In the words of Radio Times reviewer, Mark Braxton, "The rubbery, over-lit antecedent to Jurassic Park and Primeval is in many ways pioneering and stuffed with decent ideas. But the excitement conjured by the title quickly turns to sniggering disbelief.
"The dinosaurs are all visibly models, and friendly-faced ones at that, but the production team can't be held to account for this entirely...
"A freelance effects man had convinced them that he could give them realistic-looking model dinosaurs, and thus was the story commissioned. But despite being set in some impressive urban dioramas, the mini-beasts look eactly like what they are. Dawdling camerawork and liberal use of CSO merely compound the problem."
But, if you're considering giving this classic episode a miss then think again - aside from the obvious visual flaws, the 70s offering compensates with in more areas than one (see more than one impassioned face to the left):
"The other plot elements - the abuse of a scientific breakthrough, London under martial law, a traitor in Unit's midst, the enforcement of a new world order - are adventurous and meaty," says Braxton. "In short, it's a roaringly good script from Mac Hulke.
"The eerie street scenes are efficiently handled by Paddy Russell, and chases involving Land Rovers, a helicopter and (for the first time) the Doctor's fin-tastic Whomobile are all exciting if extraneous fare."
Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith) is unlikely to use any tool of this variety to fend of his foes in tonight's episode...
Oops, spot the cigarette... The Doctor poses with cutting edge machinary during his fag break.
Dinosaurs on a Spaceship is on tonight at 7:35pm on BBC1