Special Features

"Everyone likes my stories."

Writer: John Dorney

Format: Audio

Released: December 2010

Series: Monthly Adventures 142d

Featuring: Fifth Doctor, Nyssa

Synopsis

At last, the cult 1970s horror anthology Doctor Demonic's Tales of Terror is set for release on DVD, complete with a commentary from director Martin Ashcroft, leading actors Sir Jack Merrivale and Johanna Bourke, plus the film's historical adviser – the mysterious 'Dr John Smith'! 

Verdict

Special Features was a sensation story to conclude The Demons of Red Lodge anthology that makes up the one-hundred-and-forty-second Monthly Adventure! I still maintain that I much prefer having just one story spread across four parts at a length of around two hours rather than four individual adventures as was the case here, but I'm delighted that they saved the best until the last! I thought the style for this adventure was actually brilliant with it essentially lasting as a DVD commentary for the entire episode. It was a lot of fun and it was amusing to think of the Fifth Doctor just sitting there talking about the film Doctor Demonic's Tales of Terror. I thought it was a neat touch for that particular horror to be an anthology of shooter tales much like this particular audio release being a series of smaller adventures to comprise the whole thing. That worked very well. I liked how Nyssa was actually an actress in the film and the director was very keen to remark on her performance. He was very impressed with it and mentioned it on more than one occasion throughout as the material unfolded before the panel's eyes. Martin Ashcroft was a little bit of a strange character and he seemed slightly off as a lead for the commentary. The other actors present in the form of Merrivale and Johanna were amusing characters, with the latter believing that aliens was the reason for the missing footage. That in of itself was a fun mystery and just really fitted with the style of the audio. Of course, it was clear that Nyssa wasn't really acting which was great in showcasing her fear as the threat was very real! The plot unfolding in the film and in the background of Ashcroft's commentary was excellent and I thought it was funny when he kept blurting out all of those unfortunately who had died, with Johanna quick to mention if they would discuss anyone actually alive! The Doctor was quiet and his aim to be silent amidst a commentary was very amusing, as it was pointed out that it was hardly worth him being present. His position as advisor was good and I liked how Ashcroft realised that the budget for his commentary didn't technically allow the Doctor to be there, but then one of the original actors sadly died so who took his place? The Rasht being revealed as the enemies and those being fought in the horror was fantastic and their disgust at having their language used against them was marvellous. They were not pleased in the slightest! That provided a tense and very pacy conclusion as the film came to an end with the pictogram sealing the fate of the Rasht once and for all. I liked that Nyssa was actually there all along at the commentary and filming, and Ashcroft referring to her as Nyssa Traken throughout was really good. The differing reactions of Merrivale and Johanna to the situation and the presence of the Rasht was fun and they really were quite stuck up characters. As a whole, this was a quite marvellous conclusion to what was a really strong set of adventures! 

Rating: 10/10