The Invasion of Time
(DVD)

 

Starring Tom Baker
6 Episodes
1978
150 minutes (color)
Double Disc




 

 

Production Notes
Doctor Who
Tom Baker

Leela
Louise Jameson

Written by
David Agnew

Directed by
Gerald Blake
Produced by
Graham Williams

Original Airdate
Feb 4, 1978 - Mar 11, 1978

Region 1 DVD Release Date
September 2008

Warner Home Video
#3000017035

U.K. Cover


 



Cover Blurb

The Doctor is behaving very oddly.  After signing a treaty with enemy aliens, he returns to his home planet, Gallifrey, and demands the Presidency of the High Council of Time Lords.  His first act of rule is to banish Leela to the wastelands on pain of death.  His second is to sabotage the planet's defense barriers, enabling full scale invasion.

Why has the Doctor joined forces with the militaristic Vardans?  Is he out for revenge against the Time Lords?  Or does he have a hidden agenda?  But his allies are also hiding a dark secret, for behind them is a familiar enemy waiting for the right moment to attack.



 

 

 

DVD Features
 

Disc One
All 6 episodes as they were originally transmitted in 1978.

 
  • Audio Options:
 Commentary is provided by  Louise Jameson (Leela), John Leeson (Voice of K-9), Mat Irvine (visual effects designer), and Anthony Read (script editor).
 

 
  • CGI Effects:
 This option allows you to view the story with newly created special effects shots.  If this option is not enabled then the default version is the original.  The new effects are extensive (over 25 minutes worth) for this release.
 

 
  • Information Text:
 An incredible amount 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.
 

 
 

Disc Two
The remaining DVD bonus features.

 

  • Out of Time:

 A 16 minute long documentary detailing the making of the final story of season 15.  Contributors include Louise Jameson (Leela), John Leeson (Voice of K-9), Milton Johns (Castellan Kelner), and Chris Tranchell (Andred).  Other participants include Anthony Read (script editor), and Colin Mapson (visual effects designer). 
 

 
  • Deleted Scenes:
 Over five minutes worth of deleted footage taken from film sequences from episodes 5 and 6.
 

 
  • Trails & Continuity:
 Over 3 minutes of original continuity announcements from 1978.
 

 
  • The Elusive David Agnew:
 A tongue-in-cheek (and short) featurette that attempts to trace the history of the fictional author David Agnew - occasionally used as a pseudonym for other authors on Doctor Who.
 

 
  • The Rise and Fall of Gallifrey:
 This short documentary traces the stories that were set on Gallifrey during the classic series.  Interviews include Terrance Dicks (script editor), Anthony Read (script editor), Gary Russell (new series script editor), and Alan Barnes (Doctor Who Magazine editor).
 

 
  • Photo Gallery:
 Lots of rare and never before seen photos taken during the production of this story.  This photo gallery is also to include production notes as an option.  Should prove interesting.
 

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

 
  • Easter Eggs:
 There is 1 Easter Egg 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. COLIN MAPSON'S PROP TALK
 

 

Go to the 'Special Features' menu on Disc Two.
Click on the hidden Doctor Who logo to the left of 'Radio Times Listings.'
 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Notes

  • "The Invasion of Time" is the final story for the popular companion, the warrior Leela.

  • Season 15 went out with a whimper rather than a bang.  Leela was abruptly written out of the show, suffering the fate of many a companion by marriage.  Although Louise Jameson (Leela) had given producer Graham Williams more than ample warning of her intention to leave at the end of her contract, Williams put off writing her departure in hopes that she would be persuaded to stay on for another season.  The rushed departure scene greatly disappointed Jameson, who felt Leela should go out with a bang (such as sacrificing her life to save others).
     

  • Most annoying of all is the ever popular "I can't remember a thing that's happened to me over the last 6 episodes" line which the Doctor proclaims with 3 minutes remaining in episode 6.  
     

  • The production values were also low, using noisy on-site locations for the interior of the TARDIS.   This was in response to high "immanent industrial action" or in other words - a strike.  By moving to film on location, they were able to complete this story.  Similar union tensions were to take their toll two years later on the season 17 finale, "Shada."
     

  • The story does have its moments, such as the Doctor seemingly turning Gallifrey over to an alien invasion and the surprising appearance of the Sontarans at the end of episode 4.  
     

  • K-9 was written out at the end of this story, or at least partially.  It was hoped that over the break in seasons that a newer model could be developed that would be more reliable.  Thus was K-9 Mark II born.
     

  • The character of Borusa (last seen in "The Deadly Assassin") was played this time by actor John Arnatt.  Borusa was originally played by Angus MacKay, however he was unable to return to reprise his role. 
     

  • Milton Johns makes his final appearance in Doctor Who as the slimy Castellan Kelner.  His first appearance in Doctor Who was as the sadistic Benik in the Patrick Troughton story "The Enemy of the World."   He later returned in the Tom Baker story "The Android Invasion."
     

  • A considerable amount of new special effects have been added as an option to this DVD release, helping to spruce up the story.