StudioCanal has provided us with an informative video about its recent 4K restorations of Dr. Who and the Daleks (1965) and Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D (1966). Both are being made available on 4K Blu-ray for the first time ever.
Dr. Who and the Daleks
Studio description: An out of this world 4K restoration of Dr. Who & The Daleks (1965), starring British film legend Peter Cushing as everyone's favorite timelord. This was the first big screen film adaptation of British TV's most iconic sci-fi hero, and the first time Dr. Who was ever seen in color!
Having invented the TARDIS, a strange machine capable of traveling into other dimensions, the Dr. and his three young accomplices set forth on a quest through time and space. Their journey takes them into the dark, undiscovered depths of the universe and to the planet of Skaro, a primitive world devastated by nuclear war and populated by two warring species, a peaceful tribe known as Thals and a life form heavily mutated by radiation, encased in protective machines, merciless force of destruction known as The Daleks!
Special Features and Technical Specs: NEW 4K RESTORATION OF THE FILM DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM The Dalek Legacy: Destination Skaro Restoring Dr. Who in 4K Audio Commentary with critic Kim Newman, screenwriter/writer Robert Shearman, and actor/writer Mark Gatiss Audio Commentary - actors Jennie Linden and Roberta Tovey Dalekmania Interview with Gareth Owen Original Trailer Stills Gallery Collectible promotional materials/memorabilia Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature REGION-FREE
Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.
Studio description: Regenerated in out of this world 4K, Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. directed by Gordon Flemyng, stars Peter Cushing in his return to the big screen as British TV's most iconic sci-fi hero, Dr. Who. The earth of 2150 A.D. is a desolate and hostile ruin of a planet, crumbling at the edge of civilisation, slowly disappearing into the darkness of space.
For the future of planet earth now belongs to The Daleks, a destructive army of alien invaders who have turned humans into cowering slaves. Meanwhile deep within the London Underground a group of resistance freedom fighters are planning an attack. But there's only one man who could possibly help them succeed in destroying their extra-terrestrial enemies and take back control of planet earth. A man of mystery, a man of time and space, a man known only as… The Dr.
Special Features and Technical Specs: NEW 4K RESTORATION OF THE FILM DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM The Dalek Legacy: Invasion Earth Audio Commentary with critic Kim Newman, screenwriter/writer Robert Shearman, and actor/writer Mark Gatiss Dalekmania Interview with Gareth Owen Interview with Bernard Cribbins Restoring Dr. Who in 4K Original Trailer Stills Gallery Collectible promotional materials/memorabilia Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature REGION-FREE
I know the old guy in the restoration clip, Ray someone, I have worked with him, I'd assume he'd retired, so maybe there is still use for us oldies. Wet gate is brilliant, really effective, but also a right pain to work with & the fluid used is perchloroethylene, really nasty stuff (I breathed enough of it in over the years). Anyway, nice to see that they're doing it properly, it's just a shame that the films are so god awful (a rare misstep from Peter Cushing). I saw the first one at the cinema, I didn't bother with the second. A UK TV channel (Talking Pictures TV) showed them both the other day & I recorded them, thought I'd give 'em another go, but I gave up around the ten minute mark.
These films are simply wonderful and part of the ongoing legend of the time.
Saw them in cinema back in the day, but was young enough to be captivated without comparison to the telly.
Had a great Aussie copy for years on DVD, both films on one disc. Love it still until the newest ones come down in price.
Back to the Godzilla set from Criterion for a second, I truly hate the artwork on the packaging. Who do they think they are trying to attract here? Surely no one under a certain age is going to be remotely interested.
