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Doctor Who: The Web Planet
01/02/2006 . Source: Geoff Willmetts 
BBC DVD 1355. 146 minutes 6 episodes with loads of extras. Price: £ 9.99 (UK) so shop around for the best deal). stars: William Hartnell, William Russell, Jacqueline Hill and Maureen O'Brien and assorted guest stars... Buy Doctor Who: The Web Planet in the USA - or Buy Doctor Who: The Web Planet in the UK  check out website: www.bbcshop.com
Cor! I haven't see this one since the early 60s. I know, I know. It shows my age but at least I was there for all the Doctor Who series. 'The Web Planet' was also the second show after the Daleks where some attempt at merchandising was attempted. I still remember buying a plastic Menoptra from Woolworths. Bet that'll have some of you looking through your catalogues. Even the audios on this DVD only refer to the Zarbi merchandise.
Although elements of the plot of 'The Web Planet' follow a similar pattern to the aforementioned first Daleks tale in dividing the cast so they each have screen time as they lead towards the same objective, this story is rather unique. Rather than a city of metal, Vortis looks practically like a dead planet with a limited atmosphere, distorted vision and big vastness of nothing but rocks and one distinctive pyramid structure. Incredible work on a cheap budget.
The TARDIS is drawn to Vortis and trapped by the Animus, forcing a closer look at the planet over-run by the ant-like Zarbi and the butterfly-people Menoptra out to reclaim their home. The Zarbi stay out of sight while keeping an eye on the Doctor and companion Ian Chesterton looking around in the rarefied atmosphere and avoiding being burnt in formic acid pools. The TARDIS gets stolen and Barbara kidnapped simply because she could be mind-dominated while she wore a gold bracelet and joins caught Menoptra digging for precious metals underground. Vicki joins the Doctor and Ian when they find the TARDIS and they have to keep one step of the Animus' plans to destroy the Menoptra without being killed themselves.
In some respects, 'The Web Planet' does show some of its age yet, despite being filmed in black and white makes use of its look to make a stark-looking planet. Even more remarkable considering the low budget and this one had massive over-runs expense-wise from the audio commentary. It resulted in a somewhat sub-standard looking sentient grub species but considering the attention to the Zarbi and Menoptra, I guess something had to give. Seeing the Menoptra fly again is still quite fun. I hope if Russell T. Davies is contemplating bringing back aliens from the earlier series that he considers both of these creatures. Vortis is definitely due for a re-visit.
Oddly enough, neither species were exactly villains of the piece. Even the Zarbi were under mind-control and were rather harmless once released. A rather interesting situation where you don't actually meet the enemy until the last episode. Apart from the Doctor's companions, there were no humans involved.
Apart from the audio commentary from actors William (Ian) Russell and Martin (Helio) Jarvis, then producer Verity Lambert and director Richard Martin, this DVD is loaded down with extra features on design and make-up. Russell even reads the short story from the 1965 Doctor Who Annual (something else I own) as well as a photo gallery. This is a classic from the Hartnell era. It might seem slow by today's standards but it no doubt had your parents or grandparents hearts pitter-pattering when they watched it the first time around.
GF Willmetts
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