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Amazon.co.uk Review
One of the most popular adventures from the William Hartnell era of Doctor Who, The Time Meddler pits the Time Lord against Carry On star Peter Butterworth in an entertaining, well-written adventure.
Set in England back in 1066, on the eve of the Battle of Hastings, The Time Meddler sees the Doctor drawn to a monastery where a single monk resides. So how come the singing of the monks can be heard from far away? And what’s the reasoning behind the modern utensils he discovers? All paths lead to the aforementioned Butterworth, whose character’s backstory adds a nice twist to the story.
The Time Meddler throws in the backstory of Jamie discovering the world of time travel for the first time, but it’s the sparring between Hartnell and Butterworth that provides the sparks. And while it’s not a perfect adventure, The Time Meddler is very entertaining, and a nice slice of classic Doctor Who.
Poignantly, the late Verity Lambert joins an intelligent, interesting commentary track in the highlight of the disc’s extras. The Time Meddler was the last Doctor Who story she produced, and her contribution to the supplementary features package is both interesting and a fitting tribute to her work. It also helps make a very strong release for fans of classic Doctor Who. --Simon Brew
Synopsis
Doctor Who returns for this exciting collection of episodes that make up the Time Meddler story, set on the eve of the Battle of Hastings, and starring William Hartnell as the Doctor. Includes four episodes: 'The Watcher', 'The Meddling Monk', 'A Battle Of Wits' and 'Checkmate'.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
1965's The Time Meddler is a strange addition to the Hartnell era, its neither here nor there, a mixture between historical fact and futuristic humour. By the end of the second production block, the producers were keen to inject new life in to Doctor Who, Dennis Spooner, since taking up the reign as script editor was keen to experiment with the programme and so we have The Time Meddler, a story that would not be misplaced in the late Jon Pertwee era next to the Time Warrior. In fact, the similarities between these two serials is quite something. We have an alien {Peter Butterworth's "Monk"}, a historical setting {1066} and the Doctor {Billy} trying to end the tampering with time. I have always felt that "The Time Warrior" was a sequel or remake of this story as they are very similar. Nevertheless the two stories are classics {well in my opinion anyway} and they certainly deserve recognition for daring to step out of the norm.
The Time Meddler is short, at 4 episodes, instead of the usual 6 it is not the standard length of any pre season 3 adventure, its length is a good thing mainly because there is not enough going on to keep it alive after the 4 episodes, if it was a 6 parter then I would have knocked it down to 4 stars. I have never been a fan of the 6 parters, they always drag in the middle {Reign of Terror} and you can lose track of the real plot. However, as stated above this story is a nice 100 min breeze and keeps my attention all the way through.
There is great casting in this story by director Douglas Camfield, Doctor Who's greatest director, here we have great comedian Peter Butterworth and familiar face Alethea Charlton {who appered in the first ever serial}. The only thing that would have been a nice touch would have to be Dudley Simpson on incidental music duty, but owing to the ever widening dispute between him and Dougie Camfield, that was never really going to happen, shame.
The BBC DVD release of this classic story from 1965 was handled beautifully by the Restoration Team, the remastering has come a long way since the good old days of VHS, it is a shame however that the Vidfire process could not be applied to this story as the recordings were not of good enough quality. Nevertheless, thats not to say the picture and sound on this 46 year old production was not up to scratch, because it really is, the DVD is presented very well and the Team have done a great job in putting it all together. Comiserations.
All in all then, this is a great Hartnell story that is more suited in the 70's than the mid 60's, but that does not but add to the enjoyment of this BBC DVD of The Time Meddler.
Serial - 9/10
DVD - 10/10
Overall - Great buy and well worth it.
The Time Meddler is short, at 4 episodes, instead of the usual 6 it is not the standard length of any pre season 3 adventure, its length is a good thing mainly because there is not enough going on to keep it alive after the 4 episodes, if it was a 6 parter then I would have knocked it down to 4 stars. I have never been a fan of the 6 parters, they always drag in the middle {Reign of Terror} and you can lose track of the real plot. However, as stated above this story is a nice 100 min breeze and keeps my attention all the way through.
There is great casting in this story by director Douglas Camfield, Doctor Who's greatest director, here we have great comedian Peter Butterworth and familiar face Alethea Charlton {who appered in the first ever serial}. The only thing that would have been a nice touch would have to be Dudley Simpson on incidental music duty, but owing to the ever widening dispute between him and Dougie Camfield, that was never really going to happen, shame.
The BBC DVD release of this classic story from 1965 was handled beautifully by the Restoration Team, the remastering has come a long way since the good old days of VHS, it is a shame however that the Vidfire process could not be applied to this story as the recordings were not of good enough quality. Nevertheless, thats not to say the picture and sound on this 46 year old production was not up to scratch, because it really is, the DVD is presented very well and the Team have done a great job in putting it all together. Comiserations.
All in all then, this is a great Hartnell story that is more suited in the 70's than the mid 60's, but that does not but add to the enjoyment of this BBC DVD of The Time Meddler.
Serial - 9/10
DVD - 10/10
Overall - Great buy and well worth it.
36 of 44 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I'm 15 years old, and I have to say that this story really is awesome, even by today's standards.
It's certainly one of Hartnell's best, with Hartnell's Doctor really getting into the role brilliantly. Here, we see the bully in him, and the very funny/calm side too. Place him with the Monk, and we have a fantastic combination.
I watched this in one sitting (something I find hard to do with Hartnell/Troughton) and absolutely loved it. I would recommend it for people of all ages because it's a huge lump of fun and a great story!
It's certainly one of Hartnell's best, with Hartnell's Doctor really getting into the role brilliantly. Here, we see the bully in him, and the very funny/calm side too. Place him with the Monk, and we have a fantastic combination.
I watched this in one sitting (something I find hard to do with Hartnell/Troughton) and absolutely loved it. I would recommend it for people of all ages because it's a huge lump of fun and a great story!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Its the first time i have watched the "time meddler"and i was very impressed its a very atmospheric story set in a great location on the northumberland coast,peter butterworth plays an excellent part as the monk the story is quite good another time lord meddling with time,the dvd restoration team have done a great job with the picture.a classic buy!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Starts Great gets Worse
The first 2 parts of this episode are amazing and flow beautifully however in the last two parts it isn't very good. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mr. D. P. Metcalfe
I'd have gotten away with it if it hadn't been for those meddling time...
Having grown up with Baker, Davison, Baker and McCoy playing the Doctor, I only knew the Hartnell stories through the Target novelisations (although I'd read all of those several... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Scaroth, Last of the Jagaroth
The Meddling Monk
My there's a lot of jaded people out there. Haven't bought the DVD yet but lets make one thing clear - if you were 8 years old at the time this was dynamite. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Mr. W. Norman
Great fun!
Loved the episode, kept me entertained,
I loved watching it and you will too. :)
I loved watching it and you will too. :)
Published 21 months ago by John Crowley
Great release
Can't really fault this release at all, and everything is pretty much covered in other reviews, but for those that are interested, both the feature and audio commentary tracks are... Read more
Published 24 months ago by LesserShadow
he's not the master, the rani, but a one off, never again seen...
the doctor and co. are stuck in viking time. and this is the first appearance of a villainous timelord, a tradition that is by now worn out and expected. Read more
Published on 16 Feb 2010 by Julia Trott
The Doctor meets The Monk
Doctor Who abandons the most strict revision of history in the past-in-time episodes, to create what was in 1965 a step further in the magic of the tv series. Read more
Published on 1 Nov 2009 by Joan Genis Valverde Albons
A Poor Production
This was AWFUL
I put it in our next Charity Bag
I cannot find anything good to say about it. Read more
I put it in our next Charity Bag
I cannot find anything good to say about it. Read more
Published on 28 Jun 2009 by Ronald Ellis
Fantabulous.
This is my favourite William Hartnell serial.
The atmosphere of the Northumbrian coast is captured beautifully, the script and acting are superb. Read more
The atmosphere of the Northumbrian coast is captured beautifully, the script and acting are superb. Read more
Published on 25 Jun 2009 by Mr. E. A. Greenlay
He's got to be stopped.
Season Two.
Another amusing gem from the prolific Dennis Spooner. This is regarded as the first of the Pseudo-Historicals, and is one of my favourite season two stories. Read more
Another amusing gem from the prolific Dennis Spooner. This is regarded as the first of the Pseudo-Historicals, and is one of my favourite season two stories. Read more
Published on 29 July 2008 by Armchair Pundit
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