Gosh, that's how many of us experienced the show in the 1980s. It was somewhat of a given that the SFX were secondary to the story. Maybe I'm alone in my opinion but I don't think so.
When I first saw the story I thought the writing and the themes were exceptionally handled and it's a shame the story is vastly overlooked due to the special effects. I really wasn't bothered by them and focused on the characters and story instead.
This is basically how I feel whenever I watch the story. Characters and themes are what draw me into storytelling so the dinosaurs not looking great was never really a barrier to my enjoyment
I remember watching the "movie" format version of this serial in the 90s, which skips the first episode entirely, so you went straight from the credits to the Doctor and SJS being attacked by an extremely crummy dinosaur puppet.
A couple more points about the story. The soldiers (both UNIT and Army) carry 9mm Sterling sub machine guns in this story. But they don't fire blank rounds. When firing is required they just shake them a bit to simulate recoil and a sound effect is added. Why was this done this way? I think it was because a lot of the military scenes were filmed at Southall Gas Works where there was possibly an explosion risk. They did the same thing with gun firing in 'Inferno' which was filmed at a petro - chemical works in Hoo and there was a ban on naked flames. Second point. One of the Land Rovers used in this serial also turned up in an episode of 'Thriller' called 'In The Steps of A Dead Man' as evidenced by the same Army number plate.
For Kinda there is version with a CGI Mara at the end, I wonder if they could do the same here? FWIW I have a soft sport for the model snake, but the dinosaurs would benefit from an upgrade.
Definitely, I believe someone actually added new dinosaur effects, but only for one of the scenes. I guess there would be a lot more CGI required, whereas the Mara only appears once
@@MidnightChimey That's true, and as you say they're not really the focal point. If it was added just for the cliffhangers it would give the serial just a bit more punch.
I thought it was a great story but let down by poor dinosaur effects. Did you know that Derek Meddings ( Ex Gerry Anderson and future Bond miniatures expert) worked on the story?
What were your thoughts on Invasion of the Dinosaurs, can you enjoy a story in spite of shortcomings in how its special effects are realised?
Gosh, that's how many of us experienced the show in the 1980s. It was somewhat of a given that the SFX were secondary to the story. Maybe I'm alone in my opinion but I don't think so.
@@toonman361 I mean Doctor Who was definitely a show that was limited to a budget back then
Those dinosaurs scared the bejabers out of me as a nipper
It's funny I've heard other people say they were convincing enough as a kid, I guess things are just more scary when you're at an impressionable age
When I first saw the story I thought the writing and the themes were exceptionally handled and it's a shame the story is vastly overlooked due to the special effects. I really wasn't bothered by them and focused on the characters and story instead.
This is basically how I feel whenever I watch the story. Characters and themes are what draw me into storytelling so the dinosaurs not looking great was never really a barrier to my enjoyment
I remember watching the "movie" format version of this serial in the 90s, which skips the first episode entirely, so you went straight from the credits to the Doctor and SJS being attacked by an extremely crummy dinosaur puppet.
Maybe not the greatest first impression...
@@MidnightChimey No, but very memorable!
Yate's PTSD from those maggots was real😅
Indeed
A couple more points about the story. The soldiers (both UNIT and Army) carry 9mm Sterling sub machine guns in this story. But they don't fire blank rounds. When firing is required they just shake them a bit to simulate recoil and a sound effect is added. Why was this done this way? I think it was because a lot of the military scenes were filmed at Southall Gas Works where there was possibly an explosion risk. They did the same thing with gun firing in 'Inferno' which was filmed at a petro - chemical works in Hoo and there was a ban on naked flames. Second point. One of the Land Rovers used in this serial also turned up in an episode of 'Thriller' called 'In The Steps of A Dead Man' as evidenced by the same Army number plate.
Thanks for the trivia
I like Invasion of the Dinosaurs
For Kinda there is version with a CGI Mara at the end, I wonder if they could do the same here?
FWIW I have a soft sport for the model snake, but the dinosaurs would benefit from an upgrade.
Definitely, I believe someone actually added new dinosaur effects, but only for one of the scenes. I guess there would be a lot more CGI required, whereas the Mara only appears once
@@MidnightChimey That's true, and as you say they're not really the focal point. If it was added just for the cliffhangers it would give the serial just a bit more punch.
Kklak indeed
I thought it was a great story but let down by poor dinosaur effects. Did you know that Derek Meddings ( Ex Gerry Anderson and future Bond miniatures expert) worked on the story?
Oh I was not aware of that thanks