Colditz
Story 25
Written by Steve Lyons
Released October 2001
For many Doctor Who fans, the cancellation of the program in 1989 was especially difficult as after several years of soul searching, it felt like the series had finally found its footing.
In 1987, Doctor Who was a program ripe for the chop by BBC Controller Michael Grade. After an eighteen-month hiatus, the series returned as a lighter shade of its darker, more violent self. It got lighter still when a new lead actor was cast. Stage performer Sylvester McCoy became the 7th Doctor and starred in a motley array of adventures that seemed to be from an entirely different program. In 1988, script editor Andrew Cartmell got a handle on where he wished to take the program. With new companion, the street-wise pyromaniac Ace along for the ride, the Doctor grew into a many-faceted character that was far more complicated than anyone had thought.
A combination of Andrew Cartmell’s work along with a spectacular and sophisticated run of adventures along with a unique chemistry of lead actors Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred gave new life to Doctor Who in its last years. So strong was the influence that it reverberated through the comic books, original novels and audio projects that followed.
Released in 2001 from Big Finish, Colditz takes up the mantle that was cast by the work started in series 25 and 26, further developing the darkly mysterious Doctor and the ever maturing Ace. The Doctor and Ace arrive in what appears to be WWI era Germany, but this is realized too late, causing the pair to be captured by Nazi forces. While the Nazi prison guards are very interested in the Doctor’s secrets, Ace proves to be a most meddlesome prisoner and flatly refuses to accept that she cannot escape from Colditz Castle. After all, she’d played the table top board game!
Simply setting this story in WWII Germany would frankly be brilliant enough, but writer Steve Lyons (the same creator of Doctor Who New Adventures – Conundrum and others) brings forth some new concepts in the shape of SS Officer Klein. while Ace attempts to fraternize with the British POWs and openly defy Officer Kurtz who takes a special and sadistic interest in breaking her will, the Doctor is scrutinized by Klein who is far more than she appears to be.
The production value of Colditz is in keeping with many other Big Finish productions. I’m still a novice at these audio adventures and thought that listening to Doctor Who would be a chore, but the ambient sound and musical score (hearkening back to 1989) brought it all into focus. The beginning was a bit jarring (I’m still not used to audio adventures even after the outstanding Blake’s 7 releases), it really felt like I was experiencing a ‘lost’ Doctor Who story and that is incredibly exciting.
The vocal cast is likewise excellent with the exception of David Tennant who seems to stray from his German accent from time to time. While Tennant is far better at character roles such as Kurtz, he seems to have the same trouble that he encountered in his portrayal of the Doctor… he cannot seem to find the ceiling of his range and so caterwauls all over the place. To be fair, the script has nowhere for him to go either, perhaps he was just excited to be in a Doctor Who production and wanted to give it his all?
The plot starts off rather simple but as soon as a second TARDIS is brought into the story, all Hell breaks loose. Colditz has the feel and mood of a New Adventures book, very angst-ridden and intense. I won’t spoil the plot twist, but I will say that it opens the realm of possibility to many other stories, which of course come to follow.
If, like me, you have been holding off on Big Finish Adventures, you may wish to take the plunge and explore. With over 200 releases featuring Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann and several supporting actors from the TV adventures along with many names that are bound to be familiar, there is a wealth of enjoyment in their vaults.
Doctor Who – Colditz can be purchased at the Big Finish site.
The Daily P.O.P. 
Well done for giving this one a try.
It’s a very nostalgia heavy story. Including the line “For you ze war is over” was probably pushing it a bit.
I think I was annoyed by the departure from the New Adventures portrayal of Ace. In Timewyrm: Exodus she wanted to watch a zombified soldier blow his head off. Here she is uncharacteristically horrified by Kurtz’ death.
I love Klein. I am so glad they brought her back for some more stories.
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