Doctor Who - The Aztecs (Story 6)
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Movie Reviews of Doctor Who - The Aztecs (Story 6)
Movie Review: With stories like this, who needs aliens?
Summary: 5 Stars
You'd hardly think that this was a science fiction series if this was your first Doctor Who story- and yet, the Aztecs culture are so alien to people, that it's really like looking at another world- in an Earthbound serial!
And people talk about four people in the TARDIS being too many- here it actually works. Each member ends up going their different way- and with each person you learn a different part of the Aztec culture, so much so, that by the end of the four episodes, it's like watching a blockbuster. All done in the studio- which had me totally surprised when I found out, the "outdoor" scenes in the garden are extremely convincing (Are you reading this, those who prefer style over substance? Doctor Who can do both at the same time!). John Ringham as Tltoxol is easily as fierce a villain as any alien.
But the real star is Barbara, who's mistaken for the god known as Yetaxa, and is forced not to reveal her true identity to the public. Barbara could easily stand up next to Rose and Martha as one of the best companions, and in many ways even eclipses them. She is the central character here, and Jacqui Hill grabs the opportunity. There are several moments, when Ian's about to be killed, and Tltoxol challenges, "if you are Yetaxa, save him!" Barbara holds a knife to his throat, and forces them to let Ian go! Another when Tltoxol tries to prove she is a mortal by having her drink some poison, with Ian signalling in the background, she turns it around on them and reveals their treason! All this while trying to get rid of the evil in the Aztecs, with their blood sacrifices and such, so that only the good survive when Cortes lands and the Aztecs will survive. A good idea in theory, but as the Doctor so eloquently states, "You can't rewrite history. Not one line!"
Still, The Aztecs is probably the best William Hartnell story around, and really shows that you don't need to always have futuristic aliens in sci-fi.
Movie Review: A must-have for Doctor Who fans
Summary: 5 Stars
A chance to see one of the earliest Doctor Who stories is a chance any fan should jump at, especially considering the wonderful clean-up achieved by the restoration team. The picture and sound are great and getting a chance to see the First Doctor in such digital clarity is a rare treat indeed. Hartnell was always a strong actor and even though the Doctor takes a backseat in some scenes (companion Barbara is the star of this story) he easily steals the show every time he reappears.For such an early point in the show's history the production values are surprisingly high and all of the performers carry the production flawlessly, even during potential gaffe moments (these early episodes were recorded "live" rather than take by take) and the few special effects are well done and heighten the drama nicely (the tunnel filling with water is a perfect example). It's the earliest of the show's historical dramas (Marco Polo, unfortunately, no longer exists) and thus gives modern-day fans a chance to see what the show's original format was intended to be; fascinating stuff considering what it became.
The DVD extras are quite nice, for the documentaries are well-made and very informative and the animated short "Making Cocoa" is nothing short of hilarious. The audio commentary is fun to listen to (it is especially nice to have two of the original performers appear) and the pop-up production text presents some truly interesting tidbits.
In short, this is a must-have for Doctor Who fans.
Movie Review: Oldest Doctor Who DVD story released so far. Excellent.
Summary: 5 Stars
The Aztecs was the 6th storyline of the first doctor, William Hartnell. This was one of the Historical Doctor Who episodes, and a fascinating one at that. Watching this story, you can see the appeal of the doctor. He goes everywhere in and out of time and space. He has knowledge that only a time traveller of his caliber could possess. He wants to learn as much as he can about the places and people he visits. In this particular show the Doctor and his companions travel back into earth's time to when the Aztec culture was flourishing. It is a great story, and makes me wish that the oldest historical Dr. Who storyline: "Marco Polo" had survived. The DVD quality is excellent, and if someone wants to watch it with the quality it was originally aired, then they would need a Tardis in order to do that. But the rest of us who regret the fragility of the first two doctors' stories (over 1/3 are presumably lost forever), a disc like this is most welcome. "The Dalek Invasion of Earth" and "Tomb of the Cybermen" are also fantastic. Here is hoping that more of the first two Dr.s are released on DVD in such a respectful way!Movie Review: Who at its best!
Summary: 5 Stars
Absolutely wonderful. That sums it up nicely. "The Aztecs" has long been my favorite Hartnell story (well... MAYBE a close second to "The Crusades", yeah, I like the historicals). Even when I had to watch it on a fuzzy 3rd generation videotape.On DVD, it is amazing. The wonderful plot and acting is still there. (Only exception to the latter being, possibly, the actor playing Tltoxl, who even admits himself that he was pretty OTT.) The use (rare in DW) of time travel as an actual plot device, rather than just a means to getting the characters to their next adventure.
When you add to the mix a magnificantly cleaned up picture quality, some (FINALLY!) eminently worthy DVD extras ("Remembering the Aztecs", [an interview with several guest actors], a piece on the restoration process, and yes, even the Arabic soundtrack for episode 4, are especially interesting and welcome), the final package is a piece of Must-have WHO.
The DVD also includes the usual info-text, commentary by actors/producers, captions, and several other minor extras.
Keep up the good work, BEEB.
Movie Review: Vintage TV + Vintage Doctor Who = Must Have
Summary: 5 Stars
It should be remembered, before the casual buyer adds this to his or her list, that this story was recorded a month after the Beatles first played Ed Sullivan in 1964. That should put you in the right frame of mind for what you will see. Its low-low budget by today's standards and some will question why its on DVD at all.
Not me. I'm a fan and we fans love Doctor Who for what it is, a show that achieved miracles of narrative fiction in spite of its own budget deficiencies. Like James Bonds, there are many Doctors (not Doctor Who). Unlike Bond, there is an explanation (called regeneration) for this change of actor.
The Aztecs is the first William Hartnell story to get to DVD and has been lovingly restored to look as close to its original video tape format. Its a tale of historical intrigue, set before the Spanish destroyed the ancient Aztec culture. If you can get past the fact that everyone in the cast is English, you will see that the story is very faithful to the culture. In fact, this is considered a classic in fan circles. "You cannot change history. Not one line."