I was living overseas when this first appeared on television, but had been told how good it was so bought it when I learnt it was available on DVD.
Although many in the early 70s were concerned about man’s impact on the environment, it was not yet mainstream, so this series was ahead of its time and usefully flagged potential dangers.
The video quality is not 100%, but perfectly adequate and helps create the 1970s feeling. There are missing episodes so some lack of continuity when characters leave the series. The characters and their Whitehall bosses seem to argue continuously, so it is hard to imagine Doomwatch Department surviving in reality. Nevertheless, it is a classic, and well worth watching.
Doomwatch was way ahead of its time, dealing with issues such as air and noise pollution, dangerous chemicals, and toxic waste dumping. This groundbreaking series had a superb cast, and excellent writers, including Terry Nation (Dr. Who and Blake’s 7). Highly recommended.
Dislike it finishes. Just totally brilliant very apt for today’s politics and industry nothing changes. If this was broadcast today it will definitely wake people up. When having to pay the TV licence and the TV channels was producing this quality of entertainment, the 70s definitely was the golden era of British TV. Today government letting water company’s cough release cough untreated sewage into rivers coughs. Highly recommended really really powerful stuff. Top class acting fantastic scripts and camera work.
Remember this from when it was first broadcast back in the early 70’s good then, still just as good now. Most of what they were trying to say/prevent?? is still relevant even now, in the 21st century. Good program why can’t they remake it now with all the “problems” the world has and with the new advances in technology at their disposal??????
Climate change. Science abusively/negligently applied with blind callousness. Government/corporate incompetence and their bureaucratic bullying efforts to cover up their most grievous mistakes. THIS is “Doomwatch.”
An early 1970s series that was both timely and ahead of its time created by 1960s “Doctor Who” alumni Kit Pedler (who was also a real-life scientist and parapsychologist) and Gerry Davis, this dark example of early 1970s TV science fiction followed the efforts of the members of the Doomwatch team to safeguard the world from the perils of unethical scientific work (although, according to the premise, it was set up as a PR/coverup agency to stifle dissent and get the Green votes — until irascible, incorruptible Doomwatch chief Dr. Specner Quist (John Paul) and his group stood their ground and forced the world to hear them out. Quist’s character backstory (often referred to in “Doomwatch”) also indicates that he worked on the development of the US Manhattan project and, especially after his wife’s death, was driven by guilt to attempt to atone for his atomic sins and assumed control of Doomwatch. Rounding out the cast of characters are: Dr. John Ridge (Simon Oates), an ex-secret agent and Quist’s often-quarrelsome right-hand man; Tobias ‘Toby’ Wren (Robert Powell), the agency’s “eager-beaver” rookie (who, sadly, for offscreen reasons, was only on hand for series 1, in spite of Wren’s popularity as a character); Inspector Drew (Philip Bond); computer expert Colin Bradley (Joby Blanshard); Pat Hunnisett (Wendy Hall); Barbara Mason (Vivien Sherrard); Geoff Hardcastle (John Nolan); Commander Neil Stafford (John Brown); Dr. Fay Chantry (Jean Trend); Dr. Anne Tarrant (Elizabeth Weaver); and Drummond (Moultrie Kelsall).
One of the most terrifying aspects of this series is that many of the dark scenarios in “Doomwatch” were prophetic. And this alarmist science fiction series was so popular that a) it became a common kind of conversation topic in UK government circles and b) the world “Doomwatch” and its offshoot term “Doomwatch scenario” became a part of the UK English language.
Unfortunately, there is a reason why this collection is called “The Remaining Episodes.” Due to a lack of foresight that smacked of the bureaucratic antagonists on “Doomwatch” — and out of basic economic necessity — a common practice in those days was to “wipe” (i.e: erase) these episodes so that the tapes could be used to record other episodes. Many a “Doomwatch” episode fell victim to this practice and are now (to the best of the world’s knowledge) lost forever.
But after an exhaustive search spurred on by fans of the series, copies of certain episodes were found (largely from Canada), and thus at least part of “Doomwatch’s” catalog of cautionary tales is now on DVD for your viewing pleasure
If you dare to see the dangers science concocts through negligence, callousness, and negligence, buy a set of “Doomwatch: The Remaining Episodes” — and see this series of well-crafted cautionary tales for yourself!
IMPORTANT NOTE: “Doomwatch” is only available in Region 2 DVD format, and so it will not play on DVD players solely dedicated to playback of DVDs from Regions 1 and 3-6. but Amazon has region-free DVD players for sale at good prices. Before purchasing “Doomwatch” (or any other DVD/DVD set from any region on Earth), buy a region-free DVD/Bluray player from Amazon today. That way, you can watch all that the entire world of DVD has to offer.
A seven disc dvd box set containing all the surviving episodes of the early 70’s show Doomwatch.
Back then, in the days of not nearly as many tv channels as there are now, it was easier for shows to catch the attention and slip into the public consciousness. And Doomwatch did. It’s only really remembered now by those old enough to have seen it at the time, but for a while, it’s name did slip into the English language, to mark exactly what it said.
Which is to say that Doomwatch is the name given to a special government department, who investigate scientific progress and changes to the way of life as we know it, to look out for dangers and report to the Government on it.
The show was created by Kit Pedler and Gerry Davis, well known as the former was heavily into concerns about this kind of thing, and one such result of those was the Cybermen on Doctor Who.
Doomwatch is run by Dr. Spencer Quist [John Paul]. A man who worked on the Manhattan project and has let that onto his conscience. He is assisted by, among others, John Ridge [Simon Oates] former spy and ladies man. Fortunately it being the 70’s they don’t have an HR Department, otherwise Ridge might get in trouble with them on occasion.
The first episode also brought in new recruit Toby Wren, played by a young actor called Robert Powell, getting his big break.
Stories range from many things, and are always complete in one episode. You have dangerous intelligent rats, dangerous noise levels, danger from a substance that destroys plastic, and many others.
Every episode runs for approx. fifty mins.
There were thirty eight in total, spread over three seasons. Although as with lots of BBC tv of the time, some of the tapes were wiped after being used and thus not all episodes survive. Of the thirteen episode first and second seasons, five of the first are gone. But all the second survives. But only thee of the twelve episode third still exist. See the listings on IMDB for further details as to what is gone and what hasn’t.
Doomwatch is a product of it’s time. It is not science fiction, and there are no explosions or action scenes. It is science fact based drama. That tries hard to bring real issues to viewers attention, and to make you think about them as well.
A lot of the episodes are very good at being thought provoking drama. But that does depend on the subject matter. The subject matter in a handful of them does rather underwhelm a bit. But whilst it’s earnest and worthy, it’s also very very dry. It is so dry, if it were a forest a single spark would send it up and into a raging inferno in seconds. And it does have the very annoying habit of hammering home the moral point of every episode in the final scene.
But even though it has slightly dated because of all this, it still does do what it tries to do very well when it succeeds. So it may just be for fanatical tv viewers, or those who know it from the time of original broadcast, but it is nonetheless worth a look.
The picture quality hasn’t been restored, but it’s still perfectly watchable.
The discs have subtitles. English being the only option. And thus that’s the only language on them as well.
You do get two extras, because the final episode of season three was never actually broadcast at the time after being made – also look on imdb as to why – so this is the first most will have ever managed to see of it.
There’s also ‘the cult of Doomwatch’, a half hour feature from a run of documentaries about cult tv shows BBC3 did a few years back now. And this is worth a watch.
Thirty-eight episodes of “Doomwatch”, were made, thirty-seven of them were broadcast and twenty-three of the transmitted episodes survive in the BBC archives, and also fourteen episodes are missing as a result of the BBC’s archive purging policy. The BBC, released a box-set DVD in 2016.
I love the predictive-programming story-lines (way ahead of its time), plots, the post-psychedelic male and female attire and hair styles, cravats and men’s sideburns, and the acting between the characters.
I have watched all the surviving episodes from Series 1, originally transmitted on BBC1 colour, between February and April 1970. Four of the thirteen episodes are missing. Six episodes survive in the original PAL 625-line colour format, for television broadcasting in the United Kingdom. Two episodes survive in NTSC 525-line colour format (“Tomorrow The Rat” and “Train and De-Train”), which meant they were broadcast in Northern America, broadcast on the CBC channel in Canada.
As for Series 2, originally transmitted between December 1970 and March 1971, all the episodes have survived. However, twelve of the thirteen episodes, exist in the Northern American colour broadcasting system and converted back to the original British colour broadcasting format for DVD’s, whereas the final episode from this penultimate series, exists in its original PAL625-colour format from the 2″ quad video tape. The picture quality on one episode (“You Killed Toby Wren” and a further two other episodes afterwards), appeared to be sharp or grainy producing annoying waving patterns.
In the third and and final series, originally transmitted between June and August 1972, just three of the twelve episodes survive, in the original colour format, including the final episode “Sex and Violence”, which was never broadcast.
In addition to this, there is a 1972 film based on the BBC science fiction television programme.
Finally, if you appreciate the work of the late-producer/director/script writer of Terence Dudley, who later went on to produce “Survivors” and also wrote and produce many episodes of “Doctor Who”, I thoroughly recommend you add “Doomwatch”, to your own DVD collection.
Some ropey episodes in the mix here, the quality does go down as the series progresses but it still throws up some worthy episodes tackling issues in often a very forthright way. Amazing how prescient some of the episodes are; depressing that some issues are still a concern for society nearly fifty years on!
I agree that the DVD boxed set is a little ‘no frills’, but I’m just so glad to have been able to watch the remaining episodes. I’m a little too young to have watched this when it was on and came to the series fresh. From the prespective of 2017, it’s amazing how prophetic many of the storylines were and I really enjoyed both the characters and the ideas. It’s dated, but in a good way. What a pity that this series floundered after the producer and creators fell out with each other.
Although it hasn’t been digitally restored, the picture quality is perfectly acceptable and I was barely aware of any issues – it looks no different to any other series of that era.
In conclusion, five stars for the actual episodes, but 4 for the boxed set.
For years i only had the other DVD ,that only featured two episodes of this classic ,and groundbreaking series ,
So it is a real pleasure ,that this box set of the remaining episodes are finally released ,
The series centers around a group of scientists ,lead by the gruff ,but incorruptible doctor Spencer Quist and his two assistants ,one of them ,a very young Robert Powell .
The series was created by Gerry Davies and Kit Pedler ,they were responsible for many of DR Who ‘s best known monsters including the Cybermen .
Indeed it does sometimes have a Dr Who feel to some of the story lines .
What makes Doomwatch so compelling for me ,is that the subject material of what happens when science goes horribly wrong ,is as topical today as it was in the early 1970s .
It dealt with issues like terrorist plots ,chemical waste,genetic engineering ,and many more ,what made Doomwatch so scary ,was that unlike say Dr Who ,that was just a kids fantasy were the Dr always defeated the enemy ,Doomwatch by contrast ,was frighteningly close to the truth ,it could happen .the picture quality is not to good ,but its watchable ,and the special effects are very 1970s .but that really does n’t matter .also included is the previously not broadcast SEX AND VIOLENCE episode controversial then ,and still is today .buy it and enjoy a wallow in 1970s nostalgia .
I saw this film years ago, when I recorded it on VHS, enjoyed it thoroughly and thought the film was well ahead of it’s time (1972). Therefore, I bought it as soon as it was released on DVD from Amazon. Strangely enough, didn’t enjoy it so much second time round, but was worth it and will watch again in the future.
Takes me back to the days of neckerchiefs and typists, huge clunky computers with the a tenth power of a kids calculator. It is interesting to note that some of the issues raised are still problems today – nothing has been done in 40 years. Odd that the technician seems to be just as knowledgeable as the doctors, but without the chance to get out and about.
Some dropouts on the disc, but not ebough of a problem to spoli the real pleasure of revisitiing this breakthrough series.
Doomwatch was a wonderful, imaginative series that, at its height, was an excellent example of both science fiction and political drama. OK, the production values aren’t up to today’s standards, but nothing (not even big-budget feature films) from this era is. Many of the ideas behind the stories hold water today and the regular cast have a uniformly high standard of acting.
Don’t buy this if you’re expecting a big-budget blockbuster, but if you like intelligent science fiction, this is a gem.
Like everyone else, I’ve very disappointed that there’s been no restoration (especially after having waited so long for the realease!), but I’m very pleased to see it in whatever form.
It is so pleasing to finally see all that remains of this fascinating, and somewhat forgotten TV classic: Such a pity that episodes are missing, particularly the final series which is very unrepresented in the archives. Intelligent, at times unsettling, and certainly thought-provoking I found most of the episodes very engaging, marred only slightly by some clunky production values and dated “gender attitudes”.
My one big gripe is that clearly no money at all has been spent on restoring the rather ropey source materials for DVD release – we are all spoilt by the magnificently restored classic Doctor Whos available but some of the Series 2 episodes are full of dropouts, picture jumps and other tape noise and artefacts which could easily have been corrected.
Still, beggars can’t be choosers – and I would urge any British science-fiction fan to buy this set. It is a seminal entry in the history of British television. I found many of the episode’s themes and moral dilemmas lingered long in the mind after viewing an episode.
At last! The original Doomwatch is now available at a much more affordable price than previously. It’s certainly worth the wait. Yes, it undoubtedly IS highly topical and prophetic – in fact it’s probably more so than any other TV show ever made. Shame the later remake never really took off. My only reservation is that the more exciting storylines – intelligent killer rats and plastic-eating viruses – are dealt with early on and what follows is often by comparison mundane. It sometimes seems as if the team have changed from defenders of the realm against horrifying threats from the unknown to social workers! That said, it’s still possible for the stories to be interesting, gripping, even moving, although some adjustment is required on the viewer’s part. A big plus, from start to finish, is the likeable characters. John Paul does an excellent job of portraying Quist as what he is, a genuinely decent man haunted by his role in the development of the atom bomb and also having to fight his corner against obtuse politicians and greedy tycoons. Ridge makes me shiver at first. It’s not just his womanising ways – which at least make him seem more of a warm human being. It’s hard to put your finger on but there’s something genuinely unhealthy and disturbing about him. And I HATE those sideburns – they heighten the resemblance to Derren Nesbitt in the UFO episode The Man Who Came Back, playing a similarly creepy character. Later however Ridge does seem to become more likeable, a milestone being The Devil’s Sweets where he is genuinely upset when Pat appears to have died. Pat herself is a rather charming “dumb blonde” type who ought to have been kept on and developed so as to acquire more dignity, although as strong female characters Anne Tarrant and Fay Chantry are adequate substitutes for that. Then there’s the keen Toby Wren and the down-to-earth, no-nonsense Northerner Colin Bradley. John Barron – was there ever an actor more suited to the part, although perhaps this is a retrospective view after having seen him as CJ in Reggie Perrin. Altogether this DVD is a good investment and an essential addition to any sci-fi/drama collection.
It has been some time since I saw this on TV so I decided to get a copy. I like the story and found the picture quality to be perfectly adequate but a
It had been some time since I had seen this on TV so I decided to get a copy of the DVD. The picture quality was adequate but it was a bit
pricey for a DVD with few extras. Included are filmographies of three of the actors Ian Bannen, Judy Geeson and Simon Oates although during
the Simon Oates section there is an accompanying picture of John Paul (Doctor Spencer Quist) instead of Simon Oates.
Unlike the TV series when the Doomwatch team seemed to work in a room, by the time of the film they seem to have a greatly expanded laboratory and more staff.
While on the subject of TV, when are we going to get the surviving TV episodes? Although it is Series 3 which has had most of it’s episodes wiped, most of Series 1 and all of Series 2 are available although some are on the old American 525 line system as opposed to the UKs old 625 line system. I have also viewed a few of the episodes on You Tube but I am not all that impressed with the picture quality true the original picture quality
may not be great but it does seem to suffer a bit on You Tube.
The 1972 film of ‘Doomwatch’ is a bit of an oddity in that the cast of the TV series only seem to feature in a few cutaway scenes. This film starts of mysterious and atmospheric whilst delivering a dramatic resolution. It can be slow at times but overall like the TV series is a forgotten classic.
A favourite scenario of British horror movies and thrillers, is given a different twist in this early eco-drama. Scientist Ian Bannen visits an isolated island community to monitor the effectiveness of an oil-spill clean-up operation and is met with hostility. Eventually enlisting the reluctant cooperation of the island’s only other outsider, teacher Judy Geeson, he uncovers an ecological disaster.
While the pace is a little slow at times, the story is engrossing enough to hold the attention and a potential for preachiness is kept to a minimum. As the production notes indicate, the halves of the film are quite different in style. The first is an excellent example of the outsider-in-a-hostile-community genre, the second an investigation procedural story as Bannen uncovers the trail of blunders and ignorance that have caused the situation. There are no villains in this story, which makes the chain of events all the more convincing. It’s all too easy to see how the problem was caused.
Although the packaging seems to give away the horror lurking on the island, this doesn’t matter and the resolution is surprisingly affecting as the villagers suffer the outcome they feared more than any other.
The Doomwatch TV series cast do as much as they can with the little they are given, having been effectively sidelined in favour of bigger names for the cinema audience. George Sanders is probably the biggest name, playing the establishment figure, an old-school admiral who is the first suspect in the investigation.
Star of the film is Ian Bannen, who was enjoying silver screen acclaim at the time. He brings an earnest sincerity to his role and his concern and anger over the situation on the island give the film it’s emotional core. Judy Geeson gives an equally convincing performance as the cautious school teacher who overcomes her reticence to try to help the beleaguered islanders. They are backed up by a cast who will be familiar to anyone who has seen TV and film from the sixties and seventies. There are excellent performances all round, especially from Shelagh Faser, later to achieve cult status as the homely Aunt Beru in Star Wars. Here she gives a beautifully layered performance, easilly moving from a slightly sinister suspicion to brusque acceptance of Bannen’s prescence, through some genuinely moving scenes where your heart goes out to her.
There are a few clicks on the sound track, but the sound on my copy was not affected as another reviewer’s was.
A good film and a still pertinent message nearly 40 years later.
HAVEN’T ACTUALLY SEEN THE ORIGINAL TV SHOW THAT THIS IS BASED ON BUT THIS IS A REALLY GREAT BRIT MOVIE FROM THE SEVENTIES THAT MANAGES TO COMBINE A REALLY CREEPY ATMOSPHERE OF A SECRETIVE FISHING COMMUNITY LIVING ON AN ISLAND WITH A DARK SECRET TOGETHER WITH A STRONG ECOLOGICAL MESSAGE THAT IS JUST AS RELEVANT TODAY.
A GOOD LOCATION ADDS TO THE SENSE OF ISOLATION AND FORBODING AS SCIENTIST IAN BANNEN INVESTIGATES THE EFFECTS OF EXPERIMENTAL DETERGENTS ON OIL SPILLS AND ILLEGAL DUMPING OF TOXIC MATERIALS WHILST HIS EVERY MOVE IS WATCHED BY THE CONSPIRATORY ISLANDERS.
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I was living overseas when this first appeared on television, but had been told how good it was so bought it when I learnt it was available on DVD.
Although many in the early 70s were concerned about man’s impact on the environment, it was not yet mainstream, so this series was ahead of its time and usefully flagged potential dangers.
The video quality is not 100%, but perfectly adequate and helps create the 1970s feeling. There are missing episodes so some lack of continuity when characters leave the series. The characters and their Whitehall bosses seem to argue continuously, so it is hard to imagine Doomwatch Department surviving in reality. Nevertheless, it is a classic, and well worth watching.
Dislike it finishes. Just totally brilliant very apt for today’s politics and industry nothing changes. If this was broadcast today it will definitely wake people up. When having to pay the TV licence and the TV channels was producing this quality of entertainment, the 70s definitely was the golden era of British TV. Today government letting water company’s cough release cough untreated sewage into rivers coughs. Highly recommended really really powerful stuff. Top class acting fantastic scripts and camera work.
This shows was prophetic seeing ahead to many of the issues we have today
Sure the quality of the recording is not the best and the production is and looks like its from the 1970s
However its great to see the episodes that exist have been released
It just shows things plastic waste have been an issue for many years
Lets hope we listen to the concerns now
Remember this from when it was first broadcast back in the early 70’s good then, still just as good now. Most of what they were trying to say/prevent?? is still relevant even now, in the 21st century. Good program why can’t they remake it now with all the “problems” the world has and with the new advances in technology at their disposal??????
An early 1970s series that was both timely and ahead of its time created by 1960s “Doctor Who” alumni Kit Pedler (who was also a real-life scientist and parapsychologist) and Gerry Davis, this dark example of early 1970s TV science fiction followed the efforts of the members of the Doomwatch team to safeguard the world from the perils of unethical scientific work (although, according to the premise, it was set up as a PR/coverup agency to stifle dissent and get the Green votes — until irascible, incorruptible Doomwatch chief Dr. Specner Quist (John Paul) and his group stood their ground and forced the world to hear them out. Quist’s character backstory (often referred to in “Doomwatch”) also indicates that he worked on the development of the US Manhattan project and, especially after his wife’s death, was driven by guilt to attempt to atone for his atomic sins and assumed control of Doomwatch. Rounding out the cast of characters are: Dr. John Ridge (Simon Oates), an ex-secret agent and Quist’s often-quarrelsome right-hand man; Tobias ‘Toby’ Wren (Robert Powell), the agency’s “eager-beaver” rookie (who, sadly, for offscreen reasons, was only on hand for series 1, in spite of Wren’s popularity as a character); Inspector Drew (Philip Bond); computer expert Colin Bradley (Joby Blanshard); Pat Hunnisett (Wendy Hall); Barbara Mason (Vivien Sherrard); Geoff Hardcastle (John Nolan); Commander Neil Stafford (John Brown); Dr. Fay Chantry (Jean Trend); Dr. Anne Tarrant (Elizabeth Weaver); and Drummond (Moultrie Kelsall).
One of the most terrifying aspects of this series is that many of the dark scenarios in “Doomwatch” were prophetic. And this alarmist science fiction series was so popular that a) it became a common kind of conversation topic in UK government circles and b) the world “Doomwatch” and its offshoot term “Doomwatch scenario” became a part of the UK English language.
Unfortunately, there is a reason why this collection is called “The Remaining Episodes.” Due to a lack of foresight that smacked of the bureaucratic antagonists on “Doomwatch” — and out of basic economic necessity — a common practice in those days was to “wipe” (i.e: erase) these episodes so that the tapes could be used to record other episodes. Many a “Doomwatch” episode fell victim to this practice and are now (to the best of the world’s knowledge) lost forever.
But after an exhaustive search spurred on by fans of the series, copies of certain episodes were found (largely from Canada), and thus at least part of “Doomwatch’s” catalog of cautionary tales is now on DVD for your viewing pleasure
If you dare to see the dangers science concocts through negligence, callousness, and negligence, buy a set of “Doomwatch: The Remaining Episodes” — and see this series of well-crafted cautionary tales for yourself!
IMPORTANT NOTE: “Doomwatch” is only available in Region 2 DVD format, and so it will not play on DVD players solely dedicated to playback of DVDs from Regions 1 and 3-6. but Amazon has region-free DVD players for sale at good prices. Before purchasing “Doomwatch” (or any other DVD/DVD set from any region on Earth), buy a region-free DVD/Bluray player from Amazon today. That way, you can watch all that the entire world of DVD has to offer.
Back then, in the days of not nearly as many tv channels as there are now, it was easier for shows to catch the attention and slip into the public consciousness. And Doomwatch did. It’s only really remembered now by those old enough to have seen it at the time, but for a while, it’s name did slip into the English language, to mark exactly what it said.
Which is to say that Doomwatch is the name given to a special government department, who investigate scientific progress and changes to the way of life as we know it, to look out for dangers and report to the Government on it.
The show was created by Kit Pedler and Gerry Davis, well known as the former was heavily into concerns about this kind of thing, and one such result of those was the Cybermen on Doctor Who.
Doomwatch is run by Dr. Spencer Quist [John Paul]. A man who worked on the Manhattan project and has let that onto his conscience. He is assisted by, among others, John Ridge [Simon Oates] former spy and ladies man. Fortunately it being the 70’s they don’t have an HR Department, otherwise Ridge might get in trouble with them on occasion.
The first episode also brought in new recruit Toby Wren, played by a young actor called Robert Powell, getting his big break.
Stories range from many things, and are always complete in one episode. You have dangerous intelligent rats, dangerous noise levels, danger from a substance that destroys plastic, and many others.
Every episode runs for approx. fifty mins.
There were thirty eight in total, spread over three seasons. Although as with lots of BBC tv of the time, some of the tapes were wiped after being used and thus not all episodes survive. Of the thirteen episode first and second seasons, five of the first are gone. But all the second survives. But only thee of the twelve episode third still exist. See the listings on IMDB for further details as to what is gone and what hasn’t.
Doomwatch is a product of it’s time. It is not science fiction, and there are no explosions or action scenes. It is science fact based drama. That tries hard to bring real issues to viewers attention, and to make you think about them as well.
A lot of the episodes are very good at being thought provoking drama. But that does depend on the subject matter. The subject matter in a handful of them does rather underwhelm a bit. But whilst it’s earnest and worthy, it’s also very very dry. It is so dry, if it were a forest a single spark would send it up and into a raging inferno in seconds. And it does have the very annoying habit of hammering home the moral point of every episode in the final scene.
But even though it has slightly dated because of all this, it still does do what it tries to do very well when it succeeds. So it may just be for fanatical tv viewers, or those who know it from the time of original broadcast, but it is nonetheless worth a look.
The picture quality hasn’t been restored, but it’s still perfectly watchable.
The discs have subtitles. English being the only option. And thus that’s the only language on them as well.
You do get two extras, because the final episode of season three was never actually broadcast at the time after being made – also look on imdb as to why – so this is the first most will have ever managed to see of it.
There’s also ‘the cult of Doomwatch’, a half hour feature from a run of documentaries about cult tv shows BBC3 did a few years back now. And this is worth a watch.
I love the predictive-programming story-lines (way ahead of its time), plots, the post-psychedelic male and female attire and hair styles, cravats and men’s sideburns, and the acting between the characters.
I have watched all the surviving episodes from Series 1, originally transmitted on BBC1 colour, between February and April 1970. Four of the thirteen episodes are missing. Six episodes survive in the original PAL 625-line colour format, for television broadcasting in the United Kingdom. Two episodes survive in NTSC 525-line colour format (“Tomorrow The Rat” and “Train and De-Train”), which meant they were broadcast in Northern America, broadcast on the CBC channel in Canada.
As for Series 2, originally transmitted between December 1970 and March 1971, all the episodes have survived. However, twelve of the thirteen episodes, exist in the Northern American colour broadcasting system and converted back to the original British colour broadcasting format for DVD’s, whereas the final episode from this penultimate series, exists in its original PAL625-colour format from the 2″ quad video tape. The picture quality on one episode (“You Killed Toby Wren” and a further two other episodes afterwards), appeared to be sharp or grainy producing annoying waving patterns.
In the third and and final series, originally transmitted between June and August 1972, just three of the twelve episodes survive, in the original colour format, including the final episode “Sex and Violence”, which was never broadcast.
In addition to this, there is a 1972 film based on the BBC science fiction television programme.
Finally, if you appreciate the work of the late-producer/director/script writer of Terence Dudley, who later went on to produce “Survivors” and also wrote and produce many episodes of “Doctor Who”, I thoroughly recommend you add “Doomwatch”, to your own DVD collection.
I agree that the DVD boxed set is a little ‘no frills’, but I’m just so glad to have been able to watch the remaining episodes. I’m a little too young to have watched this when it was on and came to the series fresh. From the prespective of 2017, it’s amazing how prophetic many of the storylines were and I really enjoyed both the characters and the ideas. It’s dated, but in a good way. What a pity that this series floundered after the producer and creators fell out with each other.
Although it hasn’t been digitally restored, the picture quality is perfectly acceptable and I was barely aware of any issues – it looks no different to any other series of that era.
In conclusion, five stars for the actual episodes, but 4 for the boxed set.
So it is a real pleasure ,that this box set of the remaining episodes are finally released ,
The series centers around a group of scientists ,lead by the gruff ,but incorruptible doctor Spencer Quist and his two assistants ,one of them ,a very young Robert Powell .
The series was created by Gerry Davies and Kit Pedler ,they were responsible for many of DR Who ‘s best known monsters including the Cybermen .
Indeed it does sometimes have a Dr Who feel to some of the story lines .
What makes Doomwatch so compelling for me ,is that the subject material of what happens when science goes horribly wrong ,is as topical today as it was in the early 1970s .
It dealt with issues like terrorist plots ,chemical waste,genetic engineering ,and many more ,what made Doomwatch so scary ,was that unlike say Dr Who ,that was just a kids fantasy were the Dr always defeated the enemy ,Doomwatch by contrast ,was frighteningly close to the truth ,it could happen .the picture quality is not to good ,but its watchable ,and the special effects are very 1970s .but that really does n’t matter .also included is the previously not broadcast SEX AND VIOLENCE episode controversial then ,and still is today .buy it and enjoy a wallow in 1970s nostalgia .
I saw this film years ago, when I recorded it on VHS, enjoyed it thoroughly and thought the film was well ahead of it’s time (1972). Therefore, I bought it as soon as it was released on DVD from Amazon. Strangely enough, didn’t enjoy it so much second time round, but was worth it and will watch again in the future.
Takes me back to the days of neckerchiefs and typists, huge clunky computers with the a tenth power of a kids calculator. It is interesting to note that some of the issues raised are still problems today – nothing has been done in 40 years. Odd that the technician seems to be just as knowledgeable as the doctors, but without the chance to get out and about.
Some dropouts on the disc, but not ebough of a problem to spoli the real pleasure of revisitiing this breakthrough series.
Don’t buy this if you’re expecting a big-budget blockbuster, but if you like intelligent science fiction, this is a gem.
Like everyone else, I’ve very disappointed that there’s been no restoration (especially after having waited so long for the realease!), but I’m very pleased to see it in whatever form.
My one big gripe is that clearly no money at all has been spent on restoring the rather ropey source materials for DVD release – we are all spoilt by the magnificently restored classic Doctor Whos available but some of the Series 2 episodes are full of dropouts, picture jumps and other tape noise and artefacts which could easily have been corrected.
Still, beggars can’t be choosers – and I would urge any British science-fiction fan to buy this set. It is a seminal entry in the history of British television. I found many of the episode’s themes and moral dilemmas lingered long in the mind after viewing an episode.
It had been some time since I had seen this on TV so I decided to get a copy of the DVD. The picture quality was adequate but it was a bit
pricey for a DVD with few extras. Included are filmographies of three of the actors Ian Bannen, Judy Geeson and Simon Oates although during
the Simon Oates section there is an accompanying picture of John Paul (Doctor Spencer Quist) instead of Simon Oates.
Unlike the TV series when the Doomwatch team seemed to work in a room, by the time of the film they seem to have a greatly expanded laboratory and more staff.
While on the subject of TV, when are we going to get the surviving TV episodes? Although it is Series 3 which has had most of it’s episodes wiped, most of Series 1 and all of Series 2 are available although some are on the old American 525 line system as opposed to the UKs old 625 line system. I have also viewed a few of the episodes on You Tube but I am not all that impressed with the picture quality true the original picture quality
may not be great but it does seem to suffer a bit on You Tube.
The 1972 film of ‘Doomwatch’ is a bit of an oddity in that the cast of the TV series only seem to feature in a few cutaway scenes. This film starts of mysterious and atmospheric whilst delivering a dramatic resolution. It can be slow at times but overall like the TV series is a forgotten classic.
While the pace is a little slow at times, the story is engrossing enough to hold the attention and a potential for preachiness is kept to a minimum. As the production notes indicate, the halves of the film are quite different in style. The first is an excellent example of the outsider-in-a-hostile-community genre, the second an investigation procedural story as Bannen uncovers the trail of blunders and ignorance that have caused the situation. There are no villains in this story, which makes the chain of events all the more convincing. It’s all too easy to see how the problem was caused.
Although the packaging seems to give away the horror lurking on the island, this doesn’t matter and the resolution is surprisingly affecting as the villagers suffer the outcome they feared more than any other.
The Doomwatch TV series cast do as much as they can with the little they are given, having been effectively sidelined in favour of bigger names for the cinema audience. George Sanders is probably the biggest name, playing the establishment figure, an old-school admiral who is the first suspect in the investigation.
Star of the film is Ian Bannen, who was enjoying silver screen acclaim at the time. He brings an earnest sincerity to his role and his concern and anger over the situation on the island give the film it’s emotional core. Judy Geeson gives an equally convincing performance as the cautious school teacher who overcomes her reticence to try to help the beleaguered islanders. They are backed up by a cast who will be familiar to anyone who has seen TV and film from the sixties and seventies. There are excellent performances all round, especially from Shelagh Faser, later to achieve cult status as the homely Aunt Beru in Star Wars. Here she gives a beautifully layered performance, easilly moving from a slightly sinister suspicion to brusque acceptance of Bannen’s prescence, through some genuinely moving scenes where your heart goes out to her.
There are a few clicks on the sound track, but the sound on my copy was not affected as another reviewer’s was.
A good film and a still pertinent message nearly 40 years later.
A GOOD LOCATION ADDS TO THE SENSE OF ISOLATION AND FORBODING AS SCIENTIST IAN BANNEN INVESTIGATES THE EFFECTS OF EXPERIMENTAL DETERGENTS ON OIL SPILLS AND ILLEGAL DUMPING OF TOXIC MATERIALS WHILST HIS EVERY MOVE IS WATCHED BY THE CONSPIRATORY ISLANDERS.
THIS MOVIE IS WELL WORTH INVESTIGATING!