Death of the Doctor Screening at the BFI - a review

Following on from my blog entry of yesterday, here's a review of Tuesday night's proceedings.

Having spent Saturday at our “Time & Space Convention” at Riverside Studios, and Sunday watching the Monsters come at “Doctor Who Live”, the BFI Southbank screening of the Sarah Jane Adventures story “Death of the Doctor” was my third and, to be honest somewhat thankfully, final Whoniverse event in 4 days.

Slightly tardily proceedings got underway with host Justin Johnson introducing us to clips showing the original departures from Doctor Who of both Jo Grant, at the end of “The Green Death”, and Sarah Jane Smith, at the end of “The Hand of Fear”. There was also a short quiz, with the prizes including postcards signed by both Lis and Katy and, somewhat bizarrely, Merlin stuff. As Justin laconically commented “Six million viewers but not one of them here”.

It was 8.30pm by the time the screening itself got underway - we were to be treated to a special once only showing of “Death of the Doctor” as a continuous story. Oooh! A slightly sombre tone is felt in parts early on as Sarah Jane and the Bannerman Road gang are informed by Unit’s Colonel Karim that the Doctor has died and his body awaits burial at the (totally unhidden) UNIT base under Mount Snowden. Having arrived there and gone through some more maudlin gubbins, the nature of the piece is totally lifted by the arrival of Jo (Grant) Jones and her grandson. From thereon in we have a simply superb adventure that soon brings the actually not dead (surprise, surprise!) Doctor himself into the action alongside not one, but two of his finest ever companions. Matt Smith clearly relishes the opportunity presented, and turns in another fine performance.

Russell T. Davies is to be congratulated on how he has, in particular, written the character of Jo. She is totally faithful to the original version, and Katy Manning’s portrayal is a total delight. Infact this whole story is, in my view, a loving tribute to Barry Letts. There are numerous nuances and plot devices that were staples of the Letts era, a time that Davies clearly has very fond memories of. But even more than that, this is the ultimate fanboy’s dream with flashbacks galore. Stand back and let the gush flow over you. And for those who may be cringing – it genuinely works!

Following on from the screening itself, we were treated to an hour long panel consisting of Lis Sladen, Katy Manning, Gary Russell (Script Editor), Edward Russell (Brand Manager) and Joseph Lister (Writer). Ably led by Justin Johnson, this proved to be good fun with the last 15 minutes or so being open to audience Q&A. I have to say that Katy who in my opinion is, alongside Tom Baker, the finest Who *convention* guest around, shone like a beacon as compared to the somewhat more reticent Lis. Indeed her body language at times suggested she wasn’t entirely at ease, and Lis certainly didn’t agree with some of the things that Katy said, especially her criticisms of the concept and character of Davros. Horses for courses I guess!

Overall this was a highly enjoyable, and entertaining, evening that went on well past the bedtime of some members of the audience. Whatever else though, I would urge you to make sure you don’t miss “Death of the Doctor” as you’re in for a real treat.