Doctor Who - The Sea Devils (Episode 62)

Doctor Who - The Sea Devils (Episode 62)

Doctor Who - The Sea Devils (Episode 62)
List Price: $24.98
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases

Buy Doctor Who - The Sea Devils (Episode 62) at Amazon.com
(Click here)
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada

DVD Cover Information

Actor: Jon Pertwee
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Subtitled); English (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC, Subtitled
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 147 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-06-03
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: BBC Warner

Movie Reviews of Doctor Who - The Sea Devils (Episode 62)

Movie Review: "It seems to be a rather interesting extraterrestrial lifeform..."
Summary: 4 Stars

Season 9's THE SEA DEVILS is a sequel to season 7's DOCTOR WHO AND THE SILURIANS and while the original is usually the more praised serial in Doctor Who fan circles, I've always preferred the follow-up. I don't have anything against THE SIULRIANS (I quite like much of it), but I find a little more to enjoy with THE SEA DEVILS.

Like the original, Malcolm Hulke's script is about an ancient species (cousins to the Silurians) who once ruled the Earth. After a hibernation period which lasted millions of years, they are slowly awakening and reclaiming ownership to a planet they believe to be their own. Mankind is not keen on giving up on a world they've grown attached to, so it's up to the Doctor to prevent an all-out war.

There are several key differences between THE SILURIANS and THE SEA DEVILS. The first time, the Earth Reptiles were alone in their planning. This time they're being covertly aided by the Master who wishes to take his revenge upon the humans who have imprisoned him on Earth.

Despite this help, the Sea Devils are in a fundamentally weaker position than the Silurians had been. While their cousins had a plague virus that could potentially wipe out all humans and a device which could destroy the Van Allen Belt, the Sea Devils are shown simply as survivors, merely capable of blowing up passing freight ships. I find this lowering of the stakes actually benefits the drama. I think it's more exciting to see the villains in a dire situation which makes them desperate. It's also a nice twist in that much of the tension in the later episodes involves the Doctor trying to save the creatures which are nominally the story's bad guys.

THE SEA DEVILS is more of a conventional Doctor Who monster story than THE SILURIANS was. Humans don't have the pure psychological dread of these creatures they way that they had in THE SILURIANS. There are no soldiers or scientists drawing primitive cave pictures after being driven mad with primeval terror. I wish the producers had retained this aspect as I thought that was one of features of the first production that was extremely well done.

However, removing the more psychological horrors did give the serial a more action/adventure flavor, which worked its benefit. The story is fairly fast moving, despite its six episode length. The Sea Devils appear early, unlike many Doctor Who adventures where the creature would be hidden in the shadows for many of the opening episodes. Trenchard's deception is uncovered quickly and the Master is shown in charge
almost from the start. That said, this was the first time that I saw this serial in episode format, and I thought some of the cliffhangers were just silly.

The DVD commentary features an all behind-the-scenes crew. We have director Michael Briant, producer Barry Letts and script editor Terrance Dicks. They are moderated by Andrew Cartmel although I'm not convinced that this group really needed a moderator, especially given that Letts usually informally takes that role. Lacking someone from in front of the camera, the commentary has fewer on-set anecdotes and focuses mainly on information from the production side.

THE SEA DEVILS is one of the highlights of the Jon Pertwee era of Doctor Who. It's got great pacing, a good cast and an exciting story. This serial was made with help from the Royal Navy and the collaboration gives the sea-faring portions a very realistic flavor. Any adventure with Roger Delgado's Master is usually worth a viewing and in this story the chemistry between him and Jon Pertwee's Doctor is at its best.

Summary of Doctor Who - The Sea Devils (Episode 62)

From a top-security prison on a remote island, the Master is aiding the Sea Devils' plot to eliminate the human race.

DVD Features:
Audio Commentary
Featurette
Music Only Track
Photo gallery
Production Notes

Science Fiction & Fantasy DVD Video

DVD Video
Movies most talked about in The Master vs. The Doctor
Doctor Who: The Movie [Region 2] ImageDoctor Who: The Movie [Region 2]
DVD
Best price: $27.00
Doctor Who - Survival ImageDoctor Who - Survival
20th Century Fox; Release date: 1996-09-10; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.59
Price in other shops: $19.98
Doctor Who - The Trial of the Time Lord (Limited Edition Boxed Set) ImageDoctor Who - The Trial of the Time Lord (Limited Edition Boxed Set)
20th Century Fox; Release date: 1995-06-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops: $49.98
Doctor Who - The Mark of the Rani ImageDoctor Who - The Mark of the Rani
20th Century Fox; Release date: 1997-02-11; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $26.99
Doctor Who - Planet of Fire ImageDoctor Who - Planet of Fire
BBC Warner; Release date: 2000-07-19; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $115.89
Doctor Who - The Caves of Androzani ImageDoctor Who - The Caves of Androzani
20th Century Fox; Release date: 1995-05-31; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $9.99
Price in other shops: $19.98
Doctor Who: King's Demons & Five Doctors ImageDoctor Who: King's Demons & Five Doctors
20th Century Fox; Release date: 1997-02-11; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $11.29
Price in other shops: $29.98
Doctor Who - Time-Flight (Episode 123) ImageDoctor Who - Time-Flight (Episode 123)
Release date: 2007-11-06; DVD
Best price: $15.84
Price in other shops: $24.98
Doctor Who - New Beginnings (The Keeper of Traken / Logopolis / Castrovalva) ImageDoctor Who - New Beginnings (The Keeper of Traken / Logopolis / Castrovalva)
Warner Brothers; Release date: 2007-06-05; DVD
Best price: $34.49
Price in other shops: $49.98
Doctor Who - The Deadly Assassin ImageDoctor Who - The Deadly Assassin
20th Century Fox; Release date: 1995-05-31; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $78.90
Similar DVD Movies
Doctor Who: The Invisible Enemy/K9 and Company: A Girl's Best Friend ImageDoctor Who: The Invisible Enemy/ K9 and Company: A Girl's Best Friend
Release date: 2008-09-02; DVD
Best price: $23.99
Price in other shops: $34.98
Doctor Who - The Invasion of Time (Episode 97) ImageDoctor Who - The Invasion of Time (Episode 97)
Release date: 2008-09-02; DVD
Best price: $23.99
Price in other shops: $34.98
Doctor Who - Destiny of the Daleks (Episode 104) ImageDoctor Who - Destiny of the Daleks (Episode 104)
Warner Brothers; Release date: 2008-03-04; DVD
Best price: $17.67
Price in other shops: $24.98
Doctor Who - Timelash (Episode 142) ImageDoctor Who - Timelash (Episode 142)
Warner Brothers; Release date: 2008-04-01; DVD
Best price: $15.95
Price in other shops: $24.98
Doctor Who - Planet of Evil (Episode 81) ImageDoctor Who - Planet of Evil (Episode 81)
Warner Brothers; Release date: 2008-03-04; DVD
Best price: $17.66
Price in other shops: $24.98
Doctor Who - The Time Meddler (Episode 17) ImageDoctor Who - The Time Meddler (Episode 17)
Release date: 2008-08-05; DVD
Best price: $16.00
Price in other shops: $24.98
Doctor Who - Black Orchid (Episode 121) ImageDoctor Who - Black Orchid (Episode 121)
Release date: 2008-08-05; DVD
Best price: $8.61
Price in other shops: $14.98
Doctor Who - The Time Warrior (Episode 70) ImageDoctor Who - The Time Warrior (Episode 70)
Warner Brothers; Release date: 2008-04-01; DVD
Best price: $17.65
Price in other shops: $24.98
Doctor Who: Warriors of the Deep (Story # 131) ImageDoctor Who: Warriors of the Deep (Story # 131)
Release date: 2008-06-03; DVD
Best price: $17.54
Price in other shops: $24.98
Doctor Who and the Silurians (Episode 52) ImageDoctor Who and the Silurians (Episode 52)
Release date: 2008-06-03; DVD
Best price: $25.40
Price in other shops: $34.98
Compare prices and read customer reviews for more than one million DVD titles.
Oscar 2005 Winners