Pyramids of Mars
(DVD)

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




 

 

Production Notes
Doctor Who
Tom Baker

Sarah Jane Smith
Elisabeth Sladen

Written by
Stephen Harris

Directed by
Paddy Russell
Produced by
Philip Hinchcliffe

Original Airdate
Oct 25, 1975 - Nov 15, 1975

US DVD Release Date
September 2004

Warner Home Video
#E2023

U.K. Cover


 



Cover Blurb
As the Doctor and Sarah attempt to return to UNIT HQ, the TARDIS is thrown off course and materializes in 1911 at an old priory owned by Egyptologist Marcus Scarman. While excavating a tomb, the archaeologist became possessed by the spirit of Sutekh, the last survivor of the godlike Osirans. The Doctor and Sarah witness strange and deadly events as Sutekh, who has lain imprisoned in a pyramid for thousands of years, employs Scarman and a legion of robotic mummies in an elaborate scheme that may bring about the destruction of the world.
 

 

 



 

 

 

DVD Features
  • 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," "The Ark in Space" and "The Talons of Weng-Chiang" DVD's only this time for "Pyramids of Mars."  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. 
 

 

  • Osirian Gothic:

 This 22 minute featurette contains interviews with director Paddy Russell, Elisabeth Sladen (Sarah), Michael Sheard (Lawrence Scarman), producer Philip Hinchcliffe, Bernard Archard (Marcus Scarman), Peter Copley (Dr. Warlock), Gabriel Woolf (Sutekh) and designer Christine Ruscoe.  A great in-depth featurette that highlights the production of this classic story.
 

 
  • Serial Thrillers:
 A 42 minute documentary showcasing Philip Hinchcliffe's tenure as producer, with contributions from the man himself, plus directors, designers and actors who worked with him.  Included in the featurette are David Maloney, Robert Banks-Stewart, Christine Ruscoe, Roger Murray-Leach, Elisabeth Sladen, Gareth Roberts and Alan Barnes.  This is one of the best featurettes produced to date.
 

 

  • Deleted Scenes:

 Three minutes of rare footage from deleted scenes.  Included in the segment are an alternate shot of the unfortunate poacher running away from the mummies, a shot of the TARDIS materializing on the alternative future Earth of 1980, the full-length version of the war missile explosion, and three sequences utilizing roll-back and mix effects that Paddy Russell was unhappy with and cut.  The clips range in quality, and all are quite short and - unfortunately - not that interesting.
 

 
  • Now and Then:
 Elisabeth Sladen, Michael Sheard and Tom Culshaw contribute to this tour around Stargroves, the house featured in the story.  Sheard narrates while Sladen and Culshaw add one additional bit of scripted dialogue as Sarah Jane and the Doctor.  This featurette runs for approximately 8 minutes.
 

 
  • 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.
 

 
  •  Oh, Mummy:
 A comedy sketch that runs for nearly 7 minutes and focuses on Sutekh's career after 'Pyramids of Mars.'  Features Gabriel Woolf as Sutekh.  Great fun!
 

 
  • Audio Option:
 Providing commentary on this story are Elisabeth Sladen (Sarah Jane), Michael Sheard (Scarman) and Philip Hinchcliffe (producer).
 

 
  • Photo Gallery:
 Once again we are treated to many rare production stills and quite a few behind the scenes ones as well.  Tons of great photos on this disc!
 

 
  • 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 blank area below to find out more information.  For a full list of known Easter Eggs and screen grabs of them click HERE.

 

#1. ORIGINAL BBC1 (1975) AND BBC2 REPEAT (1994)
CONTINUITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
 

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

 



 

 

 

Additional Notes
  • In a recent Doctor Who Monthly poll, "Pyramids of Mars" won as the top fan choice.  As a result, this story is now included in the 2004 DVD release schedule.
     
  • Another classic Doctor Who story from the early Tom Baker seasons, "Pyramids of Mars" did generate complaints over its stereotypic portrayal of Egyptians.
  • Watch for a particularly effective scene where the Doctor takes Sarah Jane forward to her own time to see the effects on the Earth if they were to allow Sutek to escape from his prison. 
  • Although writing credits go to Stephen Harris for this story, it was heavily reworked and rewritten by script editor Robert Holmes.  Holmes' influence shines through in this gem of a story.
  • Playing Lawrence Scarman is none other than Michael Sheard.  Sheard's first role in Doctor Who was in the 1966 Hartnell story "The Ark" as Rhos.  5 years later Sheard would return as Dr. Summers in the Pertwee story "The Mind of Evil."   After his appearance in "Pyramids of Mars" Sheard returned two seasons later for "The Invisible Enemy" playing the doomed Lowe.  He took a 4 year break from Doctor Who until his next appearance as Mergrage in "Castrovalva."  One final appearance occurred in the 1988 Sylvester McCoy story "Remembrance of the Daleks."  He's a busy man...
  • If you've ever heard reference on the internet to "Sutek's Bum" then this is the story that it comes from.  In episode 4, when Sutek gains the ability to move, he rises from his seat.  If you look closely you can see a stage hand (literally) reach from behind the chair and grab the cushion that the actor had just been sitting on.  The cushion had begun to fall, and the stage hand "saved" it.  This blooper has reached almost legendary status (so much so that fans even debated whether or not it should be digitally removed when it came out on DVD).