Doctor Who: Masque Of Mandragora

Essentially THE MASQUE OF MANDRAGORA is tale of an internal power struggle between Count Federico (pretentious and overbearing) and Prince Giuliano (amiable but a bit drippy and wet) with a bit of science fiction (a heavenly body of fire comes from the stars) to further encourage the power hungry plans of court astrologer Hieronymous. Undoubtedly actor Norman Jones steals every scene he is in as the sinister cult leader with those mad staring eyes and I personally am rather mesmerised by that outrageous split beard flecked with grey. Excellent use is made of the village of Portmerion and I am delighted to hear that there is eight and a half minutes given over to another of the worthy NOW AND THEN story locations item on this DVD. It seems that the extras weigh in at about seventy-three minutes in total with the usual entertaining MAKING OF and PHOTO GALLERY and Trails and Continuity regulars slotting in alongside the main feature story and a couple of title specific items. I have… more »

Essentially THE MASQUE OF MANDRAGORA is tale of an internal power struggle between Count Federico (pretentious and overbearing) and Prince Giuliano (amiable but a bit drippy and wet) with a bit of science fiction (a heavenly body of fire comes from the stars) to further encourage the power hungry plans of court astrologer Hieronymous. Undoubtedly actor Norman Jones steals every scene he is in as the sinister cult leader with those mad staring eyes and I personally am rather mesmerised by that outrageous split beard flecked with grey. Excellent use is made of the village of Portmerion and I am delighted to hear that there is eight and a half minutes given over to another of the worthy NOW AND THEN story locations item on this DVD. It seems that the extras weigh in at about seventy-three minutes in total with the usual entertaining MAKING OF and PHOTO GALLERY and Trails and Continuity regulars slotting in alongside the main feature story and a couple of title specific items. I have always loved the way that Doctor Who can skilfully blend a historical story with an element of science fiction and certainly with its dramatically engaging premise worthy guest and regular cast member performances and pleasing location filming this has got to rank as one of my all time favourites from the Tom Baker era.