The Leisure Hive
(DVD)

 

Starring Tom Baker
4 Episodes
1980
86 minutes (color)
Single Disc




 

 

Production Notes
Doctor Who
Tom Baker

Romana
Lalla Ward

Voice of K9
John Leeson

Written by
David Fischer

Directed by
Lovett Bickford
Produced by
John Nathan-Turner

Original Airdate
Aug 30, 1980 - Sept 20, 1980

US DVD Release Date
June 2005

Warner Home Video
#E2217

U.K. Cover


 



Cover Blurb
The Doctor and Romana decide to forego Brighton beach and take a much-needed holiday on the pleasure planet of Argolis.  Ravaged decades before by an interstellar war between the Argolin and Fomasi, Argolis now hosts the Leisure Hive - an ideal retreat for tourists from all over the cosmos.  But a series of suspicious accidents leads the Doctor and Romana to discover that the Hive holds dark secrets.
 

 

 



 

 

 

DVD Features

  • A New Beginning:

 This 30 minute featurette highlights the significant changes that occurred both behind the scenes and on camera for the 18th season of Doctor Who...and beyond.  Highlighted in this featurette are interviews with the late John Nathan-Turner (producer), Tom Baker (Doctor #4), Lovett Bickford (director), Christopher H. Bidmead (script editor), Sid Sutton (visual effects), Peter Howell (composer), John Leeson (voice of K-9), Val McCrimmon (assistant floor-manager), and June Hudson (costume designer).
 

 
  • From Avalon to Argolis:
 This featurette gives the viewer a perspective on writing for Doctor Who from the script editing angle.  The 14 minute featurette includes interviews with the late John Nathan-Turner as well as script editor Christopher H. Bidmead and story writer David Fisher.
 

 
  • Synthesizing Starfields:
 A nine minute featurette on the creation of the new opening titles for season 18 as well as the re-vamping of the opening and closing theme music.  Includes interviews with Sid Sutton and Peter Howell while also using clips from a 1982 television appearance.
 

 
  • Leisure Wear:
 Costume designer June Hudson is highlighted in this seven minute featurette that discusses her approach to the opening story of season 18 as well as her re-design of the Doctor's costume.
 

 

  • Blue Peter Clip:

 A short four minute clip from the children's show highlighting the new incoming producer, John Nathan-Turner, as well as the Doctor Who Exhibit at Longleat.
 

 
  • 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.
 

 
  • Audio Options:
 The first option is to listen to an audio commentary.  The participants on this commentary are Lalla Ward (Romana II), director Lovett Bickford and script-editor Christopher H. Bidmead.  A very lively (and at times awkwardly tense commentary).

A second option is to listen to the story in either the original mono version or a new Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound remix.

The third audio option is the isolated soundtrack.  With this feature you will hear the groundbreaking music Peter Howell composed sequentially as it appears in the episode (rather than edited together as in the case of "The Five Doctors Special Edition" DVD).  This does mean that there are long gaps of silence in between music cues.
 

 
  • 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.
 

 
  • Easter Eggs:
 There is 1 egg included in this release.  Highlight the text below to find out more details.  For a full list of known Easter Eggs and screen grabs of them click HERE.

#1. CONTINUITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
(Original Broadcast)

From the main menu screen, press the left arrow button
to highlight the Doctor Who logo in the top left corner.  Now click on it.

 
     



 

 

 

Additional Notes
  • "The Leisure Hive" marks many new beginnings for Doctor Who.  Chief among them was John Nathan-Turner, the show's final producer (and also longest running...9 years!).  Loved by some, hated by the rest, JNT is constantly the center of debate over the decline and demise of Doctor Who.
     
  • Major changes for Doctor Who included new opening titles, a new theme arrangement, new incidental music, and a somewhat revamped costume for Tom Baker.
     
  • John Leeson returns to the role of K-9 after a one year absence.  His return was on the condition that the character would be phased out by mid season.
     
  • "The Leisure Hive" begins what is considered by many fans to be one of the series best overall seasons.
     
  • "The Leisure Hive" also begins the final season of Tom Baker as Doctor Who.
  • A major shift in the incidental music also occurred during this time.  Dudley Simpson, the only Doctor Who composer for many years, was replaced by individuals at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop (composers such as Peter Howell, Paddy Kingsland, Roger Limb, Malcolm Clarke and Jonathan Gibbs).  This would be the tradition for the next five seasons of Doctor Who.