The Myth Makers [TV/1965.10.16 ~ 11.6]

 

★★★☆☆

  Loose Cannon's reconstructions really are magnificent, not only in their preservatory significance in Doctor Who but also in the unique flavor they bring to the restored material. Some of them are telesnaps brought to life with restored audio tracks, each picture carefully aligned to be compatible with the script. Others, like poor old The Myth Makers over here, are basically Loose Cannon originals; with only recorded audios intact, the company had to cobble together their own takes on scenes (most often than not with actors' faces plastered onto substitute bodies) and even shoot their own sequences. Such dedication to bring beloved stories to life should be applauded.

  That said, The Myth Makers has quite a few fight sequences, settings and effects that I'm simply dying to witness in their original form. I don't know what it is about those surviving clips (perhaps the shoddy video quality paradoxically adds to the mood?), but I think I see a much more layered direction from Michael Leeston-Smith than I usually expect from 1960s Who. Make no mistake, I had plenty of fun with the version I watched; it's just that this is one of those serials I wish to see on a missing episodes update post in my lifetime. Oh well, one can only hope...

  Considering how few people seem to talk about The Myth Makers, I was pleasantly surprised when I found it to be an enjoyable pure historical. It's far more The Romans than The Crusade with its silly characters and even sillier lines, and it portrays characters in Greek mythology as people from history with shadows of their fantastical counterparts. We also get to see the franchise's take on the Trojan Horse myth, which is wonderful to see realized. 

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ  

  The Myth Makers is bound to be a pleasant journey for history enthusiasts and lovers of fine comedies alike; the four parts practically fly away thanks to a compact script and wonderful performances. Maureen O'Brien is exceptional as Vicki, as she gives one last powerful performance before her exit. Cherish this sweet and sad moment, because the next serial would turn out to be one of Doctor Who's best... and its bleakest.