Invasion of the Dinosaurs

OUT OF PRINT

Starring Jon Pertwee
6 Episodes
1974
149 minutes (B&W &Color)
Single Tape
Part of "The End of the Universe" Collection






 

 

Production Notes
Doctor Who
Jon Pertwee

Sarah Jane Smith
Elisabeth Sladen

Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart
Nicholas Courtney
Written by
Malcolm Hulke

Directed by
Paddy Russell

Produced by
Barry Letts
Original Airdate
Jan 12, 1974 - Feb 16, 1974

US Video Release Date
October 2003

Warner Home Video
#E1858

 





Cover Blurb
Returning from their adventure in medieval England, the Doctor and Sarah Jane are bewildered to find London deserted and under marshal law. Even more startling is the sudden appearance of a Tyrannosaurus Rex in the street. When they reach UNIT headquarters, they learn from the Brigadier that the city was evacuated when dinosaurs began appearing all over London. Fortunately, the prehistoric reptiles disappear almost as soon as they appear, but their random visits naturally caused “considerable panic and some loss of life.”

The Doctor believes that the dinosaurs are being transported through time from the Mesozoic age, but he needs a live specimen to test his theory. Meanwhile, Sarah applies her reporter’s instincts to uncovering a hidden agenda.

This video features over two hours in color, but Episode 1 is in black-and-white.





 

 

Additional Notes
  • Episode 1 of this story only exists as a black and white film transfer.  Many Pertwee episodes were junked by the BBC during the late 70's.  While all have been recovered, there are some that only exist in this black and white form.  The remaining 5 episodes all are in their original color format. 
  • Because of the high cost of computer colorization, no re-colorization will be done on episode 1.  It will, however, get the VidFIRE treatment by the Doctor Who Restoration Team.  The process returns the "videotape" look to film transfers.  Thus, while still not in color, it will look close to its original transmitted quality.
  • The final full fledged U.N.I.T. romp for the 3rd Doctor, "Invasion of the Dinosaurs" is also notable for writing out series semi-regular Mike Yates (played by Richard Franklin).
  • Also watch for several noteworthy actors from other Who stories.  John Bennett (General Finch) would return 3 years later as one of the main villains in "The Talons of Weng Chiang."  Martin Jarvis (Butler) made his debut on Who in the Hartnell story "The Web Planet" while also appearing in the 1985 Colin Baker story "Vengeance on Varos."  Peter Miles (Professor Whitaker) played the notable character Nyder in "Genesis of the Daleks."  Carmen Silvera (Ruth) appeared 8 years earlier in the Hartnell classic "The Celestial Toymaker."  She also went on to star in the successful comedy "Allo Allo."
  • "Invasion of the Dinosaurs" is also noteworthy for some rather dodgy dinosaur puppetry effects and wobbly brick walls.  While the effects aren't up to today's standards, "Invasion of the Dinosaurs" has an interesting premise while also beating the X-Files series to the punch (by about 20 years). 
  • With the release of this story, all 3rd Doctor stories are now available on VHS.  This is also one of the last titles to be released for the entire VHS range.