Spearhead From Space is a very special story indeed. Not only does it introduce Jon Pertwee as the Third Doctor, it also introduces the idea that the Doctor has two hearts, the classic monsters the Autons, and is the first ever Doctor Who story to be made in colour. Another interesting, but very important fact, is that the adventure is the only classic series story to be recorded entirely on 16mm film – for reasons that are too complex and long to go into here. It is for this reason that the people behind the DVD range have been able to release the story on Blu-ray in true HD quality.
The picture quality on this blu-ray story is quite simply astounding. I have seen Spearhead From Space many times over the years, on video and DVD, and it has never looked this good. The colours are bright and vibrant, the picture quality is sharp, and I really did notice more detail than ever before. The film has been graded to give it a slightly more cinematic look and it really works, while the soundtrack has also been cleaned up to match.
The extra features on this release consist of four items. There are two documentaries covering the lives and careers of both Jon Pertwee and Caroline John, including interesting and heart-warming tributes to the sadly missed stars. They both feature interviews with family and friends discussing their lives, and rare videos and photos. Also included is a 22 minute mute black and white film, also in HD, of the different elements filmed to make up the iconic Pertwee title sequence, this is followed by a short three minute featurette on the restoration of the story for release on blu-ray and comparisons between the DVD and blu-ray versions.
To sum up, I would recommend this release to any die-hard or new to the classic series fan. The story itself is fun and different to anything that had gone before and is a welcome addition to any fans Doctor Who Collection.
Written by Nick Headley