Doctor Who - The Hand of Fear [DVD] [1976]

Back in the mid 1970's when I was just a nipper, I would skip gaily home from the newsagents in my little shorts with some penny chews and a lurid red string of liquorice packed with E numbers to watch Saturday's instalment of Doctor Who. I count myself lucky to have experienced the Baker/Sladen partnership first time round. It is the best ensemble acting the show has ever produced. Week in week out, I would be enthralled by the brave, kind and just a little bit unsettling Doctor and the pretty, spunky Sarah-Jane as they battled Daleks, Sontarans, Cybermen and Zygons in a crazed-out monsterfest which was compulsory viewing for any child in Great Britain who grew up in that magical era. Then it all came to an end with the Hand of Fear and I wrote a rude letter to the BBC (which my Mum helped me to write), which they never replied to.

The story is not outstanding, but contains a popular template still retained by the series, namely setting the initial story on Earth in recognisable surroundings (yes, it's THAT quarry again), before shifting the action to outer space. One interesting fact is that Sarah is given a chance to be mean as she is possessed by the power of Eldrad's ring. The highlight is of course her leaving scene, made all the more poignant by being underplayed by both actors.

Elisabeth Sladen is the best actor or actress ever to have played the Doctor's companion, and struck just the right degree of balance between vulnerability and independence, while all the while creating a likeable and entirely believable character. There has not been a companion like her since (although I have to say I was very impressed with Billie Piper). This was her swansong.

Happy days.

The Hand of Fear is a classic slice of Doctor Who from the show's so-called 'Golden era'. Tom Baker is at his best; alternately whimsical and filled with supressed rage at the injustice he sees. The story is also particularly noteworthy for being the swansong of Elisabeth Sladen as feisty journo Sarah-Jane Smith.
The Doctor and Sarah find themselves in a quarry in timeless 'Who' tradition; Sarah is subsequently buried as an explosion rips through the rocks. When he unearths her, The Doctor finds she is clutching a fossilised hand; this leads the time-travellers to the planet Kastria where they encounter the reborn Eldrad, a monstrous dictator put to death by his own people...
What makes this serial so special is the chemistry between The Doctor and his 'best friend'. There is real pathos in their parting and her hideous Andy-Pandy outfit aside, Sarah is fantastic. The other plus is the set design, particularly the planet Kastria and the manipulative Eldrad, all booming voice and figure-hugging shimmery lycra.
If you only ever watch one 'classic' Doctor Who story then make it this one!

For a long time this stood to be Sarah Jane Smith's last stand, but thankfully she has been back many times since.

Caught in a quarry explosion Sarah clutches a fossilized hand which then takes her over as an alien influence grows. An alien regenerates its form and then the real problems start.

A fun story that could have served as Sarah's last hurrah since she gets a bit more to do here as Sarah plays both companion and alien monster while she is possessed. It's her story more than Tom's and she carries it well right up to a reluctant farewell scene.

Uncle Tom is in charge as ever even though a little sidelined in Sarah's favour. Here he is playing Earth's defender against the agressive tendencies of Eldrad. It's good that until he is certain it's evil, he is ready to help Eldrad.

Eldrad in an interesting alien who (bar a small prologue) we 1st experience through Sarah Jane. Next we have Eldrad's interpretation of a female form as played by Judith Paris and then finally the proper male form as lovely shouty Dr Who Repetory actor Stephen Thorne takes over.The costume in both main forms, is a good one with joins not too obvious.

The supporting cast are also good and a very fine moment allows Glynn Houston who beleives a nuclear accident is imminent, a moment to ring his family.

Effects are of the time but there not being too many they do not distract.

There is a documentary "Changing Time" about both the story and Sarah's journey in The Police Box Show. It's highly enjoyable with Liz, Tom and various others. Tom has a few tall stories especialy 1 about Mr. Pertwee and Liz highlights some of the differences between the 2. The only sour note is the need to tell us how supporting cast members Rex Robinson & Glynn Houston broke into acting!

There is a Tommentary with both Tom and Liz on great form although Liz gets a little lost as Tom effects to fancy Judith Paris, you almost think he's plucking up the courage to ask her out!

We also get a vintage interview with Liz and Tom on the 1st edition of Swap Shop chatting with viewers and Noel Edmonds.

With a package of this quality, if you're happy with the price the question you must ask is "Deal or No Deal"?

Sorry I couldn't resist.