The Monster of Peladon
(DVD)

 

Starring Jon Pertwee
6 Episodes
1974
146 minutes (color)
Double Disc




 

 

Production Notes
Doctor Who
Jon Pertwee

Sarah Jane Smith
Elisabeth Sladen

Written by
Brian Hayles

Directed by
Lennie Mayne
Produced by
Barry Letts

Original Airdate
March 23, 1974 - April 27, 1974

R1 DVD Release Date
May 2010

Warner Home Video
#3000028338

U.K. "Peladon Tales" Boxset


U.K. Cover


 



Cover Blurb
When the TARDIS lands 50 years after its first visit to Peladon, the Doctor and Sarah Jane discover a troubled planet ruled by the late kin's daughter.  Peladon is at the center of a war - and the Galactic Federation desperately needs a mineral found in the mines.  But why is the ghost of Aggedor killing miners, and why can't everyone be trusted?  Queen Thalira needs the Doctor's help to find our.



 

 

 

DVD Features
 

Disc One
All 6 episodes from the story "The Monster of Peladon" as they were originally transmitted in 1974 plus these bonus features.

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

 
  • Audio Options:
 Commentary is provided by  Nina Thomas (Queen Thalira), Donald Gee (Eckersley), Ralph Watson (Ettis), and Stuart Fell (body of Alpha Centauri), Terrance Dicks (script editor), and Barry Letts (producer).  Episode 5 has a fan commentary.  All episodes are moderated by Toby Hadoke.
 

 
  • Easter Eggs:
 Unknown.  For a full list of known Easter Eggs and screen grabs of them click HERE.

 
 

 

 

 
 

Disc Two
The remaining bonus features for "The Monster of Peladon"
 
  • The Peladon Saga - Part Two:
 Part two wraps up with another 20 minutes worth of stories and details surrounding the production of both "The Curse of Peladon" and "The Monster of Peladon".  Interviewees include Katy Manning (Jo Grant), Nina Thomas (Queen Thalira), Donald Gee (Eckersley), Sonny Caldinez (Ice Warrior), Ralph Watson (Ettis), Stuart Fell (body of Alpha Centauri),  and Nick Evans (Aggedor).  Also included are Terrance Dicks (script editor), Barry Letts (producer), Brian Hodgson (sound designer), Chris D'Oyly-John (production assistant), and Elizabeth Moss (make-up supervisor).
 

 
  • Where Are They Now?
 Actress Ysanne Churchman is interviewed briefly in this 1980 program about her involvement as the voice of Alpha Centauri.
 

 
  • Deleted Scene:
 A reconstructed (albeit brief) deleted scene using surviving audio.
 

 
  • On Target - Terrance Dicks:
 Part of an on-going series of featurettes highlighting some of the authors who wrote novelizations of Doctor Who stories for the publisher Target in the 1970's and 80's.  In this installment, the most prolific Target novelist of them all - Terrance Dicks is highlighted.
 

 
  • Photo Gallery:
 Once again we are treated to many rare production stills and quite a few behind the scenes ones as well.
 

 
  • PDF Materials:
 Accessible from any computer with a DVD drive, a PDF of some of the original Radio Times press clippings, studio floor plans, and BBC Enterprises sales material.
 

 
  • Easter Eggs:
 There are two on disc two.  Scroll down for further details.  For a full list of known Easter Eggs and screen grabs of them click HERE.

 
   

 

 

 

 

 

Easter Eggs

#1. JON PERTWEE RACES LORD MONTAGUE

 

 

Go to the 'Special Features' section on disc 2.
Click on the hidden Doctor Who logo to the left of 'Where Are They Now' option.

 

 

 

#2. MISSING SCENE AUDIO

 

 

Go to the 'Special Features' section on disc 2.
Choose PDF Files and then click on the hidden Doctor Who logo to the left.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Notes

  • Back again for one more romp are Aggedor, the Ice Warriors, and Alpha Centauri.  They all appeared together in the previous Peladon story from two season back, "The Curse of Peladon."  You certainly don't need to see "Curse" to enjoy "Monster."
     

  • This is the last appearance of the Ice Warriors in Doctor Who.
     

  • It was during the filming of this story that it was made public that Jon Pertwee was leaving the role of the Doctor.  Tom Baker was announced as the new lead before filming wrapped up.
     

  • More 70's British liberalism shows through in this Pertwee classic including the rights of women and the underprivileged.
     

  • In earlier drafts, the story was called "Return to Peladon" and would have been set directly after the events of "Curse", not 50 years as was ultimately done in "Monster".
     

  • More sad fanwank.  Are you ready?  OK.  Here goes.  Donald Gee (Eckersley) made his first appearance on Doctor Who in the Troughton sleeper "The Space Pirates" as Major Warne.  Rex Robinson, who played the level headed Gebek would later return in the Tom Baker adventure "The Hand of Fear" this time as the geologist Dr. Carter.  Before either of those appearances he played another science geekling . . . astronomy Dr. Tyler in the 10th anniversary story "The Three Doctors."  Ralph Watson (fanatic miner Ettis) appeared earlier in the Troughton classic "The Web of Fear" as Captain Knight.  Hey, I just realized he died in both of those stories.  I'm getting a headache now, I better go have a lie down . . .
     

  • As with all of the DVD releases to date, the Doctor Who Restoration Team did extensive work on this story.