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The final serial in Doctor Who's original run on the BBC (before it was revived in 2005), this three-episode story stars Sylvester McCoy as the Doctor, who brings his companion Ace (Sophie Aldred) back to Earth, only to discover that a race of feline aliens have turned the planet into their private hunting ground. The aliens, called Cheetah People, are traveling between their dying planet and Earth to kidnap humans for food--and lurking behind the whole scheme is none other than the Doctor's arch enemy, the Master (Anthony Ainsley in his final TV performance as the character). Despite the relative lack of quality of its video cinematography, Survival is a sold serial from the McCoy era, with some genuine suspense and an affectionate (if temporary) send-off for the venerable sci-fi hero.
The two-disc set of Survival is typical of the impressive presentations that the Doctor's adventures have received on DVD. Two commentary tracks have been recorded--one featuring McCoy, Aldred, and script editor Andrew Cartmel, and the other by the winners of a contest sponsored by Doctor Who magazine (this appears only for episode 3). The hour-long, two-part Cat Flap (one of the original titles for the serial) covers the making of the serial from start to finish, and Endgame is an intriguing look at how the program might've continued after Survival had it not been cancelled in 1989. Little Girl Lost is a 15-minute exploration of Ace's character from her debut story until Survival, and Destiny of the Doctors features footage of Ainley as the Master taken from the 1997 computer game of the same name. The extras are rounded out by several deleted and extended scenes, a round of outtakes, the standard photo gallery, text-only commentary track, Radio Times listings (in DVD-ROM format), and a 20-minute episode of a U.K. educational program called Search Out Science, which features McCoy and Aldred as their characters in a discussion of (what else?) time and space. --Paul Gaita
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By Trytek
Format:DVD
Survival was the last story from the original run of Doctor Who, and when you consider the quality on show during the final year, it really makes you wonder if the producers hadn't already decided the show would be axed, no matter how good the finished shows were.
This is the final story in what has been dubbed "Ace's Season" and we see a little more of her background here. I can see shades of Ace in Rose Tyler, this season clearly influenced Russell T Davies in what he wanted his New Who companions to be.
Sophie Aldred and Sylvester McCoy are fantastic as usual. Sylvester, especially, gives a very varied performance - from quiet and subtle to belting out his lines like a man possessed. Credit should also be given to Anthony Ainley, in his last turn as the Doctor's nemesis, the Master.
The locations and designs are very well put together, and you can tell the shows's makers were giving 100% right until the very end.
This is the final story in what has been dubbed "Ace's Season" and we see a little more of her background here. I can see shades of Ace in Rose Tyler, this season clearly influenced Russell T Davies in what he wanted his New Who companions to be.
Sophie Aldred and Sylvester McCoy are fantastic as usual. Sylvester, especially, gives a very varied performance - from quiet and subtle to belting out his lines like a man possessed. Credit should also be given to Anthony Ainley, in his last turn as the Doctor's nemesis, the Master.
The locations and designs are very well put together, and you can tell the shows's makers were giving 100% right until the very end.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I bought this to finish end cap my classic DW collection.
It's a great end to a classic series that should have continued through the ninties.
The Doctor and Ace are at their best, fighting an old enemy to the brink.
It's a great end to a classic series that should have continued through the ninties.
The Doctor and Ace are at their best, fighting an old enemy to the brink.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Stoner5189
Format:DVD
$35 for a story that is roughly 70 minutes long - you gotta be kidding me!! That's a bit of a ripoff. This episode is actually one of the better McCoy stories, and is, sadly, the last episode of the classic series to be broadcast. (Perhaps that's why the hefty price tag) 3 1/2 stars for the episode, but this DVD is simply a waste of money and I cannot recommend it to anyone for this price. 3 stars is more than charitable for this release. It's a real shame that poor Sylvester McCoy's mediocre run as the Doctor is further let down by the fact that most of his stories are overpriced.
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3.8 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great addition to the collection
The "Survival" DVD is another fine addition to the Doctor Who collection. The special features are entertainintly above par.
Published on May 5 2009 by Denis LeBlanc
5.0 out of 5 stars
Survival of the fittest...
This was the last story of Doctor Who to be broadcast and is a very potent story, containing themes involving survival and the dynamics that compare and contrast man and... Read more
Published on Feb 13 2004 by Daniel J. Hamlow
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not great, but not bad
Not the best way to end a series.
Published on Aug 23 2003 by John R. Sellers
3.0 out of 5 stars
if we fight like animals we die like animals!
the end of an era. the last of the doctor who stories. mcoy ends on a note of adventures to come. ace is good this time round. it deals with surving rather well. Read more
Published on Jan 18 2002 by Traven J. Terzich
4.0 out of 5 stars
I felt like I could run forever.......
This is by far one of the most original and imaginative Dr. Who stories of all time and most of the credit should go to writer Rona Munroe. Read more
Published on Jun 23 2001 by Alan D. Patten III
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lions, tigers, and CHEETAH PEOPLE! Oh my.
This story I taped from TV. It has elements similar to the movie "Congo", and a little from "Jurassic Park" with the Cheetah People. Read more
Published on April 17 2001 by John Alexander Jarrell
4.0 out of 5 stars
The end of the road
Here it is, the final Doctor Who story in the 26 year-old TV series. Rona Munro's three part tale was never intended to end the run, but the BBC's continual indecision and... Read more
Published on Sep 15 2000 by N. A. Parry
1.0 out of 5 stars
Cheezey
If Tom Baker's E-space Trilogy was the best of the best, this Silvester McCoy episode was the worst of the worst. Read more
Published on Aug 18 2000 by Black Cat de La Bear
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