr - employed throughout are great fun. Actually it is his performance that really makes this release. His Doctor Who performances (Azal in "The Daemons; Omega in "The Three Doctors") tended towards the "booming evil villain" end of his range, so his approach here is a rather pleasing revelation. By the way, if you do want to experience the original version of this story, the television version is probably lost forever, but the audio soundtrack CDs of the original episodes have been released by BBC Audio. However, that release also is rather unfortunately titled "Doctor Who - The Myth Makers", so you'd better be sure which version you're after when you order.
6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Is there a Doctor in the Horse,
By A Customer
This review is from: Doctor Who: The Myth Makers[1965](Original BBC Television Soundtrack) (Audio CD)
The prospect of spending an hour and a half with Doctor Who, especially the Hartnell black and white vintage, and not even on television, but some off-air recording of a 'junked' story, tarted up by a bit of narration, can't fill many people's hearts with excitement. So, I assume, this release is meant for the die-hard fans. The same people who dismiss this, and the writer's other contribution to the programme, The Gunfighters, as among the worst stories ever in the series, and you can imagine the stiff competition. So, who is this meant to delight? Anyone with a sense of fun and an appreciation of clever dialogue. Set during the Trojan War, the story rattles along with a casual disregard for historical, or literary, accuracy and is all the better for it. The events are restructured to fit the Doctor Who world in the same way that Shakespeare was more interested in telling a good story, than give a history lesson. Featuring a line up of stage and screen stars, notably Max Adrian as King Priam and Francis de Wolff as Agamemnon, this is still Hartnell's show. Seeming to delight in the freedom from technobabble and the historical stories usual forced gravitas, he puts in a comedy performance the right side of tongue-in-cheek and send-up, something that future Doctors could have done well to echo. The story is by no means light, especially the more down-beat final episode, and it contains a fair amount of Doctor Who 'business', namely the departure of a long-standing companion. Not being made for an audio-medium, however wordy the script, can make listening to an adaptation of this sort hard work. Although cleaned up magnificently, these amateur mono recordings are of poorer quality than would normally be expected of a professional product. Still, due praise should be given to the fan who had the foresight to record it way back in 1965. And boos and hisses to the BBC for not recognising the programmes significance. This is never going to appeal to anyone but a Who-fan or TV nostagist but it does deserve a better reputation even amongst that scene. And a wider appreciation too.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Horses for courses,
By
This review is from: "Doctor Who" - The Myth Makers (Classic Novels) (Audio CD)
Another great example of how the Target novelisations often transcended the TV stories they adapted, Donald Cotton's novel is a historical tour de force; the epic scale of the story is beautifully brought across with lashings of detail that the small screen could never accomodate, whilst Stephen Thorne's reading is superb. Narrated by the long-suffering poet Homer, shortly after having his eye gouged out by the barbarous Odysseus, the story is actually an early 'Doctor-lite' adventure, with the Time Lord and his companions bit-part players on a stage that pits Greek against Trojans, and gives a light-hearted yet compelling accurate portrayal of classical mythology. Stirring stuff indeed, and a fine addition to the Target audio range.
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