Image of the Fendahl
Image of the Fendahl is one of my [JE's] favourite stories of all time, and that alone means it should be released on DVD. This story is really about atmosphere and builds and delivers this in spades. From the hitchhiker opening, the glowing skull and the creeping terror of the Fendahl, this story could send anyone behind the sofa.
Unfortunately this story is let down by the eye-makeup they put on Wanda Ventham, but other than that there are some great effects (the Fendahl themselves) and some great performances (who can forget Daphne Heard’s ‘that bain’t no way to make fruitcake!’). Striking a terrific balance between horror and comedic touches, this story is a classic even among the Williams oeuvre.
For this release, I’d be happy with a vanilla edition. If they were stretching, they could do a feature on how to make the Fendahl, a make-up examination of Thea/Fendahl Core, or maybe an exciting look at the Doctor’s scarf (which was changed for this episode, despite some later stories being made earlier with the original scarf)!
November 6th, 2007 at 10:26 am
Maybe they can do some special FX where Wanda’s eye makeup is ‘updated for the nowties’ or something.
November 6th, 2007 at 11:55 am
We don’t have the technology…
November 6th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
You know I can’t help thinking that if Image of the Fendahl had come up as a proposed DVD release anytime in the last 3-4 years, you have the BBC branding and marketing types sitting round going, “you can’t put that out now, it’ll create consumer confusion with the *other* Tyler family in Doctor Who.”
It is however one of my all-time favourite stories. I had nightmares about Fendahleen slithering up the hallway of my house after I first saw this. The monster might look a bit naff through adult eyes but whenever I watch it, it takes me right back to when I was a terrified 11-year-old boy!