Five Doctors original vs. special edition

[Doctorwhovian]

There's two versions of The Five Doctors available-the original 80's version and a special edition, released in the late 90s on video and on DVD in 2001.

The special edition adds some new footage, but also features some changes to the special effects-The Time Scoop, which was a black triangle in the original, is a tornado-shaped CG cloud or something (Terrance Dicks refers to the effect as "Caspar" after the cartoon), as well as a Dalek effect updated to the "Rememberance of the Daleks" 'bolt' version, the weird lightning bolts, and a few other things as well. It also uses different edits of the "Shada" footage, removing the weird footage of Tom and Romana entering the TARDIS and instead having them simply returned to the boat. Rassilon's head is also given a deeper voice.

So which version do fans prefer? Some object to replacing FX ala the Star Wars films, but the main problem with that is that there is no 'original' version available (Yes, there were those DVDs nine years ago, but those featured the originals only in Laserdisc quality), whereas both versions are on DVD. There are also similar effects changes or alternate cuts for Earthshock, Day of the Daleks, Ark In Space, and Curse Of Fenric, Dalek Invasion of Earth etc. but those mostly have the original available as well.

 

[DrFrankhamstien]

In terms of Five Doctors, it's an odd one. I tend to watch the SE more often, simply due to the extended scenes and better edits. The effects, although nice, don't make a lot of difference to me. I preferred the black obelisk (as Terrance called in in the novelisation).

 

[Christopher]

I find both versions of the time scoop effect equally cheesy, though I suppose the CG version probably looked better to '90s audiences. And I don't mind losing the incongruous "Shada" footage at the end, but I wish they'd replaced it with the bit where the Doctor falls into the canal, rather than just a brief second of him in the gondola. It would've been the logical continuation of the way he was starting to fall when the time scoop got him.

 

[Orac]

I prefer the original time scoop effect.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I hate the new voice for Rassilon in the SE, but otherwise I don't mind the changes.

 

[Emperor-Tiberius]

The Special Edition in every way. But its still a shoddy, boring story, with Jon Pertwee and Pat Troughton being the sole highlights of it.

 

[TheAlmanac]

I prefer the original time scoop effect.

I also prefer the original effect--as well as the original use of "Shada" footage.

Otherwise, though, I much prefer the Special Edition.

 

[Emperor-Tiberius]

As someone who prefers the Ian Levine-doctored version of Shada over all, naturally I also prefer the Special Edition's sparse use of that footage.

 

[DWF]

After rewatching the special edition I perfer the original, the new visual effects are nice but the added scenes don't do much for the story.