Space 1999 the Complete Series Blu Ray Review
Infinite: 1999 - The Complete Serial
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"Infinite: 1999" was sort of an endeavor at a 1970s "Star Expedition", which was finding a broader audience through syndicated reruns than it did on its original network run. Created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson (who divorced later this show's first season), the premise involves a base on the moon chosen Blastoff which for some reason includes a radioactive waste disposal expanse. 311 people are working at that place on September 13th, 1999, when this waste explodes (I guess they figured if that were to happen, it would be improve on the moon than on Earth) and sends the moon out of orbit, cast off into outer space and the great unknown. They're able to option upwards a TV news transmission before getting likewise far away from Globe which tells of earthquakes and other disasters happening, but that's the last whatever of these people hear from their home planet. Commander John Koenig, the show's central character and the main vocalization of reason, announces to everyone that he finds it all-time that "nosotros do not endeavor" to return to Globe as that would likely be impossible, instead depending on finding another afar planet where they can re-found themselves. From here on each episode deals with their adjusting to life stranded on the moon as it hurls through space and exploring worlds that pass past, which is easy as they have a armada of small ships known every bit Eagles to ship them onto these planets and likewise get them back to the moon if they need to. With that in mind each episode pretty much stands on its ain, equally there'due south little continuity between them and no "concluding" episode was e'er produced to say just exactly how all of this ends. The American TV networks all turned the show downward, so it was instead shown by local stations via start-run syndication though the same distributor that brought us The Muppet Bear witness. Martin Landau's real-life wife Barbara Bain co-stars as Dr. Helena Russell, who had a husband disappear on a previous infinite mission. The 2 of them somewhen get romantic, and she's essentially the secondary character here who gets most of the lines. With 309 others on board, we never see all of them except every bit a few minor characters who come up and get- a few are inevitably killed throughout the serial. As finding a new home planet is the goal, most of the episodes deal with the moon coming into the vicinity of a planet and the crew checks it out every bit a potential place to stay. Unfortunately some of them but don't have the right temper- the outset planet they notice basically makes them go crazy when they try to settle there. Many others are already populated mostly by man-like creatures, who speak perfect English but aren't too friendly- they either don't want them in that location, or want to impale or enslave them. One episode finds them between ii warring planets, who then use the moon as a battle station. "The Last Sunset" nearly makes the moon itself the humans' new dwelling house planet, every bit an Globe-like atmosphere of a sudden develops that allows them to venture outside. In that location's an encounter with the Voyager Space Probe, which hadn't even been launched however when the episode was shot. In more than than one case they find people who appear to have been lost and graciously take them in, only to then have them attempt to take them over. The second season changes a few things, starting time with a new graphic symbol Maya (Catherine Schell) who escapes with them from another planet that they terminate upwardly destroying. She has the unique ability to shape-shift, and is simply taken in every bit i of the coiffure but definitely has that "new character" aureola about her that other shows have had. (Did anyone ever inquire why the show's title wasn't changed to "Space: 2000" at that point?) The series has been criticized by some every bit being "boring," simply while it has a few tiresome moments it held my interest. Landau's character just seems determined to concord everything together no matter what might happen. Not many of the other characters get much development, just they all seem to withal be sticking to their jobs despite never going home again. Being unable to append atheism too much, I mainly wondered if running out of food was anyone'southward concern. Everyone keeps wearing their uniforms which are kept in good shape; I'm not certain how high a priority that would be if this were to really happen. The "retro-futurism" was what I enjoyed the near, as this takes place in a fourth dimension which was over 20 years abroad when kickoff aired but is at present 20 years in the past, and things plainly didn't turn out the same. The set designs have elements similar to Star Wars which was being adult around the aforementioned time, particularly the prominent white insides of bases and infinite ships. Being produced for Television set there are obvious limitations that get all the more apparent on a large hi-def screen- the planet surfaces are obviously soundstages, and the flying ships are apparently miniatures. All 48 episodes are newly transferred from their original film elements, in proper 4x3 ratio. Some were said to exist deteriorating, and are nicely restored here- in that location are no obvious signs of wear or fading. Information technology could be argued that these shows were never meant to expect this practiced- I had to laugh at some of the computers and gizmos that were plain hand-painted and not even conceivable models, with cheap-looking stickers functioning as displays and gauges- this likely wasn't visible on analog broadcasts viewed on CRT screens. Most of the scenes where characters venture out onto planet surfaces obviously appear like soundstages, and the actors are replaced by little dolls in some vehicle shots equally well. The most obvious 'flaws' visible are the strings used on the space vehicles every bit they lift off and wing. This was likely a catchy thing every bit information technology certainly exposes the 'fakeness' but to digitally erase the strings would still seem a fleck wrong. The discs themselves aren't quite perfect- showtime of all there's a very slight jaggedness to most of the motion picture, similar to that of Warner'due south earlier Blu-Ray transfers though non about as obvious (note that I viewed these on a 75-inch screen, and this might not be noticeable on smaller displays.) There are too some compression artifacts, which often accept the course of either horizontal or vertical line patterns and are most visible in the black side bars. The original mono audio is included and is make clean for the about part, only showing a few signs of age and likely better than it ever sounded in its original broadcasts. There is likewise a re-mixed five.1 rail which adds some interesting stereo effects, although the surround channels seem a bit weak. Shout Manufactory has already issued a argument about this saying that this is basically how they meant it to audio; apparently the mixes on previous releases were stronger. Hearing-impaired subtitles are included which similar other Shout titles tend to describe the music a bit much. Some extras from previous sets have been carried over here, while others have been left out and new ones added. Each episode is given a series of notwithstanding photos; at that place was a lot of smoking from the cast and coiffure betwixt takes. I laughed at a sign visible on the soundstage maxim that the floor of the set was "expensive" and would have to last "the life of the series," and then anybody was asked to non put their cigarettes out on information technology! The pictures are presented equally slide shows staying onscreen less than five seconds each with no chaptering, so it's a bit difficult to locate desired stills subsequently. Four episodes are given audio commentaries, with 2 tracks for the "Dragon'due south Domain" episode- creator Gerry Anderson is featured on ane of those plus the airplane pilot episode's commentary. The last disc in the set is devoted entirely to extras (mostly in standard-def) and includes lengthy interview segments with cast members Barbara Bain and Nick Tate along with director Kevin Connor and co-creator Sylvia Anderson, and a shorter appearance from Catherine Schell. About 30 minutes of "Vintage Interviews" are included also, shot during the show's product and presented with as little editing as possible. "These Episodes" takes up 100 minutes where writers and producers reflect on 15 episodes. "Moonbase Merch" has fan John Kenneth Muir show off many of the toys put out to tie in with the show (the only thing I recollect from the 70s was a book and tape set from Peter Pan Records). "Memories of Space" is another curt piece with reflections from bandage and coiffure, "Behind the Scenes" shows the modelmaking department and special effects production, and a few bear witness promos, trailers and necktie-in commercials are included, a few of which look like they were taken from off-air recordings. Finally there are several more than still galleries with more production photos, collector cards and storyboards. I enjoyed going through this series, although information technology is probably all-time viewed in smaller doses similar to how it was originally seen, 1 episode per week. The film restorations are immaculate and maybe make the shows look too good (showing flaws in the production that might not have been that obvious on TVs of the era), but the less than perfect disc encoding loses it a few points in the picture quality section. Those with region-free players may desire to seek out comparisons with the United kingdom edition put out by a unlike label, or re-evaluate the quality of the previous United states of america DVD release of the series if you lot have already purchased that. In any effect however, "Space 1999" is a fun visit back to the 70s and a look at a future that never was. Jesse Skeen is a life-long obsessive media collector (with an unhealthy preoccupation with obsolete and failed formats) and former theater film projectionist. He enjoys watching movies and strives for presenting them perfectly, but lacks the talent to make his own. 
Source: https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/73932/space-1999-the-complete-series/
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