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Post by fingersmash on Jun 16, 2017 17:33:19 GMT
Question from after seeing the lengths on the audiobooks: are there interviews at the end of each disk? Fields of Terror and Across the Darkened City are almost the same length as a TV story.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2017 17:51:26 GMT
Question from after seeing the lengths on the audiobooks: are there interviews at the end of each disk? Fields of Terror and Across the Darkened City are almost the same length as a TV story. I have only heard the first tale - but looking at the files on my download, yes, they are at the end of every story.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2017 18:05:44 GMT
Question from after seeing the lengths on the audiobooks: are there interviews at the end of each disk? Fields of Terror and Across the Darkened City are almost the same length as a TV story. I have only heard the first tale - but looking at the files on my download, yes, they are at the end of every story. Urghh I hate it when they do that. I'll have to download the mp3s and compile them into versions without the extras so I can listen through the whole thing hands-free.
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Post by acousticwolf on Jun 16, 2017 19:15:58 GMT
All four stories were really fantastic, but Across the Darkened City and The Plague of Dreams really stood out. If I had to pick a favorite, though, it'd be the former. It seems like each time I think I'm tired of the Daleks or something interesting can't be done with them, Big Finisn proves me wrong. Across the Darkened City really feels like a David Whittaker story. And the music for all four stories was noticably amazing. One of the best releases this year so far, I think. Agreed, I think Across the Darkened City is the best out of the (excellent) bunch. Steven has had so many character developing stories and they still find more for him. He is without doubt almost my favourite male companion for the First Doctor. Also agree about the Daleks - how they manage to keep finding new (and good) stories amazes me. Elliott Chapman is doing a fantastic job with Ben and his First Doctor isn't too shabby either. I could listen to Anneke all day, I love her narration style and it's always nice to have her "front and centre" in the stories, and not "tagged on". Plague of Dreams shows this perfectly. Speaking of which Guy Adams' story comes a very close second to being my favourite. This set (as seems to be the case with all of First Doctor stories) really evokes the era and the stories are exceptional. In a way it makes perfect sense for the Time War to start affecting earlier incarnations and in this case, it works. I also love the continuity references and the way these stories tie in with others. Definitely in the running for best release this year so far. Cheers Tony
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Post by mark687 on Jun 16, 2017 21:53:33 GMT
Question from after seeing the lengths on the audiobooks: are there interviews at the end of each disk? Fields of Terror and Across the Darkened City are almost the same length as a TV story. Yes the interviews around 13 minutes long in length each .
Regards
mark687
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Post by number13 on Jun 16, 2017 23:55:10 GMT
Fields of Terror
Every set of First Doctor stories needs an historical in my opinion, and where better than the Doctor's 'favourite period' (or so Susan told us in the TV story) - Robespierre's Reign of Terror once again. This time the TARDIS lands far from Paris, in the bloody fields of the Vendée where the 'citizens' of the revolution are engaged in exterminating their political opponents, their families and their homes, in the name of progress. And something else seems to be hunting them...
This is a clever, atmospheric and haunting tale of terror and the Terror; a bleak horror story in a bleak winter land, a reminder that some evils are beyond even the Doctor's power to amend, when all he can do is 'glance and move on'. It seemed part historical, part thriller, and part 'ghost story', where I wasn't sure for a long time exactly what kind of story it was, so plentiful and well-placed are the misdirecting clues. The solution was quite moving and felt right for the era and the story, though I was uncertain about one aspect of it.
Maureen O'Brien is of course superb and so is Robert Hands (heard recently in the brilliant 'Ravelli Conspiracy' as the Pope, no less!), here as dedicated citzen Captain Lagrange, educated, rational and ruthless. And Robert Harvey's sound design and music is excellent - I loved the melancholy yet unnerving piano themes that haunt this haunted story...
A great opening story for the set, now out to deep space where Steven is waiting...
From the BF website, the episode titles are: 1. The Column From Hell 2. The Darkest Road
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Post by elkawho on Jun 17, 2017 3:24:25 GMT
I've only listening to Fields of Terror and Across The Darkened City so far, and all I can say is how great these are. And as good as the first is, the second is outstanding. I adore Peter Purves and I think he outdoes himself here.
In the middle of that story it struck me as to how dark these stories are. I think the darkest 1st Doctor stories I've heard, at least in a long while. And it's a psychological darkness that is done so well. Looking forward to hearing the next 2 stories.
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Post by number13 on Jun 17, 2017 11:42:38 GMT
Across the Darkened CityA fabulous story of alliance, mistrust and betrayal on a ruined, darkened world, where Steven and his new ally need each other to find the way 'home'. Their physical journey is difficult enough, but this gripping story is also a psychological journey for Steven and one that he should never have taken... Peter Purves (always excellent) is maybe the best I've ever heard him; a really oustanding performance in what is essentially a two character story with a most unusual 'guest star'. My only slight regret was that he didn't get the chance to give his wonderful take on William Hartnell's Doctor until the very end! And at that end - two twists, one we will all be expecting (the Doctor saves the day) and one twist which I at least certainly did not expect - and it's a beauty! Brilliantly written by David Bartlett. From the BF website, the episode titles are: 1. Journey Into Night 2. The Chaons {Spoiler} Steven saved the life of the Dalek Emperor-to-be! The moral of the story is: humans, don't grow to trust or befriend a Dalek. Even if you live long enough to have a conversation with one or share experiences with one, it will still exterminate you as soon as it judges the time is right...
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Post by Whovitt on Jun 17, 2017 14:12:18 GMT
Tonight was The Bonfire of the Vanities. I am really falling in love with this set. While I think this one is possibly the slighter weaker of the set so far (controversially so it seems, given the response it has received up thread), it was still amazing, and again there was something about it that struck a chord. Anneke Wills is always brilliant, and this was only my second experience with Elliot Chapman as Ben (the only other story I have that he's done is The Mouthless Dead), but he was also blooming amazing! His Ben impression is so uncanny, and his First Doctor, particularly in his speech towards the end of Episode Two, was also very good. I'm glad that he was also given a chance at narrating in this one - hopefully we can get a Ben led Short Trip soon Again, it's great to hear from Robert Harvey in the interviews. His music for this release really is first class - I'm so glad that they've released it as a separate download track (even though I'm not sure when I'm going to have the 38 minutes to listen to it all!). Very much looking forward to The Plague of Dreams tomorrow, and only sorry that it will be the last in the set. I'm still waiting to hear where the Time War ties from the trailer come into it, but I feel I'm in for a real treat
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Post by omega on Jun 18, 2017 3:51:43 GMT
I am loving the interviews on these stories. It really delves into the creative process, an aspect which I find fascinating. Rob Harvey is fast becoming one of my favorite Big Finish sound designers because we learn how he does it and why. The music he did for the Short Trip last year, A Full Life, also has a bonus music suite available.
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Post by Digi on Jun 18, 2017 4:42:03 GMT
Yeah this really is an excellent set of stories, isn't it? I've had time to get through three of the four so far and am ridiculously impressed that these stories--so simple on the surface of them--are so engaging. Every one so far has had me rapt.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2017 14:12:47 GMT
I am loving the interviews on these stories. It really delves into the creative process, an aspect which I find fascinating. Rob Harvey is fast becoming one of my favorite Big Finish sound designers because we learn how he does it and why. The music he did for the Short Trip last year, A Full Life, also has a bonus music suite available. I agree with all of that. It really is a terrific overall package, isn't it? Having said that, I've not listened to the last two stories yet. As for ... Across the Darkened CityThis really is something wonderful. Since the television episode ‘Dalek’, there have been a handful of times when the Daleks are not treated as a marauding army, but as a singular entity. Here, once again, it works incredibly well, because Steven Taylor – brave and resourceful – is nevertheless NOT The Doctor, and is therefore slightly more likely to be taken in by a Dalek pretending to have a conscience. But is it pretending? The true answer, revealed right at the end, after the title music has faded away, is a punch-the-air moment. This is a terrific tale – as with the last story, the writer is one I would love to hear more from. The music too, by Robert Harvey, is excellent. Slightly less bombastic than a lot of scores, which is entirely fitting for the intimacy of a CC. I love that we downloaders have a separate file entirely full of a 38 minute musical suite, which I’m listening to as I write this. The direction, from Helen Goldwyn, is very nice too. I hope it isn’t her last directing job. Lovely!
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Post by kimalysong on Jun 19, 2017 19:32:16 GMT
Just listened to Fields of Terror. I usually love straight historical but this one didn't do much for me personally....although I did quite enjoy the ending and always enjoy Robert Hands as a guest star.
However I will say it was just terrific to hear from Robert Harvey the Sound Designer in the Extras. I love this behind the scenes stuff. I don't know how sound design works so I take it for granted how someone comes up with the sounds (even down to the shoes the characters would be wearing). I found that whole section of the extras really fascinating and definitely want more like it in the future.
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Post by Audio Watchdog on Jun 19, 2017 19:39:48 GMT
Just listened to Fields of Terror. I usually love straight historical but this one didn't do much for me personally....although I did quite enjoy the ending and always enjoy Robert Hands as a guest star. However I will say it was just terrific to hear from Robert Harvey the Sound Designer in the Extras. I love this behind the scenes stuff. I don't know how sound design works so I take it for granted how someone comes up with the sounds (even down to the shoes the characters would be wearing). I found that whole section of the extras really fascinating and definitely want more like it in the future. Big honking ditto. The more technical bts features, the better.
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Post by number13 on Jun 19, 2017 22:59:50 GMT
The Bonfires of the VanitiesIt says a lot for the quality of Una McCormack's story and the performances of Anneke Wills and Elliot Chapman that although I was listening to this on one of the hottest June nights for years (in England at least), in spirit I was firmly in the chill of an English November 5th, with bonfire smoke drifting in the damp night air and something sinister lurking in the deep autumn night... Is this really the first ever First Doctor, Polly and Ben story from Big Finish, other than in the Short Trips? More please! He may be older and frailer by this point, but there's no doubting the Doctor's will and force of personality as he takes on a small-town 'Mr. Big' and his mysterious hooded ally, while Polly and Ben have a Bonfire Night they will 'remember, remember' for the rest of their lives! I'd enjoyed Elliot Chapman's excellent performance as Ben in 'The Forsaken' (and very definitely as Michael Craze as Ben, not just a generic Cockney voice) and in this story I enjoyed his First Doctor too, as he shares the narration with Anneke Wills (superb as always, a voice I could listen to for hours.) The sound design across this set is very special and it was great to hear more from sound designer Robert Harvey on the particularly good interview track for this story. Only one to go now, sadly; this set is even better than I expected. {Spoiler}I liked the Time War distortion of the Doctor's timeline at the start. I guessed they were meant to be arriving at 'The Tenth Planet' South Pole from the description of the scanner - and the Doctor's health - but now they are in a different timeline. A nice, big gap for BF to fill with stories please! EDIT: Ho, hum. They firmly closed the gap in the final story of the set, a pity. Now they will just have to open another one... (Since the First Doctor, Polly and Ben are now successfully restablished, wouldn't it be great to have an Early Adventure from this crew in the next First Doctor season. Or indeed two. I do hope we can have more stories from all the established First Doctor crews too, but if BF wanted to make a SIX story EA season next time, they could count on my subscription for starters... )
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Robert-T
Big Finish Creative Team
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Post by Robert-T on Jun 20, 2017 13:26:34 GMT
Glad people are enjoying the extras content! Thanks for everyones kind words on the music and sound design, feeling the love.
Thanks Rob
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Post by coffeeaddict on Jun 20, 2017 13:31:17 GMT
Glad people are enjoying the extras content! Thanks for everyones kind words on the music and sound design, feeling the love. Thanks Rob Having worked in radio and tv and done the production work (though I was mainly on air talent) I know how much work goes into making a production sound amazing. You and your fellow sound designers and composers deserve the love.
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Post by kimalysong on Jun 20, 2017 13:55:22 GMT
Glad people are enjoying the extras content! Thanks for everyones kind words on the music and sound design, feeling the love. Thanks Rob Welcome to the forum Rob. We are very happy to have you here.
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Post by number13 on Jun 20, 2017 13:59:27 GMT
Glad people are enjoying the extras content! Thanks for everyones kind words on the music and sound design, feeling the love. Thanks Rob Welcome to the forum Rob. We are very happy to have you here. Seconded.
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Post by IndieMacUser on Jun 20, 2017 21:48:25 GMT
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