Battlefield: Special Edition (home video)

Battlefield: Special Edition was an adapted version of the TV story of the same name, although technically based upon the adapted VHS version.

Unlike the VHS version, the story was now in a movie-length format running approximately 95 minutes. It featured numerous cut scenes reinstated, revised CGI video effects and a new Dolby 5.1 surround sound mix.

Synopsis
The TARDIS materialises in the English countryside near the village of Carbury, where a nuclear missile convoy under the command of UNIT Brigadier Winifred Bambera has run into difficulties. Lying on the bed of nearby Lake Vortigern is a spaceship from another dimension containing the body of King Arthur, supposedly held in suspended animation, and his sword Excalibur.

Ancelyn, a knight from the other dimension, arrives on Earth to aid the King but is followed by his rival Mordred and the latter's mother, a powerful sorceress named Morgaine. They all recognise the Doctor as Merlin, which the Time Lord attributes to events in his own future.

A battle breaks out between UNIT and Morgaine's army. Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart has come out of retirement to assist in the crisis and ends up using silver bullets to kill the Destroyer — an awesomely powerful creature unshackled by Morgaine to devour the world — although he himself is almost killed in the process.

Morgaine tries to fire the nuclear missile but is overcome by shock when the Doctor tells her what nuclear war would really mean, and that Arthur is in fact dead. She and her son are then taken prisoner by UNIT.

Plot
(See Battlefield (TV story))

Cast

 * The Doctor - Sylvester McCoy
 * Ace - Sophie Aldred
 * Morgaine - Jean Marsh
 * Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart - Nicholas Courtney
 * Peter Warmsly - James Ellis
 * Brigadier Winifred Bambera - Angela Bruce
 * Mordred - Christopher Bowen
 * Ancelyn - Marcus Gilbert
 * Doris Lethbridge-Stewart - Angela Douglas
 * Pat Rowlinson - Noel Collins
 * Elizabeth Rowlinson - June Bland
 * Shou Yuing - Ling Tai
 * Sergeant Zbrigniev - Robert Jezek
 * Flight Lieutenant Lavel - Dorota Rae
 * Knight Commander - Stefan Schwartz
 * Major Husak - Paul Tomany
 * The Destroyer - Marek Anton

Crew

 * Assistant Floor Managers - Matthew Purves, Julian Herne
 * Camera Supervisor - Geoff Clark
 * Costumes - Anushia Nieradzik
 * Designer - Martin Collins
 * Graphic Designer - Oliver Elmes
 * Incidental Music - Keff McCulloch
 * Make-Up - Juliette Mayer
 * OB Cameramen - Paul Harding, Alan Jessop
 * O.B. Lighting - Ian Dow
 * OB Sound - Martin Broadfoot
 * Producer - John Nathan-Turner
 * Production Assistant - Rosemary Parsons
 * Production Associate - June Collins
 * Production Manager - Riitta Lynn
 * Properties Buyer - Sara Richardson
 * Script Editor - Andrew Cartmel
 * Special Sounds - Dick Mills
 * Studio Lighting - David Lock
 * Studio Sound - Scott Talbott
 * Stunt Arranger - Alf Joint
 * Technical Co-Ordinator - Richard Wilson
 * Theme Arrangement - Keff McCulloch
 * Title Music - Ron Grainer
 * Video Effects - Dave Chapman
 * Videotape Editor - Hugh Parson
 * Vision Mixer - Dinah Long
 * Visual Effects Designer - Dave Bezkorowajny

Story notes

 * This was the first time an adapted version of a story has been released on DVD that was previously adapted on VHS.