Spearhead from Space - DVD Review by Phil Bernard

Spearhead From Space marked huge changes to Doctor Who. It gave us a new leading man, and new companion, the return of the Brigadier, and perhaps the most significantly, it was shown in colour for the first time. The story gives us the first appearance of the Autons, those sinister window-shop dummies that made so many kids too terrified to go shopping. The show started a very famous era in the show’s history. It gave us UNIT, and a resounding change to the series format with the Doctor being exiled to Earth in Patrick Troughton’s last story The War Games.
The production team, Peter Bryant and Derrick Sherwin, thought this would help stretch the show’s meagre budget, however Terrance Dicks and producer Barry Letts were unconvinced this would work from an artistic point of view. How wrong they were. Robert Holmes’ story starts with the Nestene Consciousness’ attempt to take over the planet by taking the form of the superbly sinister mannequins which are creepy enough without the murderous intent.

Holmes’ story is remarkable, not just for the storyline, but also the wonderful characters. As he would prove further with stories like Talons of Weng Chiang, Holmes’ characters are second to none. The dynamic of the new series cast is established very early on with wonderful scenes, like for instance, the scene where the Doctor attempts to escape in his TARDIS, only to emerge a minute later surrounded by smoke. His embarrassed face is frowned upon by the Brigadier. Pertwee’s Doctor is less straight laced as he would later become, from him singing in the shower (where he reveals an intriguing tattoo…), it is great fun to watch his escape from the hospital and chase the ambulance in a wheelchair!

Spearhead’s original release had a modest amount of special features (or VAT) for the time; however this re-release does the story justice. Down to Earth, the release’s primary feature includes a wonderful 20 minute interview with Jon from 1994 where he discusses his casting with great humour. Derrick Sherwin also provides a new commentary along with Terrance Dicks, though I prefer the original with Nicholas Courtney and Caroline John. It’s clear from the commentary that he had very fond memories of working on the show. All in all, Spearhead From Space is a wonderful release which kicked off the most remarkable era of Who, and possibly my favourite. Definitely not one to miss.