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From Amazon.co.uk
"Spearhead from Space" launched Doctor Who into the 1970s with not only a new Doctor, Jon Pertwee, but a new assistant, the scientist Liz Shaw (Caroline John) and a regular place in the show for UNIT and Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart (Nicholas Courtney). It also marked the debut of the programme in colour and saw the Doctor stranded on Earth after Patrick Troughton's last adventure, "The War Games" (1969). Not only that, but it proved the only serial in the show's history to be entirely shot both on film and location, giving it a uniquely cinematic feel. Regenerating in a country hospital, the Doctor finds himself helping the Brigadier investigate an unusual meteorite and its links with a sinister doll factory. The Autons are cybernetic killers--anticipating The Terminator by some 15 years--and the sequence in which they break through high-street shop windows to slaughter pedestrians remains a chilling highpoint of Doctor Who's entire history. Things do turn silly with a subplot involving a waxworks museum, while the ultimate battle with the Nestine consciousness is more likely to induce laughter than fear, but as vintage television nostalgia this is fast-moving splendidly characterised entertainment. --Gary S. Dalkin
On the DVD: The remastered picture and sound are exceptional for a 1970 TV show. Obviously in 4:3 and mono, this DVD offers technical quality easily as good as many feature films. There is a very friendly, if not especially informative, commentary from Nicholas Courtney and Caroline John, and subtitles that offer background facts and figures. With an amusing five-minute recruiting film for UNIT, repeat trailers and a gallery including previously unpublished photos, this excellent DVD is a Doctor Who fan's dream come true. --Gary S. Dalkin
Product Description
Forbidden to continue his travels through time and space by his fellow Time Lords, the newly regenerated Doctor (Jon Pertwee) begins his exile on 20th century Earth. His arrival coincides with a shower of strange meteorites, which are promptly investigated by the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce. Although his old friend Brigadier Alastair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart (Nicholas Courtney) is initially suspicious of the Doctor's new appearance and personality, he is forced to ask for his help when several of the meteorites go missing. The Doctor discovers that the meteor shower was in fact the first wave of an invasion by hostile alien intelligence the Nestene; phase two begins when the Autons - deadly plastic mannequins created by the Nestene agents on Earth - launch an attack on the unsuspecting public.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
By 1988, I'd gone off Doctor Who to the point where I couldn't even watch the show anymore as I felt it had become so desperately poor.
My interest in the show was only revived when I was passed a copy of this story on VHS to watch. I really remembered why I had become a fan of Doctor Who in the first place. It is well paced, is full of atmosphere and includes some of the most famous scenes from the show's history.
The DVD remastering means that the episodes have never looked or sounded as good and the extras are an interesting diversion which add value to this release.
I would have no hesitation in recommending this DVD to any fan (past or present) of Doctor Who - a great place to start a DVD collection.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By James Raven.
Format:DVD
This story, perhaps more than any other, is the perfect introduction to Dr Who from any period because it has all the right elements that make for a gripping story, without any of that trademark silliness that has unfortunately tended to draw derision upon us adult fans. Therefore if you have a friend that you suspect might need introducing to Dr Who but you aren't sure of the reaction you'll get - this is the one to sit them down in front of.
I have to confess to being able to remember seeing this when originally broadcast, and it made a lasting impact too I can tell you. I was a little bit jumpy in the presence of shop dummies for some time after. People have come to love the Daleks and Cybermen because they make for fun viewing but they feel too safe, animated shop dummies, however, are the stuff of nightmares!
Viewing it now I can still feel what it was about the general atmosphere that made it so gripping, and I feel it set the standard for early 'seventies Who, namely the tangibly sinister undercurrent, terrifying adversaries, and the knowledge that only the Doctor's advanced science would save the day. Perhaps if today's younger generation had access to something of this calibre on TV there may even be a better uptake of science subjects at school.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
The BBC had taken a considerable risk in unmasking the Doctor as a renegade Time Lord in Patrick Troughton's final adventure and the character had lost some of his mystery as a result - but recreating him as a dashing man of action was a risk that payed off. Bringing together all that was best in British TV SF of the era, the series relaunched itself as 'Quatermass' meets 'The Avengers' with the Brigadier a more sympathetic Colonel Breen and Liz Shaw a fine Emma Peel. Jon Pertwee was never better - and seldom bettered - as the series most stylish Doctor, and writer Robert Holmes shows why he is still regarded so highly by fans, actors and producers alike, with a witty script full of sharp characterisation and observations. Shamelessly entertaining, this DVD presentation benefits from unusually crisp photography and a great selection of extras including a commentary track from Nick Courtney and Carloline John which more than compensate for the occasionally muffled sound. Ignore the bleating of the cultists: watch and enjoy one of the finest examples of 'Doctor Who' from an era when it was a family adventure series rather than a psychological crutch for superannuated sixth formers. More please, BBC!
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4.6 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Presumably good
I bought this as a present for somebody else. It was delivered promptly etc. As to its qualities, I personally cannot say, but I'm not aware of any complaints. John Robinson
Published 6 days ago by Mr. J. W. Robinson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Spearhead from AMAZING
Spearhead from Space is fabulous. One the best Jon Pertwee stories ever, and that's not an easy thing to say, because a lot of his a amazing. But this is actually one of the best. Read more
Published 15 days ago by obi won kenobi
5.0 out of 5 stars
Doctor Who Spearhead From Space
This could be the very first Doctor Who episode I ever saw. Back in the 90s I remember watching a Doctor Who episode on BBC 2 and all I remember is the autons. Read more
Published 24 days ago by The Man
5.0 out of 5 stars
Doctor Who Spearhead from Space
Recovering from his regeneration, the Doctor begins his exile to Earth by battling Autons!
Part 1: The TARDIS takes the newly regenerated Doctor to Earth to begin his... Read more
Part 1: The TARDIS takes the newly regenerated Doctor to Earth to begin his... Read more
Published 1 month ago by kk
4.0 out of 5 stars
Jon Pertwee's First Story
This was Jon Pertwee's first story and it's also a very well written serial by Robert Holmes which he also wrote other great stories such as "Terror of the autons", "The deadly... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mrs. Marilyn A. Rice
5.0 out of 5 stars
BLU-RAY COMING IN JULY
Anybody not in the know,should be aware Spearhead From Space is being released on Blu-ray in July.
With a 40min plus Brand New Documentary on Jon Pertwee. Read more
With a 40min plus Brand New Documentary on Jon Pertwee. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Paul Scott
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not an amazing DVD release
As a relatively short-term Whovian (since 2006, born 1994) I was unfortunate enough to have seen no classic Doctor Who up until a couple of years ago. Read more
Published 3 months ago by DoctorWhoFan63
5.0 out of 5 stars
The perfect start for the Jon Pertwee era!
I bought this DVD a 'friend' who is rather keen on the work of Jon Pertwee, although I was allowed to watch it with her as she told me in no uncertain terms what a man he is, how... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Hermes Love
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely Wonderful
This is Jon Pertwee's debut as the Doctor.
We first see him stumbling around out of the TARDIS (seriously more derelict looking than it does now! Read more
We first see him stumbling around out of the TARDIS (seriously more derelict looking than it does now! Read more
Published 7 months ago by Su
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Start Of A Truly Great Decade For "Doctor Who"
1970's Spearhead From Space has always been one of the truly great moments in Doctor Who, and for me this is one of my top 10 favorites. Read more
Published 15 months ago by M.B.E. Of Tooting
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