As a longtime Whovian who has witnessed the regeneration of more than a dozen incarnations of our beloved Time Lord, I must say that the upcoming release of “Doctor Who: The War Games in Color” is a momentous occasion for me and fellow fans alike. Having grown up with the black-and-white episodes, it’s a delight to see these classic stories finally brought into full color.
1969 saw the regeneration of Patrick Troughton’s Second Doctor in an extended “Doctor Who” story titled “The War Games.” Originally aired in black-and-white, this nearly five-hour tale is due for a color update, 55 years after its initial broadcast. Following the success of “Doctor Who” in 2023: “The Daleks in Color,” we now have “The War Games in Color.” The ten 25-minute episodes have been compressed into a single 90-minute feature, with great care taken to preserve and colorize the story from its original black-and-white sources.
The serial titled ‘The War Games’, broadcast in the late 1960s, holds significant importance within ‘Doctor Who’. It was the last episode produced in black-and-white, served as Patrick Troughton’s final story as The Doctor, and also marked the farewell of his companions Jamie (Frazer Hines) and Zoe (Wendy Padbury). This epic tale, set across numerous locations and featuring a myriad of characters, depicts the struggle between The Doctor and his people, the Time Lords, in various time zones and planets. Co-written by Malcolm Hulke and Terrance Dicks, who was also the series’ script editor, ‘The War Games’ has been cherished by fans for years. Its narrative would greatly influence the direction of ‘Doctor Who’ as it transitioned into the 1970s.
Beautiful Color for a Landmark Story
In their efforts, lead colorist Rich Tipple and his crew utilized an extensive collection of original materials, even some that had been lost for decades since the initial broadcast. The fresh adaptation of this 10-part series now boasts vibrant hues and meticulous restoration, making it more visually striking than ever before. Compared to its earlier DVD release, the image quality has noticeably improved, while Tipple’s team ensured that the chosen colors harmoniously enhance the narrative unfolding on screen.
In the annals of ‘Doctor Who’, ‘The War Games’ stands out as a notable tale due to its groundbreaking portrayal of Gallifrey, the Doctor’s homeland, for the first time on screen. The narrative revolves around the Doctor’s tribunal by the Time Lords for stealing a TARDIS and meddling with the affairs of various planets and societies, an act they become aware of when he is compelled to seek their aid in defeating another rogue Time Lord, the War Chief, and his adversary, the War Lord. The original broadcasts have a very cinematic feel, and the addition of color enhances the visual allure.
A Cut-Down Experience with an Exciting New Scene
The four-hour and ten-minute long serial has been condensed by editor Benjamin Cook to only ninety minutes. Previously, Cook worked on trailers for the Doctor Who Blu-ray Collection and the 2023 release “The Daleks in Color,” which was originally three hours long but was reduced to a manageable 70 minutes. This abridged version was released to celebrate Doctor Who’s 60th Anniversary, and it was widely popular among both seasoned fans and new viewers who found the earlier black-and-white episodes challenging to engage with.
In “The War Games in Color” edition, you’ll find the full regeneration sequence for the Second Doctor. At the time of the original broadcast, the Third Doctor had not been chosen yet. But this updated version will show, for the first time, the transformation from Patrick Troughton to Jon Pertwee. This significant event marked the beginning of the Doctor’s exile on Earth for the first five series of the 1970s, where Pertwee played the Doctor. Since “Doctor Who” started being filmed in color around this time, it’s thrilling to experience the regeneration happening during that era. It’s a great warm-up for the upcoming Doctor Who Christmas Special!
As a dedicated film lover, I’m thrilled to share that the colorized version of “Doctor Who: The War Games” is set to premiere on BBC Four on the 23rd of December! Excitingly, this classic episode will also be made available on DVD and Blu-ray, as well as for digital purchase, following its broadcast.
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2024-12-23 01:03