Doctor Who: The Day Of The Doctor - 50th Anniversary Special (DVD)

Reviews

"Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special" by Mike W. - 3 September 2022

When you realise that the Doctor Who series is now almost 60 years old and that this special was ten years ago, you'll find yourself thinking along the lines of Does this story hold up as well as it should. The answer is yes, as much as the modern take on the series goes. I recently obtained most of the 2005 onwards series in a sale and have been generally pleased with my purchse. This special was purchased to plug one of the holes in my collection (and still more to go). Of late the series has been plagued by terrible scripting and a work ethic far short of the levels attained at the point of the release of this Special, and that counts in its favour. The acting is spot on and we have two of the three best Modern Doctors front and center. Matt Smith and David Tennant gave the series a level of energy that you do not see anymore. Their performance is superb and the inclusion of John Hurt as the "War Doctor", typically ******** around with the continuity again. (In Doctor Who it is commonly know as Discontinuity rather than Continuity.) This change is still confusing to most as they continuosly now get the numbering of the Doctor wrong. They are: Hartnel, Troughton, Pertwee, T.Baker, Davison, C.Baker, McCoy, McGann, then Hurt is number 9, which makes Eccleston 10, Tennant 11 and 12, Smith 13, Capaldi 14 and Whittaker 15! (and yes Tennant was in there twice, because its complicated and he regenerated into himself, and was duplicated twice, and hybridised once. So complicated.) The gravitas that the late great John Hurt brings to the part is key to the story and his character's decision becomes the key point in this story. The story itself, in this Special, sets up the following seasons, the ramifications of which are still relevant to day. One of the best bits is the inclusion of Tom Baker as the Curator (we the audience are left to wonder if this is the 4th Doctor, or just someone who resembles him. I am inclined to the idea that this is the 4th Doctor, still looking after the universe.) As for the quality of this release you get the full special and many features along with it, including the regeneration of McGann's Doctor into Hurt's.. The packaging is standard fare and more than adequate to add to your collection. As a Doctor Who fan this special is a must, and even for a casual viewer there is lots to enjoy.