Doctor Who: K9 Tales Box Set (Invisible Enemy/K9 and Co) [1977] - DVD (Elisabeth Sladen, John Leeson, Bill Fraser, Ian Sears, Colin Jeavons - Dir: John Black)

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Customer Reviews of Doctor Who: K9 Tales Box Set (Invisible Enemy/K9 and Co) [1977]

Andrew Kerr
Scotland
30th October 2008

Disappointing
This Doctor Who boxed set comprises of Tom Baker's The Invisible Enemy, and a doctor who spin-off called K9 and Company. This release has been quite controversial for two reasons. The first being the fact that 2Entertain somehow managed to make an authoring mistake, much to the horror of Doctor Who fans, which meant that two scenes on Episode 3 of The Invisible Enemy were the wrong way around - ruining the episodes cliff-hanger. While 2Entertain did offer support for anybody who had purchased a faulty disk (offering a helpline number and an address to send the disc back to them.) The fact remains that not only should this not have happened in the first place (quality control anyone?) but a lot of faulty discs still remained on sale in various retailers including Amazon.co.uk and Woolworths, so I personally don't understand why they didn't undertake an entire recall instead of allowing the faulty items to be sold. The second reason why this release was controversial was because the spin-off K9 and company was never very popular. There are plenty of brilliant Doctor Who stories still to be released that feature K9, it therefore seems rather cheeky to create a boxed set called K-9 tales that in fact offers so little to the viewer. The first reason was why I held off buying the boxed set for so long, but after finally doing so, I'm not entirely sure if I'm happy doing so.

The best way to describe the best part of this boxed set (The Invisible Enemy) is to say that it's essentially a mediocre rip-off of The Fantastic Voyage, except with your classic doctor who budget and more plot holes. The story involves around The Doctor becoming infected by a virus after passing through a region in space. As a desperate measure The Doctor and his assistant Leela clone themselves which are then shrunk down and inserted into his body. The story is very irregular and doesn't stand up to scientific scrutiny (something I feel most Doctor Who stores actually do). On the plus side it is first ever appearance of K9, but I feel that this is not Tom Baker's best. The revamped special effects actually work to the favour of the story. But the giant prawn sadly still doesn't work for me. This story is definitely one that is a matter of personal taste, and while for me it's not the greatest Doctor Who, it's still not the worst. There are good special features which was a welcome surprise - especially anything to do with K9. But The Invisible Enemy is a bizarre (but still fun) story. Needless to say K9 is the real star of the story, and I enjoyed his debut appearance.

The first problem with K9 And Company is the opening theme music, which will most likely put you off straightaway. But the story involves Sarah Jane Smith and K9 investigating a black magic cult. Sadly it doesn't really work at all. The characters are shallow and to be honest - boring, just like the actual story. You'll most likely want to fast forward through half of it.

The picture and sound quality of both stories has been restored nicely and is at least something to be thankful for.

If you have been unlucky enough to receive a faulty disc of The Invisible Enemy below is the telephone number and address for 2Entertain, so you can send it back to them. However, saying that I should also point out that the faulty disc might actually be worth a lot of money in the future. When DVD's go the way of Betamax, it might be a collectors item. I'll leave the choice entirely to you.

DVD Support
2entertain
33 Foley St
London
W1W 7TL

020 7612 3186

dvd.support@bbc.co.uk

The man in the white coat
Hull, England
29th July 2008

Disc problem has been fixed
Purchased this item from Amazon 25/07/08, checked the disc and found no problem at the end of episode 3 of 'Invisible enemy' as reported by earlier users. It seems that the problem has been sorted and it is now safe to buy this series!

Paul Tapner
poole dorset england
11th July 2008

every dog has his day
back in the 1970's doctor who gained a new companion. a robotic dog called K9. The combination of a good character design and an appealing voice made him a big hit, and the popularity of the character has never gone away.

This latest doctor who, which contains two dvds in their own packaging, all together in a relatively sturdy cardboard box, contains two tales featuring him.

The first 'the invisible enemy' was his debut. made in 1977 it's set out in the far reaches of the solar system and involves the doctor coming into contact with the nucleus, a nasty creature lurking at the middle of a swam in space. the nucleus takes control of people, and wants to take over the universe.

Running for four twenty five minute long episodes this is a homage to the film fantastic voyage as miniaturised clone versions of the doctor and his companion leela are sent into the doctor to destroy the creature. a lot of the story is also set in space, and this is realised via some excellent model work.

unfortunately budget constraints, and constraints from the bbc to pull back on the levels of violence and horror the show had been doing for the past few years rather hurt this one, and the result is a very cheap and tacky and quite silly at times run around. but taken in the right mood, it can be quite fun.

the extras on this disc:

a commentary from actors louise jameson [leela] john leeson [voice of k9] bob baker [one of the writers] and mat irvine [visual effects designer]

dreams and fantasy. a twenty minute long documentary about the story. not a bad documentary but not the best they've ever done as it rather lacks focus. whilst it conducts the interesting experiment of showing us present day tv viewers see the story for the first time, and shows some of their reaction, it doesn't show us much more, so this idea doesn't entirely work.

studio sweepings. footage of the story being made. a lengthy extra and quite odd to watch as there's lots of visual trickery in the recording, but an interesting look at the tv recording process

visual effects: visual effects designer mat irvine talks to model maker ian scoones about his work on the show. interesting stuff and the craftsmanship on display is to be admired, although ian scoones does have trouble getting a word in edgeways at points

blue peter: a clip from the bbc children's show showing presenter of the time john noakes and his dog shep meeting K9. Quite funny for most of it, and very funny when Shep comes on and reacts to the robot.

Optional CGI effects: these allow you to make some of the effects in the story replaced with CGI ones. some of these clear away big problems but some aren't really necessary, as the model sequences are good enough as they stand.

trailers: various trailers from the bbc of the time for the story. these are always quite interesting as a way of being reminded how the bbc did these things at the time

production information subtitles. these bring up information about the story whilst you watch in the form of subtitles, and are always quite itneresting.

english language subtitles.

a photo gallery of the story and it's making.

the radio times listings of the story as PDF files [accessible by looking at the disc on a computer]

a trailer for the impending dvd: doctor who the brain of morbius. these trailers are getting very good at giving epic feel to the stories.

and for an easter egg watch this on a PC, and on the first special features screen move the pointer around the left side of the screen till you light up a hidden doctor who logo. click on this to see a clip from the game show the generation game, with presenter larry grayson meeting K9. A nice little item. especially for dog lovers as there are some cute puppies in it.

IMPORTANT NOTE RE THIS DISC: the release was initially faulty, and near the end of episode three the disc skips a scene. you can hear it make an audible skipping noise.should you have this problem [although corrected versions have now been issued so with any luck you shouldnt] send the disc [not the box just the disc on it's own] to:

DVD Support
2entertain
33 Foley St
London
W1W 7TL

with a covering letter explaining the problem and they will send out a replacement.

the other story in the box is K9 and company. This is a one off fifty minute programme from 1981, featuring K9 and the doctor's former companion sarah jane smith. intended as a pilot episode for a possible series. which never came to pass.

the story involves sarah and K9 investigating a black magic cult in a small village, and it has it's moments but it never quite clicks. although it does manage one excellent surprise reveal near the end that you probably won't see coming. despite excellent work from elisabeth sladen as sarah jane this remains an interesting curio, nothing much more. be wary of the strange and quite cringeworthy title sequence, which tried to copy the style of the american detective show hart to hart in showing lots of clips of the leads doing glamorous things. it doesnt really work and is funny for the wrong reasons.

the disc contains:

a commentary from elisabeth sladen and john leeson, script editor eric saward and cast member linda polan.

the k9 files: a documentary about the story and the character. running about fifteen minutes this is rather cursory and doesnt go into nearly enough depth.

K9: A dog's tale: a spoof interview with K9. about half of the jokes in this are quite funny but the rest fall very flat.

pebble mill at one: a short clip from a bbc news show of the time with a presenter talking to K9 about the story. much like the interview above half of it is okay and half is not funny.

trailers: the bbc trailers for the story shown at the time

a photo gallery of it and it's production

english language subtitles and production information subtitles

the same trailer for the brain of morbius as is on the invisible enemy

and as PDF Files:

the radio times listing for the story

the adventures of K9: four short books for young children about the character

the 1983 K9 annual

the box for this does come with a reversible sleeve, so if you want it to look almost like the other doctor who dvds so they fit together nicely on your shelf flip it over and it will.

both of these stories have been digitally remastered and the sound and picture quality are very good indeed as a result.

so: two stories that are not essential purchases, and in packages that are very good rather than great, but they have their moments all in all

ChippyChips
Milton Keynes
7th July 2008

Classic Who!
Forget all the negative comments, this is a great set! If you have a dodgy disc 2Entertain will swap it anyway. The Invisible Enemy really is good, the story zips along very quickly. Good plot and excellent introduction to K9. Underrated classic!

jai@wow.net
Port of spain Trinidad and Tobago
4th July 2008

A Classic introduction to K9 & a minor glitch thanks to 2 Entertain
Well, it was fantastic seeing K9 for the first time again! Actually K9 Mark I, he remains with Leela at the end of The Invasion of Time. Are we keeping track? There will be a quiz in time to come!!
Anyway, down to the fault on the disc. The episode should end with the Nucleus re-materialising to normal size. Unfortunately, the scene in which the Doctor & Leela banish him from the Doctor's mind appears immediately after the previously mentioned scene!
End of the world, I think not!! Live with it, though I have been sent a replacement, which I am yet to receive! God bless the postal service!!! & do hope that the scenes will appear in the correct order!! Fill you in later about that!! Buy when you can & enjoy. As for K9 & Company, K9 Mark III, that is, I am truly glad it was Sarah Jane, who after so damn long, got her own series. Rumour has it K9 will get his, stay tuned for updates. Highlights of this story, the unveiling of K9, Sarah Jane kicking butt & K9 singing!!! It is not a personal favourite of mine but it is a pleasant time killer. Thank Goodness there will never be a sequel!!! ***Update*** well, as you know I contacted Amazon about getting a replacement disc which they were very happy to do so. Thank you! but, it was yet another faulty disc. So the big question is "when will the corrected version be available?" I need to know please!