Doctor Who - The Ark [VHS] [1966]

The story itself is typical 60's SF. A nostalgic piece of TV for some, but largely one for the fans only.


Doctor Who - The Ark   August 25, 2000
aplange@netscape.net (England)
4 out of 11 found this review helpful

This is a perfect 1960s television classic. Black and White. White and Black. The voices in my head were whispering "colour", "colour", "give me some colour."

The Doctor, Dodo and Steven appear in the wildlife jungle on earth. (I wonder what colour it is?) There is always danger lurking ahead when time-travelling with the Doctor. Yes you've guested it, the Doctor and co have been captured and taken to a huge city. There was something odd about planet Earth and that is the one-eyed assilants and not to mention the subterraninan mechanical vibration. This gets better and better.

The visual effects were quite tasteless and its only excuse is 1960s technology. Gerry Anderson (who created the thunderbirds) would have done a better job. With a little bit of colour!

There is one character to watch out for and his name is Steven Taylor the most gorgerous, handsome and appealing sidekick. (Played by Peter Purves - in his days of youth!) I fell in love with him immediately, from the moment he appeared on the screen. I have n't been the same since then. The voice again in my head whispered "Steven"! "I love you"! WOW! This is a message for the ladies: Did not overlook the Doctor Who - The Ark episode please. It may seem like a thirtysomething odd years ago but Steven Taylor is all that and that's fact! I wish I was Dodo travelling with Steven Taylor and then I would have joined him to lead the savages! What an experience!

That's why I gave him the star five rating. I can't help it I am a woman.

All these years I have seen episode after episode of Doctor Who. It has always been a mystery to me to have never known his name. The title should be changed to Doctor Who? (With the Question Mark)


Great script, efffects + sets - pity about the acting   July 23, 2000
5 out of 6 found this review helpful

The Doc, Steve + Dodo arrive in a collossal jungle incorporating wildlife from all over the planet Earth. Except there are a few odditties - a subterranian mechanical vibration and a steel sky, not to mention a skulking bunch of one-eyed assailants. However, the Doc + co. are captured and taken to a huge city where a small band of humans tell the Doc that in fact the 'jungle' is merely one of many impossibly large life chambers within a gigantic spacecraft.......

...and that's just the opening premise. Yes, this is a truly epic adventure, packed full to the brim with truly marvellous ideas. The Ark also features some of the most awe-inspiring sets ever seen in Doctor Who. The massive jungle, the colossal control chamber, the breathtaking forest on Refusis and the beautiful City being probably the most impressive - all not only convincing but also unusually spacious.

However, as subtly hinted at in my title, the story's major failing is in it's cast. The performances are universally appalling - even the three regulars are below par.

Enjoy the sets and powerful visuals, and try not to think of how good the story could have been.