2 thoughts on “Doctor Who – U.N.I.T Files (Invasion of the Dinosaurs and the Android Invasion) [DVD]”
Invasions Although a box set, as others have said, it is best to think of it as 2 different, but excellent stories (Terror of The Zygons would have made a much more satisfying second story if these were truly UNIT files).Never mind though – for me Invasion of the Dinosaurs was a revelation, and is EVERYTHING that is best about Who – The Archetypal Doctor, heroic, cerebral, but very much a man of action. UNIT representing a ‘higher good’ that was above petty nationalism, a solid science-fiction plot, false flag terror and a shadow government whose plan is slowly uncovered by a fearless Sarah Jane. Was not expecting this to be so good after some negative reviews, but it blew my mind and is now quite possibly my favourite Dr Who story.The Android Invasion is a different affair, but has some very effective moments that are genuinely unnerving in The Prisoner/Avengers mold. For a variety of reasons. I’d set aside any UNIT connection, but some great performances set against ‘a quaint English Village’ (Daemons, anyone?) tick the box for me.Highly recommend!
Two Underrated Stories Unlike most of the other boxed sets – ‘Beneath the Surface’, ‘Peladon Tales’ etc – the link between these two DVDs is more tenuous. Yes, both stories feature U.N.I.T, but whilst they play a central role in the Jon Pertwee story, their contribution seems marginal, almost superfluous in ‘The Android Invasion’ (this is a pity, as the latter story effectively marked the end of the U.N.I.T years and it would’ve been nice to see them go with a bang rather than a whimper).The one thing that both stories have in common is that they have been unjustly underrated.’Invasion of the Dinosaurs’ has been berated for its ropey special effects and whilst it’s no ‘Jurassic Park’, I’ve seen worse. It’s a shame that this issue has been allowed to obscure the merits of what is, in many ways, a very effective story.The story begins with the Doctor and his new assistant Sarah Jane Smith returning to present day Britain after their first encounter with the Sontarans, only to find that London is deserted. It transpires that the city has been plagued by dinosaurs and that the Government have evacuated the city, declaring martial law. The majority of Londoners have willingly left, but some looters remain and the army have the authority to shoot anyone on sight.This is a very dark, dystopian tale with echoes of ‘Inferno’. Like many stories from the Pertwee era, the Doctor finds himself up against corrupt politicians and mad scientists, but the atmosphere here is far more paranoid and even U.N.I.T no longer seems a completely safe haven. When the Doctor discovers that one of his most trusted associates has betrayed him, it comes as a real shock.The dinosaurs are almost incidental. The real threat comes from human beings, whether they’re trigger-happy soldiers, desperate looters or psychopathic scientists. Watching the story today, it’s easy to see how the grim political and economic conditions in Britain during 1973 inspired this tale.Like many six-parters, ‘Invasion of the Dinosaurs’ flags a little in the middle, with too many captures, escapes and recaptures, but overall it is a very watchable story, crammed full of ideas, that gives a fascinating glimpse of British society during the Heath era.’The Android Invasion’, written by Terry Nation, is ultimately a disappointing story that never lives up to the promise of its exciting, fast-paced first episode, but it is still very enjoyable. The story begins with the fourth Doctor and Sarah Jane arriving at what appears to be an idyllic English village. Of course it isn’t, and the counterpoint between this traditional setting and the growing sense of unease is reminiscent of ‘The Avengers’.Unlike many Doctor Who stories, where the illusion of rural tranquility would be gradually undermined during the course of the first episode, the action begins almost immediately. The result is gripping, but it is hard to sustain that level of tension for four whole episodes and the story loses its momentum at times. Also, as Philip Hinchcliffe acknowledges in the special features documentary, the Kraals fail to impress.Like ‘Invasion of the Dinosaurs’, the atmosphere becomes increasingly paranoid and the Doctor finds himself more and more isolated, unsure of who he can trust. Unlike the Pertwee story, the narrative hits a peak too early and the remaining episodes fail to fulfill the promise of the beginning.I was also disappointed that a story which is effectively U.N.I.T’s swansong (for many years, at least) doesn’t really seem to know what to do with them. There are no goodbyes and after ‘The Android Invasion’, U.N.I.T just seem to vanish into thin air (two months later, when the Doctor is fighting to stop the Krynoids taking over 1970s Britain, he is assisted by the regular army and there is no mention of U.N.I.T).However, for all its faults, ‘The Android Invasion’ is still highly enjoyable. The chemistry between Tom Baker’s Doctor and Elisabeth Sladen’s Sarah Jane works really well and I also enjoyed the novelty (for those days, at least) of seeing a story shot during the summer, in the beautiful village of East Hagbourne.In the past, ‘Invasion of the Dinosaurs’ has been derided whilst ‘The Android Invasion’ has been largely ignored. Neither story deserves derision or neglect and I welcome the opportunity to watch them again.The special features are up to their usual high standard. Disc 2 of the ‘Invasion of the Dinosaurs’ includes a first-rate documentary which reassesses the merits of this story and addresses the problem of the “dodgy dinosaurs”. However, my favourite was the first of a two-part interview with Elisabeth Sladen, in which she candidly discusses her working relationship with Jon Pertwee and his reluctant departure from the show. She also mentions a moment when she and Tom Baker sneaked off to spy on a rehearsal for ‘The…
Invasions Although a box set, as others have said, it is best to think of it as 2 different, but excellent stories (Terror of The Zygons would have made a much more satisfying second story if these were truly UNIT files).Never mind though – for me Invasion of the Dinosaurs was a revelation, and is EVERYTHING that is best about Who – The Archetypal Doctor, heroic, cerebral, but very much a man of action. UNIT representing a ‘higher good’ that was above petty nationalism, a solid science-fiction plot, false flag terror and a shadow government whose plan is slowly uncovered by a fearless Sarah Jane. Was not expecting this to be so good after some negative reviews, but it blew my mind and is now quite possibly my favourite Dr Who story.The Android Invasion is a different affair, but has some very effective moments that are genuinely unnerving in The Prisoner/Avengers mold. For a variety of reasons. I’d set aside any UNIT connection, but some great performances set against ‘a quaint English Village’ (Daemons, anyone?) tick the box for me.Highly recommend!
Two Underrated Stories Unlike most of the other boxed sets – ‘Beneath the Surface’, ‘Peladon Tales’ etc – the link between these two DVDs is more tenuous. Yes, both stories feature U.N.I.T, but whilst they play a central role in the Jon Pertwee story, their contribution seems marginal, almost superfluous in ‘The Android Invasion’ (this is a pity, as the latter story effectively marked the end of the U.N.I.T years and it would’ve been nice to see them go with a bang rather than a whimper).The one thing that both stories have in common is that they have been unjustly underrated.’Invasion of the Dinosaurs’ has been berated for its ropey special effects and whilst it’s no ‘Jurassic Park’, I’ve seen worse. It’s a shame that this issue has been allowed to obscure the merits of what is, in many ways, a very effective story.The story begins with the Doctor and his new assistant Sarah Jane Smith returning to present day Britain after their first encounter with the Sontarans, only to find that London is deserted. It transpires that the city has been plagued by dinosaurs and that the Government have evacuated the city, declaring martial law. The majority of Londoners have willingly left, but some looters remain and the army have the authority to shoot anyone on sight.This is a very dark, dystopian tale with echoes of ‘Inferno’. Like many stories from the Pertwee era, the Doctor finds himself up against corrupt politicians and mad scientists, but the atmosphere here is far more paranoid and even U.N.I.T no longer seems a completely safe haven. When the Doctor discovers that one of his most trusted associates has betrayed him, it comes as a real shock.The dinosaurs are almost incidental. The real threat comes from human beings, whether they’re trigger-happy soldiers, desperate looters or psychopathic scientists. Watching the story today, it’s easy to see how the grim political and economic conditions in Britain during 1973 inspired this tale.Like many six-parters, ‘Invasion of the Dinosaurs’ flags a little in the middle, with too many captures, escapes and recaptures, but overall it is a very watchable story, crammed full of ideas, that gives a fascinating glimpse of British society during the Heath era.’The Android Invasion’, written by Terry Nation, is ultimately a disappointing story that never lives up to the promise of its exciting, fast-paced first episode, but it is still very enjoyable. The story begins with the fourth Doctor and Sarah Jane arriving at what appears to be an idyllic English village. Of course it isn’t, and the counterpoint between this traditional setting and the growing sense of unease is reminiscent of ‘The Avengers’.Unlike many Doctor Who stories, where the illusion of rural tranquility would be gradually undermined during the course of the first episode, the action begins almost immediately. The result is gripping, but it is hard to sustain that level of tension for four whole episodes and the story loses its momentum at times. Also, as Philip Hinchcliffe acknowledges in the special features documentary, the Kraals fail to impress.Like ‘Invasion of the Dinosaurs’, the atmosphere becomes increasingly paranoid and the Doctor finds himself more and more isolated, unsure of who he can trust. Unlike the Pertwee story, the narrative hits a peak too early and the remaining episodes fail to fulfill the promise of the beginning.I was also disappointed that a story which is effectively U.N.I.T’s swansong (for many years, at least) doesn’t really seem to know what to do with them. There are no goodbyes and after ‘The Android Invasion’, U.N.I.T just seem to vanish into thin air (two months later, when the Doctor is fighting to stop the Krynoids taking over 1970s Britain, he is assisted by the regular army and there is no mention of U.N.I.T).However, for all its faults, ‘The Android Invasion’ is still highly enjoyable. The chemistry between Tom Baker’s Doctor and Elisabeth Sladen’s Sarah Jane works really well and I also enjoyed the novelty (for those days, at least) of seeing a story shot during the summer, in the beautiful village of East Hagbourne.In the past, ‘Invasion of the Dinosaurs’ has been derided whilst ‘The Android Invasion’ has been largely ignored. Neither story deserves derision or neglect and I welcome the opportunity to watch them again.The special features are up to their usual high standard. Disc 2 of the ‘Invasion of the Dinosaurs’ includes a first-rate documentary which reassesses the merits of this story and addresses the problem of the “dodgy dinosaurs”. However, my favourite was the first of a two-part interview with Elisabeth Sladen, in which she candidly discusses her working relationship with Jon Pertwee and his reluctant departure from the show. She also mentions a moment when she and Tom Baker sneaked off to spy on a rehearsal for ‘The…