Revenge of the Cyberman DVD: Cheques, Lies and Videotape

[Wonkakid]

Let me begin by saying that I really like ROTC for several reasons, not the least of which is that I enjoyed the continuity from Genesis. The Doctor, Harry and Sarah end up back at the ark/space beacon via transmat beam at a point considerably later in time than that or Ark. This was a nice set of stories that picked up just where the preceding stories left off. That was kind of nice. I know that ROTC has taken a lot of flack but I've never thought that it was a bad story in the least. I really don't understand the criticisms. But I digress.

The real point of this post is with respect to the DVD extra "Cheques, Lies and Videotape." This is a 30-minute look at what it took back in the late '70s and early '80s to put your hands on Doctor Who episodes -- i.e. usually multi-generation VHS copies. I've often said to friends and family that, yes, it is nice to be able to watch a Doctor Who episode in high quality at virtually any time. But I agree with the point made by at least one of the people interviewed in this feature: when the episodes were harder to come by they assumed greater value, at least in my mind. I suspect that has something to do on some level with perceived scarcity and/or the work invested to realize a reward.

Has anyone else:
A -- seen and enjoyed this feature; and or
B -- agree with the points made about valuing something more when it's harder to come by?

Best,

Rob
Chicago, USA

[Peterdalek]

Hi Rob,

A) Yes I did see this feature and thoroughly enjoyed it, being 41 it reminded me of the years when video first came into public domain.

B) I also agree with points made about the value of something that is harder to come by. I actually insisted that my 13 year old daughter watch it too, she too enjoyed this feature. She lives in a world that no sooner a film/TV program shown at the cinema/television it is readily available on dvd, digital download even on your phone. It's almost impossible to miss anything on TV as it is usually available to watch on some Iplayer.

I had a good chat with her about if I missed an episode of Dr Who, it was gone and I'd never see it again (little did I know what was to come). In 1984 at the tender age of 14, I bought my first Dr Who video and it was 'The Brain of Morbius', it cost £20 which was a lot of money then. The reason I bought Morbius and not Revenge was that Revenge was more expensive and I simply couldn't afford it.

I watched Morbius over and over and over again, you could not imagine how exciting it was to be sitting at home and watching it, smiling that I was watching it on my terms. I had not seen it since I was 5, and this was 9 years on.

My daughter now realises and appreciates how media has progressed and how, unlike in her Dads era, she can watch Matt Smith episodes again and again within minutes of transmission, in some ways I wish I had had that privilege.

However not having that privilege increased the value, appreciation, excitement and magic of that first viewing of Morbius after 9 years of it's transmission, you can't put a price on that and those emotions are now rarely felt by the present 'get what I want now' generation.

Anyway I could go on for hours on this subject

All the best
Peter

[Graceful Leonard]

Yes, I agree that there was more excitement about getting hold of videos years ago, compared with the freely available episodes now. And perhaps this made us place a higher value on the programme.

It's much the same with music. As a teenager, a record released by a favourite artist was a big event, especially if you had to hunt around shops to find it, or pre-order it from specialist outlets. Now, there's no question you'll be able to find anything on Amazon or elsewhere and get it immediately.

I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing, nor do I think kids these days are any luckier than we were. Each era has its own pros and cons.

[metalheadjay]

It's my favorite "Cybermen" story. Not just due to Baker's presence either, I love the story.

That is what I love about the classic Who DVD's. All the wonderful extra's that clearly display the love and passion that people have for the show. Almost all of the DVD's have these great little Documentaries.

[Captain Rum]

Yes I watched this and being in my late 30s brought back a lot of memories...an excellent extra

[Krono's]

I remember my first video which was Death To The Daleks followed by a new release of Nightmare Of Eden a few months later, this was 1999. I recorded a couple of episodes of Genesis Of The Daleks on blank that were being aired on tele, late that year. And I watched them on Christmas Eve, with religous zeal. I was pretty gutted that I couldn't watch the rest until they aired AND that I desperately wanted more video's!

They were like gem stones. I would hunt them down, deleted or not, & feel as excited as a pirate discovering a treasure chest (eh? Cap'n Rum?) upon finding any era of Classic Who! Whether it be in some jumble sale or Sci-Fi store!

The hunt was part of the excitement!

[Captain Rum]

I remember my first video which was Death To The Daleks followed by a new release of Nightmare Of Eden a few months later, this was 1999. I recorded a couple of episodes of Genesis Of The Daleks on blank that were being aired on tele, late that year. And I watched them on Christmas Eve, with religous zeal. I was pretty gutted that I couldn't watch the rest until they aired AND that I desperately wanted more video's!

They were like gem stones. I would hunt them down, deleted or not, & feel as excited as a pirate discovering a treasure chest (eh? Cap'n Rum?) upon finding any era of Classic Who! Whether it be in some jumble sale or Sci-Fi store!

The hunt was part of the excitement!

Absolutely! I managed to get a video shop ex rental version of "Revenge Of The Cybermen" the first Who VHS release in 1983, saved up my money and agreed a payment of £9.99...a lot of money back then to a ten year old! It still plays brilliantly now

[Krono's]

Interesting that, because I've purchased THREE versions of Revenge Of The Cybermen on VHS! A rerelease & two copies of the original release. I haven't got the DVD version, yet.

The magic of hunting does seem to die a little, once you've got most of the episodes, though.

On another note. My rerelease of Terror Of The Zygons seems to be getting grainy. I watched part one last night. I'm sure I've got an original copy, somewhere....

[Captain Rum]

Revenge looks great on dvd, plus I enjoy it as a story

The ones that're yet to be released are ones I've seen but only have "taped" vhs versions, so the sooner they're out the better, especially if they keep up the quality of the extras!

[Krono's]

I heard they didn't do the touch up CGI effect of the Ark in Revenge Of The Cybermen like they did Ark In Space. That just doesn't make sense!

I had it on DVD, until some thief with good taste stole it! Luckily I've had it on VHS for years!