Classic DVD - Suggestions?

Kody · #1 May 27, 2008, 4:22 PM

I don't own any classic Doctor Who.. at all. This occurred to me yesterday and I really must work on changing that.

I only own the new season 1 and 2 on DVD. Still need to get around to watching all the confidentials for the hell of it.

But anyways. What's -your- recommendation for someones first classic series DVD? I hear the extras on them are usually, for the lack of a better word, fantastic.

Never seen Inferno or The Curse of Fenric, heard good things about those, so thought I might start there.. but I'd like to know if anyone else has a recommendation.

Ronnie Rowlands · #2 May 27, 2008, 4:25 PM

Buy 'The Beginning' boxset. The first three stories ever. 'Unearthly Child', which includes the serial and the pilot episode, 'The Daleks', which was the first Dalek story and has several Dalek related extras, and 'The Edge of Destruction' which has the serial and a long documentary about how the show came to be, along with comedy sketches.

Although the main reason I am recommending it is because William Hartnell is fucking awesome in all three of them.

MI7 · #3 May 27, 2008, 4:27 PM

Genesis of the Daleks is a solid one to start on. The first story I saw was a double VHS of Genesis of the Daleks and The Sontaran Experiment more than 14 years ago...and it got me hooked. So I'd say go for that, definitely. Genesis and Sontaran Experiment.

Inferno is a bit heavy and Fenric...well I have a loathing of McCoy so I'm prrrrrrrrrrrrobably biased.

Ronnie Rowlands · #4 May 27, 2008, 4:34 PM

Sylvester McCoy's best performance was in 'Ghost Light'. McCoy was also the first Doctor I ever saw. 'Paradise Towers' on UKGold which uh, probably wasn't the best to get started on

Danny Stewart · #5 May 27, 2008, 4:41 PM

Originally Posted by Ronnie Rowlands

'Paradise Towers' on UKGold which uh, probably wasn't the best to get started on

ROFL.

Kody · #6 May 27, 2008, 4:42 PM

Originally Posted by Danny Stewart

ROFL.

You, suggest DVD's. Kk? Kk.

Danny Stewart · #7 May 27, 2008, 4:45 PM

Originally Posted by Kody

You, suggest DVD's. Kk? Kk.

Ah yes. Here we go then...

The Beginning Boxset
(An Unearthly Child, The Daleks, The Edge of Destruction)
The Tomb of the Cybermen
Spearhead From Space
Genesis of the Daleks
The Talons of Weng-Chiang
New Beginnings Boxset
(The Keeper of Traken, Logopolis, Castrovalva)
The Five Doctors

Let me know if you need more, or if you want me to narrow that down further. Also, I apologize for going the "classics" route. If you'd like me to diversify a bit more, I can try and do that too.

Ronnie Rowlands · #8 May 27, 2008, 4:46 PM

Shush Kody, Danny hasn't laughed at me in a long time. Let me enjoy the moment for a bit.

The Beginning Boxset
(An Unearthly Child, The Daleks, The Edge of Destruction)
The Tomb of the Cybermen
Spearhead From Space
Genesis of the Daleks
The Talons of Weng-Chiang
New Beginnings Boxset
(The Keeper of Traken, Logopolis, Castrovalva)
The Five Doctors

Yesyesyesyes. Can I add 'Revelation of the Daleks' and 'The Seeds of Doom' to that list?

Kody · #9 May 27, 2008, 4:56 PM

Originally Posted by Danny Stewart

The Beginning Boxset
(An Unearthly Child, The Daleks, The Edge of Destruction)
The Tomb of the Cybermen
Spearhead From Space
Genesis of the Daleks
The Talons of Weng-Chiang
New Beginnings Boxset
(The Keeper of Traken, Logopolis, Castrovalva)
The Five Doctors

Why would you be 'sorry' for going the classics route? Haha.

The two things I'm really looking for is a good story and one I haven't seen before, possibly. The ones I have seen I know for SURE I want on a DVD.. but trying to kill two birds with one stone.

More Who watched, plus starting the DVD collection. I've seen most of that list except The Keeper of Traken, Spearhead and the Beginning Boxset. Seen most of Unearthly Child, but not all of it.

/ponder

Danny Stewart · #10 May 27, 2008, 4:57 PM

Originally Posted by Ronnie Rowlands

Shush Kody, Danny hasn't laughed at me in a long time. Let me enjoy the moment for a bit.

I'm not sure why you would want my laughter of pity, but enjoy...

Originally Posted by Ronnie Rowlands

Yesyesyesyes. Can I add 'Revelation of the Daleks' and 'The Seeds of Doom' to that list?

Sure.

Superkid11 · #11 May 27, 2008, 5:12 PM

The Key to Time arc is pretty enjoyable.

MI7 · #12 May 27, 2008, 5:14 PM

Originally Posted by Danny Stewart

The Beginning Boxset
(An Unearthly Child, The Daleks, The Edge of Destruction)
The Tomb of the Cybermen
Spearhead From Space
Genesis of the Daleks
The Talons of Weng-Chiang
New Beginnings Boxset
(The Keeper of Traken, Logopolis, Castrovalva)
The Five Doctors

As far as "firsts" go, I'd say definitely Tomb, Spearhead, Genesis, The Beginning and New Beginnings. However I think Five Doctors is a bit too convoluted and Talons while being good is a bit unorthodox for a Who episode.

I know Kody is familiar with the series so all those should be fine but for first stories in general...

Danny Stewart · #13 May 27, 2008, 5:17 PM

Originally Posted by MI7

As far as "firsts" go, I'd say definitely Tomb, Spearhead, Genesis, The Beginning and New Beginnings. However I think Five Doctors is a bit too convoluted and Talons while being good is a bit unorthodox for a Who episode.

I know Kody is familiar with the series so all those should be fine but for first stories in general...

Agreed about The Five Doctors, but disagreed about Talons. Talons is a fantastic story -- one of the earliest ones that a friend of mine saw, and it remains his favorite to this day.

BritCanuck · #14 May 27, 2008, 11:56 PM

Originally Posted by MI7

...(Curse of) Fenric...well I have a loathing of McCoy, so I'm prrrrrrrrrrrrobably biased.

Fenric is one of McCoy's best, I think. Brought out some darker aspects to his nature (his ongoing manipulation of Sophie Aldred's Ace during that season carrying over a little from "Ghost Light").

Originally Posted by Ronnie Rowlands

Sylvester McCoy's best performance was in 'Ghost Light'. McCoy was also the first Doctor I ever saw. 'Paradise Towers' on UKGold which uh, probably wasn't the best to get started on

At least it wasn't "Delta and the Bannermen". (Keffie Cameo Alert!)
The original title of that story sounded so much better: "Flight of the Chimeron".

Don't get me wrong, I thought "Delta" was fun, but DW always takes risks when it does an oddball story.

Ronnie Rowlands · #15 May 28, 2008, 5:34 AM

Let alone an oddball season!

Jamie Minty · #16 May 28, 2008, 8:55 AM

Got Genesis of the Daleks today and I'm loving it so far.

Just got to the bit where 4 is electrocuted. I can see why old fans get worked up about the new who. They are really different.

Baker is just so good.

Ronnie Rowlands · #17 May 28, 2008, 9:11 AM

Originally Posted by Jamie Minty

Just got to the bit where 4 is electrocuted.

*Colin Baker voice* Four? Four? FOUR?!

Jamie Minty · #18 May 28, 2008, 9:13 AM

Originally Posted by Ronnie Rowlands

*Colin Baker voice* Four? Four? FOUR?!

Indeed, I meant to say "he"

Hmmm

Kody · #19 May 28, 2008, 9:44 AM

Originally Posted by Ronnie Rowlands

*Colin Baker voice* Four? Four? FOUR?!

Is it wrong that I can read that line and hear Colin saying that? In his ever so squeaky voice?

Anyways, thanks so much for all the suggestions. Torn between the beginnings box set and Genesis right now. I've seen Genesis, but it is amazing.. never seen all the beginnings stuff. Hmm.

Ronnie Rowlands · #20 May 28, 2008, 9:51 AM

Kody, by buying the 17 you learn a lot about how the series came to be, and has interviews with several of the directors and cast and crew. So you have the benefit of episodes you've never seen and one hell of an education.

Indeed, I meant to say "he"

Yeah it's easy to get those 2 mixed up. Ummm.

EDIT: Sorry about '17', I meant to say 'The Beginning' box set, darn it.