The Web Planet DVD

Review: Butterfly men get into a flap with First Doctor.

When a Doctor Who story is described as 'ambitious', it's usually polite speak for 'gone a bit wrong'. That's probably a bit unfair when describing this month's classic DVD release, however.

It's easy to point fingers and snigger at never-ending conversations about aspirin, the lumbering fibreglass ants, giant flame-throwing cockroaches and Muppet-like sack-racing Mexican space weevils. No, really.

But if you can get past the 'ambitious' monster suits and concentrate simply on the characters, that's where this story really packs a punch. Many of the scenes featuring the Menoptera feel positively Shakespearean, with Martin Jarvis in particular proving himself quite a talent even at the start of his career.

The regulars are on fine form too, particularly the fabulously feisty Jacqueline Hill as Barbara and William Hartnell, who spends much of his time under a giant hairdryer sparring with the evil Animus, chillingly voiced by Catherine Fleming.

Bonus feature Tales of Isop tracks down several of the cast and crew, including William Russell and the normally elusive Maureen O'Brien for the usual feast of fun anecdotes and mutual back-slapping..

Unexpected delight of the release, however, is Lair of the Zarbi Supremo. Written for the first Doctor Who annual by script editor David Whittaker and read here by William Russell, it's almost the length of a novella, and is surprisingly sophisticated for something that appeared in what was essentially a stocking filler.

Flicking through the pages of the annual itself, lovingly presented as a PDF file on the disc made we want to root around the attic to find my original.

One final word of warning - no, your eyes haven't gone funny. Lots of scenes in The Web Planet were shot with Vaseline smeared over the camera lens, making everything rather hazy. After all the effort the Restoration team have put into cleaning up the picture, it's a shame you still can't see a lot of what's going on because of this!

Send us your comment now. We'll publish the best on this page.

OLY P from chelsealand
its not as bad as the happieness patrol.

Darin C. Evans
After the new series revived my interest in Dr. Who, I decided to go back and watch all my old tapes from the days when our local PBS station would air such a show. Well, I rewatched The Web Planet and I was bored to death and couldn't wait to get through it. The first episode is ok enough, but the problem with this story is there is a lot of padding (aspirin, and it even goes on for minutes after the main cast have left in the TARDIS.) Up to this point in the show and even after it, I don't think there's a story that comes as close to being cringeworthy as this one... Truly "bottom of the barrel."

mark venables
such a shame that still many of billy harnells stories are missing from the archives,the web planet may not be one of billy hatnells strongest stories,but its still enjoyable to watch,a well written story and some creative sets

Thomas sweet
It's cheesy, overlong, and terrible. But BRILLANT!!

Adam Clark
I can't wait to buy this. The first full story with Vicki on DVD. YAY!!

Pigbin
Haven't laughed so much in years! Gidge is hillarious - fluffing his lines all the time. We once had a plague of ants in our kitchen. but they weren't as big as the zarbi. About half the size.

Andrew T
i bought this yesterday and intended to watch an episode a night.. but no.. i was truly captervated, and watched the whole thing. very surreal and ahead of its time i think. but top marks for doing the best the production team could do witin its budget and constraints at the time... brilliently acted, some very funny moments (the 'Hair dryer' bit had me in stitches)and so TOTALY alien and atmospheric. yes.. i loved it... more black and white stories please...

Robin Clark
For my money the year's best release! Not because it's a favourite story, (it isn't) but it still has a great deal of charm and the extras are superb. Not only a "making of" & commentary but also those funky Chad Valley slides and the reading of a short story from the 1st "Dr Who" annual. I had the annual years ago (and when I update my computer, I'll have it again off the PDFs) bought cheaply second hand. "The Lair of Zarbi Supremo" is even better read by William Russell. Have to say though, you missed a trick not getting to read the other Vortis story which is actually a prequel to "The Web Planet" if memory serves. Perhaps readings of the Sensorites and Voord stories can go on the appropriate releases. For anyone who enjoyed this story for the 1st time on DVD, try and track down a copy of the novelisation which is by the TV author (it's called "Dr Who and the Zarbi") and is rather magical too.

Daniel Williamson
I recently bought a second hand copy of the original VHS release of "The Web Planet". I think "The Web Planet" is one of the greatest adventures of the original series. It is a great shame that in the original series The Doctor didn't return to Vortis. I think it would be cool if in the new series with David Tennant, the Doctor and Rose visit the planet Vortis and Elisabeth Sladen's daughter Sadie Miller, Patrick Troughton's grandson Sam Throughton and Jon Pertwee's son Sean Pertwee appeared as Menoptras. I still think this is a classic Dr Who adventure that new generations of fans will come to love in years to come.

Jon Mills
I love this story - I just about remember it on TV, but grew up with the novelisation. It is unbelievably ambitious, and pretty excellently executed considering when it was made. The fist few episodes are especially good, I enjoy the episodes that are tardis based, where you get the impression of it as the travellers home. I'm pleased the web planet is getting positive feedback now, as its easy to criticise it for being over ambitious, when in its historical setting it is very successful.

RichardN
As a fan from the US, it is joy to watch the Hartnell episodes. And this was one of my favorites. Glad to see it out on DVD

Tinny
Good for bringing classic doctor who to dvd. I only starting watching doctor who in the new series so I think the classic doctor who would be ionteresting to watch.

Thomas Tyrrell
Come on. We've dealt with maggots made from inflated condoms. We've managed not to laugh at the gel guards. We've been terrified by monsters that couldn't climb stairs until 1988. Ifyou can't see past the silly monsters to the great scripts and story beyond, then classic Who just isn't any fun.

Sam
I remember the fist episode "An unearthly child 1963 november 23rd", i can not remeber that one to well, but this episode, is the one i remember so well, every time i saw a bug, i would jump behind the sofa and sout for the Doctor and his friends to help me, my dad came home one night wearing a jacket like the Doctor's, i shouted, "Doctor who, kill the wasp!" in the end he sprayed it, i will buy this episode, thank you so much BBC!

Eposina
Did I read right? Butterflies?! Weird. Oh well I'm pretty weird so how does my opinion count?

carl klinkenberg
i think this is just the time to watch this story,as we enjoy the new series,we should honour the orginal series.especially the early days as like many others i have not seen the web planet since it was realised on video, on dvd it look new and fresh.

Chapman
YAY! More Hartnell adventures please- I love them. One question, why have you not released 'An Unearthly Child', which is surely the most classic of all classic WHO stories?

Alex Wilcock
Back when I was little, old fans decreed this was a ‘classic’; no wonder people sneer at it now. Yes, the sets are flat and sound hollow, the plot’s wannabe Terry Nation, and the Doctor suddenly gets out of things with a magic ring, but I can’t help liking it. It’s the only story that ever dared to make everything but the regular cast ‘alien’, Part One’s still eerily effective, and there are terrific performances for the original Doctor, Barbara and the Animus. Best thing about the DVD’s presentation: a PDF of the first Annual. My second-hand copy’s falling to bits, and it’s great to be able to read it properly, so please follow it up with the rest of them. Worst thing about this: no subtitles any more for the Commentary. Come on, BBC / 2Entertain – don’t suddenly make it impossible for deaf people to enjoy them, after years of making the commentaries accessible to all. I thought it was part of the BBC’s mission to increase accessibility, not reduce it?

paulhalliday
i first saw this at an early age and was blown away..totaly atmospheric..cos you had to work .. to seeing what was goin on, it felt like it was on another planet..as alien as the program could get..an adventure in time and space.

Jeff Trim
In the early 70's casual Who watchers talked about "the one with the maggots" or "the one with the spiders" or "those things that came out of the sea". When I was a young kid and Hartnell was the Doctor, people either talked about the Daleks or "the giant ants". The Web Planet may be clunky by todays standards, but it is a child of it's time and deserves to be judged by those standards. It had a huge impact on the general public at the time and its ambitious reach was justly rewarded. Okay ... so I watch out for the Zarbi/camera collision and laugh at the skate boarding venom grub, but that's about 10 seconds worth! I, for one, am DELIGHTED to have this delightful story in DVD.

Ray MacFadyen
I remember thoroughly enjoying this story, particularly the superb first episode, when it was released on BBC Video and it's great to see it appear on DVD. Of course it has aged, but for its time it was a remarkably ambitious piece of television and its strength is its wonderful, at times almost poetic, script. I must concur with those who have heaped deserved praise on the reulars, particularly Jacqueline Hill, who really shines here. An excellent release!

Ian K McLachlan
I am delighted that this story is going to be released on DVD as it is one of my all time favourites. I remember watching it when it was first transmitted and enjoying it greatly. It is so....alien. I very much hope that the BBC decide to release even more monochrome stories in future - as with the improvements the Restoration Team make to the old films really make a huge difference. I very much hope that the BBC also release some more classic monochrome series such as Adam Adamant Lives! Francus Durbridge Presents..and Vendetta.

Tom Nevitt
I´ve not seen ANY William Hartnell stories whatsoever so this DVD may be a worthwhile purchase. And for anyone knocking this, it´s the 1960s, of course it´s going to look ropey so knock it off, just love it for what it was in it´s time.

MDG
'The Web Planet' is one of the worst DOCTOR WHO stories. To this day I have still not been able to get through this story. The only story worse than this one is the 'Twin Dilemma'. Although it might be a tie.

Dai
My five year old son was loving The Web Planet long before leather jackets and stunning CGI monsters. There is a certain magcial quality to it that endures despite the fact that the years have not been overly kind. This is a good example of what made Doctor Who great: a well written script and good characterization played out over a good two to three hours, giving plenty of time for development. These qualities are sadly lacking a bit nowadays - but that's modern TV for you and Doctor Who has adapted to it well. I just wish it hadn't had to.

Michael
This will be the greatest currant 1st Doctor relese. Though I am still waiting for The Keys Of Marinus, The Sensorites, The Planet of Giants and The Krotons on DVD

Chuffski-noo
GREAT! I saw this story once, about ten years ago, and have long wanted another chance. Opinions are always polarised about THE WEB PLANET, but a couple, of people comments here have seemed most bizarre: "leave the crap in the archives and release the classics now!". Just remember the final few VHS releases: stuff like THE SENSORITES and TIME FLIGHT sneaking out under a cloud of embarassment. This is a great chance to see one of the series' more contentious stories,a nd I can't wait!

jason cockram
looking forward to seeing this. On another matter - is there a site where you can vote towards the next classic series DVD releases?

Brian Jones
PLEASE,PLEASE ,PLEASE can we have more black and white stories they never get repeated on TV these days. The Invasion would be most welcome on DVD.

Ian Hamilton
I totally agree with JG. There was something magical and fantastic about 60's WHO, and all to often it ends up on the bottom of "favorite stories" votes. Without William Hartnell's strong, powerful, believable and alien performance, seen wonderfully here in Web Planet, the series would never have held the adults or the kiddies .. and yes .. Jacqueline Hill was the original strong female character long Leela, Ace or Rose .. her performance in WEB is one of her best. Every time a 60's WHO is released, I appreciate every second of every episode, every commentary recorded, and of course any extra tidbit we get on the DVD's as these truly are the "classic" Classic DR WHO stories, which laid the foundation of characters and stories to what we are still enjoying today.

Russell Buer
I always found that The Web Planet was a bit of a chore to sit thought on VHS but at least on DVD you can get stright on to the episode you want or just did in where you like.

James Hyles
There's only one thing you need to know about The Web Planet - it's great!

Jonathan middleton
Why was this relaesed? I mean honestly it's just lunacy looking at the amout of stories that haven't been released. So here are two things for the BBC one release a disc per month and release classic episodes not garbage.

Mark English
A great release for DVD - it seems like ages ago now since the original videos were released! And what a great idea it is to put the old Annuals on the discs in PDF form. More Please!

Chris Cwej
Make your mind up... the "classic series" episode guide says that the vaseline thing is a myth but here you're saying that's how it was done... so which is it, vaseline smear or highly technical camera filter (that just happens to look like a vaseline smear)...

Scott Fraser
I am fed up with people judging a story that was made in 1965 by todays standards. For the time it was made The Web Planet was a brilliant story, so come on Guys lay off knocking it and try to watch the story for what it is. The 1960's.

Daniel Hughes
I've never seen the story or any of the episodes in their entirety - only clips - so I can't wait to get the DVD and finally see it. Comment back on what I think of it.

Alexander Badger
OK, so some of it may look very ropey nowadays, and the aliens may want to make you fall off the sofa laughing, but this stories real strength is in the story, and in the characterisation. Lovely from start to finish! Just get past the obvious aspects of fun-pokery, and sit back and enjoys one of the most enjoyable of the 60's Who. Or the Classic Series as we have to call it now.

mark carlisle
seems a strange way to promote a release by slagging it off. until recently UK Gold did the same with the reruns, but mysteriously stopped when the Doctor regenerated into being 'cool' again. I buy them all and won't be put off by a 'negative review!

Robert Booth
When I first saw this as a child I was very frightened when the Zarbi pulled the wings off of one of the menoptra. Returning to it almost 40 years later and it still a chilling scene and very adult in content. As you say in your write-up , it hasnt aged particularly well in light of the new series but I hope people will see past the kirby wires and glass fibre and enjoy what is a remarkable story!

IC
JG said: As usual its kick the 60s classic time I see. WHere do they kick the "classic" Please point it out, because it seemed to fairly favourable.

Simon Burney
I'm sorry but in order to make any production, not only does the script have to stand up, but so does the acting and the visuals. If any one of the three doesn't work, you do not have a good show. The script is strong, the acting is superb, which would make this a smashing top rated AUDIO - radio play, however as this is made for VISUAL - erm Televisual, it falls appart and is in my view one of the worst Doctor Who stories ever made. You can't build a house without a foundation, you can't remove one element of the three and claim it a good television event. I was surprised BBCWorld dared to release this. There's so much Who I want to see. Where is it. Leave the crap alone! Kusjes Simon

Gavin Noble
Sorry, but this has to be one of the worst stories ever in the history of Doctor Who. It is slow, plodding, clunky and too uninteresting to justify being released on DVD ahead of other Hartnell stories like The Romans or The War Machine or The Chase. It has dated very badly and while I am sure the Restoration Team has done the usual sterling work on the picture quality etc, the only reasons I will be buying it is for the extras and in order to keep my collection up to date. I certainly don't think any of the children who wathced the recent TV series will have the patience to sit through this.

Dave W
It's sad that so many people can't write about this story without a thick spreading of irony. This program was made in 1965 and like a lot of Who of that period has its unintentionally funny moments and in this case some very funny ones indeed. But they don't detract from the fact that this is a very fine example of brave and imaginative 1960's television that is raised up by the professionalism of the cast who all give it their best. Their best was a lot better than some of things that followed in the 80's. Watch it and love it. I still do.

Jason Lee Reynolds
Ive never seen the Web Planet , but having an early Doctor Who story on DVD really is brilliant , thou could we please have Genesis of the Daleks next ? !

JG
As usual its kick the 60s classic time I see. Web Planet is a superb story it pushes the show to its limits and fights determinedly against the restrictions of budget and in the end proves the be the best Hartnell serial. Atmospeheric enhanced by the 'vaseline smearing' ( what a shame you should decry an attempt to make a planet look different ) and of course the excellent incidental music...some of the most unearthly heard in Doctor Who. And of course an attempt to portray an alien world and its inhabitants as alien for a change. Hartnell is in fine form and the regulars are marvellous - Jacqueline Hill deserves far greater recongition for her portrayal of Barbara. The battle between the Zarbi and Menoptera forces at the end of Ep 4 are especially well worth watching. And of course one of the series most chilling moments when Barabara is forced to look away as a Menopteras wings are torn away...

Paul Sandwell
I am old enough to remember when this was first transmitted. I was four years old and this was the first Dr Who story I ever saw. I was absolutely hooked and as a four year old could totally accept every aspect of the story including the constumes. Seeing it through the eyes of an adult may rob the story of some of its magic, but I still remember that first thrill as a four year old at teatime one Saturday night that changed the whole of the rest of my life.

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