Barnes & Noble

When the BBC first aired Doctor Who in 1963, it was intended to be a simple children's program, not the decades-spanning cult phenomenon it has become. This 20th-anniversary reunion special is a must-see for fans, as it unites the series' first five Doctors -- sort of -- in a story that finds them kidnapped by a hidden evil at the tomb of Rassalon, the greatest Time Lord ever to live. And, as luck would have it, the Time Lord High Council brings in the Doctor's archnemesis, the Master (Anthony Ainley), to aid in the escape. By the time of production in 1983, the original Doctor, William Hartnell, had passed away, but Richard Hurndall does well in his place, joined by past Doctors Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, and Peter Davidson. Who alums Nicholas Courtney and Elizabeth Sladen also reprise their roles, as do several of the show's favorite villains, from the Daleks to K-9 the robotic dog to the diabolical Cybermen -- there's even an appearance by the Doctor's granddaughter, Susan (Carole Ann Ford), who starred in the program's first episode, An Unearthly Child. Lewis Somoza Manalo

All Movie Guide

Doctor Who celebrated its 20th anniversary with the 90-minute special "The Five Doctors." The life of the present Doctor (Peter Davison) is jeopardized when his four previous incarnations -- played by William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, and Tom Baker -- are taken out of time by an illegal Time Scoop. Even worse, the five doctors are confronted by a seemingly endless series of past enemies, included Daleks, Cybermen, and Yetis. The climax takes place in the Forbidden Zone on Gallifrey, where the instigator of the aforementioned time-scooping forces the five doctors to engage in the potentially deadly Game of Rassilon. Can any of the doctors save themselves -- and if not, will robot dog K-9 come galloping to the rescue? The late William Hartnell appeared only in clips from the second-season episode "Invasion of Earth: Flashpoint"; he was replaced in the body of the 20th anniversary special by Richard Hurndall. Written by Terrance Dicks, "The Five Doctors" was first presented in America on November 23, 1983, two days before its British TV debut. Since that time, it has been reedited into a four-part cliffhanger for syndication. Hal Erickson

Product Details

• UPC: 883929018970
• Source: BBC WARNER
• Region Code: 1
• Editions: Anniversary Edition
• Time: 3:11:00
• Sales Rank: 7,444

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