Genesis Of The Daleks

Review: A true classic hits DVD at last.

Sent by the Time Lords to the war-torn planet Skaro, the Doctor (Tom Baker) and his companions Sarah Jane (Elisabeth Sladen) and Harry (Ian Marter) must try to foil the sinister plans of the twisted genius Davros - because Davros is on the verge of creating the very first Dalek in the Universe...

Genesis of the Daleks always ranks highly in 'best ever story' polls amongst fans: watching it on DVD, it's easy to understand why. Tom Baker is at his mesmerising best here, and he's easily matched by Elisabeth Sladen's feisty Sarah Jane - even the mighty Rose Tyler might get freaked out by some of the terrifying things that Sarah's put through.

The regular cast are confronted by two fantastic guest villains; Peter Miles as the creepy bespectacled Nyder, and Michael Wisher - hidden under one of the most convincing rubber masks ever seen in Doctor Who - as the driven and deadly scientist Davros. The Daleks themselves are pretty scary here, too. Although they're not on screen very much, they look suitably creepy and menacing do get to lots of what they do best - exterminating!

Thankfully for fans of vintage Doctor Who, the twisted geniuses (sorry - they're lovely really!) of the Restoration Team have worked their own magic to create another DVD that's bursting with goodness.

There's a wonderful documentary called The Dalek Tapes, covering the entire history of the Daleks (both on-screen and behind-the-scenes) and boasting some very rare clips; a chance to read the 1976 Doctor Who annual (if you watch the DVD in your computer); the original continuity announcements from when Genesis has been screened on British TV; and a sweet little clip from a 1975 edition of Blue Peter;

There's also a simply brilliant commentary track featuring Tom Baker, Elisabeth Sladen, Peter Miles and director David Maloney. For several long stretches of time during the commentary, Tom Baker seems to be so engrossed in watching the action that he forgets to say anything - a testament to how wonderful this story is!

Tom confirms his admiration for this 6-part tale in the DVD's main documentary, Genesis of a Classic; an hour-long effort that, although thoroughly comprehensive, could perhaps have done with a tiny bit of pruning here and there. It's still very interesting stuff though, and does feature a hilarious moment right at the very end - keep watching past the end credits!

In short, Genesis of the Daleks is another one of Doctor Who's true gems, and deserves a place on all fans' shelves. It's due to hit the shops on Monday 10 April 2006.

Watch the very first Dalek in action.

Watch a clip with commentary from Genesis Of The Daleks.

Watch a clip from the Genesis Of A Classic documentary.

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

Rosie "Davros" Davin
I LOVED this episode!!! I'm an obsessive Doctor Who fan so my brother got it for me for my birthday along with Spearhead From Space (Jon Pertwee). Loved it soooooo much! Y'know, David Tennant says that one of the things he remembers most about Doctor Who from his childhood is end of Part 5, where the Doctor has the mutant thing around his neck! Pretty amazing huh?

OLY P from chelsealand
it was good, but revelation was better

Rach13
I got the dvd for my birthday last year and its brilliant!i Recomend it for anyone who has only seen the 2 new series

Tid
This story is the best ever made. Baker is excellent,and Wishers Davros is the character at his best. This was Doctor Who at its peak, and it shows in every way.

Tim Alcock
Great dvd....except - where on earth did that BBC1 Colour ident come from??? Home-made or what?!

Georgina Baker
I LOVED it its wicked it had so much tensin in it and a bounus for me is that it had Sarah Jane Smith in it!!

Daniel
Cool Classic Tom Baker Story. i loved the end of part 4, just one of davros' rants, YOU WILL TELL ME! YOU WILL TELL ME! YOU WILL TELL MEEEEEE! it's also good to see sarah jane in this too!

Chad W
An amazing Dalek story but not as good as the original Dalek story. next bring out the destiny of the daleks

timelord
this is the best. the doctor rules i have watched it loads roll on david though tom is the best and this story is the greatest ever produced by the tv timelord. come on doctor lets have some more. p.s. thanks for bringing it back bbc doctor who is a legend!!!!!!!!

lukey boy 14
I love this love this dvd so much!!!!Im only 14 years old and i have been collecting dvds and videos for sometime now and gennsis has filled the gap that has been on my shelf for so long.I love it so much that if it comes on uk gold im up at 7 in the mouring 2 watch!I can even rember watching this story when it was being repeated on bbc2when i was only 8 and i still got a kick out of it then.And as for the extras...Well that dosnt need telling as it SO good.So why arent other clasics like this on dvd?Im gaging to see Time and the rani and Robot on dvd.

JoelC
it is a very good episode and it had some surprising parts like when davros was exterminated.

Lewis
I am 13 and I have only just started to watch DR Who (David Tennant) I am collecting every DR WHO dvd i can find. GENESIS is fantastic!!!!!

Andrew Gunn
I won the DVD on Blue Peter and the first time I watched it I thought it was thrilling. I have only experienced the Eccleston and Tennant era's so it was good to finally see a Tom Baker episode. 10 out of 10 definetely. Davros is brilliant.

Andrew Beet
just watched Genesis of the daleks. brilliant story. great finding out where the Daleks came from. the Daleks and Davros were evil as ever. unfortunately Davros got his comeuppance when the daleks turned on him and exterminated him. loved that part. great story and i'm glad i've got it on DVD.

Daniel M
I can't believe how strong and bold this adventure was. It showed many feelings through the Doctor and Davros was played perfectly. Truly ruthless and evil. And the story managed to suprise me with the Daleks turning on Davros at the end. It was Very clever and sophisticated. Truly genius!

JamesB
My brother-in-law are watching this for the first time and are genuinely hooked. Completely marvellous.

Darren Humphries
This isn't just the best Dr Who adventure ever, but one of the very best pieces of TV science fiction ever. A must see for every genre fan.

matt d
upon seeing ressurection & Revalation of the daleks, and reading the genesis scripts, i am already in love with this story... and i havn't even watched it yet!!!

Charles D. Moisant (Chicago U.S.A.)
20 yrs ago, Chicago USA a group of us in high school formed the Doctor BOO CLUB. We cheered on the bad guys from the show. However, Davros was so vile and Evil we actually hoped “The Baker Man” would Win. I was so influenced by what I saw, I learned how to sound like a Dalek by vibrating my lips as if I were playing a trumpet and speaking in falsetto at the same time. I am looking forward to getting this set over the pond!

CSB
I've been waiting for this DVD for so long! How about The Sea Devils next? My video version is going mouldy!

Falco
A thing of beauty that will not only appeal to anyone who's seen it (top job on getting the extras and commentary package everyone's dreamed of!), but also anyone who's seen the new daleks, as their production as a by-product of fanatical racial purity was referenced - here you get to see it. Joyful.

Daniel
I think this will be a great DVD. There will hopefully be lots of EXTERMINATES! and fighting.

Kate
I really hope all the old Doctor Who stories will eventually find their way to DVD... but here's hoping for more Peter Davison ones!!!!!!! Tom Baker is really great too. I look forward to this one.

splodge
Contrary to popular myth this is actually not the greatest dalek story in the show's history : The BBC destroyed the best 3, ie : Evil Of The Daleks, The Daleks' Master Plan, Power Of The Daleks. ( in that order ) The 1st dalek story ie "The Daleks" ( which survives ) is the 4th best one, & following in 5th place Genesis Of The Daleks - which altho "only" 5th best is still incredibly good! & the DVD sounds fantastic. & the following month Pertwee's "Inferno" which is as good or better ! ( even tho it has no daleks )

georgina ledger
Wonderful, this just gets better with Tom doing the commentary, sheer heaven. Don't leave so long to do the next one, Tom!!

Marcus
Great I've always wanted to see it again

Luke
I an American who grew up on Doctor Who while very young & living in the UK, from 1972-1978, and Tom Baker was the only real Doctor. He's the best. Bravo BBC for making such a great DVD package.

Ian O'Brien
I can`t wait to see it on DVD. I remember it the first time around and myself and my brother thought an inside of a Dalek looked like Davors!

Fedora
This along with Pertwee's 'Planet of the Spiders' were the two weries that I still remember hiding behind the sofa on... Will be rushing to pick this one up...... P.S. Restoration Team - Planet of the Spiders soon eh ;)

jyrascarn
My alltime fave Doctor Who story remains "Evil of the Daleks", which I had the chance to watch as a kid,(lucky me!), but "Genesis" still rates second best in my books, though Chris Eccleston's "Dalek" is no mean contender, either!

Mark Hunt
The Greatest Dalek story WITH Tom Baker commentary. Does it get any better???

Marty
All I've had is the LP version released at the time. About time. Big sales I would have thought. What took so long?

Peter J Blogg
I've never heard of this doctor who or daleks or what ever, so I have no idea what everyone is going on about...If only that were true, then the pleasure of this release would know no bounds. As it is I know every frame of this story off by heart, I am still looking forward to a crisp DVD copy and the Baker commentary.

Robin Clark
This has long been a favourite and when it was last shown on the BBC (long before the new version of the show)this was the 1st time freinds of mine admitted that maybe Dr Who wasn'r rubbish after all. A long overdue release and with Tom on the commentary it's got to be a winner!

Davros, no, er, The Great Healer
You insolent mutos! You dare release this counterfactual travesty of a history on DVD? You will be punnished for insubordination... and then you will learn the true meaning of pain!! [This is an utterly superb story. Tom is at the peak of his powers, the underrated Ian Marter is a great foil, & Michael Wisher gives probably the best guest star performance in the series' history. (What a shame he didn't get to reprise the role in the much-maligned "Destiny".) And oh yeah Lis Sladen is truly adorable (swoon).

Kryten
GENESIS OF THE DALKES out on DVD......It could be accused of being drawn out, You could say some of the characterisations are obvious and two dimensional. But pound for pound this is probably the Tom Baker story that has more memorable moments than any other of his stories (Enter Davros, Dalek gets its gun, the "Have I the Right" bit, Plus many more). Save your pennies for this one, I will. It might not be as good as you remember but after seeing it, you'll remember why it was good..

sean.b
fantastic one ive been waiting for but what about an unedited version of the time warrior

David Hobbs
Glad another Dalek story has been released - just hope the three Pertwee ones come out soon too.

Russell Atkinson
Genesis just fantastc. But I am looking foreward to the Blue Peter clip. I still have my audio recording of that item.And it will be great to see it again. I remember the models being very good. Lets just see how good the old memory is ?

Cyberscanner
The cover looks good, the responses by fans who have watched it before are good, I CANT WAIT!!! Please get more Cybermen and K9 on DVD!

EverybodyelsE
This is the only Doctor Who DVD I've really been waiting for. All the other releases, to me, have been a build up to this! It's about time they released it 'cos let's face it...nothing comes close :-)

Trevor Kirby
I'm so looking forward to this new DVD and the next Jon Pertwee to be released. I just wish us Doctor Who fans could have one Doctor Who adventure relased each month, gives you something to look forward to each pay day.

Al Dobbie
This DVD will be merciless, it will live in history, or something along those lines as Davros might say. What a feast of a DVD to look forward to, what do we watch first, the story, with or without commentary, the wonderful planned extras, the Daleks tapes, the making of Genesis and the icing on the cake of all of this will be Tom Baker and Liz Sladen together. I'm also looking forward to hearing Peter Miles commentating on Nyder. A classic unless we can find a better word. The Daleks may have been entombed, but they live on!!

jonathan lawson
a lesson to hollywood-money cannot buy a fantastic script-on an obviously low budget this turned out to be not only one of the BEST dr whos but also one of the best bbc dramas-a fantastic story.

Ron Hodgson
Why wasn't the Sontaran Experiment included as it was with the VHS Sontaran / Genesis double bill. It now means I'm stuck with that untill the SE is released as a seperate DVD.

phil Johnson
Can't wait to get my copy, however, when Destiny is release please restoration team, please Filter Davros's voice through a modulator and heres an Idea, Take the pretty crap Day od the Daleks and build into the script/ Video some Davros scenes with Terry Molloy, 70's sets etc, It can be done, What abackstory that would make. Finally any Pertwee Dalek releases, please get Nick Briggs to re-Dub the Daleks at least as an alternative soundtrack! Keep up the Fab work.

Andrew
The single greatest moment in Doctor Who; the way the arm suddenly twitches and lifts gently sneds a shiver down my spine every time...

Kevin Lee
A classic yes, but a classier move would have been to put Tom Baker's only other Dalek encounter 'Destiny Of The Daleks' with it!

Mark Tom
The first davros is cool this should have been his first and last.

jellybaby
i want this for my birthday, do i have the right?

Paul from Sydney
I have pre-ordered this - its a great story at so many levels - I cant wait to hear the amusing anecdotes of Tom Baker on the commentary. Now, if only they would release the stories before and after it, we could have continuity that starts with the Ark in Space and ends with the Revenge of the Cybermen.

John in the USA
Gosh, I hope it's released in the USA soon, my taped-off-telly version's ages old.

Doctor Vell
I think that particular episode is one of the best of ANY Doctor Who ever made. Always left me on the edge of my seat wondering what was gong to happen next.

miniwho
excellent,another dalek story to add to my collection.I hope they release destiny of the daleks next,as i really want to see that one.like the cover as well.fantastic!

John Hadlow
"Thankyou..Thats what I wanted to own"!!

Marcus Judge
At long last the story that started it all, well for me any way. Sitting there on a Saturday night 31 years ago eating crumpets and being scared to death by Davros and the Daleks. It just does not get any better than this.

Dave Rudin
I look forward to "Genesis" being released on DVD here in the USA. It was the story that first got me hooked on Doctor Who, and I can still remember getting the chills watching Davros and his decrepit, twitching hand. Sadly, Michael Wisher (the first and best Davros of all) is no longer with us to provide commentary for the release - but at least I had to the privilege to meet him and interview him at a Leisure Hive convention in the mid-80s. Perhaps I'll dig out the tape and give it a listen in his honor........

Tony Cope
This story is my earliest Doctor Who memory (a Christmas 1975 repeat) when I was 5. I was totally mesmorised by the Daleks but utterly terrified of Davros (one of TV history's SuperVillans). My DVD order is in and I can't wait to be transported back to an important childhood event.

George C. F.
Fabulous! At long last... More classic Tom Baker stories on DVD please!

Nick Scovell
When I was seven years old, I had to go to hospital. I'd never been away from 'Mummy' before, and to cheer me up, she bought me the audio cassette release of this story as it had just come out. It hooked me then and it hooks me now. Surely, this is the best story the original series ever produced. Confident and dramatic, exciting and scary. Doctor Who at its very, very best. The one I have been waiting for...

Cory Eadson
It was 'Genesis' that turned me into a Doctor Who fan. It is one of the greatest 'Who' stories of all time: Spooky, atmospheric, darkly funny, well-acted...and Michael Wisher's Davros is superb!! A masterpiece!

Calvin Saxby
Sorry if I seem to be bucking the trend, but the full version seems flabby and drawn out to me. Why? Probably because I became so used to the LP version they released - I just listened to it every night when going to sleep & got to know it so well. For me, that is the work of art.

Alex Scriven
Even though im excited about this release it's not one of my most wanted. I loved Genesis as much as everyone else does but in all honesty i want Trial of a Time Lord to come out on DVD. I absolutely love that story

Tranmere Hatman
Possibly the most over rated story ever. Daleks are hardly in it, and the Kaleds are just stereo typical Nazis. Nowhere near as good as you remember it - prepare to be disappointed!

Paul Delaney
The greatest Doctor Who story of the classic series. Genesis of the Daleks is a timeless classic as relevant today as it was on its first screening. The performances are first rate, but the best performance is that of Michael Wisher as Davros his ranting megalomania is a site to behold, complemented by Peter Miles character the sneering Nyder. Genesis of the Daleks not only rates as a classic Doctor Who story, but also so as a classic Sci-Fi story that questions war, ethics & genetic manipulation. It is clearly a message warning of the dangers fascism & the darkness it brings.

Jessica Holdway
Wow! I've read the script in a book of Tom Baker. But i cant wait for it on DVD!!!

Ash Jade
Gonna be honest. I do like this story but people do go on about it and if I'm goning to be blunt it is a little long... could have been done in 4 eps better. But is definitally interesting to see how the Daleks all began and a great story concept. Will eventually end up in my DVD collection when I find some cash.

Adam
A classic story with commentary by the beautiful Elisabeth Sladen. Nothing could be better.

Ray Bradshaw
I am long term U.S. Doctor who fan. I must say I’m looking forward to seeing this one at last. As I have only seen it while watching it on a small B&W TV @ the time via a PBS channel with poor reception.

Ivan Braithwaite
The Daleks are my favourite and to buy this on DVD will be great to add to my DVD collection , thank you to 2entertain and BBC Worldwide , looking forward to bying Inferno when it's released. This is real Classic Doctor Who on DVD.Please release more.

Pigbin
Why is this called Genesis?Phil Collins isn't in it. And the daleks don't sing Suppers Ready. Nyah!

Cat
Sounds great! I've never seen any old ones, only new, but I'll see if i can get this!

the master
as im one of the young fans i have never seen genesis before. altho i have every other dalek doctor who dvd that is out and this is the one i have most egerly awaited i cant wait dr who rules

Grant M
The dream team of Elisabeth Sladen, Ian Marter and Tom Baker (at his kinetic, electric best). A suprisingly adult tone for a Terry Nation script although I reckon that Robert Holmes and David Maloney's contribution cannot be underestimated (not to mention 'new broom' Philip Hinchcliffe). The first time the Daleks are sidelined (but not the last) but it's worth it; Michael Wisher's Davros is one of the very best of the Doctor's opponents. Oh, and this is pretty much where the Time War started...

Andrew Bidmead
After some rather lack-lustre choices for DVD release from Dr Who's rich legacy (stand up Axos and Web Planet) I'm pleased to see that a bona-fide classic like this is seeing the light of day!

CJG
It's out on DVD at last! I thought I was going to have to wait until 2008 for this one!

Rhys
This has been my favourite story ever since I saw it years ago, and I will make sure I buy it the day it comes out! I have nothing but praise for this episode!

Steven Knight
im a young doctor who watcher and i downloaded this movie/episode a wile ago but on dvd it seems to bring a smile to my face when i watch it, its a great story, but what ever happend to Nyder i cant remember anyway thank you BBC hoping to see some more classic who in my DVd collections!

Graham Howard
One of the greatest stories. I thought it would never be released. talking to fans and reading the books i so wanted this one. Now it is here. Trench warfare. OVER THE TOP WE CHARGE!!!!!!

Yasmin
Wow classic Doctor who alert! i am so buying this! i can't wait!

Chris Eilenstine
What great news!! Genesis of the Daleks is out at last!! It's certainly one of the ten best. Bring on The Daemons next!!!

David
One of the best Dalek and Doctor Who stories ever made!

Will
What a great DVD to add to the already incredible collection. What else has 2entertain got up its sleeve.

Jack
I'm only 13 years old and have only began to watch old doctor whos, i've read and seen parts of Genesis of the Daleks aswell. But wow, this one sounds and looks fantastic, thank you restoration team. Please however, could you start to release some more patrick troughton doctor whos. I know there's only six complete stories, but Tom Baker and Pat Troughton are the best doctors ever! Must have more...

Adrian Davies
Following last year's brilliant Dalek and Badwolf/ The Parting of The Ways from new Who Series 1 the brilliant Genesis comes to DVD for all to enjoy classic Daleks. Thank you Auntie Beeb, you're spoiling us, keep it up! A suitable starter before the main course of Series 2 begins...

James
The greatest Doctor Who story of all time the first one I remember great to see it on DVD

Matthew Micallef
This is the one I've been waiting for - an example of Doctor Who at its finest.

Adam Collins
The best ever Tom Baker Dalek Story, great script, fantastic acting by all plus a great plot, Classic Timeless Dr Who at last on DVD -

Scott Fraser
Brilliant! The story is wonderful everyone knows that, but the crowning glory is the oh so evil partnership of Davros and Nyder. They will never be bettered. The one Doctor Who DVD to own. Only Inferno comes close and guess what's next. I am in heaven.

Gerry Quinn
This is the one most fans have been waiting for, made even more special with the commentary from Tom Baker. It's been worth the wait.

Ryan Piekenbrock
What's with the innane reference to Rose in the review? Next you'll be saying we're lucky that the Doctor didn't touched the wires and destroy the Daleks or the new series wouldn't be happening!

Kev Oyston
Yesss!Toms greatest story and indeed the greates Doctor Who story! Cant wait to hear the commentary. The last one Tom Commentated on (Ark in Space) had me in stitches!

Richard Aylin
At last - one of THE all time great stories Dr Who ever created. And what a bonus that Tom Baker will at last be appearing on a commentary - can't wait!

Cyvros
Finally! Excellent - we've even got 'Blue Peter' extras and the '76 Annual! I'm gonna have fun with this one. Thanks. Any word on a "Davros Collection" on DVD?

Daniel Hughes
Great! One of the best 'classic' Doctor Who stories ever made is coming on DVD - can't wait.

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