The Original Family Version and Now on DVD (Battlestar Galactica (1978))

Member Name: shroud

Product:	Battlestar Galactica (1978)
Date:	27/04/07 (52 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: family friendly, good introduction to teh franchise

Disadvantages: sets and costumes slightly dated, currently viewable only on DVD

Forget for a moment the new series. It is great, but just put that out of your mind. The new series is based upon the same general premise as the original series, but there the resemblance ends.

This series was imagined in the mid 1970's by producer Glen Larson, but he had no takers until a little movie named Star Wars smashed past all box office expectations. Suddenly he had interest, and the result was the series Battlestar Galactica.

The time is unknown, but the premise is there was once a world named Kobol and mankind lived there with gods who have very familiar Greek names. Something happened that led to the gods sending the humans forth, and they left Kobol to found 13 colonies on 13 different worlds. During the dispersal, the 13th colony melted into legend as they established their world, and then for unknown reasons, lost or cut contact with the others. All that remains is legend.

In the meantime, the other 12 colonies thrive, and advance even further scientifically in some ways. We see a society that roamed between the worlds, but seemingly not much more exploration, and that built robots to do every job they could think of, including bear arms. To do these things successfully, they were equipped with quite a bit of AI and gained self awareness. It transpired they did not appreciate being considered lesser beings and merely machines, often called toasters in a derogatory manner, and they turned on their human masters.

It is here the series first introduces us to Caprica and the other colonies and its fleet of Battlestars. They are at war with the machines, and are brokering a peace with the Cylons (what the machines are called, presumably to impart the fact they are cyborg in nature), but the Cylons are not satisfied and are untrusting, and use this as an opportunity to launch a major offensive. They rain down destruction upon the 12 coloniesand the humans on the various colonies flee in whatever vessels they can to escape the destruction. All but one of the fleet of Battlestars is destroyed trying to defend the civilian ships fleeing the scene of destruction, and it leads "this ragtag fleet" in an effort to find Earth, where hopefully the Cylons will not find them. This Battlestar is of course, the Battlestar Galactica, and it is captained by one Adama.

Conceived as family fare, the scenes are not bloody, there is no sex, and swearing is PG in nature. Each episode stands alone fairly well, and there is usually a moral present somewhere in the story, a trait not uncommon in 1970's television. The Cylons may be frightening to younger children, however, as they are large, bulky, shiny robots with big guns, who speak in computerised voices and want nothing more than to kill every living human being, children included, with the notable exception of their leader, the human traitor Baltar. Fans who come to the original via the reimagining will enjoy seeing Richard Hatch in his original series role as pilot Apollo and Dirk Benedict as the very male Starbuck.

Not currently being rrun on broadcast TV, it is available on DVD. If you like classic sci fi or have a younger sci fan in the house, this series is well worth getting as the box set is excellent value at only £27.99, as it not only contains all 24 (there are 2 two parters) of the original 45 minute episodes, uncut and in correct order, but over 3 1/2 hours of bonus features. These bonus features include an interview with the show's original creator, behind the scenes footage, deleted scenes, a making of documentary, a photo gallery, and more.

Quality wise, they did an absolutely fabulous job. The presentation of this set is one other makers should take note of. Spreading the material over seven discs to maintain clarity after first digitally remastering and restoring the original film, if it was not for the slight dating of some of the sets and costumes, this would look fairly up to date. The pictures are clear, the sound is excellent (though digitised stereo from a mono source...it was 1978!), and I give bonus points for the discs being single sided. Another treat for Bellisario fans is that by watching this, you will see some of his earlier directing experience.

All in all a fun slightly campy romp to fill those evenings when your Dr Who stuff is not on :)

Summary: The original family version of Battlestar is good, slightly camp, fun.