THE DAEMONS OF DEVIL’S END
released OUT NOW! 1993/2017 | 12 | dVd Director Keith barnfather Cast damaris Hayman, Nicholas briggs
Doctor Who’s “The Daemons” (1971) has long been considered a classic, from the village setting to the Brigadier’s famous line, “Chap with wings, there… five rounds rapid!” This three-disc set brings together a selection of works based around the story – some new, some on DVD for the first time.
The headline act is White Witch Of Devil’s End, a six-part anthology spin-off featuring Damaris Hayman reprising her role as white witch Olive Hawthorne. Originally conceived as a Talking Heads-style monologue, it’s been reworked with occasional point-of-view sections bringing her narrative to life. It’s not a decision that really works, sadly, with these segments often poorly acted, while the stories themselves are touching but slight.
The other major feature is 1993 documentary Return To Devil’s End, which sees the director and main cast of “The Daemons” return to the village of Aldbourne and reminisce about the making of the story. It’s a pleasant enough watch, but there are no essential insights.
Extras Featurettes on the making of White Witch; behind the scenes on Return; a piece on the Morris dancers from “The Daemons”; Hayman and “The Daemons” co-star David Simeon interviewed; a look at two mini conventions held at Aldbourne; introductions; a music video. Rhian Drinkwater