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Doctor Who - The Complete First Series | 
 enlarge | Actors: Billie Piper, Christopher Eccleston, Camille Coduri, Noel Clarke, John Barrowman
Studio: Sci-Fi Channel, The
Category: DVD
List Price: $99.98
Buy Used: $49.90
You Save: $50.08 (50%)
New (39) Used (18) from $49.90
Rating:  244 reviews
Sales Rank: 2021
Format: Box Set, Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
Region: 1
Discs: 5
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Number Of Discs: 5
Running Time: 585 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.5 x 0.7
MPN: WARDE2501D
UPC: 794051250124
EAN: 0794051250124
ASIN: B000E41MS6
Theatrical Release Date: January 1, 2005
Release Date: July 4, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 07/04/2006 Rating: Nr
Amazon.com
The venerable science fiction program Doctor Who returned to British televisions in 2005 after a 15-year absence and delighted the majority of fans and critics with its adherence to the adventure and charm of the original series while making admissions for a new generation of viewers (hipper editing and score, CGI effects). Thirteen episodes were generated, all starring Christopher Eccleston as the ninth Doctor and pop-singer-turned-actress Billie Piper as his companion Rose; acclaimed writer/producer Russell T. Davies (Touching Evil, Queer as Folk) oversaw the show as chief writer and executive producer. The new series proved so popular that the BBC agreed to revive the program for second and third seasons--though without Eccleston, who has since been replaced by David Tennant. This six-disc set comes with all 13 episodes plus the battery of supplemental features now customary to all Doctor Who DVD releases. Eccleston is very engaging in the title role, bringing a manic curiosity tempered by occasional bouts of gravity (which befit a personality with a long and dramatic a lifespan as the Doctor's) that hew closely to the (arguably) most popular Doctor, Tom Baker. Piper is equally adept as department store clerk Rose--she's afforded more of a back story than most of the Doctor's sidekicks have received in the past, and she more than handles her own alongside Eccleston. Highlights among the 13 episodes include the season opener, "Rose" (which sees the return of an old foe, the Autons, and their controlling force, the Nestene Consciousness); the revamped Daleks in "Dalek" and the two-parter "Bad Wolf" and "The Parting of the Ways"; a trip to Victorian England to aid Charles Dickens in "The Unquiet Dead," and of course, the arrival of the tenth Doctor at the conclusion of the action-packed "Parting of the Ways." The episodes strike the right blend of quirk, excitement, and imagination, thanks largely to the engaging performances and the guidance of Davies, whose admiration for the show and its history is evident throughout. Supplemental features--and there are many--including commentary on all 13 episodes by members of the cast and crew, including Piper and Davies; numerous making-of featurettes, including a profile of Davies; a video diary by Piper; an interview with Eccleston, and best of all, a glimpse at the 60-minute Christmas special, "The Christmas Invasion," which picks up where the series concludes. Who fans won't be disappointed. --Paul Gaita
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| Customer Reviews:
 Great series and great DVD set! June 6, 2009
tigerlili (USA)
As a U.S. resident, I'm stuck only being able to watch this series as reruns, and they are not always shown in order. My dear husband bought me season 1 and 2 on DVD for our anniversary - what a great guy! I am very happy with both DVD sets (and with hubby for buying them for me!)
The stories and writing are fantastic, as well as the acting. Each DVD set comes with extras on most of the discs, as well as an entire Doctor Who Confidential disc packed with extras. I will definitely be getting seasons 3 and 4 asap!
A Perfectly Updated Classic May 26, 2009
elayne pallist (Chicago, IL USA)
As so many others have written, this Sci-fi classic will be around for years. Chris Eccleston was brilliant as the Ninth Doctor and is sorely missed. He set the standard that David Tennant and following Doctors have to live up to. Not only does Eccleston bring dark conviction, pain and vulnerability to his performance of the Doctor, he leads you through the maze that is the Whoniverse with an offbeat humor and manic intensity. He will remain my favorite Doctor (behind Tom Baker).
Billie Piper is terrific as Rose, and along with Noel Clark, brings the uncertainty and apathy of the youth of London's working class to light.
My one minor creepout is that the writing/production team of Russell T. Davies and Julie Gardner are intent on gaining female viewership by building up an awkward romance between Rose and the Doctor. Since they play it out innocently enough, it's not a huge thing. And the later incarnation of Tennant's Doctor is even more charming and younger-appearing than Eccleston. But it's just a matter of time before things have to change. As a longtime Who fan I've seen William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, and Sylvester McCoy (the "geezer" incarnations) take on this role, so the relationship between an ever-changing 900 year old alien with a 19 year old human girl is bound to take a weird detour that Rose may hesitate to follow, once the Doctor isn't quite so cool or adorable in appearance.
But I am certain Davies can handle even that turn of events. The writing for each episode is packed full of imagination and biting social commentary about our times (especially pointed while living through the policies of George W. Bush's administration and The War on Terror) with its increased militarism, paranoia and ambiguous fears. The Doctor assures us we're going to be okay, but not without a fight. And there are constant battles with ordinary folk learning that they will have to engage the powers that be in order to change their world.
Some standouts in the series:
Eccleston's brash performance in "Aliens of London" contains his delivery of one of the funniest lines in Who History.
"Dalek" sees the return of our favorite villains - essential to the Whoniverse and the Doctor's identity. Rose must take a stand that changes the Doctor for the better.
"The Long Game" shows what happens when people are seduced into perpetuating their own backwards state of affairs. The "media" in this new world is the key to their problems and solution.
"The Empty Child" and "The Doctor Dances" introduces the controversial but charming character Jack Harkness (eventually we grow to like him). And writer Steven Moffat (Coupling) produces one of the best stories of the entire 4 seasons with this two parter. Powerful, unforgettable writing and quotes that even David Tennant has to recall in later seasons.
"Bad Wolf" and "Parting of the Ways" reaffirms everything we love about this Doctor and makes our parting with him even more difficult in retrospect. And Rose is forever changed once she sees that it's up to her (With help from Mickey and Jackie) to ensure that destruction and chaos are turned away. These last two episodes ultimately show what potential we humans possess when tested.
This season is a standalone classic. It works because the true heroes are those who allow their lives to change once they've encountered the Doctor: they stop accepting their place on the sidelines, stand up in the face of overwhelming odds and do something about the mess they are in.
Watch it! Laugh and Learn and save the world!
A Stroke Of Pure Genius May 24, 2009
William Knights (Ca, USOA)
The new series is amazing! Thank you, Mr. Davies and all who participated in bringing this show to a beautiful masterpiece once more! I have been watching this show for all four years now (not including classic stories), and I must say this: had Christopher Eccleston stayed on the show another season or so, he probably would've been better than Sylvester McCoy (highest praise on an actor, coming for me; McCoy was the greatest!) Billie Piper was amazing, playing the part of Rose to upstage Sophie Aldred (Ace) and Elisabeth Sladen (Sarah Jane Smith) (and, in my opinion, she did.) Definitely the best episode of not only this season, but the whole new series so far is still 'Dalek,' which blows me away every second of viewing, even as I'm writing this four years later. As for the rest of the season:
1. 'Rose' Five-star episode
2. 'The End Of The World' Four-and-a-half-star episode
3. 'The Unquiet Dead' Four-and-a-half-star episode
4, 5. 'Aliens Of London/World War Three' Four-star story
6. 'Dalek' DEFINITELY Five-star episode
7. 'The Long Game' Four-and-a-half-star episode
8. 'Fathers Day' Four-and-a-half-star episode
9, 10. 'The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances' Five-star story, any day!
11. 'Boom Town' Four-star story
12, 13. 'Bad Wolf/The Parting Of The Ways' Four-and-a-half-star Season Finale
Over all, there is nothing 1, 2, 3, or even 4-star about this. Brill acting, directing, special effects, and mostly mind-blowing writing make this a must for any Whovian, regardless of the price. With over nine action-packed hours of GOOD science-fiction (which is awfully hard to come by), this boxed set is worth every penny!
Excellent just too $$$ May 23, 2009
M. Ma (Las Vegas, NV)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I loved Doctor Who when I was a kid. I followed the show through its various incarnations and happy when it was brought back. I was worried it would be too pop and trendy but was pleased with the results.
I just cannot figure out why a 14.97 title runs for $65 here in the states.
I mean a reasonable markup is one thing but really this is plain greed.
Oh well there's still BBC for me. :p
He's Back! March 30, 2009
Jero Briggs
The new series started off so well; it's a pity that the third and fourth seasons weren't that good. Christopher Eccelston makes a brilliant Doctor. He reminds me a lot of Jon Pertwee's, Tom Baker's, and Paul McGann's Doctors while making his Doctor a completely new charater himself. The episodes are brilliant. "Rose" makes a great premiere episode - bringing in both old and new fans to the show. The only let down to that episode is that it is a copy-cat of "Spearhead from Space", but still it's hard not to like it. After all, who can say that "Spearhead" wasn't that good? It was brilliant! The worst episode was "Boom Town", and it's even hard not to like that one. The best episodes were "Rose", "Aliens of London", "World War Three", "Dalek", "The Empty Child", and "The Doctor Dances". In all, there is not one bad episode, and I highly recommend this season!
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