Doctor Who-The Edge of Destruction (1964)

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General		Extras
Category	Science Fiction	Main Menu Introduction Menu Animation & Audio Featurette-Doctor Who: Origins Featurette-Over The Edge Featurette-Inside The Spaceship Featurette-Masters Of Sound Featurette-Marco Polo Gallery-Photo Alternate Audio-Episode 2 With Arabic Soundtrack DVD-ROM Extras Informational Subtitles
Rating
Year Of Production	1964
Running Time	78:52 (Case: 193)
RSDL / Flipper	Dual Layered	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu
Region Coding	2,4	Directed By	Frank Cox Richard Martin
Studio Distributor	Roadshow Home Entertainment	Starring	William Hartnell Carole Ann Ford William Russell Jacqueline Hill
Case	Amaray-Transparent-Secure Clip
RPI	Box	Music	None Given

    Written by script editor David Whittaker to fill in a short gap in production, the two-part serial The Edge of Destruction reveals something of the Doctor's darker side but also resolves the somewhat icy relationship developing between the Doctor (William Hartnell) and Ian (William Russell) and Barbara (Jacqueline Hill). After leaving Skaro, the TARDIS is brought to a sudden halt by a shock wave. As the crew slowly come around, amnesia and the claustrophobic atmosphere of the TARDIS set the companions against each other. The Doctor is determined to evict Ian and Barbara from his ship and Susan (Carole Ann Ford) develops a homicidal attraction to scissors. The TARDIS continues to send shock waves through its occupants and the usually reliable Fault Locator doesn't reveal a thing. Perhaps the TARDIS is trying to tell them something?....

    The Edge of Destruction, although a little hurried, works effectively in producing a very eerie atmosphere. The set is almost silent, and the inexplicable actions of the characters, especially Susan, carry very dark undertones. Most importantly, though, the rift between the Doctor and his kidnapped companions is given a chance to heal. After wild accusations from both sides, the TARDIS crew learn to work together and recognize each other's strengths. By the end of the serial, Ian and Barbara have accepted their fate and are able to share a happy moment or two with the Doctor.

    After the Daleks serial, Edge of Destruction feels a little of a let-down in terms of action and excitement. But its foreboding atmosphere and exploration of the TARDIS, mixed with a little character development, helps strengthen the foundation for Dr Who.

Video

    Once again, considering the source material, The Edge of Destruction video transfer is very good. The serial has been transferred in its original full-frame aspect ratio of 1.33:1.

    Sharpness is good. Film segments are softer on detail than video. The presence of video grain throughout tends to soften the image and blur motion a little. The limited focus depth of the cameras used leave some elements unfocused. Shadow detail is a little murky, but quite decent. The serial is considerably sharper and more detailed than the footage presented in the extra features. Contrast and grey scale are good.

    MPEG artefacts are mostly absent. The opening credits exhibit some relatively heavy macroblocking, but the rest of the feature shows only minor pixelization due to visible grain. I also noticed some moments of posterization at times. Hard lines can show aliasing at times. Some minor edge enhancement is visible as is a little interlacing. A few specks of dust are visible but the transfer is quite clean in general.

    Subtitles are excellent, as always, and presented in a readable, white font. Very few words are dropped from the titles. Also included are the usual informational subtitles.

Video Ratings Summary

Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

    Audio is presented in Dolby Digital 2.0 mono and is adequate and faithful to the source.

    Dialogue is clear and audible. Constant hiss is audible during the entire serial. The mono audio is naturally somewhat flat and undynamic, but perfectly acceptable. Audio sync is accurate.

    Incidental music was taken from stock music files and has been selected to heighten the foreboding atmosphere.

    There is no surround or bass information.

Audio Ratings Summary

Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

Main Menu Introduction

Menu Animation & Audio

Featurette

    Dr Who - Origins (53:51) - An excellent and very thorough recounting of the development and beginnings of Dr Who. Features recent interviews with producer Verity Lambert and directors, actors, and crew members and archive interviews with the head of drama at the BBC, Sydney Newman, the documentary is well worth watching and contains a wealth of information.

Featurette

    Over the Edge (29:22) - Documentary on the making of the serial, revealing the reasons for such a short story and why two directors were involved along with the usual information on filming and development.

Featurette

    Inside the Spaceship (10:14) - Documents the development and design of the TARDIS.

Featurette

    Masters of Sound (12:23) - Unseen footage from the 1993 documentary Thirty Years in the TARDIS. Focuses on the BBC Radio Workshop's contributions to Dr Who in creating Foley effects and producing the title theme. Ever wondered how they created the TARDIS' woosh or how the theme was composed and recorded? It's all here.

Featurette

    Marco Polo (31:25) - Every Who fan holds a small grudge towards the BBC and its policy of erasing early broadcasts. Several Dr Who serials are all but lost, including the Doctor's fourth adventures in the Himalayas with Marco Polo. The studio sound recording survives and the serial has been reassembled in a shortened version using stills from the shoot. The story is actually quite enjoyable, if a little culturally insensitive, and its condensed form has it moving along at a rollicking pace. An excellent and valuable inclusion.

Gallery-Photo

    (5:09) - Behind the scenes photographs accompanied by audio.

Alternate Audio

    The second episode includes an Arabian soundtrack. Just for kicks I suppose.

DVD-ROM Extras

Informational Subtitles

    Both the Region 1 (bar NTSC formatting) and Region 2 releases are identical to ours.

    Short in length but high on atmosphere and character development, The Edge of Destruction plays an important role elevating Dr Who above and beyond standard children's television.

    Video and audio have been transferred well and are very good, considering source limitations.

    Extras are expansive and informative and relevant to each of the serials included in the Beginnings box set.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall