Downtime (home video): Difference between revisions

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===Video release===
===Video release===
This story was released on video in 2nd September [[1995]]. At the time of writing, it has yet to appear on DVD.
This story was released on video in 2nd September [[1995]]. At the time of writing, it has yet to appear on DVD.
In March [[2011]], [[Sylvester McCoy]] was [http://www.shadowlocked.com/201103161615/news/pic-sylvester-mccoy-playing-the-doctor-last-week.html reported] to be shooting some scenes as the [[Seventh Doctor]] for a revised cut of the film, but no release for the new version has been announced as of this writing.


:'''Original video publisher's summary from rear of video tape box'''
:'''Original video publisher's summary from rear of video tape box'''

Revision as of 16:58, 27 October 2011

You may be looking for the novelisation of this story Downtime (novelisation).

Downtime is an 1995 direct-to-video production featuring elements from the Doctor Who Universe, but not the Doctor as Reeltime did not have a licence from the British Broadcasting Corporation to use the character. The video was directed by long-time Doctor Who director Christopher Barry.

Synopsis

The Brigadier and Sarah Jane Smith investigate New World University, a sinister school run by none other than Victoria Waterfield and a gateway to Earth by the Great Intelligence which has taken over her.

Plot

Some while after Victoria had parted company with the Doctor on Earth in the 20th century (at the end of Fury from the Deep), she is lured back to the Det-Sen Monastery in Tibet (from The Abominable Snowmen) by a dream telling her she will be reunited with her late father there. Instead, she finds that she had been contacted by the Great Intelligence, which still possesses the mind of Professor Travers (last seen in The Web of Fear).

Nearly fifteen years later, in the present day, Victoria is now the vice chancellor of New World University. New World is an institution that claims to offer spiritual guidance to distraught youth. In reality New World is the centre of operations for the Intelligence's plan to conquer the Earth by infecting the global network of computers. Both the administration and students await the coming of a "new world" that will be heralded by the arrival of the chancellor, the Intelligence-possessed Travers.

Victoria's motives are well-meaning but misguided, having been manipulated with a promise of the "light of truth". The students themselves have been brainwashed through their computer courses and are slaves of the Intelligence. Outsiders refer to them as "chillys".

The Intelligence needs a final missing Locus to attain its goal. It believes it is in the possession of the Brigadier, but it is actually with his daughter Kate and grandson Gordon on their narrowboat.

New World attempts to gather information on the Brigadier by requesting an investigation by Sarah Jane Smith. Sarah lies about her knowledge of the Brigadier and later warns both him and UNIT. The Intelligence then arranges a meeting between the Brigadier and a corrupt UNIT captain named Cavendish.

Throughout the story the Brigadier is aided by a New World student named Daniel Hinton, a former student of his from the Brendon School. The Intelligence's conditioning failed on Hinton, though at times he is still under its influence and at one point becomes a Yeti. He can communicate with the Brigadier through the bardo or astral plane.

Cast

Production crew

References

Colleges and universities

Individuals

Organisations

  • The Brigadier still maintains contact with UNIT.

Religion

Vehicles

  • Sarah Jane Smith drives an MG car.

Story notes

Myths

to be added

Filming Locations

  • University of East Anglia, Norwich

Production Errors

To Be Added

Continuity

DVD and Video releases

Video release

This story was released on video in 2nd September 1995. At the time of writing, it has yet to appear on DVD.

In March 2011, Sylvester McCoy was reported to be shooting some scenes as the Seventh Doctor for a revised cut of the film, but no release for the new version has been announced as of this writing.

Original video publisher's summary from rear of video tape box

"Find the Locus"
It is twenty years since The Great Intelligence last attempted an invasion of Earth, today its evil web is again reaching out towards us!
Using The New World University as its cover and the zombie-like Chilly students as its pawns, the Intelligence now seeks to control the minds of every human being.
Tangled in this new struggle are its old enemies Victoria Waterfield and Professor Travers - but whose side are they on?
Fighting alone this time, without their famous scientific advisor, The Brigadier and Sarah Jane Smith of UNIT are hard pressed to decide who is friend or foe as they search for the missing Locus which still binds the Intelligence's power.
Battle is joined as the Brigadier's own family is threatened and UNIT faces a monstrous new breed of Yeti!

Novelisation

Ma-18.jpg
Main article: Downtime (novel)

Downtime is one of only two independent spin-off productions (the other being Shakedown) to be adapted as a novel. Screenwriter Marc Platt adapted his story for an entry in the Virgin Missing Adventures line of books, and the work is notable for being the only MA release not to feature the Doctor in a prominent role.

Timeline

For Victoria

For the Brigadier

For Sarah Jane Smith

External links