Image of the Fendahl
(DVD)

 

Starring Tom Baker
4 Episodes
1977
94 minutes (color)
Single Disc

 



 

 

Production Notes
Doctor Who
Tom Baker

Leela
Louise Jameson

Written by
Chris Boucher
Directed by
George Spenton-Foster

Produced by
Graham Williams

Original Airdate
Oct 29, 1977 - Nov 19, 1977

R1 DVD Release Date
September 2009

Warner Home Video
#3000022931


U.K. Cover


 



Cover Blurb
A sonic scan draws the TARDIS to the Fetch Priory on Earth.  There the Doctor and Leela discover an impossibly old human skull that is the key to a nightmare from the Time Lords' past.

A murderous monster stalks the priory grounds, and within, someone is intent on unleashing a malevolent creature that feeds on death itself.



 

 

 

DVD Features

  • After Image:

 Cast and crew reminisce about the making of "Image of the Fendahl".  Interviewees include Louise Jameson (Leela), Wanda Ventham (Thea Ransome), Edward Arthur (Adam Colby), Also included are Anthony Read (script editor) and visual effects designer Colin Mapson.
 

 
  • Extended and Deleted Scenes:
 Over 11 minutes of excised material (taken from location filming).  Although these recordings are in low quality and in black and white, they offer a rare glimpse into the story.
 

 
  • Trailer:
 A brief, twenty two second trailer from the original broadcast.  Blink and you may miss it.  :)
 

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

 
  • 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.
 

 
  • Radio Times Listings:
 Accessible from any computer with a DVD drive, a PDF of some of the original Radio Times press clippings.
 

 
  • Audio Options:
 The audio commentary for this release include Tom Baker (4th Doctor), Louise Jameson (Leela), Edward Arthur (Adam Colby), and Wanda Ventham (Thea Ransome).  This commentary marks the first time Tom Baker and Louise Jameson have been together at a recording.  It should be a real treat.
 

 
  • Easter Eggs:
 There is 1egg included in this release.  Scroll further down to find more details.   For a full list of known Easter Eggs and screen grabs of them click HERE.

 
     

 

 

 

Easter Egg

#1. A VERY LEELA CHRISTMAS


 

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

   

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Notes
  • K9, established in the previous story "The Invisible Enemy" was having major technical difficulties, and so had to be written out of this story.  He does return in the next adventure, "The Sunmakers."
     
  • Watch for the cliffhanger for episode 2.  It is particularly effective as the Doctor's hand is stuck against the glowing Fendahl skull as energy pours through his body.
     
  • Also evident in this story is what is known as WBWS.  That's Wobbly Brick Wall Syndrome.   It seems to strike 1 in every 4 Doctor Who stories.  There is currently no known cure, but we remain hopeful.
     
  • Wanda Ventham (Thea Ransom) made her debut to Doctor Who as Jean Rock in the Troughton story "The Faceless Ones."  She would make one more appearance as Faroon in "Time and the Rani."
     
  • Also worth noting is the superb performance of Daphne Heard who played old grandma Tyler.  If she is at all familiar to you it may be due to her appearance a few years later in the comedy "To The Manor Born."
  • As with all of the DVD releases to date, the Doctor Who Restoration Team did extensive work on this story.  More information on the restoration of this story can be read at their website HERE.