Doctor Who: The Mind of Evil [DVD]

A brilliant return to the style of Jon Pertwee's first season, with political intrigue and UNIT action, plus the greatest supervillain of them all and a thing of pure evil - and now all in colour again! 5*It's a terrific six-part story for the final release of the Pertwee era, with superb action scenes, extensive location filming with a genuine missile borrowed from the RAF and great direction by Timothy Combe, excellent performances from the UNIT `family' and the large, talented guest cast, very impressive sets, lighting and soundtrack and a truly evil `monster' that turns its victims' deepest fears against them.The colour restoration is astonishingly good, re-coloured by merging the surviving mono film with residual colour signal that was left within the mono material - the same `chroma dot' technique as for `The Ambassadors of Death' and with visibly better results. Perhaps the original materials were better, or the technique has been improved; either way the results are remarkable. Apparently episode one had to be restored manually, frame by frame, and it looks the best of all! It must have taken ages to do but the results are certainly worth it and the soundtrack is also excellent.Cold War tensions and `summits' were never far away in 1971, so UNIT have a lot of topical problems on their plate managing security at an American-Chinese peace conference, a banned nerve-gas missile to dispose of - and the Doctor is worrying about prison reform? Yes, and with good reason, because down at the old fortress that is now Stangmoor Prison, the Doctor and Jo are witnessing the first British test of the `Keller Process', a supposedly humane machine that extracts evil from the mind of a criminal, leaving behind a limited but law-abiding citizen. And the Doctor is right to worry. It seems the Keller machine has a mind of its own - a Mind of Evil ...Jon Pertwee is on top form as usual, whether facing down the villains, reassuring Jo, bantering with the Brigadier or winning the confidence of the Chinese delegation - naturally, he speaks every dialect imaginable *and* is on personal-name terms with Chairman Mao! The Doctor knows everyone! Katy Manning plays Jo Grant perfectly as an active, capable UNIT agent in a very good script for the character, foiling a prison riot and saving the Doctor from his own fears. Her compassionate `adoption' of the `processed' convict Barnham (Neil McCarthy) is touching.The story has some wonderful UNIT moments, not just the famous, no-quarter-given storming of Stangmoor Prison (aka Dover Castle) but also the interplay between the characters, anti-espionage on the streets of London with Sgt. Benton in mufti (a good story for John Levene) and the Brigadier organising everything, ticking off the hapless Benton in a good-humoured way and endlessly talking to all and sundry on the phone. Nicholas Courtney has a superb story as the Brigadier, a very well written part and great acting; even the phone scenes are a delight - he really convinces you that there is someone on the other end of the line and *listens* to the other half of the conversation. All the UNIT personnel have well written parts in this story and Richard Franklin sees plenty of frontline action as Captain Yates (including doing his own motorcycle stunt work), but the crowning delight must be the Brigadier tricking `is way inta the prison as a Cockney van driver, wonderful, even if his smart check cap is more `country weekend' than `van man' - he still looks like a posh Army officer, but in overalls!You don't have to be a Time Lord to work out that Professor Keller, inventor of the evil machine, is actually the Master, gloriously played by Roger Delgado at his most stylish, puffing on a fat cigar as he cruises round London in a black limo complete with shades-wearing chauffeur. His scheme is simple megalomania - start the Third World War, destroy everything and take over the remains. Exactly how he intends to rule the ashes all by himself is never explained (I assumed he meant to use the controlling power of the Keller Machine in some way) and perhaps even he doesn't know - because of course the Master is a genius but also completely mad ...Some six-parters fade a bit in the middle for lack of material - not this one! Don Houghton's second (and sadly, last) `Doctor Who' (following the superb `Inferno', which is referenced in the cliffhanger for episode one) has more than enough ideas to last the course. The Master has two entirely separate schemes to start Armageddon; it's typical of him to have a backup plan but either strand would have made a good story on its own; the script only fully connects the two strands at the very end so our attention is needed to follow events, but it's all great fun to watch.Plan One is to spread murder and suspicion at the Peace Conference, by projecting the power of the Mind of Evil, so the Chinese Communist `dragons' and the American `imperialists' destroy the world in their mutual xenophobia. Pik-Sen Lim gives an excellent performance as Captain Chin Lee, as does Kristopher Kum as her new boss Fu Peng, the replacement Chinese delegate (the first one doesn't live long enough to appear on screen!) The American delegate almost goes the way of his earlier Chinese counterpart, but the Doctor's suspicions of the Keller Machine help him make the connection and pull the plug on the Master's link to the conference. Unfortunately, as this part of the story ends, Chin Lee and Fu Peng just fade from the script, which I found disappointing. The Chinese contribution to this story is a very strong part of the first two episodes and I'd been hoping for a joint East-West mission to hunt down the Master, who threatens the whole world.Plan Two is to free and then recruit the convicts of Stangmoor as a private army to hijack the `Thunderbolt' missile and fire it at the Peace Conference. Each side would blame the other and the final war would begin. Naturally, the Master tells his new allies (lead by smart thug Mailer, a first-rate guest performance from William Marlowe) that he wants to hold the world to ransom, not destroy it. But he has two problems: the Doctor is his prisoner but UNIT are on the way - and the Keller Machine is on the rampage. The Master needs the Doctor's help to control it, but it's too strong - it's hungry, it grows by feeding on evil and it's in a prison full of serious criminals ... you just know it will eventually turn on the Master, and when it does, the sight of what *he* fears most is a brilliant psychological highlight. There's also a superb and most intriguing scene when the Master thinks he has accidentally killed the Doctor - is that concern we see? Surely these two are friends not enemies? The Master's changed attitude doesn't last once the Doctor recovers, but perhaps it's a clue to their past.---THIS PARAGRAPH GIVES AWAY THE ENDING: It all ends with two episodes packed with classic UNIT action and quite tough battle scenes with the HAVOC stunt team hard at work again, complete with another expensive helicopter and a big special effects bang of the `Thunderbolt' missile, which also destroys the Keller Machine. This looks good but was slightly unsatisfying as we'd been told a mere explosion wouldn't end the evil. Obviously the Doctor is using the nerve gas warhead to destroy the Mind of Evil, very appropriate but a line in the script to say so would have been helpful - perhaps the idea of the Doctor using nerve gas was deemed too evil to spell out?---Thanks for reading if you've made it this far - this is a great story for the final Jon Pertwee era DVD and the last `new' (to me) story with *my* Doctor that I'll ever see, 43 years since I saw the first one!Definitely five stars; to give this fine DVD release any less would seem almost ... evil! 5*A very good set of Special Features:On Disk 1: The commentary is enjoyable and interesting right through the six episodes, with director Tim Combe joined by Katy Manning, Pik-Sen Lim, Fernanda Marlowe (UNIT Corporal Bell) and producer Barry Letts, script editor Terrance Dicks and stunt arranger Derek Ware of HAVOC.On Disk 2:`The Military Mind': cast and crew reassembled at Dover Castle in 2009 for this short (23 minute) but excellent `making of' feature. For any `Doctor Who' fan who lived through the UNIT years, it's surprisingly moving`Now and Then': revisits the locations as they are today - interesting because like `The Military Mind' it uses clips from the unrestored, mono materials - an astonishing feat to produce the excellent colour DVD from that.`Behind the Scenes: Television Centre': A very interesting 25 minute programme looking at a busy working day at the BBC, at the time that `The Mind of Evil' was made. There's just a passing reference to `Doctor Who' and a model TARDIS dematerialising, but spot the `Doctor Who - Prison Hosp.' label on one bit of passing scenery.A good `Photo Gallery' including location pictures.

Review now updated as I have the discsNot remembering this from 1st broadcast I have only ever seen it in B/W & actually the stark monochrome look adds something to it, but that said I would not want to return to the grainy images released on VHS. The colour recovery eps 2-6 is of a good standard. There is a little fading between bright and dull colours ( I noticed it especially in ep 2) but not to the same degree as Ambassadors of Death. Outside sequences look especially good. The recoloured from scratch episode 1 is terrific. Like early technicolor films, the colours are a little brighter than normal but still a great job.Don Houghton's second and final script for the Police Box Show (I wish he'd done more)& like his earlier one Inferno, he uses a generous running time well. Unit are busy, a Peace Conference, the less than tactful simultaneous movement of a nerve gas missile for dumping and the investigation into a suspicious new method of reforming criminals-the Keller Machine.Eminent Professor Keller is quickly revealed as the Master. What is he up to as this machine actually does what it say on the tin? One criminal Barnham, has his negative tendencies drained away and is an almost childlike innocent afterward (one of 70's Who's most underrated performances by the terrific Neil McCarthy).I think there are 3 influences on this story, the 1st 2 are; the infamous frontal lobotomy operation that tended to leave victims in a sorry state and A Clockwork Orange. I'm not sure if the film was out in time but the novel certainly was and like this story it asks the question how far can a brutal treatment for a hardened criminal be justified if it works?the 3rd influence is Bond. the missile is called the Thunderbolt (not unlike the Thunderball missile) and the Master is played like a Bond villain. He puffs away on a cigar in the back of a limo and has a femme fatale. It's his 2nd consecutive story and fortunately Roger Delgado is given a story that isn't just a rerun of his debut. If you've seen him in action before, you'll know he rises to the material!Jon Pertwee's Dr is as is so often the case, ambassador (chatting in Hokien to the Chinese delegate) and moral voice. When he is attacked psychologically with great fears, Pertwee's performance is spot on so it's a shame he's attacked by stills of old monsters! Great moment as he appears as a mocking giant image to scare the Master!It works well to have Jo Grant as the only one Barnham really trusts as Jo was usually quite an innocent too.A good action packed tale for UNIT, the Brig (See him undercover) and the Brig's boys Benton and Yates getting some good action.Watch also for the 1st appearance of 2 story UNIT regular Corporal Bell (also in Claws of Axos).Who rep actor Michael Sheard does a turn and there's another terrific performance in this story with William Marlowe as hard as nails crim Harry Mailer. The author's missus Pik Sen Lim gets a role as a Chinese Army Captain.Good direction and location work, some good sets, especially the prison. It's easy to believe the budget was blown because it looks good!Only the Chinese Dragon and the Keller Machine itself look a little naff.Commentary - stereo. Recorded some time ago it includes actors Katy Manning, Pik-Sen Lim and Fernanda Marlowe, director Timothy Coombe, producer Barry Letts, script editor Terrance Dicks and stunt arranger Derek Ware. Moderated by Toby "The Moderator" Hadoke. Pik Sen Lim is great value on this and the documentary, remembering typing the scripts for her husband( leading Terrance Dicks to quip her role was not only written for her but by her) and recalling her and Don Houghton spending time socially with the Pertwees.Tom Coombe recalls a side to Jon Pertwee's character not often discussed namely his nervousness. He told him that he wasn't an actor "like Roger" and insisted on being told if his performance was below parr. Insights like this always make commentaries gold dust & this is a good one. The Military Mind (dur. 22' 43") - shot back in 2009 on location at Dover Castle, this look at the making of the story is made unexpectedly poignant by the appearance of Nicholas Courtney and Barry Letts, who both passed away in the intervening years. It's a good rather than great documentary no demerits but no gold stars. At it's most enjoyable/interesting recalling how Dover Castle was chosen to play a Prison, the problems of a badly made dragon and presuading Roger Delgado that the Master need a cigar. Tim Coombe's reactions to not getting to direct more Who are poignant.* Now & Then (dur. 7' 06") - These have become very good over the years and work as a supplement to the main documentary. A lot of the locations used are still recognisiable and this emerges as a good story for fans to visit the locations of* Behind the Scenes: Television Centre (dur. 24' 00") - back in 1971, at around the time The Mind of Evil was in production, presenter Norman Tozer visited Television Centre to find out what went on over 24 hours in the life of what was then an incredibly busy `television factory'. very little actual Who content but interesting for putting Who 1970-71 into context.* Photo Gallery - production, design and publicity photos from the story.* Coming Soon - The trailer's for the blu ray release of Spearhead and in a 1st, includes a look at the new special features.A great story restored to glory by restoration and with some good supporting features, I recommend this one to all fans of Mr Pertwee, Katy Manning, UNIT, The Master and doubt very much it will disappoint them.P.S. The novelisation by Terrance Dicks, which may be available read I think by Geoffrey Beevers (A Master of a later vintage) is very good with an eerie opening comparing the Keller process to a hanging!