3 thoughts on “Doctor Who – Attack of the Cybermen [DVD] [1985]”
Action and humour nicely combined. Be aware that this is a single disc release not 2 as stated in the description but there are still plenty extras included here, enough for most tastes.The story has quite a few strands working together the Cybermen trying to use Halley’s comet to destroy the Earth, prisoners on Telos trying to steal a ship to escape, a fake bank robbery and Telos’ original inhabitants the Cryons seeking revenge on the Cybermen. Not all of these work to the same standard and the first episode is generally viewed as being the better of the two.Like many people I did not take to the Cryons at all, that might have changed if they were filmed as they were originally conceived but to me they just look silly but the chunky Cyber-controller makes up for some of that disappointment.With decent actors like Maurice Colbourne and a nice vein of humour largely focused through Brian Glover, both of whom are now sadly deceased, oh and Peri’s pink outfit which is fairly well discussed in the very interesting commentary by Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Terry Molloy and Sarah Berger who reveal many things including that there was an underwear thief at the BBC at that time.The extras include a documentary about the making of the show which highlights the disagreements over several plot areas. It was meant to be slightly more violent, the Cryons were written as males, there’s even dispute over who was responsible for coming up with the actual plot itself.There’s a nice look at the history of the Cybermen that examines how the design has changed over the years as budgets increased and a brief look at the possible future of cybernetic implants in humans.As a whole it’s a pretty decent package and one that I will be watching fairly often.
Real Cybermen!! Attack of the Cybermen has to be my favorite of the original series Cyber stories.New, slightly “unstable” Doctor played beautifully by Colin Baker and supported by a great cast of strong actors.The strength of the Cybermen really comes together well in this as does the constant referrals to people, adventures and times gone by.The repair of the Camelion circuit and the arrival in Foremans scrap yard are a highlight as is the takeover of the Tardis by the Cybermen.The only letdowns are the costuming of the Cryons and a somewhat “well fed” Cyber Controller, however don’t let this deter you as this is a classic well worth your time and effort!Plenty of extras on this dvd. overall an EXCELLENT buy!]
Not so “Excellent” Attack of the Cybermen is one of the most continuity-heavy stories in the series, with links to “The Tenth Planet”, “The Tomb of the Cybermen”, “The Invasion”, “Earthshock” and “Resurrection of the Daleks” not to mention the rather pointless idea to cast the same actor who played the Cyber Controller in Tomb of the Cybermen in the same part, despite the fact that he had put on a fair amount of weight in the intervening 20 years, giving us the amusing sight of a Cyberman with a beer gut. These references would have little or no meaning to the casual viewers of the time, and then couple that with a rather confused plot, some surprisingly graphic and sadistic violence (the scene where a character has his hands crushed by the cybermen had me looking with bewilderment at the DVD’s ‘U’ certificate) and it’s little wonder that a few weeks after this story was broadcast the series got temporarily axed.Colin Baker has yet to settle in to the role of the Doctor, and comes across as unlikeable, violent and superficial. The aforementioned chubby Cyber controller is a definate mistake, and companion Peri, in her shocking pink leotard is the epitome of the generic Dr Who companion (nice to look at though!).The late Brian Glover is wasted, and only Maurice Colbourne gives a memorable performance. The alien Cryons are dreadful creations, the masks look terribly fake and unconvincing, the Cyber tombs look nothing like they did in Tomb of the Cybermen and are nowhere near as impressive, the music is a grating cacophany of reused themes from Earthsock and Resurrection of the Daleks, and the sets look very cheap. Overall, there isn’t a great deal to recommend about this story, and it has a dour, depressing feel to it.Attack of the Cybermen is probably the best example of where Doctor Who went wrong in the ’80’s. Thankfully things did improve vastly again in Sylvester McCoy’s last couple of years, but by then hardly anyone was watching…One of the worst cybermen stories, and in my opinion Colin Baker’s weakest outing as the Doctor (yes, worse than Timelash or The Twin Dilemma!)
Action and humour nicely combined. Be aware that this is a single disc release not 2 as stated in the description but there are still plenty extras included here, enough for most tastes.The story has quite a few strands working together the Cybermen trying to use Halley’s comet to destroy the Earth, prisoners on Telos trying to steal a ship to escape, a fake bank robbery and Telos’ original inhabitants the Cryons seeking revenge on the Cybermen. Not all of these work to the same standard and the first episode is generally viewed as being the better of the two.Like many people I did not take to the Cryons at all, that might have changed if they were filmed as they were originally conceived but to me they just look silly but the chunky Cyber-controller makes up for some of that disappointment.With decent actors like Maurice Colbourne and a nice vein of humour largely focused through Brian Glover, both of whom are now sadly deceased, oh and Peri’s pink outfit which is fairly well discussed in the very interesting commentary by Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Terry Molloy and Sarah Berger who reveal many things including that there was an underwear thief at the BBC at that time.The extras include a documentary about the making of the show which highlights the disagreements over several plot areas. It was meant to be slightly more violent, the Cryons were written as males, there’s even dispute over who was responsible for coming up with the actual plot itself.There’s a nice look at the history of the Cybermen that examines how the design has changed over the years as budgets increased and a brief look at the possible future of cybernetic implants in humans.As a whole it’s a pretty decent package and one that I will be watching fairly often.
Real Cybermen!! Attack of the Cybermen has to be my favorite of the original series Cyber stories.New, slightly “unstable” Doctor played beautifully by Colin Baker and supported by a great cast of strong actors.The strength of the Cybermen really comes together well in this as does the constant referrals to people, adventures and times gone by.The repair of the Camelion circuit and the arrival in Foremans scrap yard are a highlight as is the takeover of the Tardis by the Cybermen.The only letdowns are the costuming of the Cryons and a somewhat “well fed” Cyber Controller, however don’t let this deter you as this is a classic well worth your time and effort!Plenty of extras on this dvd. overall an EXCELLENT buy!]
Not so “Excellent” Attack of the Cybermen is one of the most continuity-heavy stories in the series, with links to “The Tenth Planet”, “The Tomb of the Cybermen”, “The Invasion”, “Earthshock” and “Resurrection of the Daleks” not to mention the rather pointless idea to cast the same actor who played the Cyber Controller in Tomb of the Cybermen in the same part, despite the fact that he had put on a fair amount of weight in the intervening 20 years, giving us the amusing sight of a Cyberman with a beer gut. These references would have little or no meaning to the casual viewers of the time, and then couple that with a rather confused plot, some surprisingly graphic and sadistic violence (the scene where a character has his hands crushed by the cybermen had me looking with bewilderment at the DVD’s ‘U’ certificate) and it’s little wonder that a few weeks after this story was broadcast the series got temporarily axed.Colin Baker has yet to settle in to the role of the Doctor, and comes across as unlikeable, violent and superficial. The aforementioned chubby Cyber controller is a definate mistake, and companion Peri, in her shocking pink leotard is the epitome of the generic Dr Who companion (nice to look at though!).The late Brian Glover is wasted, and only Maurice Colbourne gives a memorable performance. The alien Cryons are dreadful creations, the masks look terribly fake and unconvincing, the Cyber tombs look nothing like they did in Tomb of the Cybermen and are nowhere near as impressive, the music is a grating cacophany of reused themes from Earthsock and Resurrection of the Daleks, and the sets look very cheap. Overall, there isn’t a great deal to recommend about this story, and it has a dour, depressing feel to it.Attack of the Cybermen is probably the best example of where Doctor Who went wrong in the ’80’s. Thankfully things did improve vastly again in Sylvester McCoy’s last couple of years, but by then hardly anyone was watching…One of the worst cybermen stories, and in my opinion Colin Baker’s weakest outing as the Doctor (yes, worse than Timelash or The Twin Dilemma!)