Deleted
Deleted Member
Likes:
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2016 13:59:28 GMT
Thread for the first Unbound with David Warner, Sympathy for the Devil
|
|
|
|
Post by CookieMaster on Aug 5, 2016 12:05:27 GMT
Relistened to it today, in preparation for the upcoming release of the next Benny boxset, and i still give the story very high marks. It is still my favourite of the Unbound adventures.  You just don't get that level of foulmouthed language from the likes of Brimmicombe-Wood in Big Finish anymore.  |
|
|
|
Post by project37 on Aug 14, 2016 18:24:13 GMT
I love everything about this release. At the time (2003), it really did sound like a pilot for what a new "modern" version of Doctor Who could be like on television. The sound design is stunning - it really does sound like it could have been an off-air recording from a modern production. Nicholas Courtney's world-weary take on the Brigadier was perfect and the supporting cast was incredibly strong (David Tennant's character was instantly likable, despite being a @#$@%).
The only weak link for me (and it's a minor one) was the "B" version of the Unbound theme arrangement, which lacked the punch and drama of the "A" version (heard on "Auld Mortality"). Fortunately the story, casting, performances, and production more than make up for it. Easily my favorite of the series (although the sublime "Deadline" is in a category of its own).
|
|
|
|
Post by Sir Wearer of Hats on Aug 14, 2016 21:46:54 GMT
I actually preferred the "B theme" and was disappointed when it didn't turn up in "Masters of War". I wonder which version will be used for the Upcoming Unbound Benny?
|
|
|
|
Post by OneTen on Aug 15, 2016 9:09:33 GMT
Just listened to this in preparation for the Benny. Having never hear the Unbounds before, I've bought the set and listened to Auld Mortality last week, which was good. Sympathy for the Devil was superb - a stand-out Doctor Who regardless of range or format with a compelling story and some outstanding performances from a truly A-list cast. I just feel foolish for having ignored it for so long. Terrific.
|
|
|
|
Post by omega on Aug 21, 2018 9:18:38 GMT
DOCTOR WHO - UNBOUND » 2. SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL Released June 2003SynopsisWhat if... the Doctor had not been UNIT's scientific advisor? 1997… and a lone exile arrives on Earth, years later than planned. On the eve of the Handover, an advanced Chinese stealth bomber crashes in the hills above Hong Kong. The discredited UNIT has just 24 hours to steal the technology, rescue the passenger and flee to international waters. Down by the harbour, there's big trouble in Little England - a bar owned by an old soldier, who simply wants to forget the past. But an ancient evil is stirring in a place of peace. The Doctor finds a world on the brink of terror. A world that has lived without him for years. A world that is frighteningly like our own… Written By: Jonathan Clements Directed By: Gary Russell CASTDavid Warner (The Doctor); Nicholas Courtney (Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart); David Tennant (Colonel Brimmicombe-Wood); Mark Gatiss (The Master (Ke Le); Liz Sutherland (Ling/Girl in Street/Pub Customer); Trevor Littledale (The Abbot); Mark Wright (Marcus/Private Jacobs); Peter Griffiths (Captain Zerdin); Stuart Piper (Adam); Jonathan Clements (Bouncer/Chinese Pilot/Monk/Tannoy Voice/Bomb Control); Gary Russell (Newsreader); John Ainsworth (Pub Customer)
|
|
|
|
Post by Sir Wearer of Hats on Aug 21, 2018 9:19:55 GMT
AHEM .... Sam Kisgart.
|
|
|
|
Post by Whovitt on Aug 21, 2018 9:20:55 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by omega on Aug 21, 2018 9:23:31 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by omega on Aug 21, 2018 9:41:06 GMT
Easily one of the highlights in the far too short Unbound range. The story zips along in an inspired setting of near-handover Hong Kong (which is also used in the 2001 BBC Past Doctor Adventure novel Bullet Time, where Sarah Jane Smith's investigation leads her to a funny little man called the Doctor), avoiding the story becoming too Eurocentric while feeling like a moment in time. The music really helps to evoke this feeling.
The performances are spellbinding, David Warner has chemistry with all the characters his Doctor interacts with. Of note is the scene where the Master pulls him aside, and the Doctor defends himself. David Warner's self-assured Doctor conversing with Kisgart's Master about their different motives keeps you listening. Nicholas Courtney as an alternate Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart sparkles, his world weariness showing through while never abandoning his duty as a gentleman. It's a shame there's only one other story with this fantastic pairing, there was such mileage in it. David Tennant is memorable as Brimmicombe-Wood, a Colonel with no sense of tact or compassion. He's never a dull character and has so many great lines.
The world building is clever and subtle. We hear snippets of how events played out differently in the Doctor's absence, such as the attack on America by the Ambassadors of Death or the plastic purges. UNIT didn't turn out so well certainly. Most of it is left to the imagination, the best place for these things. The way Jonathan Clements weaves traditional Third Doctor ideas into the story works well. The mind parasite is clearly the one from Mind of Evil (right down to the destruction in an explosion), there's a Buddhist temple, UNIT (obviously), the Brigadier (well, duh), diplomacy and the Chinese. There's even mention to previous times UNIT's security failed to protect someone.
|
|
|
|
Post by mark687 on Aug 21, 2018 9:55:31 GMT
I love this for 2 reasons yes David Warner plays the Doctor almost as if he was born to play it but these are the points that make it great for me:
1. Even broken down by life the Brig is the Brig as dependable as a refreshing cup of Tea/Coffee/Finger of Highland Malt.
2. By contrast the Master, he's so mournful, "You weren't here so it wasn't fun", you almost feel sorry him. Then when Doctor does "play", he's almost joyous at losing.
Its definitely the best all round Unbound IMO
Regards
mark687
|
|
|
|
Post by omega on Aug 21, 2018 9:59:15 GMT
I love for 2 reasons yes David Warner plays the Doctor almost as if he was born to play it but these are the points that make it great for me: 1. Even broken down by life the Brig is the Brig as dependable as a refreshing cup of Tea/Coffee/Finger of Highland Malt. 2. By contrast the Master, he's so mournful, "You weren't here so it wasn't fun", you almost feel sorry him. Then when Doctor does "play", he's almost joyous at losing. Its definitely the best all round Unbound IMO Regards mark687 Masters of War might just top it. Two discs of David Warner and Nicholas Courtney, plus Terry Molloy and a fascinating angle on the Daleks. |
|
|
|
Post by number13 on Aug 21, 2018 11:12:39 GMT
I love for 2 reasons yes David Warner plays the Doctor almost as if he was born to play it but these are the points that make it great for me: 1. Even broken down by life the Brig is the Brig as dependable as a refreshing cup of Tea/Coffee/Finger of Highland Malt. 2. By contrast the Master, he's so mournful, "You weren't here so it wasn't fun", you almost feel sorry him. Then when Doctor does "play", he's almost joyous at losing. Its definitely the best all round Unbound IMO Regards mark687 Masters of War might just top it. Two discs of David Warner and Nicholas Courtney, plus Terry Molloy and a fascinating angle on the Daleks. 'Sympathy for the Devil' is superb (and agree 100% about the Brig. and the Master, Mark, splendid chaps even the Master!!) but for me 'Masters of War' just tops it. It's right up there in my 'favourites of all BF stories across all ranges' list.
Outstanding entries in a great range. And how happy I was to find 'another' Third Doctor and like him so much! (And then to find him in New Benny and we have more Warner Doctor to come.)
|
|
|
|
Post by sherlock on Aug 21, 2018 11:19:00 GMT
Unbounds are one of my favourite ranges so far (Note: I haven't listened to Exile or He Jests at Scars). Warner's a great alt-Doctor and has great chemistry with Courtney's alt-Brig.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Likes:
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2018 19:19:09 GMT
When I first listened to these two, I felt it was a pity that David Warner and Nicholas Courtney did not have further outings within the Unbound timeline. Now of course we have David Warner doing just that with Benny and the 'Kisgart' Master.
So, a question to those who have listened to the Benny Unbound sets: 1) How do they compare to Sympathy/Masters and 2) does David Warner get a fair crack as shared lead/double act, or is it Benny in the lead primarily?
I have never listened to Bernice Summerfield adventures, so view her character still as a NA companion as opposed to bona-fide surrogate Doctor/lead.
|
|
|
|
Post by jacobz40 on Aug 23, 2018 15:01:24 GMT
The answers to both of these questions are varying. The Benny stories are trying to do more weird stuff than the Warner/Brigadier stories, so they're different. Most are very good. As to Warner and Benny's dynamic, it varies. Some stories emphasize Benny more while others put the Doctor at the front
|
|
|
|
Post by veryfactualdalek on Aug 23, 2018 18:22:20 GMT
When I first listened to these two, I felt it was a pity that David Warner and Nicholas Courtney did not have further outings within the Unbound timeline. Now of course we have David Warner doing just that with Benny and the 'Kisgart' Master. So, a question to those who have listened to the Benny Unbound sets: 1) How do they compare to Sympathy/Masters and 2) does David Warner get a fair crack as shared lead/double act, or is it Benny in the lead primarily? I have never listened to Bernice Summerfield adventures, so view her character still as a NA companion as opposed to bona-fide surrogate Doctor/lead. I’d say depending on the story is more of a two hander He’s not really the doctor Benny knows and so sometimes they do clash or she’s like “so what’s the plan?” And Warner’s Doctor is like “oh wait we are going to help them ? But they are so annoying” |
|
|
|
Post by mrperson on Aug 23, 2018 18:28:10 GMT
I love the Warner doc. As much as possible, please.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Likes:
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2018 18:28:36 GMT
I makes sense that they simply don't fall into the trap of merely an alternative Doctor. David Warner did as I recall offer a more ambivalent characterisation, who was not merely a late to the party Third Doctor. We have plenty of Seventh Doctor tales where Ace and Hex take the lead, such as Protect and Survive which work effectively for a Doctor who sits back and waits, and are all the better for it.
Being David Warner, there is always the potential to throw in some humour, such as explaining how this Unbound Doctor survived the sinking of the Titanic, and why he had it in for Leonardo DeCaprio....
|
|
|
|
Post by Ela on Aug 23, 2018 18:42:51 GMT
I was under the impression that David Warner's Doctor was never meant to be an alternative Third Doctor. Though many have taken him as such.
I think David Warner's version of the Doctor is wonderful and fun.
|
|
