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The Collection

[Rating:4.5/5]

We have gathered together here by the BBC what constitutes the entire adventures of the Ninth Doctor (Christopher Eccleston), Tenth Doctor (David Tennant) and the bulk of adventures of the Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith), for the long-running sci-fi series Doctor Who. Doctor Who: The Complete Series 1-7 Limited Edition Blu-ray Gift Set. Brings to Blu-ray for the first time the first four series of the “rebooted” Doctor Who franchise, which includes two Doctors (Eccleston and Tennant) and three companions (Billie Piper, Freema Agyeman, and Catherine Tate), plus remastered editions of series five and six, and series seven, plus the Complete Specials collection. Fans will get to relive from the very beginning every touching, campy, adventurous moment of The Doctor and his companion of choice taking on everything from Daleks or Cybermen to The Silence and Bad Wolf.

There’s really no underestimating the cultural reach of this series. Like Star Trek stateside, it’s a series that keeps a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’. It’s been going on and off and on again since the 1960s, with numerous actors stopping off to play The Doctor or one of his companions. There have been films, TV specials, lots of merchandising  (I mean, who wouldn’t want their own TARDIS or sonic screwdriver?) and people just can’t seem to get enough of it. With Matt Smith about to leave and Doctor number twelve (or is that number thirteen?) about to make his way onto the show, now seems like the fitting time for this sort of complete retrospective. What you don’t have here is the recent 50^th anniversary special and, of course, the forthcoming Christmas special. But you do have hours of bonus materials, a sonic screwdriver, a comic book and more.

Video Quality

[Rating:3.5/5]

First the good news – all of the discs have had their video and audio remastered from their original U.S. Blu-ray releases, for all that were available on Blu-ray anyway. That means that series five through seven have had their video upgraded and re-encdoded from 1080i/60 VC1 to full 1080p/24 AVC/MPEG-4 and their audio upgraded from the lossy DTS-HD High Resolution format to lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz/24-bit). That means these three series, originally produced in high definition, all look crisper and more film-like than ever on Blu-ray and they sound a step above how they sounded before as well. Now for the bad news. The older series, including all of the Christmas specials and the one special from the Complete Specials Collection*, all filmed in 16mm, have also been transferred for the first time to Blu-ray with the same DTS-HD Master Audio (48kHz/24-bit) lossless audio and 1080p/24 AVC/MPEG-4 picture. So what’s so bad about that, you ask? Well, they have had heavy doses of edge enhancement applied and one can spot obvious ringing/haloing around objects pretty much straight through the shows. The best looking of the 16mm lot is the first of the Complete Specials collection (and only one on that collection filmed in 16mm), The Next Doctor. It seems to have been cleaned up the most, but still has a lot of edge enhancement. So, unfortunately, this older material drags down the overall video quality of the entire set, not merely because it was done on 16mm, but because it has had a heavy-handed amount of post-processing applied.

*All but one of the specials on the Complete Specials Collection were done in HD.

Audio Quality

[Rating:4/5]

The upgrade to the lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz/24-bit) codec from the lossy variant DTS-HD High Resolution for much of this material has had a pleasurable effect, especially on the later series. The high end sounds more natural now and less edgy and dialogue is just a bit cleaner. Overall, the later series have more balanced mixes and tend to be less boomy, whereas early on the mixes are rather overdone on the low end and gimmicky.

Supplemental Materials

[Rating:5/5]

This is where the Doctor Who: The Complete Series 1-7 Limited Edition Blu-ray Gift Set earns its rather cumbersome name. It’s loaded with swag, hours, upon hours of bonus materials including select episode audio commentaries, Doctor Who Confidential to take you behind the scenes on the series’ production, interviews with the cast and crew, mini-episodes, promos, and more. See the complete listing below for the lowdown.

Inside the box you get:

• Doctor Who Universal Remote Control Sonic Screwdriver – Comfortably nuzzled in a bubble pack and wrapped in foam packing material with instructions on how to use it, but I’m guessing real collectors won’t be opening this little nugget.
• 3 exclusive art cards
• An exclusive Doctor Who Comic Book
• Additional Blu-ray Bonus Disc packed with the first-time on Blu-ray specials:
  • The Doctor Who Ultimate List of Lists from BBC America’s The Brit List – BBC America’s pop culture correspondent Asha Leo is joined by special guest John Barrowman (Torchwood; Doctor Who) to announce the rankings of the “Top Five Companions”, “Top Five Scariest Moments”, “Top Five Best Monsters”, “Top Five Guest Stars” and “Top Five Things You’ll Only See on Doctor Who”.
  • Doctor Who at The Proms 2010 – Doctor Who’s own Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill host a spectacular evening of music from the series played live by the London Philharmonic Orchestra at London’s historic Royal Albert Hall. Includes video projections, appearances by the monsters, and a special guest appearance by the 11^th Doctor, Matt Smith.
  • Doctor Who: The Best of the Christmas Specials – This previously unreleased special from December 2011 takes an inside look at the very best moments from the incredible Doctor Who Christmas specials that have captivated audiences around the world. A collection of fans from the celebrity, sci-fi, and digital worlds discuss their favorite moments from both David Tennant and Matt Smith era episodes.

Additional Materials:

Series One:

• Commentaries
• BBC Breakfast Interview with Christopher Eccleston (1.78:1; SD; 00:11:45)
• Destroying the Lair (1.78:1; SD; 00:03:24)
• Making Doctor Who with Russell T Davies (1.78:1; SD; 00:15:34)
• Waking the Dead – Mark Gatiss on writing for Doctor Who (1.33:1; SD; 00:18:10)
• Laying Ghosts (1.78:1; SD; 00:08:25)
• Launch Trailers (1.78:1; SD; 00:02:46)
• Storyboard of Opening Trailer (1.78:1; SD; 00:00:49)
• Deconstructing Big Ben (1.78:1; SD; 00:04:52)
• On Set with Billie Piper (1.33:1; SD; 00:19:04)
• Mike Tucker’s Mocks of Balloons (1.78:1; SD; 00:05:32)
• Designing Doctor Who (1.78:1; SD; 00:20:52)
• The Adventures of Captain Jack (1.78:1; SD; 00:08:31)
• Trailers (1.78:1; SD; 00:03:30)
• Doctor Who Confidential (1.78:1; SD; 02:35:45):
  • Episode 1 – Bringing Back The Doctor
  • Episode 2 – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
  • Episode 3 – Tardis Tales
  • Episode 4 – I Get a Side-Kick Out of You
  • Episode 5 – Why on Earth?
  • Episode 6 – Dalek
  • Episode 7 – The Dark Side
  • Episode 8 – Time Trouble
  • Episode 9 – Special Effects
  • Episode 10 – Weird Science
  • Episode 11 –Unsung Heroes and Violent Death
  • Episode 12 – The World of Who
  • Episode 13 – The Last Battle

Series Two:

• Billie’s Video Diaries (1.78:1; SD; 00:04:18)
• Children in Need Special (1.78:1; SD; 00:07:15)
• Outtakes (1.78:1; SD; 00:08:19)
• Deleted Scenes (1.78:1; SD; 00:16:06)
• Doctor Who Confidential:
  • Backstage at Christmas (1.78:1; SD; 02:37:42)
  • Episode 1 – New New Doctor
  • Episode 2 – Fear Factor
  • Episode 3 – Friends Reunited
  • Episode 4 – Script to Screen
  • Episode 5 – Cybermen
  • Episode 6 – From Zero to Hero
  • Episode 7 – The Writer’s Tale
  • Episode 8 – You’ve Got the Look
  • Episode 9 – Myths and Legends
  • Episode 10 – The New World of Who
  • Episode 11 – The Fright Stuff
  • Episode 12 – Welcome to Torchwood
  • Episode 13 – Finale
• David’s Video Diaries (1.78:1; SD; 01:25:19)

Series Three:

• Commentaries
• Freema Agyeman Studio Tour (1.78:1; SD; 00:18:17)
• Deleted Scenes (1.78:1; SD; 00:18:03)
• Outtakes (1.78:1; SD; 00:05:28)
• BBC Trailers (1.78:1; SD; 00:04:10):
  • Teaser 1
  • Teaser 2
  • Launch Promo 1
  • Launch Promo 2
• David Tennant’s Video Diaries (1.78:1; SD; 01:45:21)
• BBC Trailers (1.78:1; SD; 00:00:47):
  • Episode 6
  • Episode 7
• Music and Monsters (1.78:1; SD; 00:58:33) – A musical celebration of Doctor Who
• Doctor Who Confidential (1.78:1; SD; 02:32:41):
  • Episode 1 – Meet Martha Jones
  • Episode 2 – Stage Fright
  • Episode 3 – Are We There Yet?
  • Episode 4 – A New York Story
  • Episode 5 – Making Manhattan
  • Episode 6 – Monsters Inc.
  • Episode 7 – Space Craft
  • Episode 8 – Alter Ego
  • Episode 9 – Bad Blood
  • Episode 10 – Do You Remember the First Time?
  • Episode 11 – Ello, Ello, Ello
  • Episode 12 – The Saxon Mystery
  • Episode 13 – The Valiant Quest
• BBC Trailers (1.78:1; SD; 00:01:28):
  • Episode 11
  • Episode 12
  • Episode 12 Vote Saxon
  • Episode 13

Series Four:

• Commentaries
• Children in Need – Time Crash (1.78:1; SD; 00:08:01)
• David Tennant’s Video Diary (1.78:1; SD; 00:14:54)
• Voyage of the Damned Deleted Scenes (1.78:1; SD; 00:02:36)
• Howard Attfield Deleted Scenes (1.78:1; SD; 00:06:46)
• Deleted Scenes (1.78:1; SD; 00:10:38)
• BBC Trailers (1.78:1; SD; 00:07:21):
  • Cinema Trailer
  • Cinema Trailer (Short Version)
  • TV Trailer
  • TV Trailer (Short Version)
  • Teaser
• Deleted Scenes (1.78:1; SD; 00:13:47)
• BBC Trailers (1.78:1; SD; 00:01:38):
  • “Sontaran” Teaser
  • Episodes 4 and 5
  • Episode 6
  • Episode 7
• BBC Trailers (1.78:1; SD; 00:02:19):
  • Episode 8 (Season Finale Teaser)
  • Episode 9
  • Episode 10
  • Episode 11
• David Tennant’s Video Diary (1.78:1; SD; 00:15:44)
• The Journey (So Far) (1.78:1; SD; 00:30:57)
• Doctor Who Confidential (1.78:1; SD; 02:59:37):
  • Christmas Confidential
  • Episode 1 – A Noble Return
  • Episode 2 – The Italian Job
  • Episode 3 – Odds & Ends
  • Episode 4 – Send in the Clones
  • Episode 5 – Sontar-Ha!
  • Episode 6 – The Sins of the Fathers
  • Episode 7 – Nemesis
  • Episode 8 – Shadowplay
  • Episode 9 – River Runs Deep
  • Episode 10 – Look Who’s Talking
  • Episode 11 – Here Come the Girls
  • Episode 12 – Friends and Foe
  • Episode 13 – The End of an Era
• BBC Trailers (1.78:1; SD; 00:01:32):
  • Dalek Teaser
  • “Supreme Dalek” Teaser
  • Episode 12 Finale
  • Episode 13 Finale
• Deleted Scenes (1.78:1; SD; 00:06:34)

Series Five:

• Commentaries
• Meanwhile in the Tardis Additional Scene (1.78:1; 1080p/24; 00:03:24)
• Monster File – The Daleks (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:10:27)
• Monster File – Weeping Angels (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:10:44)
• Video Diary (1.78:1; SD; 00:09:38)
• Meanwhile in the Tardis Additional Scene (1.78:1; 1080p/24; 00:04:03)
• Monster File – The Silurians (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:09:29)
• Video Diary Part 2 (1.78:1; SD; 00:09:15)
• Monster File – The Alliance (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:10:32)
• Outtakes (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:07:33)
• Video Diary Part 3 (1.78:1; SD; 00:10:05)
• Trailers (1.78:1; SD; 00:12:06):
  • Teaser Trailer
  • Episodic Trailer
  • Finale Trailers
  • International Trailers
• Doctor Who Confidential (1.781; 1080i/60; 03:02:57):
  • Episode 1 – Call Me the Doctor
  • Episode 2 – All About the Girl
  • Episode 3 – War Games
  • Episode 4 Eyes Wide Open
  • Episode 5 – Blinded by the Light
  • Episode 6 – Death in Venice
  • Episode 7 – Arthurian Legend
  • Episode 8 – After Effects
  • Episode 9 – What Goes on Tour…
  • Episode 10 – A Brush with Genius
  • Episode 11 – Extra Time
  • Episode 12 – Alien Abduction
  • Episode 13 – Out of Time

Series Six:

• Commentaries
• Comic Relief Sketch “Space” (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:04:00)
• Comic Relief Sketch “Time” (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:03:04)
• Monster File – The Silence (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:11:16)
• The Impossible Astronaut Prequel (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:01:50)
• The Curse of the Black Spot Prequel (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:01:27)
• Night and the Doctor (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:14:28):
  • “Bad Night”
  • “Good Night”
  • “First Night”
  • “Last Night”
• Monster File – The Gangers (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:13:22)
• Monster File – The Anti-Bodies (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:09:05)
• A Good Man Goes to War Prequel (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:01:39)
• Let’s Kill Hitler Prequel (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:01:58)
• Monster File – The Cybermats (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:10:15)
• The Wedding of River Song Prequel (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:01:14)
• Night and the Doctor “Up All Night” (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:01:57)
• Part 1 Trailer (1.78:1; SD; 00:01:08)
• Part 2 Trailer (1.78:1; SD; 00:00:48)
• Doctor Who Confidential (1.78:1; 1080p/24; 00:58:47):
• A Christmas Carol Confidential
  • Episode 1 – Coming to America
  • Episode 2 – Breaking the Silence
  • Episode 3 – Ship Ahoy!
  • Episode 4 – Bigger on the Inside
  • Episode 5 – Double Trouble
  • Episode 6 – Take Two
  • Episode 7 – The Born Identity
  • Episode 8 – River Runs Wild
  • Episode 9 – About a Boy
  • Episode 10 – What Dreams May Come
  • Episode 11 – Heartbreak Hotel
  • Episode 12 – Open All Hours
  • Episode 13 – When Time Froze
• The Night’s Tale Confidential

Series Seven:

• Commentaries
• The Doctor, The Widow, and The Wardrobe Prequel (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:01:27)
• Asylum of the Daleks Prequel (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:02:35)
• The Making of the Gunslinger (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:01:46)
• Pond Life (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:06:12)
• Demon’s Run: Two Days Later (1.78:1; 1080p/24; 00:02:59)
• Vastra Investigates – A Christmas Prequel (1.78:1; 1080p/24; 00:02:44)
• The Great Detective (1.78:1; 1080p/24; 00:03:24)
• The Bells of Saint John – A Prequel (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:02:43)
• Last Days of the Ponds (1.78:1; 1080p/24; 00:12:14)
• Doctor Who at Comic Con (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:11:02)
• Doctor Who in the U.S. (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:43:25)
• Doctor Who on The Nerdist (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:15:14):
  • Matt Smith Satellite Interview #1
  • Matt Smith Satellite Interview #2
• Jenna-Louise Coleman Podcast
• Creating Clara (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:09:47)
• Behind the Scenes (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:55:09):
  • Episode 1 – Life Cycle of a Dalek
  • Episode 2 – Raptors, Robots and a Bumpy Ride
  • Episode 3 – Wild, Wild Spain
  • Episode 4 – A Writer’s Tale
  • Episode 5 – A Fall from Grace
  • Clara’s White Christmas
  • Episode 6 – The Bells of Saint John
  • Episode 7 – The Rings of Akhaten
  • Episode 8 – Cold War
  • Episode 9 – Hide
  • Episode 10 – Journey to the Center of the Tardis
  • Episode 11 – The Crimson Horror
  • Episode 12 – Nightmare in Silver
  • Episode 13 – The Name of the Doctor
• Clarence and the Whispermen (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:02:18)
• The Science of Doctor Who (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:43:52)
• The Companions (1.78:1; 1080p/24; 00:45:28)
• She Said, He Said (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:03:39)
• Inforarium (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:02:02)
• Clara and the Tardis (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:02:14)
• Rain Gods (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:02:22)

The Complete Specials:

• Commentary
• Doctor Who at The Proms 2008 (1.78:1; 1080p/24; 01:02:07)
• David Tennant Video Diary – The Final Days (1.78:1; SD; 00:40:41)
• Doctor Who BC Christmas Idents (1.78:1; SD; 00:00:53)
• Doctor Who at Comic Con (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:21:23)
• Deleted Scenes with Introduction from Russell T. Davies (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:17:16)
• Doctor Who Confidential (1.78:1; SD; 00:55:34):
  • The Next Doctor Confidential
  • Planet of the Dead Confidential
  • The Waters of Mars Confidential
  • The End of Time, Part 1 Confidential
  • The End of Time, Part 2 Confidential

The Definitive Word

Overall:

[Rating:4/5]

Doctor Who: The Complete Series 1-7 Limited Edition Blu-ray Gift Set is like a dream come true for fans of this classic sci-fi series. Obviously aimed right at the holiday gift giving crowd, this one would be a perfect gift for anyone you know who loves the Doctor, sci-fi, or might be inclined to dress up as a Dalek for Comic Con.

Additional Screen Captures

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