The Horns of Nimon
(DVD)

 

Starring Tom Baker
4 Episodes
1979
101 minutes (color)
Single Disc



 

 

Production Notes
Doctor Who
Tom Baker
Romana
Lalla Ward

Voice of K9
David Brierley

Written by
Anthony Read

Directed by
Kenny McBain
Produced by
Graham Williams

Original Airdate
Dec 22, 1979 - Jan 12, 1980

R1 DVD Release Date
July 2010

Warner Home Video
#30000295514


U.K. Box Set Cover


U.K. Individual Cover


 



Cover Blurb
When the TARDIS collides with a spaceship en route to the planet Skonnos, the Doctor, Romana, and K-9 soon uncover the horrible truth about its cargo.  The ship is carrying the young sacrifices for a powerful, horned creature called the Nimon.

But why is the creature so desperate for the delivery, and what other dangers await the time travelers?  All will be revealed at the center of the labyrinthine Power Complex on Skonnos.



 

 

 

DVD Features

  • Read the Writer - Anthony Read Remembers:

 A featurette highlighting the contributions of writer (and script editor) Anthony Read during his years with the program.
 

 
  • Who Peter - Partners in Time:
 A retrospective look at the close association over the years between Doctor Who and the children's program Blue Peter.
 

 
  • Episode Two Music Demos:
 Prior to starting the eighteenth season, new incoming producer John Nathan-Turner explored the possibility of the BBC's Radiophonic Workshop taking over the duties of incidental music (a decision that ultimately JNT DID make).  In order to assess the feasibility of this option, JNT asked for composer Peter Howell to prepare two short demos from episode two of "The Horns of Nimon".  This featurette shows the two demos from that episode.
 

 
  • 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:
 Audio commentary is provided by Lalla Ward (Romana), Graham Crowden (Soldeed), Jane Ellis (Teka), and Anthony Read (writer)
 

 
  • Easter Eggs:
 There is one.  Scroll down for more details.  For a full list of known Easter Eggs and screen grabs of them click HERE.
     



 

 

 

 

 

Easter Egg
#1. SCOTTISH SOCK PUPPET THEATER: THE "DOCTORS" SONG
 

 

Go to the 'Special Features' menu.
Click on the hidden Doctor Who logo to the right of 'Read the Writer'.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Notes
  • Although not intended to be so, this story was the last one transmitted for the 17th season of Doctor Who.  The final story was to have been the Douglas Adams 6 parter "Shada."  Sadly, due to a strike at the BBC that story was only partially filmed.  As a result "The Horns of Nimon" finished off the season instead.
  • This is the final story for producer Graham Williams, who took over for Phillip Hinchcliffe 3 years earlier.  The new producer, John Nathan-Turner would take the opportunity to revamp the series in many ways.  "The Horns of Nimon" represents the end of an era for Doctor Who.
  • One departure of note is that of the actor voicing K-9.  David Brierley took over the role for the 17th season only.  John Leeson (the original voice of K-9) was persuaded to return for season 18 by incoming producer John Nathan-Turner.
  • If Soldeed looks familiar, then that's because he is played by veteran actor Graham Crowden (better known as Tom Ballard in the comedy series "Waiting for God").
  • Graham Crowden had at one time been considered for the part of the Doctor.
  • This story is probably remembered best because of Graham Crowden's extremely over the top performance.
     
  • "The Horns of Nimon" was released on DVD in the U.K. as part of a loosely themed box set called "Myths and Legends".  It was packaged together along with the Tom Baker story "Underworld" and Jon Pertwee's "The Time Monster".