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Amazon.co.uk Review
The final serial in Doctor Who's original run on the BBC (before it was revived in 2005), this three-episode story stars Sylvester McCoy as the Doctor, who brings his companion Ace (Sophie Aldred) back to Earth, only to discover that a race of feline aliens have turned the planet into their private hunting ground. The aliens, called Cheetah People, are traveling between their dying planet and Earth to kidnap humans for food--and lurking behind the whole scheme is none other than the Doctor's arch enemy, the Master (Anthony Ainsley in his final TV performance as the character). Despite the relative lack of quality of its video cinematography, Survival is a sold serial from the McCoy era, with some genuine suspense and an affectionate (if temporary) send-off for the venerable sci-fi hero.
The two-disc set of Survival is typical of the impressive presentations that the Doctor's adventures have received on DVD. Two commentary tracks have been recorded--one featuring McCoy, Aldred, and script editor Andrew Cartmel, and the other by the winners of a contest sponsored by Doctor Who magazine (this appears only for episode 3). The hour-long, two-part Cat Flap (one of the original titles for the serial) covers the making of the serial from start to finish, and Endgame is an intriguing look at how the program might've continued after Survival had it not been cancelled in 1989. Little Girl Lost is a 15-minute exploration of Ace's character from her debut story until Survival, and Destiny of the Doctors features footage of Ainley as the Master taken from the 1997 computer game of the same name. The extras are rounded out by several deleted and extended scenes, a round of outtakes, the standard photo gallery, text-only commentary track, Radio Times listings (in DVD-ROM format), and a 20-minute episode of a U.K. educational program called Search Out Science, which features McCoy and Aldred as their characters in a discussion of (what else?) time and space. --Paul Gaita
Synopsis
The original series ran from 1963 and culminated in Survival in 1989; a story that would be the show’s last until being revived in 1996. Having taken Ace to the present in order for her to visit her friends, the Doctor soon discovers that they have been shanghaied by the cat-like Kitlings, and transported through space to their home planet. Arriving on the planet, it soon becomes clear that the kidnappings had been undertaken in order to set a trap for the Doctor.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
The release of "Survival" on DVD is a chance for old fans to remind themselves, and new fans to learn, of both the best and the worst of the Seventh Doctor.
'The best' about this serial and this period is the story-telling. "The Cartmel masterplan" (as it's referred to in a bonus documentary), which involved making the Doctor's history and character more mysterious and adding a strong companion with an important story arc, really does have more in common with Russell T Davies' quite adult approach of 2005 than it does with the disparate and mostly nonsense stories of the Colin Baker era. When he's not clowning around McCoy's brooding paternal Doctor is one of the best. This serious approach is a chance for the Master to return to his menacing, scheming best.
'The worst' is the production values. Some of the cats look awful, and some of the supporting cast can't really act. As the bonus documentary "Endgame" explains in detail, the production was under serious threat and it appears as though some members of the production team have already given up. Watching the out-takes, none of them are especially funny- McCoy and Aldred are having a laugh and putting a brave face on what seems like a case of going-through-the-motions, as if they are waiting for cancellation.
Unfortunately "Survival" overall is not quite as good as the two preceding stories "Ghost Light" and "Curse Of Fenric", so if you're new to the McCoy era you should check those other two out first.
This is a two-disc set but with a bit more judicious editing of the bonus features, it could have fit onto one disc. Personally I find that the bonus features being added to most of these Who DVDs are a bit too slow, and involve various members of the production crew repeating the same statements too often. For example the bonus documentary "Endgame" is 45 minutes long, but it could easily be trimmed to less than half an hour without losing anything important.
'The best' about this serial and this period is the story-telling. "The Cartmel masterplan" (as it's referred to in a bonus documentary), which involved making the Doctor's history and character more mysterious and adding a strong companion with an important story arc, really does have more in common with Russell T Davies' quite adult approach of 2005 than it does with the disparate and mostly nonsense stories of the Colin Baker era. When he's not clowning around McCoy's brooding paternal Doctor is one of the best. This serious approach is a chance for the Master to return to his menacing, scheming best.
'The worst' is the production values. Some of the cats look awful, and some of the supporting cast can't really act. As the bonus documentary "Endgame" explains in detail, the production was under serious threat and it appears as though some members of the production team have already given up. Watching the out-takes, none of them are especially funny- McCoy and Aldred are having a laugh and putting a brave face on what seems like a case of going-through-the-motions, as if they are waiting for cancellation.
Unfortunately "Survival" overall is not quite as good as the two preceding stories "Ghost Light" and "Curse Of Fenric", so if you're new to the McCoy era you should check those other two out first.
This is a two-disc set but with a bit more judicious editing of the bonus features, it could have fit onto one disc. Personally I find that the bonus features being added to most of these Who DVDs are a bit too slow, and involve various members of the production crew repeating the same statements too often. For example the bonus documentary "Endgame" is 45 minutes long, but it could easily be trimmed to less than half an hour without losing anything important.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Survival, for those who don't know, was the last transmitted new episode of Doctor Who for seven years, ending a Twenty-Six year run. Well... at least 'Who had ended on a good note.
McCoy's opening season was, truely, the worst season in the history of 'Who. The seconf McCoy season (though a HUGE improvement on the first) was still not perfect. By the time of the third season, Doctor Who was finally back on track with good quality stories, and a Doctor and companion that had finally understood their potential.
Survival represents why the last season was so good. It was a mix of a good Doctor, original companion and just good, solid stories. The concept of 'survival of the fittest' is very strong int this story and that just plays to the viewers good points.
After the 75 min story, we then have 190-odd minutes of extras. This is a two-disk release after all. The Cat-Flap feature is a good insite into the production and last days of 'Who. Then the documentaries of Endgame (which is BRILLIANT) and the Ace Documentary make this release all the beter.
This serial may only be three-parts, but it's still a bargain at the sheer amount of special features.
McCoy's opening season was, truely, the worst season in the history of 'Who. The seconf McCoy season (though a HUGE improvement on the first) was still not perfect. By the time of the third season, Doctor Who was finally back on track with good quality stories, and a Doctor and companion that had finally understood their potential.
Survival represents why the last season was so good. It was a mix of a good Doctor, original companion and just good, solid stories. The concept of 'survival of the fittest' is very strong int this story and that just plays to the viewers good points.
After the 75 min story, we then have 190-odd minutes of extras. This is a two-disk release after all. The Cat-Flap feature is a good insite into the production and last days of 'Who. Then the documentaries of Endgame (which is BRILLIANT) and the Ace Documentary make this release all the beter.
This serial may only be three-parts, but it's still a bargain at the sheer amount of special features.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Survival is a watershed story in Doctor Who history and it doesn't disappoint. After this story it was a long wait for new Who and Survival ensured it had a hard act to follow. Sylvester McCoy is at the top of his game here and the 'dark Doctor' of his final season makes for a gripping showdown with his nemesis, the evil Master, played once again by the inimitable Anthony Ainley. The pair of them play cat and mouse for the first couple of episodes, before a thrilling fight at the stories climax leaves..........well, i won't spoil the surprise! Brilliantly directed, superbly acted and full of wonderful performances (Hale and Pace give a wonderful comic turn), this story will not disappoint. Fans of the new series will enjoy this, it fits very much into the style of episodes like 'New Earth'. Enjoy.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
In the end he earned the title of the 7th Doctor
At the time this was broadcast no one knew that was it, JNT had an idea and got McCoy back in to overdub a farewell speech over the last scene. Read more
Published 20 days ago by Mr. R. G. Prizeman
How Ironic...
How Ironic that the last episode of classic who is called SURVIVAL, because Doctor Who has SURVIVED!
A Great story, on a great DVD, with great delivery £4. Read more
A Great story, on a great DVD, with great delivery £4. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Benlroberts
A final masterpiece for the Classic series
Survival has the dubious distinction of being the last classic Doctor Who serial to be screened, (Although Ghostlight was the last to be shot), but it also stands as a genuine... Read more
Published 8 months ago by TF
Dr Who -Survival- "Pretty Poor"
In my opinion, it was episodes such as this that brought about the end of DW in the 80's.
In writing, I'm sure it all looked good, in practice it all looked pretty poor. Read more
In writing, I'm sure it all looked good, in practice it all looked pretty poor. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mr. G. P. Schofield
A show that was cancelled just as it was beginning to look up again...
Doctor Who was cancelled at the totally wrong time. The ratings were low in past years, however in this series and the last, the show was beginning to regain it's popularity, with... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Mr. A. Dodds
"Somethin's Eaten Tiger."
I watching this when I was about 8 years old during it's first broadcast. Excellent final adventure for our favourite Time Lord as he finds himself transported to the planet of The... Read more
Published 23 months ago by The Sherinator
A great ending to a great show!!!
A kids review.
i recieved this in the post today. its fantastic.
Sylvester Mccoy being one of my favirote doctors gives his best performance in the last episode of the... Read more
i recieved this in the post today. its fantastic.
Sylvester Mccoy being one of my favirote doctors gives his best performance in the last episode of the... Read more
Published on 9 April 2010 by Mrs. A. Clark
Low budget hinders potentially good story
I really cannot add any more to what has been said in the other reviews regarding storyline, so I shall be brief and to the point. Read more
Published on 20 Nov 2009 by Mr Robert John Newton-Howes
Good story
If you like cat like aliens, the master, The Seventh doctor and Ace then you will love this story. Ace goes home which she does want to do. Read more
Published on 23 Sep 2009 by P.A.G
...of the fittest
Ironically it was just as Doctor Who had seemed to find a new direction that the BBC finally decided to abandon its one-time flagship drama. Read more
Published on 29 April 2009 by Captain Pugwash
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