On paper, this story promises much: a refreshingly domestic, historical setting, a fleeting cameo by a well-known star, and plenty of fast-paced action. Having not seen ‘Delta’ since I acquired a copy of the VHS a few years ago, I was optimistic about what lay ahead as I put the disc in the DVD player. The reality is, however, that this is an outrageously shoddy production.

The first thing that struck me whilst watching episode one was the utterly terrible incidental music. This is quite possibly the worst Doctor Who score I have ever heard. Keff McCulloch attempts to ground the story within the 1950s using Rock and Roll riffs and vintage vocals, but fails dismally. It’s so undeniably synthetic and flat that it succeeds only in evoking memories of other 1980s Doctor Who serials. And don’t get me wrong, I’m all for electronic and synthesised music, but it really has to be done right; ‘Caves of Androzani’ springs to mind. Just think of how ‘Delta’ would have been improved by a competent and ably executed score.

The acting is nothing short of abysmal, even from the two leads. The best performance over all has to be that of Hugh Lloyd, as the mysterious bee-keeper, Goronwy. Ken Dodd’s over-the-top Tollmaster added nothing to the plot, and his execution later at the hands of Gavrok seemed to act only as an excuse to give him more screen time. Most of the supporting cast are barely able to act, and it’s a wonder they didn’t all burst into fits of laughter during every scene because of the utter ridiculousness of the flopping narrative. Sylvester McCoy and Bonnie Langford are, sadly, not on top form either. I’ve never been a fan of the seventh Doctor myself, but there’s no denying that his unnecessarily melodramatic Doctor does nothing to help these episodes along. Likewise, Bonnie’s performance as Melanie was weak. She lived up to her renowned role as screaming cohort once again.

There are some bad effects, also. The CGI spaceships and overlaid bees that attack the Bannermen near the end of the serial leave a lot to be desired, and detract from the main action. One of the best effects sequences in the story is also one of the shortest. I speak of course of the model shot as the TARDIS flies alongside the bus, managing to stabilise it before it crashes to the Earth. Even this brief moment of interest was spoiled by the Doctor’s strange bumbling in the TARDIS, using his umbrella as a third arm in order to reach a switch at the other side of the console. Dear me.

The setting, a Welsh holiday camp in the 1950s, could, as I mentioned earlier, have been unusual and refreshing. However, this dreary environment seems to infect the story and the cast themselves, who get caught up in dull, domestic events. You almost feel like the whole plot is some sort of cabaret act being performed as part of the camp’s entertainment line-up. It’s like some kind of terrible spoof or crossover adventure, an idea that was eluded to when the cast and crew started referring to the story as ‘Hi-De-Who’. This script landed in the wrong place at the wrong time, rather like the Nostalgia Tours passengers.

Luckily, the DVD boasts a collection of special features. One of the reasons I bought this release was to indulge in the next segment of the ‘Stripped for Action’ series, which discussed the seventh Doctor comic strips. Some interesting ideas were conveyed by all concerned, including Paul Cornell, who helped to segue the feature into the realm of the Virgin New Adventures book range, and how that tied into the comic range its self.

There were some interesting but relatively dull behind the scenes features filmed during the ‘Delta’ shoot, from ‘Wales Today’ and ‘But First This’. They offered insight through interviews and backstage footage of various scenes being recorded on location, particularly the latter. However, it was rendered somewhat obsolete by the ‘Interview Rushes’ also included on the DVD. These were the uncut interviews with the cast, of which some material was cut for the final ‘But First This’ programme.

‘Hugh and Us’ was one of the better pieces on the disc. Learning more about the most memorable actor in ‘Delta’ was nice. It was also nice of the producers of this documentary to acknowledge his passing in 2008.

For some reason, episode one of this story was originally overlong, as many stories are. But this first edit of episode one is included on the disc. It was a relief at first, to be rid of the ghastly music, and the TARDIS scene at the beginning was rather nice. However, you can also see why parts of it were cut. It just seemed very sluggish – not that it wasn’t anyway – and dragged throughout.

The more minor features are business as usual, really. The ‘Trails and Continuity’ package was, as ever, great. I always find it particularly interesting to look back at how old television programmes, principally Doctor Who, were promoted and formatted back then. The participants of the commentary are fairly positive about the story generally, and the photo gallery provides a decent and comprehensive collection of production stills and promotional images. The ‘Coming Soon’ trailer for ‘The War Games’ was very well put together and wet my appetite for the much-anticipated release of this story, very soon.

So, for anyone who finds ‘Delta and the Bannermen’ bearable, I would recommend the DVD, if only for the ‘Stripped for Action’ documentary. If you’re not a fan, then I’d wait and grab it at a much lower price later in the year.

LP