Film Reviews by GH

Blake's 7 is something of a peculiarity

It's a series about terrorists....... no wait, they're freedom fighters who oppose the galactic federation

Another federation, but not the peaceful and benevolent one featured in Star Trek

Convicted of a crime he didn't commit, Blake is being transported when he and a few fellow transportees attempt to take over the ship but fail...... but then something happens, a huge and powerful spaceship appears and Blake, Jenna and Avon are sent to investigate and so, Blake's 7 come into being

Good solid stories and character driven plots are written initially by the late, great Terry Nation who created the daleks and is responsible for some of the greatest drama in the 60s, 70s and 80s

Ignore the special effects, some of them aren't particularly special, but look at the characters, the hardware, the computers and the ship itself, named The Liberator

Running from 1978 to 1982, the series drew in huge audiences even despite series ii being ran up against Charlies Angels and Coronation St

This is a series which is fondly remembered and still holds a huge following to this day, more than 40 years since it started

This is very highly recommended

9/10

Who would have thought that, in 1963, we would still be watching the adventures of The Doctor and his companions

On paper, it was probably the strangest concept ever......a doddery old man and his granddaughter who just aren't as they seem. He's just a bit too angry, she's far too intelligent for her apparent age. Then, the conscientious teachers get just a bit too curious. Too many questions and not enough answers, so when school is done for the day, the teachers wait for her at her home.......but can she really live in an old junkyard ????

After a trip to the stone age, they travel to the planet, they would learn is called Skaro

Children's viewing would never be the same after this

It's a credit to the concept, that we are still watching today

New writers, new ideas, new faces...... Doctor Who is all about renewal

I would always recommend watching from the beginning and see how the series has evolved

Black and white episodes have their own charm and this doesn't detract from the content

Get stuck in and enjoy them

Here's to the next 50 years

Paul McGann was the Eighth Doctor...... bursting onto the screen during the regeneration following getting shot in San Francisco, he's youthful, well dressed......every inch The Doctor

Good supporting cast and Eric Roberts is good as The Master

New TARDIS interior.......very well designed

Bit cheesy in places but still the first story since 1989 and he still holds a record for his span 1996 to 2013 when he was given a regeneration into John Hurt (RIP) - spoilers

All in all, still a favourite, flawed in places but the highlight of 1996

I always felt that Doctor 7 had a raw deal

While his first season wasn't as good as most would have liked, season 2 and 3 more than made up for it

The trend of companion centred story arcs - which would feature in the relaunched series - starts here with season 2 and 3

Ace is a character very well fleshed out over several stories which sadly finish with "Survival"

Anthony Ainley's portrayal of The Master also features in this final story, and doesn't disappoint

Survival is worth a look, and the final monologue - recorded once the axe had fallen on the series - is particularly poignant

Recommended