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One of the most popular of Colin (the sixth Doctor) Baker's adventures, Vengeance on Varos finds the Doctor and Peri (Nichola Bryant) involved with rebels in a 1984-like world, where televised torture is used to support and enforce an unworkable regime ruling a mining society on the planet Varos. When first broadcast the story aroused condemnation not only over the violence shown--particularly two men falling into a vat of acid--but also over the implied horror and moral corruption. However, these complaints missed the satiric subtext of a world in which the reality TV suffering pacifies the masses while big business carries on exploiting them; and none were more memorably corrupt than the reptilian alien Sil--a love-it-or-hate-it OTT performance from Nabil Shaban. While there is rather too much running about in corridors, the surreal terrors of the Punishment Dome make for good Doctor Who, and the adventure develops ideas from both The Sunmakers (1977) and The Caves of Androzani (1984) with considerable low-budget aplomb. Filled with bizarre touches such as Peri's transformation into a bird creature, the show also marked Jason Connery's TV debut as a rebel leader.
On the DVD: There's 15 minutes worth of deleted and/or extended scenes and four minutes of stage footage, but by far the finest extra is the three way commentary track, with Baker, Bryant and Nabil Shaban. Affectionately sending the show and themselves up, while still demonstrating a great love for Doctor Who, the track sometimes degenerates into trivia, but at its best is simply hilarious. Both original BBC1 trailers and a continuity link are included, as is a photo gallery and the option to listen with the unfinished "production sound", something which is likely to appeal only to die hard fans. Rather more interesting are the optional on-screen production notes, which offer a wealth of behind-the-scenes information. The extras are completed with a small selection of outtakes. The sound is strong, clear mono, the 4:3 transfer has no sign of compression artefacting and is good enough to reveal the weaknesses in the original studio-bound video production. --Gary S Dalkin
Product Description
Another adventure for everyone's favourite Time Lord. The TARDIS is low on Zyton 7, and the only planet with the ore available is Varos. Upon landing, the Doctor (Colin Baker) and Peri discover a society addicted to real life TV violence, ruled by a corrupt regime. They have to help the rebel Jondar and thwart the Thoros Betan delegate, Sil, in his attempts to obtain the Zyton for his own conglomerate.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Edgar Duncan
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Surprisingly dark, yet fantastic at the same time, who knew a Colin Baker story could be so good?
Actually, I'd been at a loss for a while. I'd been getting what was generally considered the best story (or best two) from each Doctor, on DVD, but I was stuck at one for Colin Baker. No one could settle on one they liked, until a while later I kept hearing 'Vengeance on Varos' was a good one to watch. So, I finally picked it up and I personally say it's up there with all the other greats.
Colin Baker's Doctor isn't dislikable in this story (for once), and instead is relatable and helps out, even given the dire situation. One of the things I loved about this story was that it was so strong without the Doctor and Peri even needing to land on the planet of Varos, but when they came in, they pulled it in a new direction, saving the life of someone who was going to have their execution broadcast to the world... purely for entertainment. In fact, this premise is somewhat relevant to modern audiences, with the height of reality TV and what does count for entertainment on talent shows, it strangely portrays a twisted version of society, as well as some political corruptness.
I was pleasantly surprised by this story.
Actually, I'd been at a loss for a while. I'd been getting what was generally considered the best story (or best two) from each Doctor, on DVD, but I was stuck at one for Colin Baker. No one could settle on one they liked, until a while later I kept hearing 'Vengeance on Varos' was a good one to watch. So, I finally picked it up and I personally say it's up there with all the other greats.
Colin Baker's Doctor isn't dislikable in this story (for once), and instead is relatable and helps out, even given the dire situation. One of the things I loved about this story was that it was so strong without the Doctor and Peri even needing to land on the planet of Varos, but when they came in, they pulled it in a new direction, saving the life of someone who was going to have their execution broadcast to the world... purely for entertainment. In fact, this premise is somewhat relevant to modern audiences, with the height of reality TV and what does count for entertainment on talent shows, it strangely portrays a twisted version of society, as well as some political corruptness.
I was pleasantly surprised by this story.
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Best remembered for introducing the abhorrent gastropod-esque alien Sil, and for its 'gratuitous violence' [sic] getting Mary Whitehouse in a lather, this mid-80s serial saw Colin Baker at his peak as the Sixth Doctor - playing his bombastic and witty version of the Time Lord with aplomb, and even pushing a villain into a vat of acid; superb!
The serial also features a pre-Robin of Sherwood Jason Connery as heroic rebel Jondar, and acclaimed thesp and 80s TV stalwart Martin Jarvis as the hapless Governor, constantly undermined by the insidious Sil and treacherous security officer Quillam.
The story reminds me in places of a Graham Williams produced late 70s fare such as Doctor Who - the Sunmakers [VHS], with its satirical undertones and bureaucratic shenanigans, and it is well produced and enjoyable overall.
Extras are thin compared to more recent releases but include an enlightening commentary featuring Nabil Shaban - the actor who played Sil, Baker and Nicola Bryant (Peri) although the latter is pretty quiet throughout, plus a behind-the-scenes mini-feature, outtakes, and a photo gallery.
The serial also features a pre-Robin of Sherwood Jason Connery as heroic rebel Jondar, and acclaimed thesp and 80s TV stalwart Martin Jarvis as the hapless Governor, constantly undermined by the insidious Sil and treacherous security officer Quillam.
The story reminds me in places of a Graham Williams produced late 70s fare such as Doctor Who - the Sunmakers [VHS], with its satirical undertones and bureaucratic shenanigans, and it is well produced and enjoyable overall.
Extras are thin compared to more recent releases but include an enlightening commentary featuring Nabil Shaban - the actor who played Sil, Baker and Nicola Bryant (Peri) although the latter is pretty quiet throughout, plus a behind-the-scenes mini-feature, outtakes, and a photo gallery.
24 of 31 people found the following review helpful
By J. A. Eyers
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
Watching this DVD, it's difficult to see why the series was in such trouble in the mid-1980s. This is not only great "Doctor Who", it's great television fullstop. A two-part (from the brief era in which the series had 45 minute episodes) stroy, it sees the flummoxed sixth Doctor discover the TARDIS needs more fuel, get embroiled in a political revolution on a mining planet, then watch the long-suffering Peri get turned into a birdwoman by a dastardly torture device.
The story really works in the 45 minute time slot. Scenes are allowed to be played out to their full potential and characters are allowed to shine. Though ultimately shorter than most of the 4x25 minute episode stories, there feels like there's more to it. A couple of characters serve only to reflect the feelings of a populace kept in line by televised punishments and never become part of the main storyline, and you just get the impression these would have been cut right out of a traditional length episode, which were always about leading up to the next cliffhanger. In this story, the plot is allowed to develop without needing to get the Doctor into dire straits every 20 minutes.
Villain of the piece, Sil, has been described as a love or hate character, and this is possibly true. I found his irate tongue flappings very entertaining. He comes across as the illegitimate child of Jabba the Hutt and Gollum from "Lord Of The Rings".
True star of the show, however, is the much underrated Colin Baker. People found his Doctor grumpy and dislikeable, but in this story he's courageous, witty and a little scatterbrained. He really does seem to care about poor old Peri, too. Incidentally, in an extended scene on the DVD (there are over ten minutes of cut material) he's shown to have a blazing row with Peri, which makes it look like they hate each other. I'm glad it was cut.
Whilst this story was a comment on the power of the media as a tool of an oppressive regime, I did wonder whilst watching it how Tony Blair and co would respond to a little Varosian democracy - the governor is tortured live on TV whenever the people reject his plans...
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Nasty.
Just to prove that I've nothing personal against Colin Baker, I love this.
A very fine, highly intelligent, witty script, in which the humour is as black as your hat. Read more
A very fine, highly intelligent, witty script, in which the humour is as black as your hat. Read more
Published 16 days ago by D. F. S. Notepad
4.0 out of 5 stars
very good
This was the best Colin baker episode I've seen. Definitely worth a watch. The darkest of this story is like nothing ever seen on Who at this point.
Published 22 days ago by jacksta99
1.0 out of 5 stars
Here We Go Again ...
Now the BBC have got near to the end of restoring the old VHS tapes of Doctor Who to DVD format, do we now have to suffer an interminable series of "re-hashed" "Special Editions"... Read more
Published 2 months ago by hardyguy
3.0 out of 5 stars
Worth it for the extras
We all know Colin Baker wasn't well served by his stories (or his outfit!) and this was never my favourite, but the wealth of extras make it interesting enough.
Published 6 months ago by J. Armstrong
1.0 out of 5 stars
Another Money Spinner
If this is getting a Special Edition there'll be no end to it!!! There's no way I'll be shelling out for just a few back slapping documentaries - if you genuinely rate this one... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Kev Faraq Gatri
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing, Briliant, The Sixth at his finest
I have been waiting for Vengeance on Varos to come out all summer, and I certainly wasnt disapointed, first of all i love the artwork on the DVD, Colin looking very dramatic and... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Gaywholover
4.0 out of 5 stars
one of the better Colin Baker stories
We have been led to believe that this is the last re-issue of Who DVD's, well Inferno is now being re-issued as is Claws of axons with improved picture quality. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Mr. R. G. Prizeman
3.0 out of 5 stars
Dr Who - Vengeance on Varso (1985) - Would have been a lot better if...
I have never been and never will be a Colin Baker Dr Who fan. In my previous comment, I think Colin Baker is brilliant as a supporting actor or a heavy as he was in 1983 adventure... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Mr G Turner
5.0 out of 5 stars
Colin Baker Is Unbelievably Underrated
The first time I saw Vengeance on Varos, I loved every minute of it. It really cemented my love for Colin Baker's interpretation of the titular Time Lord. Read more
Published 11 months ago by M.B.E. Of Tooting
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Underated Colin Baker!
Okay, so poor old Colin Baker has taken some harsh criticism for his portrayl of the Doctor over the years but I'm sticking up for him as I think he done a great job in his sadly... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Mr. D. F. Fletcher
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