DR. WHO & THE DALEKS: The Official Story Of The Films, is a magnificent volume dedicated to the two Dr. Who movies made in the mid-1960s by Amicus that starred Peter Cushing. It is published by Titan Books.
The Dr. Who movies (notice I do not refer to them as the Doctor Who movies) have caused some controversy among Who fandom, but they were made to be colorful, fun adventures that could appeal to anyone. The author of this book, John Walsh, certainly appreciates them, and the result is that this volume is colorful and fun as well.
The book is a 10 x 12 inch hardback with an impressive embossed cover, and it's filled with all sorts of rare images detailing the production and release of DR. WHO & THE DALEKS and DALEKS: INVASION EARTH 2150 A.D.
This volume is more visual than text oriented, but Walsh gives plenty of concise info on all aspects of the Dr. Who films, with interviews and quotes from many of those who worked on them. There's chapters on the special effects, the locations, the cast, the music, and the posters of each film, along with a detailed look at the real stars--the Daleks themselves, and the merchandising mania that was attached to them.
Walsh also points out the differences between the BBC's DOCTOR WHO TV show and the films, and he discusses Peter Cushing's performance as Dr. Who, which had nothing in common with that of the TV Doctor at the time, William Hartnell.
I've written blog posts on the two Dr. Who films, and the Region A Blu-ray releases of them. I wouldn't say they're the greatest movies ever made, but I've never understood why some Who and Peter Cushing fans have such a dislike for them. One has to realize that when the Dr. Who films were made, the TV show had only been on for a couple years, and the main character's eventual lengthy and complicated history didn't even exist yet. Comparing the Dr. Who films with what the show eventually evolved into, or comparing Peter Cushing's performance with that of an actor who played the Doctor decades later, is rather pointless. Besides, as Walsh's book makes clear, the movies were built around the Daleks, not Dr. Who.
This is not an inexpensive volume, but you get what you pay for, and Titan Books puts out top-notch product. The book has a clean, attractive design, and it's easy to browse through.
For those who do enjoy the Dr. Who films, and those who are rabid Peter Cushing fans, this is a fun, informative book that gives the movies credit for what they are instead of what they are not. The fact that this book was made in association with Studio Canal, the company that has the rights to the films, truly does make it an official project.
The visual treats to be found in DR. WHO & THE DALEKS: The Official Story Of The Films make it a worthy purchase, but John Walsh's examination of all aspects of the Dr. Who movies is impressive as well.
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