Post by Cyggy on Mar 18, 2023 23:32:00 GMT
From a 2021 rewatch of Episode 4 only....
Episode 4:
(Using Loose Cannon Recon on Dailymotion)
A rare one episode and done review on this reverse-story-order rewatch - and the first Hartnell to boot.
I am watching the original BBC VHS reconstruction that they bunged out when the story was first released on home video.
First off, I am wondering if the BBC have guessed it correctly and that the rocket not working was done via a reversal of the film, showing the blast of the rocket going back into the rocket?
Cutler has had enough of Hartnell's absence and demands that Polly bring him back onscreen. But "no need" as Hartnell is back in his show one minute and ten seconds into this episode, like a jack in the box, determined to see out his tenure with dignity. At least that's the impression I am getting.
A precious scrap of film with the "Old body of mine is wearing a bit thin - don't worry, don't worry". Like gold dust, but good that we have these moments none the less.
Christopher Matthews on screen, who - of course - met a horrific fate in "Scars of Dracula".
Robert Beatty as Cutler. Just remembered that he was at the start of Blake's 7 and the end of Hartnell's Doctor. He got about a bit.
I love those Cyber-voices.
I love Ben's slip up of "... saved their grotty planet Mandas - for what?"
Hartnell is dominating this scene with I think absolute determination (particularly against the freaky vocal power of the main Cyberman), as if the actor is set on having one last stately and dignified hurrah.
Strange knock out power that the Cybermen exhibit when one renders Polly unconscious on the Cybership.
Ben's not putting up with any of his comrade's attitudes in the radiation room. And he works out the Cybermen's weakness, re: radiation too. Clever Ben.
Slightly odd (in retrospect) to hear the Doctor address the Cybermen with "Well, gentlemen!"
Stalemate!
The radiation rods fulfil the Cyber-killing task of the plastic melting solution in the later Moonbase tale. Definitely a bit of a remake, when it came to that lunar tale.
At least Mondas didn't hatch like an egg/space dragon etc.
Kind of eerie how the Cybermen just vanish from inside their costumes?
So Cutler's son is saved. Perhaps wise to not mention his Dad's fate to him until he's landed.
Ben's hearty "Wakey, wakey!" to the Doctor reminds me of the rubbish Ben replacement who read his lines with zero conviction in the "Twice Upon a Time" re-enactment. Clearly zero research done into how Ben had been played previously.
What are the odd's of someone filming the iconic line: "It's far from being all over!" Thankfully they did though. I love the way Hartnell's face staggers right into the camera at that moment too.
How must it have felt for Hartnell to play out these last scenes and moments? What a professional though, giving it his all in the face of no longer being wanted by anyone around him.
No long, heartrending speeches. No visiting anyone to say goodbye. Abrupt, sudden and unannounced. Maybe all Doctor regenerations should have been like this? It would have saved Murray Gold a cartload of work!
I wish they would find this episode. As much as Power of the Daleks episode 1 is a must find, I think this still remains a Holy Grail too. Bill's last dignified stand - and we can barely see it!
Episode 4:
(Using Loose Cannon Recon on Dailymotion)
A rare one episode and done review on this reverse-story-order rewatch - and the first Hartnell to boot.
I am watching the original BBC VHS reconstruction that they bunged out when the story was first released on home video.
First off, I am wondering if the BBC have guessed it correctly and that the rocket not working was done via a reversal of the film, showing the blast of the rocket going back into the rocket?
Cutler has had enough of Hartnell's absence and demands that Polly bring him back onscreen. But "no need" as Hartnell is back in his show one minute and ten seconds into this episode, like a jack in the box, determined to see out his tenure with dignity. At least that's the impression I am getting.
A precious scrap of film with the "Old body of mine is wearing a bit thin - don't worry, don't worry". Like gold dust, but good that we have these moments none the less.
Christopher Matthews on screen, who - of course - met a horrific fate in "Scars of Dracula".
Robert Beatty as Cutler. Just remembered that he was at the start of Blake's 7 and the end of Hartnell's Doctor. He got about a bit.
I love those Cyber-voices.
I love Ben's slip up of "... saved their grotty planet Mandas - for what?"
Hartnell is dominating this scene with I think absolute determination (particularly against the freaky vocal power of the main Cyberman), as if the actor is set on having one last stately and dignified hurrah.
Strange knock out power that the Cybermen exhibit when one renders Polly unconscious on the Cybership.
Ben's not putting up with any of his comrade's attitudes in the radiation room. And he works out the Cybermen's weakness, re: radiation too. Clever Ben.
Slightly odd (in retrospect) to hear the Doctor address the Cybermen with "Well, gentlemen!"
Stalemate!
The radiation rods fulfil the Cyber-killing task of the plastic melting solution in the later Moonbase tale. Definitely a bit of a remake, when it came to that lunar tale.
At least Mondas didn't hatch like an egg/space dragon etc.
Kind of eerie how the Cybermen just vanish from inside their costumes?
So Cutler's son is saved. Perhaps wise to not mention his Dad's fate to him until he's landed.
Ben's hearty "Wakey, wakey!" to the Doctor reminds me of the rubbish Ben replacement who read his lines with zero conviction in the "Twice Upon a Time" re-enactment. Clearly zero research done into how Ben had been played previously.
What are the odd's of someone filming the iconic line: "It's far from being all over!" Thankfully they did though. I love the way Hartnell's face staggers right into the camera at that moment too.
How must it have felt for Hartnell to play out these last scenes and moments? What a professional though, giving it his all in the face of no longer being wanted by anyone around him.
No long, heartrending speeches. No visiting anyone to say goodbye. Abrupt, sudden and unannounced. Maybe all Doctor regenerations should have been like this? It would have saved Murray Gold a cartload of work!
I wish they would find this episode. As much as Power of the Daleks episode 1 is a must find, I think this still remains a Holy Grail too. Bill's last dignified stand - and we can barely see it!