Number of Discs: 3
DVD Number: BBCDVD2738
Certification: PG
Duration: 150 minutes
Release Date: 14 Jun. 2010
The Kings Demons
It is 13th Century England and King John is visiting the castle stronghold of Sir Ranulph Fitzwilliam. Ranulf’s personal fortune has dwindled away, freely donated to King John to help fund the Crusade. When the TARDIS materialises and disturbs a jousting duel, The Doctor’s party are proclaimed friendly demons by the King, who seems strangely interested in their ‘blue engine’. Before long The Doctor becomes embroiled in court politics, and he realises that there is far more to the situation than a simple battle of honour between nobles. Ranulf’s cousin, Sir Geoffrey de Lacey, arrives at the castle and is astonished to find the King present. He has just left His Majesty in London preparing to sign Magna Carta, a document that will shape the future of democracy in the western world. The Doctor learns that neither the King nor Sir Gilles Estram are exactly who they claim, and that their true identities involve a battle-ravaged alien planet light-years away, and one of the Doctor’s oldest and deadliest enemies
Planet of Fire
A strange signal from Earth draws the TARDIS to the island of Lanzarote. While The Doctor tries to track the source of the signal, his companion Turlough rescues a young girl, Peri, from drowning. She is holding an artefact made from platinum bearing a strange symbol – the same symbol that Turlough himself carries on his arm, branded into the flesh… It is the artefact that is emitting the signal, leading them all to the planet Sarn, a world ravaged by volcanoes and yet holding the secret of eternal life. But an old foe of the Doctor’s is desperate for this elixir, and will stop at nothing to gain it. What is Turlough’s link to the artefact? What is the nature of Sarn’s mythical god, Logar, and how is it linked to the ruined spaceship crashed on a mountainside? As age-old systems of belief begin to break down, will anyone escape from the planet of fire with their life?
The Kings Demons
Commentary
Commentary 1 (Episodes 1 & 2) by Peter Davison (The Doctor), Isla Blair (Isabella), Eric Saward (Script Editor).
Commentary 2 (Episode 1) by Tony Virgo (Director).
Kamelion – Metal Man
A short history of the Doctor’s robotic companion. With Peter Davison and Nicola Bryant, script editor Eric Saward and Kamelion co-creator Chris Padmore. Interviewer: Andrew Beech. Producer: John Kelly. (13’55” | 16:9 | 2009)
Magna Carta
What exactly was the Magna Carta and what is its relevance both throughout history and to our lives today? With Dr. Conrad Leyser, Dr. Richard Goddard and Michael McManus. Narrator: Sara Griffiths. Writer: David Harley. Producer: Stella Broster. (22’27” | 16:9 | 2010)
Isolated Score
The option to watch the story with Jonathan Gibbs’s complete musical score on an isolated soundtrack.
Radio Times Billings
Episode listings for this story from the BBC magazine Radio Times in PDF format.
Production Subtitles
Text commentary by David Brunt providing cast details, script development and other information related to the production of this story.
Photo Gallery
A selection of rare and previously unpublished photographs from the recording of this story. Editor: Derek Handley. (5’56” | 4:3 | 2009)
Coming Soon
A preview of The Dominators DVD. The trailer for this story is available on Dalek War. (1’04” | 4:3 | 2010)
Planet of Fire
Disc 1 – Standard Edition
Commentary
Commentary by Peter Davison (The Doctor), Nicola Bryant (Peri), Mark Strickson (Turlough), Fiona Cumming (Director).
The Flames of Sarn
Cast and crew recall the production of Planet of Fire. With actors Peter Davison, Nicola Bryant, Mark Strickson, director Fiona Cumming, designer Malcolm Thornton and film cameraman John Walker. Narrator: Simon Ockenden. Producer/Director: Sheppard. This special feature is not included on the Region 1 release. (25’37” | 16:9 | 2010)
Return to the Planet of Fire
Director Fiona Cumming and designer Malcolm Thornton return to Lanzarote to revisit some of the locations used during filming of the story. Narrator: Simon Ockenden. Producer/Director: Brendan Sheppard. (12’38” | 16:9 | 2010)
Designs on Sarn
Designer Malcolm Thornton talks about his inpirations for the production design of Planet of Fire. Producer/Director: Brendan Sheppard. (5’02” | 16:9 | 2010)
Alternative Edits, Deleted and Extended Scenes
A collection of alternate and deleted scenes. (15’26” | 4:3 | 1984)
Isolated Score
The option to watch the story with Peter Howell’s complete musical score on an isolated soundtrack.
Trails and Continuities
A selection of off-air continuity announcements from the original BBC1 transmission. (1’37” | 4:3 | 1984)
Radio Times Billings
Episode listings for this story from the BBC magazine Radio Times in PDF format.
Production Subtitles
Text commentary by Paul Scoones providing cast details, script development and other information related to the production of this story.
Photo Gallery
A selection of rare and previously unpublished from the recording of this story. Editor: Derek Handley. (7’58” | 4:3 | 2009)
Coming Soon
A preview of The Dominators DVD. The trailer for this story is available on Dalek War. (1’04” | 4:3 | 2010)
Easter Eggs
Countdown clock for all four episodes. Go to the ‘Special Features’ menu on disc one. Click on the hidden Doctor Who logo to the left of the ‘The Flames of Sarn’. (0’30” | 4:3 | 1983)
Planet of Fire Factoids. Go to the ‘Audio Options’ menu on disc one and select ‘Isolated Score’. Then click on the hidden Doctor Who logo to the right. (1’52” | 16:9 | 2010)
Disc 2 – Special Edition
Feature-Length Version
A totally new, 66-minute edit of Planet of Fire feraturing Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound and new CGI effects, all overseen by original director Fiona Cumming. A short introduction by the director can also be played. Producer: Brendan Sheppard. Director: Fiona Cumming. (66’23″/67’25” | 16:9 | 1984/2010)
Calling the Shots
A look at the story’s production with original behind-the-scenes studio footage from 1983. With contributions from actors Peter Davison, Mark Strickson and Nicola Bryant, production designer Malcolm Thornton, and director Fiona Cumming. Narrator: Simon Ockenden. Producer/Director: Brendan Sheppard. (7’49” | 16:9 | 1983/2010)
Remembering Anthony Ainley
A look back at the life of the actor who played The Master from 1981 to 1989. With contributions from Peter Davison, Mark Strickson, Nicola Bryant and Fiona Cumming. Featuring an interview with Anthony Ainley taken from original archive convention footage. Narrator: Simon Ockenden. Producer/Director: Brendan Sheppard. (12’36” | 16:9 | 2010)
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