the war chief is not the master. he was created before the master existed and timewyrm exodus (written by dicks!!) tells his whole backstory and origins on gallifrey, which crashes with the idea that hes the master. its not anybodys place other than the original writers to make this decision, and especially not in this weird way where it's implied but not confirmed. that bit rlly pisses me off. other than that, its great! the colourisation is perfect, all the colours pop but in a way that you forget it was b&w in the first place, and for a ~250 min story cut down to ab 90 mins, the editing was well done, the pacing felt good. some amazing model work is there as well, with the exterior of the war dome, the tardos and sidrat models, and cool cgi. the only problem might be the sound mixing, the new soundtrack is wonderful but its too loud and so the dialogue is hard to hear. not perfect by any means but i do love these colourisations and would like to see more in the future. tomb of the cybermen pleaase!!

(This review was written in Christmas 2024)

This is how you ruin a classic masterpiece.

Oh dear, where to begin?

Well, the colourization looks absolutely wonderful, and the first 20 minutes or so are pretty good!

And then, it all comes crashing down.

The War Games is my favourite Doctor Who story of all time, a colossal 10-parter which is also a regeneration AND companion departure story of the highest calibre. An absolute masterpiece from start to finish, and one that deserves its lengthy runtime.

But this butchered edit was a mess. A disgraceful mess.

Thr pacing is awful, too fast and with no time to breathe. The editing is not good at all and makes everything rather awkward.

The music is... there, I hate how loud they made it be.

The fact that this is now the go-to version makes me feel bitter and annoyed as hell, but the fact that they used the modern Doctors as a replacement to the Time Lords' regeneration sketches makes me feel even worse.

This is not The War Games, this is just an expensive-looking butchering of said masterpiece.

One of my favorites, and most depressing arcs of the classic series in colour! It was perfect, of course it had to cut out some moments, but they've managed to get it right and you would be able to perfectly understand the full story just by watching this version, the only thing that I think they should've kept was the whole sequence of the Doctor trying to escape the time Lords, such a strong and emotional sequence in the original version!

everything has probably been said about this already. not gonna talk about the war chief/master controversy. I do get that they had to cut it down to 90 minutes but it feels like most of the war games was cut out, and we didn't see much of jamie/zoe. I am happy we got lots of jennifer/carstairds (beloved two/jamie parallels) but I wish we saw less of the HQ - inside and out.. - and more of the resistance group, because that feels the most parallel to two's crew, as well as the best way to show jamie/zoe development and growth from their introductions, which would make their departure hit a lot harder, especially for new viewers who haven't seen the original. The colors were beautiful but I don't count this as my personal view of canon lol, i don't think anyone does.

Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time!

“The War Games in Colour: A Bold Retelling of a Classic Regeneration Story”

This Christmas, the BBC delivered a bold reimagining of The War Games, Patrick Troughton’s swan song as the Second Doctor. The 1969 ten-part epic, originally in black-and-white, has been colourized, condensed into a 90-minute omnibus edition, enhanced with new special effects, and capped with a brand-new regeneration sequence bridging the gap to Jon Pertwee’s Third Doctor.

The original The War Games is a beloved classic, lauded for its ambition and scale, even if its length sometimes strains modern pacing standards. Naturally, such a drastic reworking invites scepticism, particularly after the mixed reception of The Daleks in Colour. However, this version offers a vibrant, modernised take on a beloved story, albeit with some flaws.

The colourization is a triumph. The once-muted war zones and futuristic War Room sets are now brought vividly to life, with exquisite attention to detail. The War Lord’s red glasses, for example, are a subtle but striking addition. These vibrant visuals, combined with some slick (if occasionally incongruous) CGI establishing shots, lend the story a fresh cinematic feel.

Mark Ayres’ new score enhances the drama, blending elements of Dudley Simpson’s original work with modern sensibilities. However, the music is often overbearing, risking overshadowing the dialogue and action.

Condensing a five-hour serial into 90 minutes inevitably requires sacrifices. The re-edit maintains the core mystery and dramatic beats, but the relentless pace leaves little breathing room. The story barrels from one action sequence to the next, often at the expense of character development and moments of introspection.

Supporting characters, such as Smythe, von Weich, and the Security Chief, are reduced to mere sketches, while others, like Villar, are omitted entirely. Lieutenant Carstairs and Lady Jennifer remain prominent, but their arcs are simplified.

One notable improvement is the removal of the repetitive capture-and-escape sequences from the original, a criticism often levelled at the 1969 version. The result is a more dynamic and engaging narrative, though it sometimes feels rushed.

The most controversial inclusion is the new regeneration sequence, adapted from a fan-made video. While visually impressive and smoothly integrated into the end of the story, it feels unnecessary. The original ambiguous ending, with the Time Lords’ punishment left unseen, had its own charm and mystique.

The use of the Master's theme whenever the War Chief appears is another divisive choice, hinting at a connection between the two characters. While it’s a fun nod for fans, it risks overcomplicating the narrative for casual viewers and undermining the War Chief’s individuality as a villain.

This new version of The War Games is a mixed bag. The colourization and streamlined storytelling make it an accessible and visually stunning introduction for newer fans, while the cuts and changes risk alienating long-time devotees. It successfully highlights the epic scale and key moments of the original but sacrifices much of its depth and character-driven drama.

For those seeking a fast-paced and modernised Doctor Who experience, this is a worthwhile watch. However, for purists and those wanting the full scope of Troughton’s farewell, the original ten-part saga remains unmatched.

📝Verdict: 7.5/10

A vibrant and exciting reimagining that honours the spirit of the original, though its rushed pacing and controversial additions may leave some fans divided.