The Androids of Tara
(DVD)

 

Starring Tom Baker
4 Episodes
1978
98 minutes (color)
Single Disc




 

 

Production Notes
Doctor Who
Tom Baker

Romana
Mary Tamm

Voice of K9
John Leeson

Written by
David Fischer

Directed by
Michael Hayes
Produced by
Graham Williams

Original Airdate
Nov 25, 1978 - Dec 16, 1978

US Video Release Date
October 2002

Warner Home Video
#E1310

Key To Time Box Set




 

 

Cover Blurb
Getting the fourth segment of the Key to Time is the easiest part of the trip to the planet Tara, whose idyllic atmosphere lulls the Doctor into a mood to go fishing and leave the segment-tracing to Romana. She locates it after a short walk on a beautiful day, but her luck changes when she meets the courtly Count Grendel. 

Contrary to appearances, Tara is a hotbed of political intrigue, and beneath its Old World veneer lies a surprising advanced level of technological development that includes lifelike androids and electric swords. Count Grendel mistakes Romana for an android double of Princess Strella, and carries her away for future use in his plot to wrench the crown from its rightful claimant, Prince Reynart. 

Meanwhile, the Doctor arouses suspicion when Prince Reynart’s men discover him fishing on the prince’s estate. Before he and Romana are reunited, the Doctor will be unwillingly thrust in the roles of android repair-man, king-maker and ultimately, swordsman – when finds himself locking swords with Grendel, the finest swordsman of all Tara.




 

DVD Features
  • 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
 

 
  • Commentary:
 Commentary is provided by Tom Baker (4th Doctor), Mary Tamm (Romana) and Michael Hayes (director).  Fun and entertaining!
 

 
  • Photo Gallery:
 Color stills showing many publicity stills from the production of this story.  Many of the pictures are rare or even never before seen.
 

 
  • 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:
 None.  For a full list of known Easter Eggs and screen grabs of them click HERE.



 

 

Additional Notes
  • Building on a near flawless season, "The Androids of Tara" is the fourth adventure in the Key to Time arc.  It parodies the famous story of the "Prisoner of Zelda" (and quite well too).
  • Of particular note is the performance of Peter Jeffrey as Count Grendel.  He really creates a villain that you love to hate.
  • A classic scene to watch for is when the Doctor is coaxed out of the Pavilion of the Summer Winds by Count Grendel.  Grendel promises safe passage, the Doctor (believing him) opens the door which is immediately hailed with energy bolts.  The Doctor slams the door shut and then opens it up again and yells "Liar!" to another hail of bolts.
  • In a break with tradition, this story (along with all of the stories from the Key To Time umbrella season) is being released on DVD here in North America BEFORE the U.K.  Apparently, the North American market is much more focused on Tom Baker's era of Doctor Who.  As a result, BBC Worldwide is making a concerted effort to release more Tom Baker DVD's over here.
  • The Doctor Who Restoration Team did some limited clean-up work on this story.  However, due to time constraints, this release is very light on extras.
  • This story can be purchased individually or together with the other stories from season 16 (i.e. The Key To Time Boxset).