[home] [news] [reviews] [features]

THE TALONS OF WENG-CHIANG (BBC) Director: David Maloney Hacktors: Tom Baker, Louise Jameson, Michael Spice Rating: Tag-line: None. Death Toll: At least ten, give or take the odd dead coolie. Cutting Remarks: The Talons Of Weng-Chiang is not only one of the finest stories in 'Doctor Who''s long history, it's also one of the tales most alligned with horror. Set in Victorian London, it draws on both The Phantom Of The Opera and the Jack The Ripper legend, as various young woman start to vanish.          The villain turns out to be Weng-Chiang, a supposed Chinese god with a midget sidekick, Mr Sin. The latter character is particularly creepy, as it's a robot with the cerebral cortex of a pig. Weirrrrrd.          The six episodes don't seem overly padded, and flow with a fantastic atmosphere that you'll inevitably feel most acutely if you saw it on BBC One the first time around. A superb story with an appropriately great DVD treatment (see below). Most Memorable Demise: Weng-Chiang himself, in his own cabinet. Look Out For: The classic cliffhanger to Part Five, in which Weng-Chiang's mask is ripped away, revealing his diabolically twisted features. Killer Quote: "I know I've had a bang on the head, but that's a dashed queer story" - Professor Litefoot, on hearing the Doctor's story about Weng-Chiang's real identity, Magnus Greel. DVD Details: An audio commentary featuring Jameson, Maloney, producer Philip Hinchcliffe and actors Christopher Benjamin (Jago) and John Bennett (Li H'sen Chang), pop-up on-screen production notes (these are particularly good for the trivia-obsessed fan!), Whose Doctor Who (an hour-long BBC2 documentary from 1977!), a compilation of Blue Peter features, 25-minutes of behind-the-scenes footage, an interview with producer Hinchcliffe on Pebble Mill, trailers and continuity announcements, photo gallery, production subtitles, TARDIS Cam No 6. About as comprehensive as you can get. Release Date: Out now. [Buy it at Amazon.co.uk] [Check it out at Amazon US] [Reviews Menu] [Home] © Copyright Slasherama 2002-present