2|Entertain have sent DWO the cover and details for the Doctor Who DVD release of Paradise Towers.

Paradise Towers

Featuring: Sylvester McCoy as The 7th Doctor

Mel wants to go swimming and, as the TARDIS pool has been jettisoned due to a leak, Paradise Towers seems to fit the bill. However, when she and the Doctor arrive, instead of the bright squares and charming cloisters the brochure promised, they find dark, rat-infested corridors full of uncontrollable cleaning machines, undisciplined street gangs and over-worked and belligerent caretakers. Some of the residents seem to be disappearing in mysterious circumstances, too.

What has caused such terrible decay? How could such perfect accommodation have become so rundown and dangerous? And why do the street-wise Kangs, apathetic caretakers, sinister Rezzies and Pex – the self-appointed warrior who puts the world of Paradise Towers to rights – all fear whatever terrible force dwells in the basement? Only the unpredictable Chief Caretaker knows what is down there – and the real secret behind the disappearances…

Special Features:

• Commentary – with actress Judy Cornwell, writer Stephen Wyatt, special sounds supervisor Dick Mills and moderated by Mark Ayres.

• Horror on the High Rise – Doctor Who composer Mark Ayres presents a look at the making of Paradise Towers. With actors Richard Briers, Howard Cooke and Catherine Cusack, writer Stephen Wyatt, script editor Andrew Cartmel, original score composer David Snell and replacement score composer Keff McCulloch.

• Deleted and Extended Scenes – deleted and extended scenes from the first edit of the story.

• Continuity – continuity announcements from the story’s original transmission.

• Girls! Girls! Girls! – The Eighties – three actresses who played companions in the 1980s – Sophie Aldred, Janet Fielding and Sarah Sutton – discuss the trials and tribulations of being a Doctor Who girl. Introduced by Peter Purves.

• Casting Sylvester – Jigsaw producer Clive Doig explains his relationship with Sylvester McCoy and his role in the actor’s casting as the Seventh Doctor.

• Photo Gallery – production, design and publicity photos from the story.

• Coming Soon – a trailer for a forthcoming DVD release.

• Radio Times Listings in Adobe PDF format.

• Programme subtitles.

• Subtitle Production Notes.

+  Paradise Towers is released on 18th July 2011, priced £20.42.

+  Compare Prices for this product on CompareTheDalek.com.

+  Rent out Paradise Towers and a whole host of other Doctor Who stories at LOVEFiLM. Sign up today and get a completley free 2 week trial too, visit the site now at www.lovefilm.com to start renting dvds from comfort of your own home.

[Source: 2|Entertain]

Radio Times have launched another issue of their popular magazine, sporting a Doctor Who cover, this time to promote the 2011 Mid-season finale.

In this week’s Radio Times – on sale today – when asked if the Doctor will face his most dastardly opponents again, Steven Moffat says:

“Oh yes, the Daleks. Actually, they aren’t going to make an appearance for a while.” What? “Yes, we thought it was about time to give them a rest. There’s a problem with the Daleks.” How come? I thought they were invincible. “They are the most famous of the Doctor’s adversaries and the most frequent,” explains Moffat. “Which means they are the most reliably defeatable enemies in the universe. They have been defeated by the Doctor about 400 times. Surely they should just see the Tardis approaching, say, ‘Oh. It’s him again’, and trudge away.”

+  Radio Times is out Today, priced £1.20.

+  Buy this issue of Radio Times as well as past issues from CompareTheDalek.com!

[Source: Radio Times]

Half Moon Bay and PulpShop have released their tie-in merchandise for 6.5: The Rebel Flesh.

The merchandise range includes T-Shirts, Folder Bags and Mugs which you can view / purchase below:

+  T-Shirts: £16.99 each. Folder Bags: £24.99 each. Mugs: £5.99 each.

+  Order Now from PulpShop.

[Source: PulpShop]

Half Moon Bay and PulpShop have released their tie-in merchandise for 6.4: The Doctor's Wife.

The merchandise range includes T-Shirts, Folder Bags and Mugs which you can view / purchase below:

+  T-Shirts: £16.99 each. Folder Bags: £24.99 each. Mugs: £5.99 each.

+  Order Now from PulpShop.

[Source: PulpShop]

Doctor Who Star, Matt Smith, recently got to grips with the Doctor Who: The Mazes of Time game for iPhone and iPad.

The BBC have released a video of Matt (who is clearly impressed), playing the game.

[youtube:fZ401hU2TyI]

In the latest update to the game, there are brand new levels, including The Weeping Angels, as well as a new level creator.

+  Download The Mazes of Time app from the App Store.

[Source: BBC Worldwide]

Forbidden Planet have teamed up with Mego to produce a new range of Exclusive Doctor Who Dolls.

There are currently 4 dolls in the range which are exclusive to Forbidden Planet, and will be sold in pairs:

The 4th Doctor & Sontaran Major Styre

Cyber Leader & The Master

+  The Doctor Who Dolls range are released on 30th August 2011, priced £19.99 a pair.

+  Buy Now from Forbidden Planet!

[Source: Forbidden Planet]

2|Entertain have sent DWO the cover and details for the Doctor Who DVD box-set release of EarthStory.

The Gunfighters

Take a trip to the Wild West in The Gunfighters, when the TARDIS arrives in Tombstone, Arizona in 1881. The Doctor, suffering from toothache, seeks out the local dentist - the notorious Doc Holliday.

Tensions are running high between the feuding Clanton family and Doc Holliday, whilst the local lawman, Wyatt Earp, struggles to keep the peace. When legendary gunman Johnny Ringo comes to town, events start to escalate. 

Can the Doctor, Steven and Do do do anything to stop the situation getting any worse? Or will there be a gunfight at the OK Corral?

Special Features:

• Commentary - with actors Peter Purves, Shane Rimmer, David Graham and Richard Beale, production assistant Tristan de Vere Cole and moderator Toby Hadoke.

• The End of the Line – After two years on the screen, Doctor Who had become a television phenomenon, regularly reaching an audience of ten million viewers. But with a change of producer and script editor and the looming prospect of losing the lead actor, the programme’s third year was the one that would make or break it… With actors Maureen O’Brien, Anneke Wills and Peter Purves, script editor Donald Tosh, new series writer Gareth Roberts and long time Doctor Who viewer Ian Levine.

• Tomorrow’s Times – The First Doctor – looking at the newspaper coverage of Doctor Who during the programme’s opening years. Presented by Mary Tamm.

• Photo Gallery - production, design and publicity photos from the story, set to the entirety of ‘The Ballad of the Last Chance Saloon’.

• Coming Soon - a trailer for a forthcoming DVD release.

• Radio Times Listings in Adobe PDF format.

• Programme subtitles.

• Subtitle Production Notes.

The Awakening

The TARDIS has brought the Doctor, Tegan and Turlough to the picture postcard English village of Little Hodcome. Tegan has come to visit her grandfather - well known local historian Andrew Verny - but he seems to be missing.

The residents of Little Hodcombe, led by the obsessive Sir George Hutchinson, are playing a vicious war game - an exact recreation of a battle of the English Civil War fought there in 1643.

As each of the TARDIS crew witnesses a terrifying apparition from the past, the Doctor realises that he faces a far greater menace than the unstable Hutchinson. An ancient and alien force for evil is at work - one which will glory in the slaughter of them all...

Special Features:

• Commentary - with actor Michael Owen Morris and script editor Eric Saward, moderated by Toby Hadoke.

• Return to Little Hodcombe – Director Michael Owen, actors Janet Fielding and Keith Jayne and script editor Eric Saward return to the three villages that played host to the locations for ‘The Awakening’, and along with locals they reminisce about a memorable shoot…

• Making the Malus – visual effects designer Tony Harding and modelmaker Richard Gregory are reunited with the Malus prop they built for the story. Current owner Paul Burrows is on hand to describe the reality of living with a giant stone monster on the lounge wall…

• Now & Then – the latest in the ongoing series visits the villages of Martin, Shapwick and Tarrant Monkton to compare the locations used in the story with how they appear today.

• From the Cutting Room Floor – extended and deleted scenes from a timecoded VHS of the original edit and unedited film sequences, plus location action from the film rushes.

• The Golden Egg Awards – the inadvertent destruction of a prop lychgate by a horse was the winner of The Late Late Breakfast Show’s Golden Egg Award. Peter Davison is on hand to collect the trophy from host Noel Edmonds.

• Photo Gallery - production, design and publicity photos from the story.

• Isolated Music – option to view the story with the isolated music score.

• Coming Soon - a trailer for a forthcoming DVD release.

• Radio Times Listings in Adobe PDF format.

• Programme subtitles.

• Subtitle Production Notes.

+  The EarthStory Box-set is released on 20th June 2011, priced £30.63.

+  Compare Prices for this product on CompareTheDalek.com.

[Source: 2|Entertain]

Manufacturer: BBC DVD / 2|Entertain

Written By: Christopher H. Bidmead

RRP: £20.42

Release Date: 30th May 2011

Reviewed By: Dale Who for D octor Who Online

Review Posted: 18th April 2011

Let's get something straight and out in the open right from the outset...  There is a type of creature that is made scarier by making it larger.  In Doctor Who's long history, they would be giant maggots and giant spiders.  They work with an already present fear or revulsion of the creatures to produce a memorably scary Doctor Who monster.  In the not scary bracket are giant ants and butterflies (the Zarbi and Menoptera from 1965's "The Web Planet")... and woodlice.  Woodlice are not scary.  Not even remotely.

Frontios is a polarised story.  Some parts of it work brilliantly, and some parts of it really don't; and this new BBC / 2|Entertain DVD showcases both these aspects and examines them in the special features on the single disc release.

Starting with the story itself, Frontios is a fairly low budget studio bound Doctor Who, coming towards the end of Peter Davison's tenure as The Doctor.  The regular cast continue to shine, with Davison and Janet Fielding especially stealing every scene they're in; and there are some brilliant guest stars in Jeff Rawle as Plantagenet and Lesley Dunlop in the role of Norna.  There are some great lines and jokes along the way, and the Doctor is in one of those "grouchy professor" moods that suited his young persona so very well.  

Sadly for Frontios, that's about where the good ends.  The sets - although you can see an awful lot of effort and thought went into them - don't work in convincing that the studio is the surface of an alien planet, some of the performances really aren't great, and then there's the Tractators.  Giant flapping woodlice that fail in just about every way possible to be even remotely thrilling.

This story will be remembered for two main reasons; firstly this is the one where the previously indestructible TARDIS was destroyed (albeit briefly!), and secondly for the unpleasant infestation of some particularly large  and rubbish woodlice that hung around for two (and a bit) episodes.  Its failures certainly aren't for the lack of trying: the direction, the handling and the production all work well with what they've got.  However it looks cheap and rushed and all a little too hurried to carry off what still wouldn't have been a great story with a budget ten times larger.

It is also worth noting that several of the concepts shown in this story (the colonists being pulled down through the ground, and witnesses referring to this as the Earth being hungry) were re-used and utilised to much better effect in the 2010 series of Doctor Who, in the Silurian episode "The Hungry Earth"... now where did they get that title from?

Special Features:

Driven To Distractation - There are many reasons to love this half hour featurette; it has a lot of frank honesty, a lot of humour, and gives a robust defence of the story itself.  It almost succeeds in making you like the story more.  Almost.  What it definitely succeeds at is showing the rush-job that the Doctor Who cast and crew faced to get the story in the can, in the face of several tragedies and setbacks; and it shows the thought processes behind the writing of the serial.  It's nicely put together, uses relevant footage from the time and is decidedly non-judgemental and supportive in what comes across in quite a sweet way.  The writers and stars do admit where there were mistakes made, and it's very brave of them to do so, even if Christopher H. Bidmead neatly places the blame on everyone but himself.

Extra / Deleted Scenes - Minor trims and one or two scenes that play rather well but didn't make it into the final cut of the programme.  There's a brilliant bit about the Doctor's spectacles, and Tegan being an android that really should have been aired; they're funny, clever, and give Tegan and the Doctor some great lines.

Commentary - Peter Davison, Jeff Rawle, Dick Mills and Eric Saward sit around a red table and give opinions, anecdotes, memories and an overall view of how the show holds up for them twenty seven years on.  It's all quite pleasant and jovial and Rawle and Mills especially give some new angles on how the guest stars, and the "special sound" on Doctor Who were used.

Info Text - The usual trivia packed information is available on this disc as well, although most of it seems obsessed in pointing out where anything over two seconds of cuts were made to trim episodes down from over running.  It also points out a couple of continuity errors and the careers and times of the guests stars that appeared in Frontios.

Coming Soon Trailer - The next absurdly themed boxed set: Earthstory, in which William Hartnell's Doctor lands in Tombstone in search of a dentist and gets rather caught up with "The Gunfighters", and Peter Davison's Doctor lands in Little Hodcombe and discovers a centuries old evil lurking in the local church in "The Awakening".

With the usual fripperies as well, such as the Radio Times PDF files, and the Photo Gallery from Frontios, these features help buoy a story that's not as strong as it might have been; however it's certainly not for the lack of trying.

+  Compare Prices for this product on CompareTheDalek.com!

BBC Books are very pleased to announce the republication of 6 Classic Doctor Who novels with Chris Achilleos’s stunning classic artwork and a series of new introductions by Neil Gaiman, Charlie Higson, Gareth Roberts, Stephen Baxter, Russell T Davies and Terrance Dicks.

Doctor Who and the Daleks

Written by: David Whitaker - Introduction by: Neil Gaiman

The mysterious Doctor and his granddaughter Susan are joined by unwilling adventurers Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright in an epic struggle for survival on an alien planet 

In a vast metal city they disc over the survivors of a terrible nuclear war – the Daleks.  Held captive in the deepest levels of the city, can the Doctor and his new companions stop the Daleks’ plan to totally exterminate their mortal enemies, the peace-loving Thals?  More importantly, even if they can escape from the Daleks, will Ian and Barbara ever see their home planet Earth again?

This novel is based on the second Doctor Who story which was originally broadcast from 21 December 1963 – 1 February 1964. Featuring the First Doctor as played by William Hartnell, and his companions Susan, Ian and Barbara.

Doctor Who and the Crusaders

Written by: David Whitaker - Introduction by: Charlie Higson

Arriving in the Holy Land in the middle of the Third Crusade, the Doctor and his companions run straight into trouble.  The Doctor and Vicki befriend Richard the Lionheart, but must survive the cut-throat politics of the English court. Even with the king on their side, they find they have made powerful enemies.

Looking for Barbara, Ian is ambushed – staked out in the sand and daubed with honey so that the ants will eat him.  With Ian unable to help, Barbara is captured by the cruel warlord El Akir. Even if Ian escapes and rescues her, will they ever see the Doctor, Vicki and the TARDIS again?

This novel is based on a Doctor Who story which was originally broadcast from 27 March – 17 April 1965. Featuring the First Doctor as played by William Hartnell, and his companions Ian, Barbara, and Vicki.

Doctor Who and the Cybermen

Written by: Gerry Davis - Introduction by: Gareth Roberts 

In 2070, the Earth’s weather is controlled from a base on the moon. But when the Doctor and his friends arrive, all is not well. They discover unexplained drops of air pressure, minor problems with the weather control systems, and an outbreak of a mysterious plague.

With Jamie injured, and members of the crew going missing, the Doctor realises that the moonbase is under attack. Some malevolent force is infecting the crew and sabotaging the systems as a prelude to an invasion of Earth. And the Doctor thinks he knows who is behind it: the Cybermen.

This novel is based on ‘The Moonbase’, a Doctor Who story which was originally broadcast from 11 February–4 March 1967. Featuring the Second Doctor as played by Patrick Troughton, and his companions Polly, Ben and Jamie.

Doctor Who and the Abominable Snowmen

Written by: Terrance Dicks - Introduction by: Stephen Baxter

The Doctor has been to Det-Sen Monastery before, and expects the welcome of a life time.  But the monastery is a very different place from when the Doctor last came.  Fearing at attack at any moment by the legendary Yeti, the monks are prepared to defend themselves, and see the Doctor as a threat.

The Doctor and his friends join forces with Travers, an English explorer out to prove the existence of the elusive abominable snowmen.  But they soon discover that these Yeti are not the timid animals that Travers seeks.  They are the unstoppable servants of an alien Intelligence.

This novel is based on a Doctor Who story which was originally broadcast from 30 September – 4 November 1967. Featuring the Second Doctor as played by Patrick Troughton, and his companions Jamie and Victoria.

Doctor Who and the Auton Invasion

Written by: Terrance Dicks - Introduction by: Russell T Davies

Put on trial by the Time Lords, and found guilty of interfering in the affairs of other worlds, the Doctor is exiled to Earth in the 20th century, his appearance once again changed. His arrival coincides with a meteorite shower.  But t hese are no ordinary meteorites.

The Nestene Consciousness has begun its first attempt to invade Earth using killer Autons and deadly shop window dummies. Only the Doctor and UNIT can stop the attack.  But the Doctor is recovering in hospital, and his old friend the Brigadier doesn’t even recognise him.  Can the Doctor recover and win UNIT’s trust before the invasion begins? 

This novel is based on ‘Spearhead from Space’, a Doctor Who story which was originally broadcast from 3 – 24 January 1970. Featuring the Third Doctor as played by Jon Pertwee, and his companion Liz Shaw and the UNIT organisation commanded by Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart.

Doctor Who and the Cave Monsters

Written by Malcolm Hulke - Introduction by: Terrance Dicks

UNIT are called in to investigate security at a secret research centre buried under Wenley Moor.  Unknown to the Doctor and his colleagues, the work at the centre has woken a group of Silurians – intelligent reptiles that used to be the dominant life form on Earth in prehistoric times.

Now they have woken, the Silurians are appalled to find ‘their’ planet populated by upstart apes.  The Doctor hopes to negotiate a peace deal, but there are those on both sides who cannot bear the thought of humans and Silurians living together.  As UNIT soldiers enters the cave systems, and the Silurians unleash a deadly plague that could wipe out the human race, the battle for planet Earth begins.

This novel is based on ‘The Silurians’, a Doctor Who story which was originally broadcast from 31 January – 14 March 1970. Featuring the Third Doctor as played by Jon Pertwee, and his companion Liz Shaw and the UNIT organisation commanded by Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart.

All 6 titles will be published on 7th July at £4.99 each.

+  Compare Prices for these products on CompareTheDalek.com!

[Source: BBC Books]

Leading up to the San Francisco Game Developers Conference (GDC), BBC Worldwide today announced a major new partnership with game developer Three Rings to create BBC Worldwide's first ever free-to-play multiplayer online game centered around the blockbuster drama television show, Doctor Who.

For the first time ever, players from around the world will be able to follow in the footsteps of the eccentric and brilliant Doctor by travelling through time and space, exploring new worlds and encountering many alien races, both friend and foe. Titled Doctor Who: Worlds in Time, the game allows players to enter the TARDIS and be set a challenge by the mysterious Time Lord to help him defend civilized culture against infamous Doctor Who enemies.

Robert Nashak, EVP Digital Entertainment at BBC Worldwide says:

"Doctor Who: Worlds in Time will be a free-to-play multiplayer online game that invites players to save the universe by using their wits to solve time-bending puzzles and pulse-pounding challenges. Three Rings is the ideal team for this groundbreaking creative partnership. Not only are they visionaries in the online gaming space, they are lifelong Doctor Who fans with a passion for delivering the level of quality that our players will expect and deserve."

Daniel James, CEO Three Rings says:

"Three Rings is delighted and honored to have the opportunity to create an online game based on Doctor Who. Our goal with 'Words in Time' is to capture the imaginative spirit and depth of the series, whilst being fun and easy to play for all ages."

Doctor Who: Worlds in Time is developed to be both highly engaging and fun, allowing players to socialize and foster genuine cooperation, building a global community where fans worldwide will now be able to experience first hand the exciting action and adventure synonymous with Doctor Who. Development is well underway and is expected to launch later this year.

[Source: BBC Press Office]

2|Entertain have sent DWO the cover & details for the upcoming DVD release of the Revisitations 2 Box-set.

The Seeds of Death

It is the 21st Century and Earth is totally dependent on T-Mat, a revolutionary form of instant travel. When the system breaks down the Doctor and friends make a hazardous journey to the relay station on the moon only to find that it has fallen into the hands of the Ice Warriors who plan to invade Earth. Can the Doctor outwit the evil Ice Warriors and destroy the fungus in time to save a dying world?

Special Features:

Disc 1:

• 6 x 25 min monochrome episodes with mono audio.

• Commentary – with actors Frazer Hines and Wendy Padbury, director Michael Ferguson and script editor Terrance Dicks.

• Audio Trailer (dur. 0’ 45”) – an off-air amateur recording of the original BBC1 trailer for the story. Suggest using this in the ‘Episode Selection’ menu, either as a background audio loop on the menu screen or as a selectable item.

• Coming Soon (dur. approx 1' 00") - a trail for a forthcoming DVD release.

• Programme Subtitles

• Subtitle Production Notes

Disc 2:

• Lords of the Red Planet (dur. 28’ 31”) – a look back at the creation of the Ice Warriors and their re-appearance in the ‘The Seeds of Death’. With actors Wendy Padbury and Frazer Hines, director Michael Ferguson, script editor Terrance Dicks, costume designer Bobi Bartlett and TV historian Richard Bignell. Narrated by Katherine Mount.

• Sssowing the Ssseedsss – (dur. 24’ 05”) – Ice Warrior Sonny Caldinez, Ice Lord Alan Bennion and make-up designer Sylvia James recall their experiences of bringing the Martian warriors to life.

• Monster Masterclass (dur. 3’ 44”) – director Michael Ferguson talks about his experiences directing some of Doctor Who’s most famous monster stories.

• Monsters Who Came Back For More! (dur. 16’ 26”) – Nick ‘Voice of the Daleks’ Briggs and Doctor Who Magazine’s assistant editor Peter Ware take a look at the reasons why monsters often return for further adventures.

• Photo Gallery (dur. 4’ 30”) - a selection of design and production photographs from the story.

• TARDIS Cam no.6 (dur. 0’ 57”) – a model vignette created for the BBC’s Doctor Who website.

• PDF material - Radio Times listings in PDF format.

Carnival of Monsters

The Doctor and Jo take the TARDIS on a test flight and arrive on a cargo ship, the SS Bernice, that appears to be crossing the Indian Ocean in 1926 but is in fact trapped inside a miniscope — a banned peepshow of miniaturised life-forms — on the planet Inter Minor.

Special Features:

Disc 1:

• 4 x 25 min episodes with mono audio.

• Commentary 1 – with actress Katy Manning and director Barry Letts.

• Commentary 2 – with actors Peter Halliday, Cheryl Hall and Jenny McCracken, script editor Terrance Dicks, sound effects designer Brian Hodgson. Moderated by Toby Hadoke.

• Episode Two – Early Edit (dur. 29’ 44”) – a longer early edit of the second episode, featuring the subsequently rejected ‘Delaware’ version of the theme music. It is presented here completely un-restored.

• Behind the Scenes (dur 1’ 48”) – on the studio floor and inside the gallery during production of the story, courtesy of a film crew from the BBC’s ‘Looking In’ documentary.

• Visual Effects Models (dur. 8’ 41”) – an expanded version of this feature, including unused model shots, trims and tests.

• ‘Five Faces of Doctor Who’ Trailer (dur. 4’ 10”) – a trail for the 1981’s repeat season, which saw many of Doctor Who’s classic stories – including ‘Carnival of Monsters’ - repeated for the first time in many years.

• Director’s Amended Ending (dur. 1’ 18”) – for the ‘Five Faces’ repeat of the story, director Barry Lett’s took the opportunity to re-edit the ending to remove a shot of a very obvious ‘bald cap’ which he had always felt spoiled the show.

• CSO Demo (dur. 3’ 07”) – director Barry Letts was very keen on the possibilities offered by the use of Colour Separation Overlay to place actors into fantastical model sets. In this BBC training film, he demonstrates the technique for fellow directors.

• TARDIS Cam no.2 (dur. 0’ 45”) – a CGI model vignette created for the BBC’s Doctor Who website.

• Coming Soon (dur. approx 1' 00") - a trail for a forthcoming DVD release.

• PDF material - Radio Times listings in PDF format.

• Programme Subtitles

Disc 2:

• Destroy All Monsters! (dur. 23’ 11”) – cast and crew look back at the making of the story. With actors Katy Manning, Cheryl Hall and Peter Halliday, director Barry Letts, script editor Terrance Dicks, assistant floor manager Karilyn Collier and visual effects assistant Colin Mapson. Narrated by Marc Silk.

• On Target with Ian Marter (dur. 16’ 08”) – actor Ian Marter played Andrews in this story before more famously playing companion Harry Sullivan in Tom Baker’s first stories. He was also a writer and novelised many previous Doctor Who adventures for the Target book range. With actors Tom Baker, Elisabeth Sladen, Nicholas Courtney and Nigel Plaskitt, script editors Terrance Dicks and Gary Russell.

• The A-Z of Gadgets and Gizmos (dur. 11’ 22”) – a tongue-in-cheek look at gadgets and gizmos in Doctor Who over the years. Narrated by Paul Jones.

• Mary Celeste (dur. 18’ 01”) – just as the SS Bernice disappeared from the Indian Ocean in the story, many real-life ships have mysteriously disappeared too. A trio of maritime experts discuss some of these events, including perhaps the most famous maritime mystery of all time, the strange case of the Mary Celeste. With the University of London’s Prof. Roger Luckhurst, Merseyside Maritime Museum’s Ian Murphy and the National Maritime Museum’s John McAleer.

• Photo Gallery (dur. 2’ 55”) - a selection of design and production photographs from the story, plus photos from the commentary session and Frank Bellamay’s Radio Times artwork.

Resurrection of the Daleks

The Doctor and his companions are captured in a Time Corridor, and are forced to land on 20th Century Earth, diverted by the Doctor's oldest enemy - the Daleks.

It is here that the true purpose of the Time Corridor becomes apparent: after 90 years of imprisonment, Davros, the ruthless creator of the Daleks, is to be liberated to assist in the resurrection of his army. But not even the Daleks forsee the poisonous threat presented by their creator. Indeed, who would suspect Davros of wanting to destroy his own Daleks - and why?

Only the Doctor knows the truth. But will he be capable of descending to Davros' level of evil in order to stop him?

Special Features:

Disc 1:

• 2 x 45 min colour episodes with original mono audio and optional Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound.

• Commentary with actor Terry Molloy, writer Eric Saward and visual effects designer Peter Wragg, moderated by Nick Pegg.

• Casting Far and Wide (dur. 32’ 16”) – Actor and comedian Toby Hadoke interviews five of the jobbing actors who worked on the story about their careers and their experiences on the show. With Roger Davenport, Del Henney, Leslie Grantham, Jim Findlay and William Sleigh.

• On Location (dur. 18’ 32”) – producer John Nathan-Turner, director Matthew Robinson and writer Eric Saward return to London’s Shad Thames to reminisce about the story in its major filming location .

• Extended and Deleted Scenes (dur. 7’ 03”) – extra material from early edits of the episodes.

• Breakfast Time (dur. 7’ 56”) – Janet Fielding and John Nathan-Turner interviewed on the BBC’s breakfast show, including an item about the show’s music and sound effects featuring Malcolm Clarke and Brian Hodgson.

• Trailer (dur. 0’ 31”) – a BBC1 trailer for the original transmission.

• The Last Dalek (dur. 8’ 33”) – a behind-the-scenes look at the Ealing studios filming for 1967’s epic Dalek story, ‘The Evil of the Daleks’, courtesy of an 8mm film shot by BBC designer Tony Cornell. With narration by BBC visual effects designers Michealjohn Harris and Peter Day.

• TARDIS Cam no.4 (dur. 0’ 41”) – a model vignette created for the BBC’s Doctor Who website.

• Isolated Music - option to view the episodes with isolated music scores.

• Coming Soon (dur. approx 1' 00") - a trail for a forthcoming DVD release.

• PDF material - Radio Times listings in PDF format.

• Programme Subtitles

• Subtitle Production Notes

Disc 2:

• 4 x 25 min colour episodes with original mono audio and optional Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound.

• Commentary with actors Peter Davison and Janet Fielding, director Matthew Robinson.

• Come In Number Five (dur. 56’ 27”) – a retrospective of Peter Davison’s tenure as the fifth Doctor. With actors Peter Davison, Janet Fielding and Mark Strickson, producer John Nathan-Turner, executive producer Barry Letts, director Fiona Cumming, script editors Christopher H Bidmead, Eric Saward and Antony Root, BBC Head of Series and Serials David Reid and new series head writer Steven Moffat. Presented by David Tennant

• Tomorrow’s Times – The Fifth Doctor (dur. 12’ 17”) – the ongoing series looking at the press reaction to Doctor Who through the years reaches the fifth Doctor’s era. Presented by Frazer Hines

• Walrus (dur. 1’ 21”) – an oddity from the BBC’s archives. A Welsh woman comes face to face with a Dalek, who is determined to make her speak in a monotone…

• Photo Gallery (dur. 5’ 16”) - a selection of design and production photographs from the story.

• Coming Soon (dur. approx 1' 00") - a trail for a forthcoming DVD release.

• PDF material - Radio Times listings in PDF format.

• Programme Subtitles

• Subtitle Production Notes

[Source: 2|Entertain]

BBC Worldwide is to launch its first ever shop devoted to Doctor Who at the much anticipated Doctor Who Experience. The shop will be a treasure trove for fans showcasing Doctor Who toys, games, books and licensed merchandise. Designed, staffed and managed by brand experience and retail specialists Brandnew Corporation, it is the first time BBC Worldwide has created a stand-alone retail operation dedicated to a single television brand. The shop will open on 20th February in tandem with the Doctor Who Experience and remain open throughout its run.

The Doctor Who Experience will be further supported by a Wi-Fi service exclusive to Olympia. Also provided by Brandnew, the ‘closed loop’ mobile Wi Fi platform is dual purpose – while receiving redeemable coupons for use in the Doctor Who shop, visitors can also use smartphones to enjoy an immersive browsing experience related to the aliens, monsters and storylines at the show. It is the first time an event at Olympia has used Wi Fi to enable mobile content to be distributed this way.

The Wi Fi service has an easy login interface and one click access to content. From a special offers area, users download promotional barcodes which are then swiped at the checkout reader in the usual way, with price reductions shown at the till and on receipts. The wireless service is security encrypted and much faster than any 3G network. Much of the material for download is exclusive to the Dr Who Experience with a wealth of facts, figures and information. A special subtitling service can be accessed for the deaf, ensuring the Experience – led by the Doctor’s own vocal commands – is just as meaningful.

The shop will retail over 400 Doctor Who SKU’s at any one time, with many items exclusive to Olympia – a showcase of licensed product larger than anything available on the high street in one place. The Doctor Who shop is a stand-alone outlet adjacent to the café, though most visitors will enter after enjoying the Experience and Exhibition. The 133 square metres has a circular layout to encourage easy and full navigation of the merchandise. The tills and checkout area at the centre mimic the central console of the TARDIS.

The brief from BBC Worldwide was to create a retail extension of the Dr Who brand experience. The Doctor Who Experience promises to be a spectacular event, featuring an exhilarating walk-through adventure, where visitors can step into a full recreation of the Eleventh Doctor’s TARDIS, and an ‘out of this world’ exhibition featuring iconic Doctor Who props and costumes from its 47 year history. This is the first ever fully immersive Doctor Who attraction - an unprecedented opportunity for fans to step through a crack in time and take part in their own Doctor Who adventure in the role of the Doctor’s companion. Their challenge will be to reunite the Doctor with the TARDIS whilst facing some of the best-loved and most-feared monsters from the hit series, including a Dalek spaceship and Weeping Angels.

Brandnew Corporation is responsible for the full retail offer at the Dr Who Experience; designing the interior and layout, determining the fixtures and displays, setting up the till and EPOS systems, product ranging and merchandising. The company is also tasked with the live customer experience; recruiting, training and briefing staff for the interactive show, exhibition and shop, plus stewarding at the event itself. 

Alex Johns, MD at Brandnew Corporation said “After the exhilaration of the Doctor Who Experience the area of the shop and café provide an opportunity for fans to catch their breath. Inspired by what they’ll have seen and experienced, our retail offer makes it both easy and pleasurable to turn their excitement into tangible rewards”. He continued “The Wi Fi platform will considerably enhance the immersive experience for all Doctor Who lovers while maximising footfall and sales in the shop. It is an important part of our ‘from the till backwards’ approach to retail planning”   

Ian Wickham, Head of Retail Development, Licensed Consumer Products UK/EMEA said “We’re delighted to be working with Brandnew on this exciting project. Some of the innovative plans we have, in particular with regards to new technology being applied at the Experience, are state of the art. This technological aspect of Brandnew’s capability made them a perfect fit for the Doctor Who Experience.”

Doctor Who Online have access to a large version of the shop interior image, which you can view to the right.

+  The Doctor Who Experience runs at London’s Olympia 2 from 20th February 2011.

[Sources: BBC Worldwide; Brandnew; Doctor Who Online]

BBC America have sent DWO the cover and details for the June 2011, Region 1 DVD release of Frontios.

An irresistible force draws the TARDIS to the barren surface of Frontios, where in the far future the last surviving humans cower amongst the ruins of their wrecked spacecraft.

Under constant threat from lethal meteorite bombardments, few of the doomed colony members realize that the ground of Frontios itself opens up and devours the unwary.

Not permitted to assist, the Doctor attempts to leave, but is thwarted when the unimaginable occurs: the TARDIS is utterly destroyed.

Special Features:

• Audio Commentary

• Driven to Distractation 

• Deleted and Extended Scenes 

• Photo Gallery 

• PDF materials: Radio Times Listings

• Production Notes Subtitle Option

+  Frontios is released on 14th June 2011, priced $24.98 (USA) / $26.98 (Canada).

+  Compare Prices for this product on CompareTheDalek.com.

[Source: BBC America]

Forbidden Planet have teamed up with Character Options for another Exclusive Action Figure set.

The Sontaran Experiment Set features The 4th Doctor with Sontaran Field-Major Styre and Sontaran Ship from The Sontaran Experiment.

The Fourth Doctor, Sarah Jane Smith and Harry Sullivan arrive on a desolate and apparently deserted Earth to discover that a group of shipwrecked astronauts from a human colony, GalSec, have been lured there by a fake distress call!

Contains the Fourth Doctor in duffle coat and hat action figure with Sonic Screwdriver.Sontaran Field-Major Styre action figure with helmet and gun and Sontaran Ship.

The Sontaran Experiment Set is released 20th February 2011, priced £34.99.

+  Buy Now from Forbidden Planet!

[Source: Forbidden Planet]

AudioGO have sent DWO the cover and details for the forthcoming CD release of The Gemini Contagion.

The ice-planet Vinsk, in the year 2112. The all-new anti-viral handwash, Gemini, has been laced with Meme-Spawn: a sentient micro-organism which makes the user fluent in every language in the universe. However, manufacturer Zalnex made one crucial mistake. They didn’t test Gemini on humans, who are seized by the violent urge to communicate but speak every language all at once – with a manic, garbled shriek – and pass on the virus by touch.

The Doctor and Amy arrive on an Earth-bound cargo-ship loaded with Gemini, where a human crew are succumbing to the virus which has nasty second and third phases in store. When the Doctor and Amy are separated, they both know that it’s only a matter of time before Amy is infected.

With the ship locked on course, and no way of curing the sufferers, the Doctor is faced with a terrible decision: does he save Amy, or Earth?

Meera Syal reads this exclusive audio story featuring the Eleventh Doctor and Amy Pond.

Written specially for audio by Jason Arnopp, ‘The Gemini Contagion’ is read by Meera Syal, who played Nasreen Chaudhry in the BBC TV episodes ‘The Hungry Earth’ and ‘Cold Blood’.

 The Gemini Contagion is released on 3rd March 2011, priced £9.25.

 Compare Prices for this product on CompareTheDalek.com!

[Source: AudioGO]

Manufacturer: BBC DVD / 2|Entertain

Written By: John Flanagan and Andrew McCulloch

RRP: £19.99

Release Date: 10th January 2011

Reviewed by: Doctor Who Online

Review Posted: 19th January 2011

Meglos, despite some of its negative points, is, in essence, a Doctor Who story that was before its time. It is a story that, at its heart, deals with the struggle between religion and science.

As a viewer, you can't help feeling a struggle off-screen as well. You almost feel the tug of war between the writers, the script editor and the director, as they fight it out to gain their own narrative. And what we're left with, through sheer luck, is a melding of the three, that essentially benefits the story in a way that no single party could have done on their own.

Once you get past the dodgy wigs, and the tiresome time loop scenes, there are many elements that make this a rather enjoyable story.

Tom Baker, nearing the end of his tenure as The Doctor, puts in a sterling performance as Meglos, not to mention the welcome return of Jacqueline Hill as Lexa who bookends her Doctor Who career here. 

Then there is the truly fantastic make-up which makes the characterisation of Meglos even more villainous and believable. There are also some great FX shots in the story, combined with highly detailed models, that work together using the new Scene Sync technology - yet another example of the story being ahead of its time.

The DVD is rounded off with some excellent features that compliment the story.

The 'Commentary' features Lalla Ward (Romana II), John Flanagan (Writer), Christopher Owen (Earthling / Meglos) and Paddy Kingsland (Composer). John and Lalla seem to take turns guiding, but understandably, Christopher Owen tends to get lost in the background, and doesn't really seem to contribute much until the final episode. Peter Howell (Composer) joins the commentary for Episode Three and offers an insight into some of his cues, as well as providing a refreshing critique to his own work. All in all, a fairly run of the mill commentary, that could have really benefited from Tom Baker's presence.

'Meglos Men'  is an 18-minute documentary that follows Writers; Andy McCulloch and John Flanagan as they retrace their steps into the past, into the genesis of Meglos. Checking out their old haunts, through to a modern-day meeting with Script Editor; Christopher H. Bidmead.

It's a fantastic little feature that is written, produced and directed by the fabulous Chris Chapman, who has risen the calibre of Doctor Who DVD documentaries to a whole new level.

'The Scene Sync Story' looks at how the pitfalls and limitations of Chroma Key gave way to research into the newly discovered Scene Sync technology - a process that ties two cameras together to pan in unison. 

The eye-opening documentary shows us how Meglos was a test run for the process, which has evolved and can now be seen in many modern day film and television productions. The feature includes Interviews with Peter Leverick and Roger Bunce (Cameramen) and Stephen Drewett (Visual Effects Designer).

'Jacqueline Hill: A Life in Pictures' looks at the life of Doctor Who Actress, Jacqueline Hill (Barbara, Lexa). It's a wonderful tribute to the woman whom we all know from Doctor Who, but paints the wider, and to most of us, unknown picture of her life through to her untimely death. It was surprising to learn that Jacqueline was responsible for Sean Connery getting his first leading role, thanks to a suggestion to her Director husband, Alvin Rakoff. The feature includes interviews with William Russell (Actor), Verity Lambert (Producer), Alvin Rakoff (Director / Husband) and Ann Davies (Friend / Actress).

'Entropy Explained' is presented by Dr. Phillip Trowoga from the University of Westminster, and takes a scientific look at the running theme through Season 18 of Doctor Who - Entropy; the measure of disorder of a system. Picking through the laws of thermodynamics, it breaks down the technical speech into easy to understand explanations and situations.

The 'Coming Soon Trailer' features The Mutants, and isn't as well put together as previous trailers, too many fast cuts and no real energy behind the trailer music leads to it failing to really sell the story.

As with previous releases, there are the usual 'Radio Times Billings', 'Photo Gallery' and 'Production Information Subtitles', as well as an 'Easter Egg' that gives us a clean version of the final Fourth Doctor title sequence.

The extra content that we have here, is certainly of a high quality, but going on past form, it does feel a little feature-light. It was surprising to find no feature on the stunning make-up that gave this story such a visual impact, and Tom Baker's involvement, apart from the story itself is non-existent - despite being a Baker-heavy serial.

It is most definitely worth its retail price, with both 'Meglos Men' and 'Jacqueline Hill: A Life in Pictures' taking the main stage.

BBC Worldwide have sent DWO a press release for an exciting new toy range coming this Spring:

BBC Worldwide is delighted to announce a major new deal with Character Options’ new Construction division which will see Doctor Who enter the construction toy market for the first time.

The Character Building range will include 3D micro-figures, brought to life with sculpted facial features whilst play sets will be uniquely tailored to Doctor Who. Fans will be able to build their own Doctor Who world with all their favourite characters including the Doctor and Amy Pond with their famous foes the Daleks, Cybermen and Weeping Angels.

Distinctive to the Character Building range will be the use of texture on some of the building blocks, whether it be the sleek and smooth edges of a spaceship, or the rough edges of a rock face. This will be pivotal in recreating each environment, providing a natural look, but still allowing easy construction play.  The entire range will be displayed at the Character Options stand at the London Toy Fair with the first products set for release in Spring 2011.

Matt Smith and Karen Gillan have already seen their new figures and commented: 

Matt Smith: “It was very surreal and funny coming face to face with a miniature version of myself as the Doctor but I’m glad that the Doctor’s trusty Sonic Screwdriver is in his hand, ready to fend off attacks from monsters!”

Karen Gillan: “I absolutely love these miniature toys of The Doctor and Amy Pond despite the strange sensation of seeing myself immortalised in plastic and miniature and buildable...and dissectible. I'm loving Pond's flaming ginger mane and it’s funny to think that The Doctor and Amy are small enough to travel around in someone's pocket!

Richard Hollis, Head of UK Licensing at BBC Worldwide said: “We are delighted to build on our existing relationship with Character Options. We’ve worked successfully with them in the past and the quality and imagination they put into their toys is outstanding.  This new venture offers the perfect play pattern for Doctor Who fans and opens up a fascinating and innovative genre. We believe that this is a fantastic new project and we’re really excited to see how popular these toys will become”.

Jon Diver, Character Group’s Joint Managing Director, commented: “This new project represents a major investment for us and we are delighted to be increasing our Doctor Who portfolio. In doing so we will also be supplying a new option to the child constructor who will now have the choice of a construction toy that has all the excitement and appeal that the licences brings with them.”

[Source: BBC Worldwide]

AudioGO have sent DWO the cover and details for the forthcoming CD release of Doctor Who And... The Ribos Operation.

Reluctantly cancelling his well-earned holiday, the Doctor sets off in the Tardis to trace and re-assemble the six segments of the Key to Time on which the stability of the entire Universe depends.

Assisted by the argumentative Romanadvoratrelundar and K9, he lands on the planet Ribos in search of the first segment and finds himself entangled in the machinations of two sinister strangers, Garron and the Graff Vynda Ka. 

Who are they? Is Garron simply a shady confidence-trickster dealing in interplanetary real estate? Is the Graff Vynda Ka just a power-crazed exile bent on revenge? Or are they both really agents of the Black Guardian, intent upon seizing the precious Key in order to throw the Universe into eternal chaos? Risking his life within the monster-infested catacombs of Ribos, the Doctor has to use all his wit and ingenuity to find out...

This is an exciting unabridged reading, with music and sound effects, and this novelisation of a classic Doctor Who adventure, first published by Target Books in 1979.

 Doctor Who And... The Ribos Operation is released on 3rd March 2011, priced £12.99.

 Compare Prices for this product on CompareTheDalek.com!

[Source: AudioGO]

AudioGO have sent DWO the cover and details for the forthcoming CD release of Genesis of the Daleks.

Starring Tom Baker as the Doctor and Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane, this digitally-remastered edition of the classic "Doctor Who" TV episodes features a special vinyl-look CD and original LP sleeve notes.

Doctor Who, with his travelling companions, Sarah and Harry, has landed on a desolate planet called Skaro. As he surveys the barren landscape, a Time Lord appears and tells him he has been brought there to try and avert the creation of the Daleks, and thus prevent them from being the dominant creature in the Universe...

With linking narration by Tom Baker, this condensed version of the original TV episodes includes one of the most memorable and dramatic moments in the history of "Doctor Who": the Doctor's moral dilemma about whether he has the right to destroy the Daleks forever.

"Vintage Beeb": classic albums first available as BBC LPs, now reissued on CD.

 Genesis of the Daleks is released on 3rd February 2011, priced £5.99.

 Compare Prices for this product on CompareTheDalek.com!

[Source: AudioGO]

2|Entertain have confirmed all the Doctor Who DVD titles they will be releasing in 2011, along with a few extras to tantalise us in the meantime.

Meglos - Out Now

The Mutants - 31st January

Special Features:

-  Commentary

-  Race Against Time documentary on race

-  Mutt Mad ('making-of' documentary)

The Ark - 14th February

Special Features:

-  Commentary

-  Riverside Studios documentary

-  All's Wells that Ends Wells documentary

-  One Hit Wonder documentary

Mara Tales (Contains: Kinda & Snakedance) - 7th March

Kinda - Special Features:

-  Commentary

-  Optional CGI Effects

-  Feature on director, Peter Grimwade

-  Original studio footage

-  Dreamtime ('making-of' documentary)

-  Matthew Waterhouse on Top of the Pops

Snakedance - Special Features:

-  Commentary

-  Snake Charmer ('making-of' documentary

-  Deleted and Extended Scenes

-  Part Four alternative ending

-  Original studio footage

Revisitations 2 (Contains: Carnival of Monsters, Resurrection of the Daleks & The Seeds of Death) - 28th March

Carnival of Monsters - Special Features:

-  Commentary

-  Destroy all Monsters ('making-of' documentary)

-  The Mary Celeste Mystery documentary

-  Early edit of Episode 2

-  The A-Z of Gadgets documentary

-  On Target With... Ian Marter

-  Includes other VAM as previously released

Resurrection of the Daleks - Special Features:

-  New Commentary on UK two-part transmission version

-  UK two-part transmission version

-  New 5.1 mix for two-part transmission version

-  Isolated score for two-part transmission version

-  Casting Far and Wide

-  Come In Number Five (era documentary, presented by David Tennant)

-  Easter Egg

-  Tomorrow's Times: The Fifth Doctor

-  Includes other VAM as previously released

The Seeds of Death - Special Features:

-  Audio Trailer

-  Lords of the Red Planet documentary

-  Monsters Who Came Back for More documentary

-  Monster Masterclass

-  Includes other VAM as previously released

Planet of the Spiders - Release Date TBA

Special Features:

-  Commentary

-  90-minute compilation version

-  Jon Pertwee on Wogan

-  John Kane Remembers

-  The Final Curtain documentary

-  Directing Who: Barry Letts

-  Now and Then locations documentary

Mannequin Mania (Contains: Spearhead from Space & Terror of the Autons) - Release Date TBA

Spearhead from Space - Special Features:

-  New Commentary

-  Regenerations; From Black and White To Colour

-  UNIT Recruitment Film

-  Down To Earth ('making-of' documentary)

-  All four episodes newly restored from high definition telecine transfer

Terror of the Autons - Special Features:

-  Commentary

-  Nestle Comic Strip

-  Additional footage from Episode One

-  Plastic Fantastic documentary

-  Isolated Score

-  Down to Distraction ('making-of' documentary)

Frontios - Release Date TBA

Special Features:

-  Commentary

-  Isolated Score

-  Driven To Distraction ('making-of' documentary)

EarthStory (Contains: The Awakening & The Gunfighters) - Release Date TBA

The Awakening - Special Features:

-  Commentary

-  'Horse destroys gate' outtake

-  On The Cutting Room Floor

-  Kamelion deleted scene

-  Barry Newbery: Designer documentary

-  Back to Little Hodcombe documentary

-  Location footage compilation

-  Now and Then locations documentary

The Gunfighters - Special Features:

-  Commentary

-  End of the Line? documentary

-  Tomorrow's Times: The First Doctor

Paradise Towers - Release Date TBA

Special Features:

-  Commentary

-  Girls Girls Girls: 1980s

-  Horror on the High-Rise ('making-of' documentary)

-  All four episodes with original, rejected score by David Snell

-  Jigsaw

Revisitations 3 (Contains: The Tomb of the Cybermen, The Robots of Death & The Three Doctors) - Release Date TBA

The Tomb of the Cybermen - Special Features:

-  New Commentary

-  Tomb and the Magic of VidFIRE documentary

-  All four episodes VidFIREd for the first time

-  Sky Ray promotional TV spot

-  Lost Giants documentary

-  Curse of the Cybermen's Tomb documentary

-  Cybermen (extended edition of the documentary that appeared on a box-set of more recent episodes)

-  Includes other VAM as previously released

The Robots of Death - Special Features:

-  New Commentary

-  Sandmine Murders ('making-of' documentary)

-  Robophobia documentary

-  Girls Girls Girls: 1970s

-  Includes other VAM as previously released

The Three Doctors - Special Features:

-  'Making-of' documentary

-  When Doctor Who Was Uncool documentary

-  Episode encoding/authoring errors on original release fixed

-  Includes other VAM as previously released

The Solar System (Contains: The Ambassadors of Death & The Sun Makers) - Release Date TBA

The Ambassadors of Death - Special Features:

-  Commentary

-  Battle for Mars Probe 7 ('making-of' documentary

-  Tomorrow's Times: The Third Doctor

The Sun Makers - Special Features:

-  TX Trail

-  Running From the Tax Man ('making-of' documentary)

-  Doctor's Composer: Dudley Simpson

Day of the Daleks - Release Date TBA

Special Features:

-  Special Edition with new visual & audio FX, and new Dalek voices from Nicholas Briggs

-  Blasting Past documentary

-  Blue Peter

-  Cheating Memory documentary

-  Nationwide: Win A Dalek

-  UNIT: Dating Conundrum

-  View From the Gallery

-  New FX - Making-Of

-  Day of the Daleks Teaser Trailer cut exclusively for 'Now and Then' DWAS Event

-  Online teaser promo

As dates are confirmed, full details and covers will be added to the DWO Release Guide.

 Post a Question to 2|Entertain in the DWO Forums.

 Compare Prices for the Doctor Who DVD range on CompareTheDalek.com.

[Source: Doctor Who Magazine - Issue #430]

Owning a life-size Dalek is now an option for any fan willing to part with £179.99.

Zappies is the exclusive UK distributor for the new range of battery operated 'Ride-In' Daleks, which will be available from June 2011.

Standing at 128cm tall, the Dalek includes 360 degree movement, 10 sounds and phrases, as well as lights inside the sitting unit.

Don't get too excited though... these toys are aimed at children between 3-6 years - not that it will stop most of us from trying it out, but bearing the RRP, it may be a costly mistake. :)

[Source: Zappies]

2|Entertain have sent DWO the cover and details for the February 2011 DVD release of The Ark.

The Ark

Featuring: William Hartnell as The First Doctor

Materialising in what appears to be a jungle on Earth, the Doctor, Steven and Dodo soon realise that things are not what they seem: the sky is made of steel, and the jungle merely a colossal life chamber in a craft that has embarked on the most important expedition in the history of mankind.

It is ten million years in the future, and the Earth is soon to be engulfed by the Sun in a catastrophic explosion. A gigantic space ark has been launched, taking the last humans to a new life on the distant planet of Refusis, serving the Guardians of Earth are the Monoids, mute reptilian aliens.

But the Ark's mission of deliverance is threatened by the arrival of the time travellers; Dodo inadvertently passes her cold to the Guardians - to them, it is a long-forgotten virus against which they have no defence. It is not long before people start to die and the TARDIS crew are on trial for their own lives.

Special Features:

• Commentary - stereo. With actor Peter Purves and director Michael Imison, moderated by Toby Hadoke.

• All’s Well’s That Ends Wells (dur. 13’ 14”) – just how much were ‘The Ark’ and many other of Doctor Who’s adventures through time and space inspired by the work of writer H.G. Wells? With writers and historians Matthew Sweet, and Dominic Sandbrook, author and critic Kim Newman, literary editor Graham Sleight and the Open University’s Dr. Anthony Keen.

• One Hit Wonder (dur. 4’ 33”) – the Monoids only appeared in one Doctor Who story, possibly with good reason. What gives certain monsters an enduring popularity, destined to return over and over, whilst others are doomed to appear only once? With author Jacqueline Rayner, writers and historians Dominic Sandbrook and Matthew Sweet, and author and critic Kim Newman.

• Riverside Story (dur. 20’ 17”) – Hammersmith’s Riverside Studios played host to the creation of many Doctor Who stories in the sixties. Matthew Sweet takes actor Peter Purves back to the studio that once also contained the Celestial Toyroom, the Plains of Troy and the planet Refusis to talk about the creation of ‘The Ark’. Also featuring director Michael Imison.

• Photo Gallery (dur. 3’ 26”) - production, design and publicity photos from the story.

[Source: 2|Entertain]

Silva Screen Records have confirmed to DWO that a Soundtrack will be released for A Christmas Carol.

The soundtrack, which features music from the 2010 Doctor Who Christmas Special, will be released in February 2011, and will also feature Katherine Jenkins on a track titled 'Abigail's Song'.

The music is composed by Murray Gold and performed by the excellent BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Crouch End Festival Chorus.

The album will be released both physically (SILCD1360) and digitally (SILED1360).

[Source: Silva Screen Records]

Forbidden Planet have teamed up with Character Options for another Exclusive Action Figure set.

The Resurrection of the Daleks Set features The 5th Doctor with Davros and two Daleks from Resurrection of the Daleks.

The TARDIS, with the Fifth Doctor, Tegan and Turlough on board, becomes caught in a time corridor. Once freed it materialises in London in 1984 near the exit of the corridor. Upon investigating warehouses nearby, the travellers stumble upon a trap set for them by the Daleks!

The Resurrection of the Daleks Set is released January 2011, priced £34.99.

 Buy Now from Forbidden Planet!

[Source: Forbidden Planet]

The new Doctor Who mobile game from Tag Games / BBC Games, The Mazes of Time, is now online.

The action / puzzle game can be downloaded from the Apple App Store for £2.39 (iPhone) or £2.99 (iPad), and allows you to play the roles of both The Doctor and Amy Pond.

DWO's Verdict

With so many games to choose from on the app store, many Doctor Who fans will quite rightly have a critical eye when it comes round to playing a game that's actually based on their favourite TV show. And with the BBC arriving in the app store a little late on the scene, you would think they might have missed the boat. Think again! Its clear with The Mazes of Time, that the BBC have been patiently waiting in the wings, plotting their move into the mobile gaming industry, and what a joy to behold it is!

From the crisp graphics, to the addictive gameplay, right through to the storyline, everything knits together to round off one of the best games we have ever played on the iPhone.

This is a game that will appeal to both new series and classic series fans, as one particular level sees The Doctor and Amy travel to the Ice Tombs of Telos - one of the many highlights that are worth the games price alone.

Rating: 5/5

 Download The Mazes of Time on iTunes.

[Source: Doctor Who Online]

DWO and CompareTheDalek.com have a very special offer for our visitors looking for a great stocking filler for Christmas.

Normally priced at £7.99, we are offering the Official 2011 Doctor Who Calendar featuring Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and some of the great characters and monsters from Series Five, for just £5.

As well as the official calendar, we have the Official 2011 Doctor Who Mini Calendar for just £3, and the Official 2011 Doctor Who Pocket Diary for just £3.50!

As an extra special incentive, we are giving away a FREE 2011 Pocket Diary to the first 100 customers today!

 Order your 2011 Doctor Who Calendar Here.

[Source: CompareTheDalek.com]

AudioGO have sent DWO the cover and details for the January CD release of The Edge of Destruction, featuring William Hartnell as The First Doctor.

In a final bid to regain control of the TARDIS' faulty control system the Doctor is driven to experiment with a dangerous untried combination.

With a violent explosion the TARDIS blacks out and the crew find themselves trapped inside. A simple technical fault? Sabotage? Or something even more sinister?

Tension mounts as the Doctor and his companions begin to suspect one another. What has happened to the TARDIS? Slowly a terrifying suspicion dawns. Has the TARDIS become the prisoner of some powerful fifth intelligence which is even now haunting the time-machine's dark and gloomy corridors?

William Russell, who played the Doctor's companion Ian in the original TV serial, reads Nigel Robinson's complete and unabridged novelisation, first published by Target Books in 1988.

 The Edge of Destruction is released on 6th January 2011, priced £12.99.

 Compare Prices for this product on CompareTheDalek.com!

[Source: AudioGO]

Character Options have announced a new wave of Doctor Who Action Figures.

The Pandorica Action Figure and MP3 Audio Collection consists of the following:

· The Eleventh Doctor includes CD 01 – Doctor Who and the Auton Invasion part 1

· Roman Auton includes CD 02 – Doctor Who and the Auton Invasion part 2

· Angel Bob includes CD 03 – Doctor Who and the Giant Robot part 1

· Cyberman Pandorica Guard includes CD 04 – Doctor Who and the Giant Robot part 2

· Amy Pond includes CD 05 – Doctor Who and the Cave Monsters part 1

· Silurian Warrior includes CD 06 – Doctor Who and the Cave Monsters part 2

Each 5-inch action figure includes a MP3 CD with audio book instalment and one piece of the Pandorica! Collect and build your own Pandorica CD cube case! There are three complete classic stories across 6 CDs. One supplied. For ages 5 years and over.

 The Pandorica Collection Action Figures are released Late December, priced £9.99 each.

 Order these Toys at Forbidden Planet, for just £8.99 each!

[Source: Character Options]

Character Options are releasing a special Doctor Who Toy set on the run-up to Christmas.

Featuring The TARDIS, The Doctor and Amy Pond in Police outfit (worth the price alone), the Christmas Adventure Set 1 will be out just in time for the big day as it is due in shops within the next 2 weeks.

 The Christmas Adventure Set 1 is released Mid-December, priced £29.99.

 Buy Now from Forbidden Planet!

[Source: Character Options]

Just over a year ago, we decided to branch out into the T-Shirt market with our very own Arcalian Attire range of Doctor Who inspired Tees.

The not-for-profit venture, has been a huge success with well over 1000 T-Shirts sold to Doctor Who fans worldwide. To celebrate, we have launched a few more designs, which we sincerely hope to see you all wearing at future conventions and other Doctor Who related events.

The range, which has no copyrighted images or characters, provides a tongue-in-cheek nod to some of the memorable scenes, people and monsters that have spanned the 47 years that the show has been around for, and is available exclusively through the Arcalian Attire CafePress Store.

Below is an updated list of our current range:

The New Series

'Shhh!!! Spoilers!!!' - inspired by River Song and her Diary.

'Silence will Fall' - inspired by the Series 5 theme.

'Delete!!!' - inspired by the Cybus Cybermen.

'In Moffat We Trust' - inspired by New Series showrunner, Steven Moffat.

'Hey, Who turned out the lights?' - inspired by Silence in the Library.

'Sontar Ha!' - inspired by The Sontarans.

'The Angels Have the Phone Box' - inspired by Blink.

'Decorative Vegetable' - inspired by Time Crash.

'Y.A.N.A (You Are Not Alone)' - inspired by the Series 3 theme.

'Astrid R.I.P' - inspired by Voyage of the Damned.

'Allons-Y!' - inspired by The 10th Doctor's catchphrase.

'Bananas are Good!' - inspired by The Girl in the Fireplace.

'Are you my Mummy?' - inspired by The Empty Child.

'Cassandra R.I.P' - inspired by The End of the World.

'Exterminate!' - inspired by The Daleks.

'Time Lord' - inspired by the Time Lords.

'Police Box' - inspired by The TARDIS.

The Classic Series

'The colour for monsters is Gweeen!' - inspired by Terrance Dicks.

'Unlimited Rice Pudding!' - inspired by The 7th Doctor.

'As Easy As Pi' - inspired by The Five Doctors.

'No! Not the Mind Probe!' - inspired by The Five Doctors.

'Just Do It!' - inspired by Genesis of the Daleks.

'Five Rounds Rapid!' - inspired by The Daemons.

Other T-Shirts

'Ianto R.I.P' - inspired by Torchwood.

'Are you my Mummy?' - Infant Bodysuit.

DWO are working on some more designs, but if you have any suggestions, please E-mail them to us at: clothing@drwho-online.co.uk.

 Buy the T-Shirts from the Arcalian Attire CafePress Store, for just £17.00 each.

[Source: Doctor Who Online]