Carnival of Monsters
(DVD)

 

Starring Jon Pertwee
4 Episodes
1973
98 minutes (color)
Single Disc




 

 

Production Notes
Doctor Who
Jon Pertwee

Jo Grant
Katy Manning

Written by
Robert Holmes

Directed by
Barry Letts
 
Produced by
Barry Letts

Original Airdate
Jan 27, 1973 - Feb 17, 1973

US DVD Release Date
July 2003

Warner Home Video
#E1758

U.K. Cover


 


 

 

Cover Blurb
The Doctor has promised Jo a holiday on Metebelis 3, but the TARDIS materializes not on the famous blue planet, but in the cargo hold of the SS Bernice, sailing to India in 1926. Despite all appearances, the Doctor insists that they are no longer on Earth, but Jo's not convinced, at least not until a sea dinosaur attacks the ship! 

Millions of miles from Earth, a traveling showman named Vorg and his lovely assistant have arrived on Inter Minor to bring a little sunshine into the humdrum lives of the Minorian officials and functionaries. The dilapidated device they've brought looks rather unpromising until Vorg explains that the entertainment the Scope offers is "live"- it holds actual, miniaturized, living creatures kidnapped from every corner of the universe. There are Cybermen, Ogrons and even a party of rare Tellurians aboard a quaint steamship.



 

 

 

DVD Features

  • Extended & Deleted Scenes:

 Three extended scenes (from the earlier edit of the show) are included...

#1. Pletrac and Kalik interrogate Vorg (113 seconds).
#2. Tellurian reproduction (74 seconds).
#3. Sunspots, refractions and heat stroke (38 seconds).
 

 

  • Director's Amended Ending:

 This slightly different version to the end of the story was used in the BBC2 repeat of the story from the early 1980's.  No significant changes, but an interesting difference nonetheless.
 

 

  • Five Faces Of Doctor Who:

 A trailer for "Carnival of Monsters" used during the "The Five Faces of Doctor Who" repeats from 1981.
 

 
  • Delaware Opening Titles:
 Opening and closing credits are included as an extra.  These titles use the alternate theme music prepared for the 10th anniversary of the series (but which was later abandoned).  Although an interesting version of the signature tune, you can see why they were abandoned.
 

 
  • Visual Effects Test Film:
 Like similar DVD extras on other discs, this sequence of space ship models and Drashigs can make for some subdued viewing and really only appeals to die hard fans of the series.
 

 
  • Photo Gallery:
 A collection showing many publicity stills from the production of this story.  Many of the pictures are rare or even never before seen.
 

 
  • Information Text:
 Lots of trivia and tidbits of Whovian detail are provided with this feature.  The text appears intermittently along the bottom of the screen and is written by Richard Molesworth of the Doctor Who Restoration Team.
 

 
  • Behind The Scenes:
 Behind the Scenes footage (used in the 1972 program 'Looking In') including a shot of Kalik in a Drashig's mouth, which was edited from the final program.  Also included are visual effects tests ( showing the Drashigs and the spaceship landing).  Fairly interesting stuff, and far too short!
 

 
  • TARDIS - Cam #2:
 The second in a series of TARDIS- Cam extras.  Some time ago BBCi started an online feature called the TARDIS-Cam which would show people browsing the Internet different locations that the Doctor has traveled to.  Most are simply photos taken from stories already made.  A handful were specially created.  One of these is included as an extra.  
 

 
  • Who's Who:
 A feature unique to the North American DVD releases.  It lists short biographical information on many of the actors involved in the story.
 

 
  • Audio Options:
 An excellent and informative commentary from Katy Manning (Jo Grant) & Barry Letts (Director/Producer).
 

 
  • CSO Demo:
 Barry Letts conducts a demonstration of CSO (Color Separation Overlay) for BBC personnel.  It gives an interesting glimpse into a well worn visual effects technique on Doctor Who.
 

 
  • Easter Eggs:
 There are 2 eggs included in this release.  Highlight the blank area below to find out more information.  For a full list of known Easter Eggs and screen grabs of them click HERE.

 

#1. CLEAN SET OF OPENING TITLES

Go to the 'Delaware Title Sequence' in the 'Special Features' section.
Push the left arrow and a Doctor Who logo appears.  Click on it.

 

#2. COUNTDOWN CLOCK FOR EPISODE 2

Go to the 'Subtitles' screen.  Click on the Doctor Who logo in the upper left corner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Notes
  • The VHS version of this story was originally released using an early edit version of the story.  As a result, there are several sequences that appear twice throughout the program (making for a confusing video release).
  • Another unintentional mistake on the VHS version was the inclusion of the rejected theme music specially arranged for the 10th anniversary of the show.  This music is being included intentionally as an extra on the DVD release.

  • Ian Marter (who appears here as Andrews) would later go on to play the character of Harry Sullivan, companion to the 4th Doctor.
     

  • Katy Manning and Barry Letts actually recorded their commentary back in September 2000.  This was done because Manning (who lives in Australia) was visiting England at the time and therefore, available.
     

  • "Carnival of Monsters" was given the usual expert cleanup treatment by the Doctor Who Restoration Team.  You can read more about it HERE.