New Beginnings

Review: regeneration DVD boxset.

New Beginnings is a boxset of classic series stories that reintroduces the Master, and sees Tom Baker's long-running Doctor regenerate into Peter Davison.

The DVD extras form a tribute to Tom Baker and also to the late Anthony Ainley, who played the new version of the Master.

Surprisingly, Ainley still manages to contribute a commentary to one of the stories. Recorded before his death in 2004, it's an eerie listen, but, for a character that had a surprising knack for resurrection, perhaps that's only fitting.

The stories themselves are a worthy - if wordy - bunch. Under Producer John Nathan-Turner, it was certainly a high-concept and high-gloss period for the show. The sets and costumes are often astonishing - from the Art Nouveau grandeur of the court of Traken through to the brain-like districts of Logopolis and on to the dimension-scrambling 'simplicity' of Castrovalva.

The cast rise to the challenge of seeing out the old and embracing the new. Tom Baker has toned down his boggle-eyed madness to a funereal grimness by now - probably because nobody put up much of a fight to keep him when he announced he was quitting - whilst Peter Davison mixes fragililty with bemusement as his Doctor unravels both mentally and physically.

Ainley is at his darkest and genocidal best here, with new companion Janet Fielding's ferocious and feisty Tegan making a big impact too. Sarah Sutton's more conventional new companion Nyssa slips into the show rather quietly by comparison. But points to her for being cast as a regular purely on the strength of her guest role.

And then there's Adric. Anyway, moving on...

The impressive features range from chats with Peter Davison, the writers and directors, a piece on the increasingly overcrowded TARDIS and a magnificent examination of Tom's final months on the show. It's particularly lovely to see Tom really opening up for a change, as he often makes light of his contribution to Doctor Who when performing for the cameras.

You also get a clutch of cast appearances on shows of the time and, for music fans, the scores for each story on isolated audio tracks.

An eagerly awaited release that's hard to fault on any level.

Watch a clip from The Keeper of Traken.

Watch a clip from Logopolis.

Watch a clip with commentary from Castrovalva.

Watch a clip from the A New Body At Last documentary.

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

Nathan -John Rogers
I used to know Logopolis word by word as a child. It is and probably will be my most fav story. My brother used to tape all the episodes on old beta-max tapes and later transferred all the televised stories to VHS. Normally when I was ill from school i would play logolpolis repeatedly throughout the day whilst everyone was out or at work and reenact the regeneration scene at the end. I remember watching that whole sequence in wonder and with a tear in my eye. Anthony Ainley was my Master growing up as too was Peter Davision, my Doctor ... Anthony is missed as I found that there will be no one who will able to pull off the role of The Master better than he could (Sorry Mr. Roberts, but the American accent doesn't cut it). A great couple of episodes and a worth while collection.

Ben
Great, brilliant the words to describe this box of fun. Some great master storys as well as the end of the baker era.

Agnese
Very interesting design.. I'll come back to see updates.e

SCOTT
Believe it or not, it is possible to see the Doctor regenerate past the normal 12 regenerations. "He is more than just a normal Time Lord" after all.That is all I am allowed to say.

Jonathan Collins
i love it well done.

Daniel Williamson
I think it is great to see a special box set of Anthony Ainley's incarnation of The Master.Anthony Ainley had to be the best ever incarnation of The Master, his death in2004 was a great shame. The Keeper of Traken is a great story and the scene where The Master takes over Tremas and regenerates into his new body is a classic moment. I am surprised to hear Ainley recorded a commentary before his died. The Keeper of Traken is a great story that introduces us to Nyssa. I think a special boxset is a good tribute to Ainley and i would also like to see The Keeper of Traken released as a single DVD. Anthony Ainley - the best Master.

morgan mason
I have got this one! It is brill. All of the episode have a regeneration in.

dave clarke
i think that the keeper of traken is the best because the master is going through his regeneration and takes over tremas and it is rumerded that the master will return the doctor who series 3

Tom Page
I'm not sure what is best about this, the memories from first transmission of this titanic event. Dcotor Who actually died, it was unique, my doctor who died and was reborn. I watched it again with my kids and who would have thought they are scared of the master and are blown away by what doctor who or should i say tom baker did. Brilliant. I'm sorry but sufficent praise I really can't convey

Lucy, lost in the TARDIS
The regeneration is still as fascinating to watch as it was back in 1981. Beautifully written stories, great settings, fun characters(especially Tegan)and loads of exciting special features, you really have spoilt us! Peter Davison's Doctor was the first that I watched from the start and will always be my favourite.Please can we have some more 5TH DOCTOR DVD releases very soon? Thank you.

Shaun Taylor
Gr8 set!!! Castrovalva is bril, 1 of m favs!!!

paul jones
what can i say, thats not said already.(BRILL)

Danny.B
The re-generation scene is one of my first Dr Who memories as a child so really love Logopolis and Castrovalva its what I grew up with it rocks!!!!!

Kt G
I love all the stories! I'm so glad they have been put onto DVD! After 26 years (roughly) the world will be able to see the transission from 4th to 5th Doctor. Amazing stories all 3 of them, love the commentarys and the interviews. The extras are great, no doubt about that and i know i will not stop watching and rewatching all of the episode!!!!

Matthew Jones
Enjoyed all of this without exception, just wish we had commentary subtitles still! Could have done with CH Bidmead saying a little less and fishing for compliments, but a minor niggle. Overall very enjoyable. More please, BBC.

Raymond Adamson
When Ainley's Master is introduced in these stories,he comes across as a galactic serial killer as he is pretty casual about killing anybody he encounters.It's a big contrast with Delgado's Master who always seemed to prefer leaving that kind of unpleasantness to his henchmen.

Phil
Superb stuff. All three stories and excellent special features. It's a pity Matthew Waterhouse appeared to get so over excited during the commentary for Keeper of Traken. If Anthony Ainley were in better health he may have squashed him for that. Otherwise fantastic stuff. Wonderful to see Anthony Ainley again.

Andrew
It's stories like Logopolis which mark Dr Who apart from other sci-fi shows like Star Trek and Galactica(which are actually just space opera/fantasy in the mould of Star Wars), proper sci-fi, mind-blowing concepts and dramatically told and realised in Dr Who's unique style. Want to know why i'm a fan? Watch this!

Ray Mason, London
Just got the new beginnings dvd, one word, amazing! Extras are great and it is the first time I have seen any of these serials. Tom Baker leaving....boo hoo! :-)

madmalc
I loved this boxset since i brought it on monday watched them all at least twice cant wait for the E space stories to come out now

Neil
It is wonderful to finally have some of the best Doctor Who on DVD at last.

Tom Lyles
I love the set! It's like watching a bit of history as told by the Doctors[Tom Baker & Peter Davison] and cast. Worth Buying. Please do 'Robot', I would love to hear what Tom, Elisabeth and Nicholas have to say about the start of Tom's seven year run. May the adventure never stop with the Doctor!

alex cain
the best doctor dvd boxset . i've been waiting for the final two tom baker storys on dvd and peter daivdson on dvd . i my self i'm a film maker . and one day would like to go in to film directed . i write my own sci-fi storys. and these's doctor who dvd are getting better and better. keep up the good work. alex cain , liverpool

Mark Winter
Superb release & very reasonably priced!lets hope we get the E -Space trilogy, the Black Guardina Trilogy & the Key to Time season done this way.

martin
A first class release.It was fasinating to see the behind the scenes footage taken during the regeneration sequence.I would like to have seen more of this.Full marks to all concerned.

Joe
Cracking Performances from all involved, Tom, Peter and Antony. Antony does laugh a little too much though....

Matthew William Cornell
It is fantastic-unbileveble. the best DOCTOR WHO boxed set yet!

David
I am very excited about this release! I loved both Tom Baker and Anthony Ainley's contribution to "Doctor Who". I enjoyed the clip of Tom from the "A New Body At Last" doc. I am sure the features will be fantastic (to quote another Doctor!).

StuartW
Been waiting so long for these three classics to arrive on my shelves in a shiny format. Am realising more and more that it was this sequence that has kept me watching ever since. My first ever 'new' Doctor! I only hope the box doesn't succumb to a rapid entropic decline.

james
After 26 years i dont think a piece of tv will stick in my mind as much as logopolis did , as it did to me at 8 years old back then .

ChrisD
Im thrilled that this is out as a boxset cos it marked the end of an era for me with regards to doctor who.

Mark
There seems to be no 5.1 mix on the Theme tune video on disc 3.

Tom Sleigh
This is a really exciting collection of stories showing the change from Tom Bakers Doctor to Peter Davisons. Also the introduction of two of the Doctors best companians Nyssa and Tegan played briliantly by Sarah Sutton and Janet Feilding. Plus Anthony Ainleys first appearences as the Doctors greatest enemy The Master. My favourite story of the collection was Castravalva because I think that Peter Davison, Sarah Sutton and Janet Feilding work so well together. I look forward to further relaeses of classic Doctor Who.

Glen Allen
One of my friends (who hates Logopolis) text me first thing to say "See! 20 minutes in and even Tom Baker says (something like) 'Is it over yet?'" Oh dear :-( Picking mine up tomorrow & cant wait...so to my mate Philip Clarke "Its 10 times better than Paradise Towers" :-p

michael clarke
When Logoolis|Castrovalva was first transmitted on TV. I was a spotty 12 year old and I was totally unware of what was going to befall my hero. I had grown up with Mr Baker and he and I has such adventures together! Imagine my disappointment then when the Doctor slipped and fell off Jodrell Bank radio telescope "Its the end, but the moment has been prepared for" he muttered faded away and there was that bloke of All Creatures Great and Small! That shock took alot of years to get over I can tell you. Being all grown up now I have learned to appreciate all aspects of the Doctor, however Mr Baker was the orginal and best!

Chris Roe
It's great to see a reappearance of some of the best of "Who" as I remember it from my childhood. Classic "Who" may not have had the big-budget effects and gloss of today...but the stories, characterisation and drama remain second-to-none!

c kerr
three classic storys fantastic extras and a great transfer - this reminds me of being a kid

indie
i reckon that this idea is wicked! A box set of regeneration? How cool is that?! I will SO be buying it! wooo! U ROCK! and thanks so much!

Cameron Partridge age 10
I think it is great realesing this box set it help's younger viewer's know who the previeous doctors were.

John Guilor
I was ten years old, Tom changed into Peter Davison and I cried, and cried ... even The Pink Panther Show which followed couldn't lift the cloud. A sad, sad day ...

david clark
Ive got logopolis and castrovalva on video but I think that the dvd would be better with the special features.

Njsjedi
to me the three stories "keeper of Traken, Logopolis and Castrovalva" are some of the best who ever... would it not be great to see the Master back to fight the Doctor another day in the 2007 show...

The Thinker
Two words: At last! It's good to see such classics available on DVD and I must say they are all wonderful! Excellent...

Ben Aldis
This is another great boxset of Doctor who by 2entertain. Logopolis is one of the best episodes of who ever! and Castrovala is even better. Get this DVD!!!

BLT Sandwich
Keeper of Traken = Imsomniacs Delight

Jonathan
it is was the end of tom baker after 7 great years and it bought in Peter davidson for doctor who to go in the 80's. 3 great stories and some great extras. plus the late tony ainley commatracts on the keeper of taken so at least we to hear him after his said death in 2004

Mr. Bob
Three of the best Doctor who adventures ever! I can't wait to get me mine on Monday! The Extras look excellent to, an actually in-depth interview with TB looks brilliant! Bring it on... i'm so excited!!

David Southwell
A fantastic box set. Logopolis is worth the price of admission alone, especially as Tom Baker is on such good form you can forgive him a lot of his nonsense of from the past two season.

Simon
What a great trilogy of DVD's, one great Doctor becomes another. Bring it on.

dalek _maniac -lewis
yes! at last logopolis on dvd! ah but not forgetting keeper of traken and castrovalva. another dr.who classic series boxset just like the begining! great. i think more regenerations should be in boxsets such as planet of the spiders or trial of a timelord...now that would make a good boxset. thankyou BBC!

Andrew Heighway
Absolutley Fantastic! For years I've been wondering about the behind the scenes of these stories, which are probably probably one of the most iconic moments in the show's history. Logopolis in particular was an episode that encouraged non-who fans to watch during it's broadcast just to see Tom Bakers last performance. Brilliant!

Spook
'And then there's Adric. Anyway, moving on...' Adric is far better with Tom Baker. It's only when Davison arrives Adric becomes annoying. But no more annoying than Nyssa and Tegan.

ian
Can't wait until we get this release in Canada .. I predicted the "lost in time" collection years before it came out, and then I predicted (or prayed for) these 3 stories to be boxed up together, and voila. The 3 tales link together perfectly .. I love Tegan, I love the new team unter Peter (reminicent of the original series with Ian, Barbara,Susan and the Doctor - so the TARDIS was this "crowded" once before you know), and I think while it was the end of Tom's wonderful era, it was the start of a fresh and exciting first season with the 5th Doctor .. one last comment .. why oh why does poor Matthew Waterhouse's Adric get so much flack from my fellow fans!!?? give the kid, and the actor, a break, will ya? Adric wasn't so bad, and I felt he was an integral part of the new 5th doctor's team .. as a kid growing up in the 80's I loved all of these characters (Adric included). They created a believability and drew me into the fold. I found alot of the Doctor/ Adric scenes touching, and the development of his character followed a logical path right through to his final heroic demise in Earthshock. So hats off to all involved in these 3 superb stories that reinvented the Doctor once again for the 1980's generation. Buy this one.. you won't be disappointed !!

Mario Rodgers
After having been mesmerised by Logopolis as a child, this is the first Dr Who video that I ever bought. I watched it countless times during my first year at uni. I love this story and cant wait to see the clean-up job they've done. This DVD will bring back many, many happy memories. And they have the stories either side of it two....poetry, sheer poetry.

Stephen
More Adric baiting! I liked him!

Marky
The interview with Tom looks great - just the clip made me howl!!

David Vale
I await these hree DVD with trembling hands. Classic performances from all involved especially Ainley, Davison and Baker. The scene of Peter Davison's new Doctor unravaling the trademark scarf of his predecessor to find his way through the Tardis is a classic. Surely "boggle-eyed madness" is just Tom Baker being Tom Baker, at least I hope so!

Tristan and Eleanor Maddocks
I am looking forawrd to seeing all the stories again. I haven't seen them since 1981 and I have a 3 year old daughter to relive the experience with again. I'm saving the hilarious commentaries for later on in the evening, with a beer or two! This is a bumper filled package, great value for money.

david ewen
i love these three stories, and logopolis was a favourite of mine as a kid, with images that have always stayed with me such as the tardis inside the tardis inside the tardis and the doctors flashbacks before he regenerates as well as bakers wonderfully sombre performance. then there is the vibrant and clever castrovalva with a new fresh faced doctor and a promising performance from davison. One of the best things is also the return of the master theme which links these stories together giving them a dark feel, and you know something awful is going to happen if you look closely at the masters tardis clockface at the end of the keeper of traken, it says four to midnight and by coincidence there are just 4 episodes of the tom baker era left, wonderful stuff. These stories are clever, well acted and have great dialogue as well as being scary and moving in droves which is just what doctor who should be, buy them!!

Kevin Jon Davies
I spoke to Peter Davison on the day the press announced he was taking the role of the Doctor. He was visiting his then wife Sandra Dickinson in the studio where I was also working on ep 3 of The Hitch Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy. I asked Peter if he had heard of The Doctor Who Appreciation Society. "Yes, I have been warned...!" he said, eyeing my eager young face, somewhat warily....

David Anderson
These three stories realistically mark the end of my time as a wide-eyed kid watching Who, and turning into a more committed (and I use the word advisedly) fan. Oh to get those innocent days back! Still, it's good to see such a respectful treatment of this - effectively - 12 part story.

Tim Ockenden
I've been waiting to see these stories released for a long time, also because of Anthony Ainley as the Master he was the best villian in Who History!

Will the Geeenius
I absolutely loved the boxset. As I am of the newest generation of Doctor Who fans, I had not had the chance to see these fantastic stories until now. Thank you to the BBC and 2|Entertain!

Nathan B
I remember watching these on TV as a kid. They are still my favourite stories, so this box set will be absolute magic for me.

Aidan Phelan
This'll be a great CHristmas present for me by the time it comes to Australia :P I'm still waiting for the series 2 boxset. I loved all of these episodes, I love Ainley's Master, I love that finally an Aussie gets into the TARDIS (even if she is a Queenslander) Fantastic!

jason buckby
what a great collection of stories, i remember them on tv as this was the first time i seen a regeneration my dr was leaving, so i was very upset. padddy kingsland music is superb and tom is very sombre throughout his last two serials...he obviously does not want to leave the part he loved so much

Steve, Hastings
Such a shame that Tony Ainley wasnt alive to record commentaries on the other two stories. I corresponded with Anthony for many years and he was such a charming and lovely man. Very sadly missed

Will LaDuke
At last...an era that I was - "in on the ground floor"...as a fan...you might say....Lovely tidbits from the upcoming NEW BEGINNINGS box set....the documentary - A NEW BODY AT LAST-looks extremely promising...(LOVE the Baker clip!)... any commentary with Peter Davison is sure to be an absolute hoot...just a shame that we fans in the U.S. will have to wait just that little bit longer....

Master
Fantastic release and a great array of stories to tribute to the late, great Anthony Ainley, keep em coming BBC.

thundertid
Probably the best transition between two Doctors. Excellent box set.

CyberScott
A very interesting release this. Back in 1981 I was 15 and had started watching Doctor Who with Jon Pertwee and as such had been a little put out to see a new actor take the role in the form of Tom Baker, it took me about a month to even begin to accept him, but over time I grew to adore him as the best. When I heard that Peter Davison was to take over seven years later I was upset, I just could not see him as the Doctor. He then sat up at the end of Logopolis following the best regeneration ever and I accepted him immediately, the only time I ever done so, I always miss the old Doctor and have a period of mourning before the new one begins to interest me, but not this time. As much as I loved Tom Baker there was perhaps a sense that he had been there long enough and that this was a new beginning. The ten months from Logopolis to Castrovalva were the longest in my life. Thats the magic of this release for me, that wonderful nostalgia of that impossibly long wait, together with the return of the Master and the new direction that the show was going in. At least I won't have to wait ten months again to view the two stories or maybe I should just to experience that super feeling once more. Oh yes The Keeper of Traken is pretty good too. Another triumph for 2Entertain and the restoration team.

Baby C
Hey, enough with the Adric-bashing already! Loved the clip of Tom talking from the documentary: very frank and honest about his own shortcomings.

colinsluckyknickers
Logopolis is one of those Doctor Who adventures that you never get tired of seeing again and one of Anthony Ainleys better appearances as the Master. So many classic moments. The Doctor and the Watcher on Tower Bridge, The Cloister Bell, Tissue Compression Eliminator victims, flushing the Master out under the Thames, and Toms flashback regeneration. Love it!

Mark Venables
I m delighted that these stories have been released on DVD,i grew up with Tom baker in the part,what a brilliant doctor he was,i have fond memories of logopolis as a child and that memorable last line muttered by Baker,ITS THE END ,BUT THE MOMENT HAS BEEN PREPARED FOR,my favourite Doctor was leaving the show,it certainly was the end!of the classic Tom Baker era!

Daniel Billing
This trilogy of stories were probably my earliest memories of Doctor Who. Being four or five years old at the time I remember watching with fear and fascination as this toothy, curly haired odd ball changed into a man who looked younger than my father. I can't wait to see these stories in their full glory again.

Samuel Evans
Can't wait for this box set the extra's sound fantastic another great release from the RT the do spoil us!

Rob
I remember when these were all 1st broadcast. Keeper was a wonderful spooky story let down only by the Melkur moving unconvincingly and the Doctor not guessing it was the Master all along. The ending where he gets his new body was a wonderful surprise. I remember the sadness at Tom's departure and the anticipation of a new but familiar figure stepping into his shoes. Ainley had better chemsitry with Tom than with any of the later doctors. Shame they didn't do more stories. Davison's impressions of his predecessors were great fun. Looking forward to Tom & Janet's commentary as they have both been excellent value before and will be an unusual mixture. Good to have odd mixes now and again.

Ashleigh
Have see Castrovalva but not the other two. Regeneration stories are always great and 4th and 5th Doctors are definitally two of my favourite incarnations. I also really like Nyssa and Tegan and of course the Master! Looking forward to adding this to my collection!

James Mallon
I think that this release has been long awaited and apart from the stories being brillant, it looks like they've out done themselves on the special features. I wonder if they'll do something similar for Pertwee when he regenerated into Tom Baker. Here's hoping.

Aubrey
Fun stuff. :o) I've always liked these three stories, so I'm glad to see their arrival on DVD with all these great extras! I'm really looking forward to the commentary by Anthony Ainley, and the commentary and interview with Tom Baker. Most Interesting.

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