Doctor Who - The Robots of Death [1986] [1963] | ![Doctor Who - The Robots of Death [1986] [1963]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51SFWKKD2VL._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Actors: Tom Baker, Louise Jameson, Michael E. Briant
Studio: 2 Entertain Video
Category: Video
List Price: £7.99
Buy Used: £0.95
You Save: £7.04 (88%)
New (2) Used (17) Collectible (2) from £0.95
Rating:  5 reviews
Sales Rank: 3998
Format: Pal
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: Universal, suitable for all
Media: VHS Tape
Discs: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 91 Minutes
EAN: 5014503410827
ASIN: B00004CIQT
Theatrical Release Date: September 29, 1975
Release Date: February 13, 1995
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: Case ripped in places and ragged around the edge but video is in excellent condition, tried and tested. Protected delivery in jiffy bag. Dispatch within 24 hours of order reception guaranteed. Private seller so feedback would be appreciated.
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
By Tom Baker's third season in the role the actor had become firmly established in the minds of many fans as the definitive Doctor. First broadcast in early 1977, "Robots of Death" follows on directly from "Face of Evil", which was writer Chris Boucher's debut and also that of Louise Jameson's Leela, the Doctor's most shapely companion (a kind of Neanderthal Seven of Nine if you will). Boucher's second Who story concerns an isolated mining ship on which a series of inexplicable deaths take place--although as the Doctor opines, "nothing is inexplicable, only unexplained". The Doctor and Leela inevitably become embroiled in events, which soon turn into a sci-fi murder-mystery: imagine Isaac Asimov crossed with Agatha Christie in a Frank Herbert Dune-like setting. Add an undercover robot sent by "the company" and the claustrophobic, not to say deadly setting of the mining ship and there is a fascinating foreshadowing of Alien, too. It is tightly plotted, intelligent Saturday teatime entertainment (something that was possible then but is now an unthinkable oxymoron) with a typically strong cast of redoubtable thesps in supporting roles (not to mention extravagant costumes and garish make-up). There may be no Daleks or Cybermen, but this is vintage Who nevertheless.. --Mark Walker
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| Customer Reviews:
Remember when Saturday early evening TV was this good? April 1, 2002
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I watched my tape of Robots of Death again last night. Such a tightly focussed story! The Doctor and Leela (who must be one of the sexiest characters on British TV ever) land on a huge mining vessel crossing the sands of a desert planet. They quickly become caught up in a series of ongoing murders; someone is trying to finish off the crew. Clearly as outsiders they come under suspicion. Its superb stuff from beginning to end and its a shock to recall that at one time Saturday early evening TV rose to this level of intelligence and above all imagination. The depiction of a futuristic, technological society is very colourful (the costumes are amazing) and the action dramatic and exciting. For Whovians, you even get to see the alternative control room which looked very convincing. In some ways it is more atmospheric than the normal one. I strongly recommend this to anyone as it will give a good idea of how strong British TV SF can be given a chance.
One to put you behind the sofa! April 8, 2001
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
A cliche of Dr Who is of children ducking behind the sofa at the approach of the Daleks. Whilst it would doubtless seem cheesy to a generation of children bought up on Pokemon and gun toting computer games, the image of the totally impersonal robots, with blank faces and bland voices unchanging when they commit their murders, is one that deserves to be recognised as truly scary.That apart, even the special effects don't let the story down too much, as they aren't the driving force behind this classic, and the Terra cotta army like robots are used to excellent effect.
Awesome Thriller Chiller! July 26, 2000
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
One by one, the crew of a huge sandminer on an alien world are being systematically butchered by an unknown slaughterer. Leela + the Doc are treated with the utmost suspicion by the few survivors upon their arrival, but the Doctor is able to reveal the true killers - the crew's robotic servants. Someone has bypassed the three laws of robotics (one being that a robot can never allow harm to come to a human), allowing them to reprogramme the droids into massacring machines. Teaming up with a secret agent and an undercover company robot, the Doc sets out to find out who...Anyone actually DISLIKE this story? It's universally recognised as one of Doctor Who's all time greats, with the Voc Robots coming over as truly chilling, speaking in their calming voices as they are asphyxiating someone. The characters are great (and for once we have actors from ethnic minorities), with Toos and Uvanov standing out particuarly, and it was with this story that Louise Jameson really gets into her stride as Leela. The real star, though, is the incredible incidental music which accompanies the assassinations, being both classy and chilling. So, what are ya waiting for? Order it now! James
 Superb Christie Like Thriller April 9, 2000
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
What can i say this story is truly a Dr Who classic. Louise Jamieson shines as new companion Leela and the story presents a stage of the Dr/Leela relationship where Baker's Doctor is warmer than what is to come. the dialogue is sharp witty and clever. Great characterisation all round. With a stronge supporting cast including the delightful Pamela Salem. The elegant killers in this story will send a shiver down your spine.
One of the best Dr Who stories ever! March 16, 2000
This is one of the classics. It has a brilliant storyline, the action is at a fast pace, and the Robots are very scary despite their soft calm voices. Tom Baker and Louise Jameson are both at their brilliant best. This is an enjoyable episode from start to finish, and I would recommend it to any Dr Who fan. A great episode.
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