The Ark in Space
(DVD)

 

Starring Tom Baker
4 Episodes
1975
95 minutes (color)
Single Disc




 

 

Production Notes
Doctor Who
Tom Baker

Sarah Jane Smith
Elisabeth Sladen

Harry Sullivan
Ian Marter

Written by
Robert Holmes

Directed by
Rodney Bennett
Produced by
Philip Hinchcliffe

Original Airdate
Jan 25, 1975 - Feb 15, 1975

US DVD Release Date
August 2002

Warner Home Video
#E1162

U.K. Cover


 



Cover Blurb
The Fourth Doctor's first trip in the TARDIS brings him, with Sarah Jane and a very skeptical Harry Sullivan, many thousand years into the future to Nerva, a space station in Earth's orbit. 

The Doctor is amazed to discover that Nerva is nothing less than an ark for the human race. Having evacuated Earth when solar activity threatened all life on the planet, these few hundred survivors have been drifting in suspended animation for thousands of years. 

Even more perplexing is the discovery that someone has sabotaged Nerva's vital systems. The Doctor reactivates the systems, and one by one, the human race begins to awake from its enforced deep sleep. The future of humankind appears secure until the Doctor learns that the larvae of the Wirrn, a hostile insect race, are also aboard.



 

 

 

DVD Features

  • New CGI Model Sequences:

 This feature is actually an offshoot of the 3D schematic extra that was developed.  As a result, the Doctor Who Restoration Team was able to create computerized shots of the Ark exterior in place of the original shots.  By default the disc plays the old model shots.  However, if you'd like the newer updated special effects then choose this extra and while you view the episodes you will get the snazzy new effects instead.  Pretty cool extra. 
 

 
  • Unused Title Sequence:
 This is an early version of the Bernard Lodge opening title sequence.  Very similar to the finished product (and yet also reminiscent of Jon Pertwee's from the season before), it is included here as an interesting extra. 
 

 
  • Original Model Effects:
 There are several sequences of model shots that only appear on monitors within episode four.  This footage was later discarded by the BBC and recovered by a film collector.  It is added here with some sound effects playing over the silent footage.  The scenes are mainly of the shuttle taking off and the Wirrin skirting the outside of the Ark.  Several takes of each scene are included.
 

 

  • Trailer for Episode 1:

 A short 1975 trailer for episode one.
 

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

 
  • 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.
 

 
  • Space Station Schematics:
 A short little fanwanky extra.  We are treated to a computerized 3D schematic of the Ark.  This project led the Doctor Who Restoration Team to recreating all of the original exterior model shots used in the story with computerized effects instead. 
 

 
  • 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 Richard Molesworth of the Doctor Who Restoration Team
 

 
  • Howard Da Silva Intros:
 A feature unique to the North American DVD releases.  This is very similar to the Da Silva Intros/Outros included on the "Robots of Death" DVD only this time for "The Ark In Space."  For those out there who don't know, Da Silva  narrated short segments used during the openings and closings of episodes used in the early 80's syndication package.  These intros/outros are included in this feature.  Anyone who was introduced to Who back then (as I was) will get a neat trip down a nostalgic path. 
 

 
  • TARDIS-Cam:
 This extra doesn't really thrill me.  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.  You will see the TARDIS on a desolate world with a Cyberman head lying in the dust.
 

 
  • Interviews:
 Two interview choices presented here.

#1 Roger Murray-Leach Interview.  Roger was the designer for "Ark" as well as several other Tom Baker stories.  During his 10 minute interview he discusses different designing aspects to many of these stories.

#2. Tom Baker Interview.  While on location filming "Revenge of the Cybermen." Tom Baker was interviewed about his new role as Doctor Who (this was even before his first episode had premiered).  It is a short 6 minute clip, but it does show some interesting insights into Baker's early approach to Doctor Who.
 

 
  • Audio Option:
 A very impressive list of people providing commentary on this one.  Tom Baker (Doctor #4), Liz Sladen (Sarah Jane) and Philip Hinchcliffe (producer) provide an entertaining and informative commentary.
 

 
  • Easter Eggs:
 There is 3 eggs included in this release.  Highlight the blank area below to find out more information on each one.  For a full list of known Easter Eggs and screen grabs of them click HERE.

 

#1. FIRST TOM BAKER ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE 
DOCTOR WHO EXHIBITION

Go to the 'Episode Selection' menu and click on the Doctor Who logo

 

#2. SECOND TOM BAKER ADVERTISEMENT FOR 
THE DOCTOR WHO EXHIBITION

Let the credits play to the end during episode 4 and the egg will play automatically

 

#3. PRE-CREDIT COUNTDOWN TO EPISODE 2
Go to the 'Special Features' menu.
Click on the hidden Doctor Who logo to the left of the 'Photo Gallery'

 

 



 

 

 

Easter Eggs

#1. FIRST ADVERTISEMENT FOR 
THE DOCTOR WHO EXHIBITION 



Go to the 'Episode Selection' menu and click on the Doctor Who logo

 

 

 

#2. SECOND ADVERTISEMENT FOR 
THE DOCTOR WHO EXHIBITION

 

Let the credits play to the end during episode 4 and the egg will play automatically

 

 

 

#3. PRE-CREDIT COUNTDOWN TO EPISODE 2

 

Go to the 'Special Features' menu.
Click on the hidden Doctor Who logo to the left of the 'Photo Gallery'

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Notes
  • Considered an undisputed classic among fans, "The Ark in Space" firmly cemented Tom Baker into his role as the Doctor.
  • Many of the themes in this story echo later popular films like "Alien" and predate them by several years to boot.
  • The Doctor makes a reference to the maker of his scarf in the first episode of this story.
  • The VHS version of this story was originally released in an edited "movie" (or Omnibus) format.  This means that individual episodes have been cut and pasted together into one viewing.  The BBC released Doctor Who videos like this until the early 90's.  Since then they have gone back and issued "re-releases" of virtually all of their omnibus versions.   In the U.S. they have only done two re-releases "The Brain of Morbius" back in 1997 and "Terror of the Zygons" in 2000.  The DVD release of "The Robots of Death" marks the first time this story has been commercially available in its original episodic format.
  • Special CGI models of the space station (where this story takes place) have been prepared for this release.  They are used to create a 3D technical schematic of the space station.
  • As a result of the CGI model work, the Doctor Who Restoration Team has been able to include (as an alternative feature) newly created visual effects.