DOOMWATCH (1972)

3 stars

88 Films. Blu ray. Out Now

More from 88 Films in their Tigon Collection – DOOMWATCH was one of those TV series that was on when I was a kid, that I wasn’t old enough to watch, so whilst I was aware of it I have never actually seen it. What I do remember is the cover of the ‘Radio Times’ with the melted plane in a briefcase.

The show was created Gerry Davis and Kit Pedler, who had worked together on DOCTOR WHO and created the famous Cybermen. The concept was a coming together of a group of scientists, which as a teletypewriter at the start of this film adaptation usefully informs us was in order “To Combat Worldwide Pollution Problem. Recommend New Government Department to be called… DOOMWATCH”. So quite prescient in many ways.

Fans of the TV show were a bit annoyed when this movie came out, as the stars of the show were sidelined, with Ian Bannen playing a new character called Dr Del Shaw. He is sent to a small island called Balfe to ascertain what the effects of a large oil spill and the subsequent clean up have had on the wildlife there. Of course, in a standard movie cliche, the locals are less than welcoming.

Finding a place to stay at Miss Dodson’s he meets Victoria Brown (Judy Geeson), who is also staying there and is the local teacher but not a native of the island. As he investigates he discovers more than he expected – the film plays like a mystery as something is clearly going on there, as it slowly turns into a horror thriller. What are they hiding?

Hungarian director Peter Sasdy was an old hand at this kind of outing having helmed several films for Hammer including TASTE THE BLOOD OF DRACULA (1970) and HANDS OF THE RIPPER (1971). Here he tries to wring as much as he can out the screenplay by Clive Exton, though it takes its time getting going. The cast includes George Sanders in one his last roles. There’s a good score by John Scott and it is well shot by Kenneth Talbot.

Steve Kirkham

EXTRAS

3 stars

Audio commentary by Film Critics Kim Newman and Sean Hogan; Audio commentary by Director Peter Sasdy

Introduction by Director Peter Sasdy (2 mins)

Saving Our Oceans – Jean Trend on Doomwatch (13 mins): has clips from the TV show as she played Dr Fay Chantry on the series and appears in the film. Talks about the show ad Kit Pedler.

To the Big Screen – Making Doomwatch(14 mins): less a making of and more a talking heads chat with s few of the minor folks who worked on the film who are still around – Sue Gentle (stand-in), Alan Cassie (assistant director) and Eddy Joseph (assistant editor)

Original Trailer; Stills Gallery

Reversible sleeve featuring another fabulous new artwork by Sean Longmore & original poster; the limited edition release also gets a glossy o-ring (hold your excitement) and booklet notes by Jon Dear.