Doctor Who – Time-Flight [1982] / Arc of Infinity [1983] [DVD]
Doctor Who – Time-Flight [1982] / Arc of Infinity [1983] [DVD]
Two stories based around the character of Tegan, this union of Time-Flight and Arc of Infinity is an interesting double header for any Doctor Who enthusiast. Both stories see Peter Davison in the title role. Time-Flight’s big selling point is neither Davison’s Doctor nor Janet Fielding’s Tegan. Instead, it’s Concorde, as the Doctor gets Tegan to Heathrow Airport, only to discover that the infamous supersonic jet is caught in a muddle with a time corridor. And while truthfully the story wrappi
List Price: £29.99
Price: £7.99
Dr Who News
Kalid-er of the pack,
As a fan whose teenage years saw Davison then Colin Baker as The Doctor on TV, I am bound to be more positive about their serials. Having said that, although Arc of Infinity is better than it’s often perceived to be, Time-Flight is definitely one of those ‘pantomime’ Doctor Who stories for which the series gets so much stick. The problem was that in the early 1980s, producer John Nathan-Turner wanted (quite understandably) to oversee a show that rivalled anything in terms of quality and style. Sadly, ambition was way ahead of reality, and the continuing paucity of budget meant that stories involving Concorde, and stories set in Amsterdam, were never going to be as impressive in actuality as they were on paper.
Time-Flight sees The Doctor attempt to return brash Aussie air steward Tegan (seen in all her pouty glory on the front cover of this box set) to her job, instead getting caught-up in the disappearance of a Concorde and the machiavellian schemes of the by now over-familiar and tiresome Master – played like a pantomime villain by Anthony Ainley. I won’t ‘give the game away’ but suffice to say, The Master’s disguise is risible.
Arc of Infinity – again revolving around Tegan – sees the return of an old foe for The Doctor, and a trip to Amsterdam where Tegan’s cousin Robin has mysteriously disappeared; the story is notable also for featuring future Doctor, Colin Baker, as a Gallifreyan guard. There are some nice location shots and a decent enough story, however the location budget must have eaten into the costume one; and that’s all I’m saying.
So with one decent and one ‘fan-only’ story, plus some interesting DVD extras and a nice slipcase; this is a well-presented but slightly frustrating box set.
The extras on Timeflight include a Commentary with actors Peter Davison, Janet Fielding, Sarah Sutton and script editor Eric Saward; Mouth on Legs – actress Janet Fielding talks about her time on the programme, playing the role of Australian air-hostess Tegan Jovanka; Deleted Scenes; Jurassic Larks – behind-the-scenes action from the studio recording sessions, with on-screen notes; Out-takes; Peter Grimwade Interview – a short interview with the story’s writer, the late Peter Grimwade; plus the usual photo gallery and PDF files.
Arc Of Infinity includes a Commentary with actors Peter Davison, Janet Fielding, Sarah Sutton and Colin Baker; Anti-Matter from Amsterdam – This new documentary, partially shot on location in Amsterdam, looks at the making of Arc of Infinity; The Omega Factor – Writers and actors look at the character and motivation of the renegade Time Lord, Omega; Deleted Scenes; Under Arc Lights – behind-the-scenes action from the studio recording sessions; CGI Effects – the option to watch the story with eighteen of the original video effects sequences replaced by CGI versions; Continuities – original BBC One continuity announcements for the story; Isolated Music – option to watch the story with the original synchronous music only; Photo Gallery; 1983 Doctor Who Annual as a PDF; Radio Times Listings as a PDF; Programme subtitles & Subtitle Production Notes.
Was this review helpful to you?
|Time-Flight Good, Arc of Infinity Excellent,
The best way to review this item it to review the two DVDs separately so that the quality can be judged.
Time-Flight is considered to be a very mediocre story, from the hay-day of the Davison era. I surpose in comparison to the greats from the Pertwee/T. Baker era, this is very true. However, as an eighties effort, Time-Flight is very good.
The useof Concord and the central concept was original for ‘Who and the tight script alows Nyssa and Tegan to get an equal share of the action as Peter Davison’s Doctor bounces with excitement from scene to scene.
I was never a fan of Doctor 5, however, over the years I have went from thinking him a mediocre Doctor, to an brilliant one. He brought an air of originality to the show.
The extras in Time-Flight are limited but good, with short interviews and behind the scenes ‘mess ups’. There’s good entertainment here.
Arc of Infinity is in fact a story that I am very fond of and, in fact, have wanted as a release on DVD for some time. Davison is just about at his peak of excellence here. Nyssa gets a great share of the action and Tegan’s character is introduced sportingly. The Amsterdam setting is a nice exotic approach for ‘Who, much like Paris in ‘City of Death’.
Gallifrey is used well (beter than in ‘The Five Doctors’) to portray the very interesting (and very real) concept of partical antimatter and possible antimatter transfere.
One of my favourite villans makes a return on a much beter form than his previous encounter with the Doctor. Overall, Arc of Infinity shows just how good the Davison era was, with great writing and great acting, along with (mostly) great costume work.
The extras are good with the brilliant documentary (like they always are): Antimater in Amsterdam. It’s presented by Sophie Aldred (for some reason!) and provides a good insite into the production and idea in to the serial.
Overall, a good release with two of the best from the Davison era. Give it a chance! Soon, hopefully, the Black Guardian Trilogy will be available as a boxset shwoing the Davison era at it’s absolute very, very best. Role on Peter Davison!
Was this review helpful to you?
|good value box set,
a double header dr who for a bargain price!timeflight is ok maybe a bit naff but well worth it if your an 80s fan with its costumes,location shots oh and Concorde.the saving grace here is arc of infinity,a great story filmed in Holland and stars a pre dr colin baker.there isnt a huge amount of extras on these discs like the usual who dvds but for this price you cant complain.
Was this review helpful to you?
|