As the only story from Sylvester McCoy's final season as the Doctor to be shot totally in the studio the spooky "Ghost Light" is certainly a bizarre but entirely worthy viewing experience with some fine performances on offer especially Ian Hogg as Josiah Samuel Smith. Lets not forget that it also both plays to the BBC's skill in authentic period drama settings and well as providing valuable insight in the background of companion Ace. Its arrival on DVD, replete with marvellous 5.1 surround sound mix is very much welcome even though it has a total running time of a mere 73 mins. The additional free space available by such a slim main feature has been marvellously filled up by some excellent 'special features' spearheaded by the essential 'Light In Dark Places' which sheds more light (forgive the pun) on the making of the story. Further worthy insight is offered by "Ghost Light" author Marc Platt in the 12 min 'Writer's Question Time'. There's a rare glimpse into studio recording… more »

As the only story from Sylvester McCoy's final season as the Doctor to be shot totally in the studio the spooky "Ghost Light" is certainly a bizarre but entirely worthy viewing experience with some fine performances on offer especially Ian Hogg as Josiah Samuel Smith. Lets not forget that it also both plays to the BBC's skill in authentic period drama settings and well as providing valuable insight in the background of companion Ace. Its arrival on DVD, replete with marvellous 5.1 surround sound mix is very much welcome even though it has a total running time of a mere 73 mins. The additional free space available by such a slim main feature has been marvellously filled up by some excellent 'special features' spearheaded by the essential 'Light In Dark Places' which sheds more light (forgive the pun) on the making of the story. Further worthy insight is offered by "Ghost Light" author Marc Platt in the 12 min 'Writer's Question Time'. There's a rare glimpse into studio recording (complete with typical but endearing occasional (Sylvester) McCoy humour) within the Gabriel Chase main set during 'Shooting Ghosts' (19 mins) and with a worthy 18 mins of 'Deleted and Extended Scenes' (complete with explanatory lithograph plates for each) you can almost imagine the story as a traditional four-parter. As a highly regarded offering from the McCoy era it makes for a pleasing DVD release backed up with some great essential extras (which also includes Katharine Schlesinger at the piano singing "That's the way to the zoo!" as a main page Easter Egg and a 5 ½ min photo gallery) making it well worth nabbing a copy!