Stripped for Action: The First Doctor (2008 Video) User Reviews

A Comic doc about Strips

[rnnbleasdale68 · 1/10 · 6 July 2008]

Wow, here we go again, we have just had the worst documentaries from Pheonix Media how is it these people are still even in business. Whilst Stripped for action was not perhaps the worst DVD extra I have ever seen it certainly ranks up there with the "how boring can we make an interesting topic" category. This doc was actually pretty dire throughout in many ways but most notable was the hideous music that was used it was so painful to listen to. It appears that after failing dreadfully on Key to Time DVD Marcus Hearn and Anthony Caufield wanted to be given a second chance and they failed again, I wonder how many more stinkers the Doctor Who DVD Executive Producers will allow through before they get the message that these people simply cannot make documentaries. I suppose on the other had its not all bad, if we ignore the poor technical quality of the work and look at the content its a pretty interesting topic but actually even the people they interviewed looked a bit bored didn't they? Its a real shame this production company cant learn that in order to tell a good story it must be of a high standard, entertaining and technically fine and thats the basic message so I'd say if you are going to purchase this DVD then don't do it if you are buying for extra's you'll be disappointed.

Wonderfully nostalgic history of Dr Who comics.

[richard-bemrose · 9/10 · 26 July 2008]

What a surprise to find a documentary about Dr Who comics tucked away on the DVD of The Time Meddler. As someone (just about) old enough to have bought some of the comics discussed in this brief programme it was a treat to hear about how the Dr Who strip began all those years ago. This is a brisk but thoroughly researched programme, packed full of comic strip art and enthusiastic interviewees, most of whom don't look old enough to have been born when William Hartnell was the Doctor! The highlight is probably an interview with Bill Mevin, who drew the original Doctor Who comic strip back in 1964. The subject is perhaps a curious choice (it's got little to do with The Time Meddler) but this is a welcome addition to the Doctor Who range. There is another 'episode' of Stripped for Action on the Black Orchid DVD.