This was the fourteenth season released, on 18th September 2023 in the UK.
Sources
All stories are taken from D3 copies of the original 2″ transmission masters, with credits rebuilt in true HD.
UK Release History
| VHS | VHS Art | DVD | DVD Art | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arc of Infinity | 7/3/94 | Pete Wallbank | 6/8/07 | Dan Budden |
| Snakedance | 5/12/94 | Colin Howard | 7/3/11 | Clayton Hickman |
| Mawdryn Undead | 2/11/92 | Andrew Skilleter | 10/9/09 | Clayton Hickman |
| Terminus | 11/1/93 | Andrew Skilleter | 10/9/09 | Clayton Hickman |
| Enlightenment | 15/2/93 | Andrew Skilleter | 10/9/09 | Clayton Hickman |
| The King’s Demons | 6/11/95 | Colin Howard | 14/6/10 | Clayton Hickman |
| The Five Doctors | 9/9/85 9/7/90 6/11/95 | Uncredited [Andrew Skilleter] Uncredited [Alister Pearson] Colin Howard | 1/11/99 3/3/08 | Colin Howard Clayton Hickman |
On VHS, The Five Doctors was released in slightly edited form in 1985, in its broadcast form in 1990, and as a Special Edition with extended footage and new CGI in 1995. In this last release, it was paired with The King’s Demons. The Black Guardian Trilogy was arived across three consecutive releases in 1992-3, while Snakedance came out the month after Kinda in 1994. For more information, see the VHS Guide.
On DVD, Arc of Infinity was released in a double-pack with Time-Flight, Snakedance was paired with Kinda the Black Guardian stories were released in a set together, and The King’s Demons in a set with Planet of Fire. The Five Doctors is the only story from this season released solo… and three times at that! It was released in its 1995 Special Edition form on a bare-bones DVD in 1999, kicking off the range. In 2007 it was one of several stories released in revised packaging, and then in 2008 a ’25th Anniversary Edition’ was released, containing both the 1995 SE, the original 1983 version, and a wealth of bonuses. Snakedance and The King’s Demons were released after a change in the BBC logo and as such had reversable covers.
Five of the restored stories were issued as part of the Doctor Who DVD Files magazine (2009-14) across the following issues: 108: Arc of Infinity (Feb 20th 2013); 103: Snakedance (Dec 12th 2012); 50: Mawdryn Undead (Dec 1st 2010); 140: Terminus (May 14th 2014); and 57: Enlightenment (Mar 9th 2011).
Summary
Information text by James Cooray Smith and Martin Wiggins (Arc of Infinity, replacing the original by Richard Molesworth), James Cooray Smith (Snakedance, replacing the original by Jim Smith), Martin Wiggins (The Black Guardian trilogy, replacing the originals by Richard Molesworth), David Brunt (The King’s Demons, updating his original) and Paul Scoones (The Five Doctors, replacing two originals by Richard Molesworth). The Five Doctors: Special Edition (ie the 1995 version) contains a new optional text by Richard Molesworth, focussing on the making of that version.
Behind the Sofa are:
- Peter Davison and Colin Baker
- Sarah Sutton, Janet Fielding and Mark Strickson
- Katy Manning and Sophie Aldred
Isolated music tracks for all stories (including both 1983 and 1995 versions of The Five Doctors, but not the 2023 version) are included, all carried over from the original DVDs.
Updated special effects by John Kelly (Arc of Infinity, from the original DVD), Chris Thompson (Snakedance Part Four, and Enlightenment, new), Rob Semenoff and Aaron J. Climas (Mawdryn Undead and Terminus, from the original DVDs).
5.1 surround options for Snakedance and The Five Doctors, plus Dolby Atmos option for The Five Doctors, all new.
Audio navigation is provided by Peter Davison.
Disc Layout
With the exception of the audio commentaries, titles are as they appear on the menu screen (and in the same order), with explanatory information in square brackets.
The disc layout was previewed in Doctor Who Magazine 594 (released 17 August 2023, cover date September 2023) with the features listed out of order, and with alternate titles.
Disc 1: Arc of Infinity (1:38:33)
Commentary by Peter Davison, Sarah Sutton, Colin Baker and Janet Fielding [2-4], recorded 2007.
| Format | Length | Original DVD Source & Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Making-of Documentary [Anti-Matter from Amsterdam] | SD | 34:56 | Arc of Infinity |
| Behind the Sofa | HD | 31:07 | New |
| Deleted Scenes | SD | 2:55 | Arc of Infinity |
| Omega Featurette [The Omega Factor] | SD | 14:56 | Arc of Infinity |
| Saturday Superstore: Peter Davison [20.11.82, 27.11.82] | SD | 21:11 | 14:17 edit was on Snakedance |
| Russell Harty’s Christmas Party [21.12.82] | SD | 3:32 | Englightenment |
| Captain Zep [Clip from Christmas Tape] | SD | 0:37 | New |
| Studio Footage DVD Highlights [Under Arc Lights] | SD | 11:32 | Arc of Infinity |
| Studio Footage Expanded | SD | 59:31 | New |
| BBC Trails and Continuities | SD | 3:42 | 3:13 version on DVD |
| Photo Gallery | HD | 9:15 | 7:47 SD version on DVD |
| Audio Archive [Ron Jones 19.06.84] | Audio | 5:22 | New |
Total disc contents: 4:57:09
- Coming Soon: The Davros Collection [Easter Egg] removed. Only available option still is Season 16.
- Coming Soon: The Time Warrior already moved to Season 10.
- The DWM preview listed the Saturday Superstore excerpt with Bonnie Langford, broadcast 27 November 1982, as a standalone feature (it was appended to the Peter Davison appearance from 20 November). Peter Davison’s appearance was listed as a new feature, though a shorter excerpt had appeared on the Snakedance DVD.
Disc 2: Snakedance (1:38:12)
Commentary with Peter Davison, Janet Fielding and Sarah Sutton, recorded 2010.
| Format | Length | Original DVD Source & Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Making-of Documentary [Snake Charmer] | SD | 24:39 | Snakedance |
| Behind the Sofa | HD | 30:55 | New |
| Deleted Scenes | SD | 3:07 | Snakedance |
| Martin Clunes Interview [When Janet Met Martin] | HD | 23:23 | New |
| The Passenger [BD set trailer] | HD | 13:03 | New |
| Making The Passenger | HD | 5:57 | New |
| Christopher Bailey Interview | SD | 14:19 | Snakedance [Easter Egg] |
| Film Footage | HD | 1:01 | New |
| Studio Footage | SD | 21:14 | 6:50 edit on Snakedance |
| 50th Anniversary Archive [Matthew Waterhouse, Sarah Sutton] | HD | 36:01 | New |
| BBC Trails & Continuities | SD | 3:09 | New |
| Photo Gallery | HD | 9:18 | 5:22 SD version on DVD |
| Coming Soon [The Black Guardian Trilogy] | SD | 1:10 | The War Games |
Total disc contents: 4:45:28
- Coming Soon: Revisitations 2 likely to move to Seasons 6 and/or 21, although was not included on Season 10
- Saturday Superstore 20.11.82 moved to Disc 1
Disc 3: Mawdryn Undead (1:37:48)
Commentary with Peter Davison, Mark Strickson, Nicholas Courtney and Eric Saward, recorded 2007.
| Format | Length | Original DVD Source & Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Making-of Documentary [Who Wants to Live Forever?] | SD | 24:32 | Mawdryn Undead |
| Behind the Sofa | HD | 33:18 | New |
| Deleted & Extended Scenes | HD | 5:17 | Mawdryn Undead |
| Film Trims | HD | 13:33 | 3:33 version on DVD |
| Outtakes | HD | 7:50 | 5:36 version on DVD |
| Mark Strickson Featurette | SD | 8:30 | Enlightenment |
| Points of View [11.2.83] | SD | 1:42 | New |
| Once Upon a Time Lord | SD | 28:23 | New, a contemporary US documentary |
| Convention Footage [Sarah Sutton and Mark Strickson, Monstercon 2] | SD | 47:36 | New |
| Liberty Hall [fictional piece] | SD | 7:21 | Mawdryn Undead |
| DVD Easter Eggs [trivia and countdown clocks] | SD | 1:11 | Mawdryn Undead [Easter Eggs] |
| BBC Trails & Continuity | SD | 3:48 | 0:56s of continuities on DVD |
| Photo Gallery | HD | 10:09 | 7:29 (general gallery) and 1:26 (set photos) SD on DVD |
Total disc contents: 4:50:58
- Coming Soon: The Twin Dilemma expected on Season 21.
- The DVD version also featured the studio floor plans as an Easter Egg (as well as the PDFs on the disc), not included here.
- Finding Mark Strickson was erroneously listed in the DWM preview as having been a DVD Easter Egg.
Disc 4: Terminus (1:39:16)
Commentary with Peter Davison, Mark Strickson, Sarah Sutton and Stephen Gallagher, recorded 2007.
| Format | Length | Original DVD Source & Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Making-of Documentary [Breaking Point] | SD | 22:54 | Terminus |
| Behind the Sofa | HD | 31:59 | New |
| In Conversation [Sarah Sutton & Janet Fielding] | HD | 1:06:15 | New |
| Sarah Sutton Featurette | SD | 7:46 | Enlightenment |
| Model Shots | SD | 3:29 | Terminus |
| Storyboards | SD | 1:19 | Terminus |
| Origins of the Universe [factual] | SD | 6:29 | Terminus |
| DVD Easter Eggs [Trivia, countdown clocks] | SD | 1:26 | Terminus [Easter Eggs] |
| BBC Trails & Continuity | SD | 3:36 | 1:51 version on DVD |
| Photo Gallery | HD | 9:41 | 8:16 SD version on DVD |
| Audio Archive [Sarah Sutton on Ed Doolan 21.09.84] | Audio | 8:42 | New |
Total disc contents: 4:22:52
- Coming Soon: The Twin Dilemma (from the original DVD) expected to move to Season 21
Disc 5: Enlightenment (1:38:02)
Commentary with Peter Davison, Mark Strickson, Barbara Clegg and Fiona Cumming, recorded 2007.
| Format | Length | Original DVD Source & Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Making-of Documentary [Winner Takes All] | SD | 23:48 | Enlightenment |
| Behind the Sofa | HD | 32:11 | New |
| Cast Featurette [Casting Off] | SD | 10:10 | DVD version 25 seconds longer due to edit of bottom-pinching reference |
| Writer Featurette [Single Write Female] | SD | 5:14 | Enlightenment |
| Visual Effects Featurette | HD | 7:44 | New |
| The Guardians Featurette | SD | 11:55 | Enlightenment |
| Storyboards | SD | 5:58 | Enlightenment |
| Film Trims | HD | 5:44 | 5:33 SD version on DVD |
| Original Edit Comparison | SD | 2:36 | Enlightenment |
| Breakfast Time: The Doctors [01.03.83] | SD | 15:50 | 2:46 extract on The Five Doctors: SE |
| Photo Gallery | HD | 7:42 | 6:52 SD version on DVD |
| Special Edition DVD Edit [with optional 5.1 surround, and 1:30 intro by Fiona Cumming] | SD | 1:14:10 | Enlightenment |
| Re-Enlightenment [making of the SE] | SD | 14:23 | Enlightenment |
| DVD Easter Eggs [Trivia, Fielding/Davison anecdote, DVD bonus photo gallery] | SD | 4:37 | Enlightenment [Easter Eggs] |
| BBC Trails & Continuities | SD | 3:07 | 2:11 on DVD |
Total disc contents: 5:23:11
- Coming Soon: The Twin Dilemma (from the original DVD) expected on Season 21
- Coming Soon: The King’s Demons/Planet of Fire, from the Frontier in Space and The Creature from the Pit DVDs, was not included here
- Russell Harty’s Christmas Party moved to Disc 1
- Mark Strickson Featurette moved to Disc 3 and Sarah Sutton Featurette to Disc 4
- Single Write Female was listed as Single White Female in the DWM preview
Disc 6: The King’s Demons (49:46)
Commentary #1 with Peter Davison, Isla Blair, Eric Saward, recorded in 2008.
Commentary #2 [1] with Tony Virgo, recorded in 2008.
| Format | Length | Original DVD Source & Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Making-of Documentary [Back to Bodiam] | HD | 34:33 | New |
| Behind the Sofa | HD | 29:56 | New |
| Kamelion Featurette [Metal Man] | SD | 13:54 | The King’s Demons |
| Magna Carta Featurette | SD | 20:43 | The King’s Demons, edited here from 22:46 due to images of world leaders including Bin Laden |
| TV Promotion: Season 20 Nationwide: The Doctors [18.03.83] | SD | 9:10 | The Five Doctors SE |
| TV Promotion: Season 20 Points of View [25.03.83] | SD | 0:39 | New |
| TV Promotion: Season 20 Saturday Superstore [Davison, Fielding, Strickson, 26.03.83] | SD | 23:04 | 10:31 extract on The Five Doctors SE |
| TV Promotion: Season 20 Nationwide: Radiophonics [Workshop 30.03.83] | SD | 10:03 | New |
| TV Promotion: Season 20 Swap Shop Star Awards [11.04.82] | SD | 3:23 | New |
| TV Promotion: Season 20 South East at Six: USA [Convention 19.07.83] | SD | 4:16 | New |
| Longleat Celebration Content BBC News: Longleat Convention [3.4.83] | SD | 0:56 | New |
| Longleat Celebration Content BBC Longleat Feaurette [Doctor Who Celebration: 20 Years of a Time Lord] | SD | 12:19 | New |
| Longleat Celebration Content Convention Panel: Jon Pertwee | SD | 8:07 | New |
| Longleat Celebration Content Convention Panel: Patrick Troughton | SD | 20:26 | New |
| Longleat Celebration Content Convention Panel: Third Doctor Era | SD | 5:48 | New |
| Longleat Celebration Content Covention Panel: Season 20 Cast | SD | 14:25 | New |
| Longleat Celebration Content Convention Panel: First Doctor Era | SD | 12:17 | New |
| Longleat Celebration Content Convention Panel: Tom Baker & John Leeson | SD | 12:08 | New |
| Longleat Celebration Content Photo Gallery: 20th Anniversary | SD | 9:01 | New |
| Longleat Celebration Content Audio Archive [Longleat radio feature 04.04.83] | Audio | 28:37 | New, short extract on BBC Audiobooks’ Doctor Who at the BBC |
| TV Promotion: All Change Breakfast Time: Nicola Bryant [6.7.83] | SD | 8:59 | New |
| TV Promotion: All Change BBC News: Davison Departs [28.07.83] | SD | 1:48 | Two pieces, presented as individual 0:24 and 1:23 segments on The Caves of Androzani, compiled into a single 5:23 ‘News’ feature for the SE |
| TV Promotion: All Change Newsround [28.07.83] | SD | 0:37 | New |
| TV Promotion: All Change South East at Six: Davison & JNT [29.07.83] | SD | 3:39 | The Caves of Androzani, compiled into a single 5:23 ‘News’ feature for the SE |
| TV Promotion: All Change Breakfast Time: Peter Davison [3.8.83] | SD | 11:36 | New |
| TV Promotion: All Change BBC News: Sixth Doctor [19.8.83] | SD | 1:16 | Vengeance on Varos SE |
| TV Promotion: All Change Breakfast Time: Colin Baker [22.8.83] | SD | 8:26 | Vengeance on Varos SE |
| Australian Convention Footage [Fielding 29.5.83] | SD | 57:00 | New |
| BBC Trails & Continuities | SD | 4:52 | New |
| Photo Gallery | SD | 5:56 | The King’s Demons |
| Audio Archive Blackpool Exhibition [04.08.83] | Audio | 5:47 | BBC Audiobooks’ Doctor Who at the BBC: Lost Treasures |
| Audio Archive Gerald Flood Interview [26.03.83] | Audio | 27:59 | New |
Total disc contents: 7:41:26
- Coming Soon: The Dominators (from the original DVD) expected on Season 6.
- The audio navigation menu positions the Photo Gallery last, after the Audio Archive
Disc 7: The Five Doctors (TX Version) (1:30:29)
Note ‘SE’ here refers to the second DVD release, NOT to the 1995 Special Edition.
Commentary #1 with Carole Ann Ford, Nicholas Courtney, Elisabeth Sladen, Mark Strickson (from SE DVD, recorded in 2007)
Commentary #2 with David Tennant, Phil Collinson, Helen Raynor (easter egg from SE DVD, recorded in 2006)
| Format | Length | Original DVD Source & Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celebration Documentary | SD | 52:09 | The Five Doctors SE, version here edited to remove mention of Rolf Harris. |
| Behind the Sofa | HD | 34:44 | New |
| Studio Footage Highlights Five Doctors, One Studio | SD | 18:46 | The Five Doctors SE |
| Studio Footage Highlights (Not So) Special Effects | SD | 9:00 | The Five Doctors SE |
| Studio Footage Highlights Out-takes | SD | 6:36 | The Five Doctors SE |
| The Ties That Bind Us | SD | 15:55 | The Five Doctors SE |
| TV Promotion The Late, Late Breakfast Show [19.11.83, The Five Doctors outtake] | SD | 1:08 | Excerpt on 1992 Daleks: The Early Years VHS |
| TV Promotion Pebble Mill at One [21.11.83, Strickson, Fielding, Tamm, Courtney] | SD | 9:06 | New |
| TV Promotion Blue Peter [21.11.83, Peter Davison, Richard Hurndall] | SD | 8:04 | The Five Doctors SE |
| TV Promotion BBC2 Closedown | SD | 4:11 | New |
| TV Promotion Breakfast Time [25.11.83, Preview] | SD | 1:33 | New |
| TV Promotion Children in Need [25.11.83] | SD | 3:12 | Part of a 19:13 feature on The Five Doctors SE |
| TV Promotion BBC News [28.11.83, convention report] | SD | 2:03 | New |
| TV Promotion Saturday Superstore – Preview [19.11.83] | SD | 2:02 | New |
| TV Promotion Saturday Superstore – Radio Times Special [17.12.83] | SD | 1:04 | New |
| TV Promotion BBC Trails & Continuities | SD | 9:26 | Part of a 19:13 feature on The Five Doctors SE |
| Repeat Screening Breakfast Time [14.08.84] | SD | 1:07 | New |
| Repeat Screening Cliffhangers & Credits | SD | 9:51 | Part of a 19:13 feature on The Five Doctors SE |
| DVD Easter Egg [BBC video logo and timescoop] | SD | 0:22 | The Five Doctors SE [Easter Egg] |
| Photo Gallery | HD | 13:26 | New |
| Audio Archive [John Nathan-Turner on BBC London, 11.83] | Audio | 19:54 | New |
Total disc contents: 5:14:08
- Coming Soon: The Invasion of Time (from the SE) moved to Season 15
- Breakfast Time 01.03.83 (from the SE) moved to Disc 5
- Nationwide 18.03.83 (from the SE) moved to Disc 6
- Saturday Superstore 26.03.83 (from the SE) extended and moved to Disc 6
Disc 8: The Five Doctors (40th Anniversary Edition) (1:30:32)
This disc contains a new edition, based on the TX edit, with CG effects and enhanced audio.
New commentary by Peter Davison, Janet Fielding and Mark Strickson.
| Format | Length | Original DVD Source & Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location Footage | SD | 32:41 | New |
| Studio Footage Tuesday 29th March 1983 | SD | 53:30 | New |
| Studio Footage Wednesday 30th March 1983 | SD | 1:17:03 | New |
| Studio Footage Thursday 31st March 1983 | SD | 1:20:07 | New |
| Australian Convention Footage [Davison, Dickinson, 10.4.83] | SD | 1:27:30 | New |
| The Panopticon Archive [Pertwee, Davison, Colin Baker, McCoy, 1993] | SD | 41:30 | New |
| Coming Soon [The Five Doctors 25th Anniversary Edition] | SD | 1:13 | The Time Meddler |
| Messages from Space | HD | 21:44 | New, produced for s18 promotion in US and released in SD on DWM free DVD with issue 544 |
Total disc contents: 8:05:50
Disc 9: The Five Doctors (Special Edition) (1:40:38)
This disc contains an extended edition produced in 1995, with CG effects and enhanced audio.
Commentary by Peter Davison and Terrance Dicks (from original US DVD), recorded 2001
| Format | Length | Original DVD Source & Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Look Who’s Driving | HD | 1:07:14 | New |
| Let’s Go Dutch! | HD | 1:15:46 | New |
Total disc contents: 4:03:38
- Who’s Who (from first US release) not included
- Special music feature [8 suites of music from the 1995], from the original DVD release, not included
PDF Material
Radio Times clippings were present on all the original DVD releases of Arc of Infinity to The King’s Demons. The 1983 annual was included on Arc of Infinify. Mawdryn Undead contained studio plans. Mawdryn Undead, Terminus and Enlightenment all contained storyboards. Englightenment contained the Radio Times 20th anniversary special and a selection of production paperwork
The studio floor plans for Snakedance, and the 2007 CGI storyboards for Mawdryn Undead, Terminus, and Enlightenment, were not mentioned in the DWM preview. It also listed four transmission scripts for Snakedance, instead of three editing scripts [1-3] and one camera script [4].
Errata
- Several of the effects of the Raston Warrior Robot appearing and disappearing are absent in the 40th Anniversary Edition of The Five Doctors.
- The booklet incorrectly states the new 2023 Enlightenment CGI effects are in SD; they are in HD. It also states that it has an optional introduction from Fiona Cumming – that introduction is (non-optionally) part of the 2009 special edition version.
- The booklet has a typeface glitch in the Pete McTighe credit.
- Several sequences across a number of episodes have a slight judder, particularly when there has been little movement on the screen for a few seconds.
