Back in 2013, as Doctor Who prepared to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary (seems like a lifetime ago now) fans were handed a couple of extremely welcome and generally unexpected birthday presents as the BBC announced the recovery of nine previously-lost episodes from the classic 1960s Patrick Troughton era of the show. As well as four episodes of 1968’s ‘Web of Fear’, the entire six-part 1967 serial ‘Enemy of the World’ had been recovered by globe-trotting episode hunter Philip Morris (who enthralled audiences at the 2015 Starburst Film Festival with tales of his adventures). The episodes were released on iTunes in October 2013 and arrived on bare-bones DVDs shortly afterwards. However, the BBC have just revealed that ‘Enemy of the World’ is shortly to reappear on DVD as a ‘special edition’ with a host of newly-commissioned bonus features designed to bring the release in line with the majority of the previous DVD releases from the classic series. Fans concerned at the prospect of being asked to ‘double dip’ for episodes they already own are sure to be tempted by the comprehensive supporting material put together for the story’s second release…
Remastered Episodes: All six episodes were restored in 2013 for the previous DVD release but Peter Crocker from the Restoration Team has used advances in technology in the intervening years to revisit the serial with a fine toothcomb to ensure the episodes are now presented in the best possible quality.
Treasures Lost and Found: Comedian and Doctor Who superfan Toby Hadoke embarks on an exciting treasure hunt to investigate the production of ‘Enemy of the World’, interview many of the cast and crew including Frazer Hines, Mary Peach and David Troughton – who made his first TV appearance in this serial as an extra.
Recovering the Past – The Search for the Enemy of the World: A brand new interview with episode hunter Philip Morris, who tells how he tracked down the last surviving film copy of the serial in a dusty storeroom in the African desert.
Remembering Deborah Watling: Family, friends and colleagues pay tribute to Debbie Watling who played Victoria Waterfield, companion to Patrick Troughton’s doctor.
Audio Commentaries on All Six Episodes: Contributors include Frazer Hines, Mary Peach, Gordon Faith, Milton Johns and Sylvia James, moderated by Simon Harries.
Production Subtitles on All Six Episodes: Written by Martin Wiggins.
Doctor Who: Enemy of the World Special Edition is available on DVD from March 19th.
