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Doctor Who: Spearhead from Space | 
| Actors: Jon Pertwee, Caroline John, Nicholas Courtney, Hugh Burden, Neil Wilson
Studio: BBC / Warner Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: CDN$ 24.98
Buy New: CDN$ 17.44
You Save: CDN$ 7.54 (30%)
New (16) Used (1) from CDN$ 17.44
Rating:  27 reviews
Sales Rank: 19135
Format: Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: WARDE1163D
ISBN: 0790761912
UPC: 794051116321
EAN: 9780790761916
ASIN: B00005LMAC
Theatrical Release Date: September 29, 1975
Release Date: September 11, 2001
Availability: Usually ships within 1 - 2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: ~BRAND NEW~ FACTORY SEALED! Ships Airmail from New York. Please do allow 5-15 business days for delivery. Amazing Customer Service. Order confirmation email sent ###
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From Amazon.com
"Spearhead from Space" launched IDoctor Who/I into the 1970s with not only a new Doctor, Jon Pertwee, but a new assistant, the scientist Liz Shaw (Caroline John) and a regular place in the show for UNIT and Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart (Nicholas Courtney). It also marked the debut of the program in color and saw the Doctor stranded on Earth after Patrick Troughton's last adventure, "The War Games" (1969). Not only that, but it proved the only serial in the show's history to be entirely shot both on film and location, giving it a uniquely cinematic feel. Regenerating in a country hospital, the Doctor finds himself helping the Brigadier investigate an unusual meteorite and its links with a sinister doll factory. The Autons are cybernetic killers--anticipating IThe Terminator/I by some 15 years--and the sequence in which they break through shop windows to slaughter pedestrians remains a chilling highpoint of IDoctor Who/I's entire history. Things do turn silly with a subplot involving a wax museum, while the ultimate battle with the Nestine consciousness is more likely to induce laughter than fear, but as vintage television nostalgia this is fast-moving, splendidly characterized entertainment. I--Gary S. Dalkin/I
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| Customer Reviews: Read 22 more reviews...
 Brilliant! April 30, 2004
This is naturally one of the all time greats, the start ofbrseason seven, one of Who's finest, along with seasons fourteen and twenty, it is an atypically dark, atmospheric, sophisticated and adult season, and this is the kick off! brI notice one reviewer decided to stick the boots into this story and say go watch Sylvester MacCoy, the intellectual pinnacle of the series. Well, if some dimwit hanging from his brolly trying to be funny is your idea of an intellectual pinnacle, then you should take this fan person's advice.brIn my personal opinion, the intellectual pinnacle of Dr.Who was the period in which Christopher H Bidmead was either script editing or contributing scripts, alomng with the other writers he personally enocuraged to contribute to the series, such as the brilliant Christopher Bailey, SF author Steve Gallagher and writer/director Peter Grimwade. I refer to seasons 18, 19, 20, and 21. Stories like Warrior's Gate, Logopolis/Castrovalva, Kinda/Snakedance, and the trilogy Mawdryn Undead, Terminus and Enlightenment. Bidmead's idea that Dr.Who could be double layered, with a story which follows the conventions of a TV adventure serial on the first level and a serious examination of themes, issues and ideas about other people, cultures, societies and ways of life, was truly inspired and led to some stunning tales, which were as much Sapphire and Steel and Twilight Zone as they were classic Dr.Who. But MacCoy? His era was like a silly pardody aimed at kids. But Spearhead from space is great, not aimed at the intellectual end of the market perhaps, but still a slick, witty, clever blend of thriller, horror and SF, that is exciting and pleasing and ushers in an era that is mature and thought-provoking. The first of a few great eras, in fact. For my money, Pertwee and Davison, along with early Tom Baker, leave the rest largely in the shade, especially MacCoy! And this tale is one of Pertwee's finest! Now, where's Inferno?
 A bit duller than many other episodes, but still fun moments October 31, 2003
Valnastar (Deep 13, USA)
John Pertwee is fun to watch and is one of the livelier actors to play the Doctor. However, this episode takes a while to get going and is slow at times, even for Dr. Who. It is good goofy fun like most Dr. Who, but it is not the most exciting episode and I've seen other Pertwee episodes that should have been on DVD ahead of this one. Dr. Who fans will still enjoy it, but if you're looking for your first Dr. Who episode to buy, try The Ark In Space or Tomb Of The Cybermen first.
First of Jon Pertwee and First Color Dr. Who June 10, 2003
Black Cat de La Bear (those dark halls)
This brings to a close(temporarily) the space/time traveling freedom of Dr. Who. Patrick Troughton and William Hartnell's Dr.s misbehavior punishment falls on Jon Pertwee. Thier is good continuety between this and the War Games(even thought the two are totally different). Pertwee explains that he must "try to use his machine" but fails and then explains in less than flattering terms about the timelords. Spearhead also introduces the Autons and an excellent actor named John Woodnut who would appear in many following episodes with Tom Baker(namely Terror of the Zygons and Keeper of Traken). The first epsiode is a little slow (and it needs to be) to slowly introduce Jon Pertwee as Dr. Who. After that it picks up when he leaves the hostpitol and starts doing his job as Dr. Who and one who would then be offered the position of Unit's Scientific Advisor.
The start of a new era! December 30, 2002
Robert Torres (New Port Richey, FL United States)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Spearhead From Space marks the start of a brand new era for the Doctor Who mythos, for the slate is pretty much wiped clean as is evident from the ending of 'War Games'. This was the first adventure to be shot in color, to be shot entirely on film, and features the newly regenerated Doctor, exiled to Earth, and now reluctantly has to rely on the resources and support of his old friend Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, and U.N.I.T. to give him shelter, while he continues to lend his remarkable intellect to defending the Earth against alien creatures. This remains a marvelous adventure as it also introduces the Nestene, the Autons, and a brand new companion in the form of independant, intelligent, Cambridge scientist, Elizabeth Shaw, the proverbial Scully to the Doctor's Mulder. This adventure, along with all of Jon Pertwee's adventures as the Doctor stand the tests of time, as it never feels in any way dated or time frame specific, considering it is the 1970's, but you never feel as if it is the 1970's in anyway. The Autons are highly effective creatures, serving both as foot soldiers, and as physical hosts for some of the Nestene energy within the pods that landed on Earth. Definitely highly recommended for Dr. Who fans.
 The first Jon Pertwee episode, no epic but worthy September 3, 2002
Wilhelm Kerth (Vienna, AUSTRIA)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
In this 4 part episode Jon Pertwee is introduced as the third Doctor.pThis story is quiet average, like most introduction episodes. The first 3 parts are rather boring, except for the excellent Pertwee-humor, part 4 gains some tension and the typical Who atmosphere.
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