Jones, Clifton

Space 1999 - 30th Anniversary Edition Megaset (17DVD)

When it was first broadcast in 1975, there had never been a more lavishly produced science fiction TV series than Space: 1999, a British production whose budget for the first of its two seasons ran an astounding £3.25 million. What keeps us fans enthralled after all these years has only partly to due with the first-rate production values, the plausibly constructed spaceship models, and expert special effects. The tone of the show is one of scientific dispassion, setting it apart from its TV sci-fi predecessors such as Star Trek, whose mood was more convivial. Our heroes here are in dire circumstances that require cool heads as a survival trait. Those circumstances: the 311 crew members of Moonbase Alpha experience a cataclysm that causes the moon to break away from Earth's orbit and travel endlessly through space, turning our heroes into unintentional explorers. No TV series has created a more palpable feel of hard science fiction than this.

Of course the show is not without its detractors; it has been soundly lambasted for its many scientific errors. No less august a figure than Isaac Asimov criticized the show for its premise in the opening episode, "Breakaway," which had nuclear explosions on the "dark side of the moon" somehow propelling it out of Earth's orbit and flying through space without regard to any physical laws. In "Earthbound," aliens traveling to Earth state it will take them 75 years to reach their destination, making one wonder why it didn't take the moon that long to encounter the aliens. While these are serious complaints, fans tend to remember the scientific seriousness of the series and the sense of awe created by the many strange creatures and phenomena that the crew members encounter on their journey through the galaxy.

The Space: 1999 30th Anniversary Mega Set collects all 48 episodes broadcast over the show's two seasons, contained on 17 DVDs that include vintage interviews, production stills, TV promotional spots, and interactive menus, and some material that was not seen in the original U.S. broadcasts has been restored. The episodes do not use the 2005 high-def remasters, so this is essentially the same as the 2002 Mega Set, but at a fraction of the shelf space (the Thinpak packaging is nicely compact) and a fraction of the price. --Jim Gay

All 48 episodes of this acclaimed space adventure are contained in this complete collection, digitally remastered from the original 35mm film, plus bonus footage, featured extras, and much more! With its progressive plotlines, an outstanding cast, and astonishing special effects from Oscar® winner Brian Johnson (Alien, The Empire Strikes Back), SPACE: 1999 has secured its place as one of the most thought-provoking series of the 21st century—and beyond.

Watership Down (Deluxe Edition)

Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 10/07/2008

Much like Richard Adams's wonderful novel, this animated tale of wandering rabbits is not meant for small children. It is, however, rich storytelling, populated with very real individuals inhabiting a very real world. The animation is problematic, sometimes appearing out of proportion or just subpar; but it seems to stem from an attempt at realism, something distinguishing the film's characters from previous, cutesy, animated animals. A band of rabbits illegally leave their warren after a prophecy of doom from a runt named Fiver (Richard Briers). In search of a place safe from humans and predators, they face all kinds of dangers, including a warren that has made a sick bargain with humankind, and a warren that is basically a fascist state. Allegories aside, Down is engaging and satisfying, and pulls off the same amazing trick that the novel did--you'll forget that this is a story about rabbits. --Keith Simanton

Sheena

Sheenas white parents are killed while on safari. She is raised by the mystical witch woman of an african tribe. Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent Release Date: 08/31/2004 Starring: Tonya Roberts Run time: 116 minutes Rating: Pg Director: John Guillermin

Watership Down

Much like Richard Adams's wonderful novel, this animated tale of wandering rabbits is not meant for small children. It is, however, rich storytelling, populated with very real individuals inhabiting a very real world. The animation is problematic, sometimes appearing out of proportion or just subpar; but it seems to stem from an attempt at realism, something distinguishing the film's characters from previous, cutesy, animated animals. A band of rabbits illegally leave their warren after a prophecy of doom from a runt named Fiver (Richard Briers). In search of a place safe from humans and predators, they face all kinds of dangers, including a warren that has made a sick bargain with humankind, and a warren that is basically a fascist state. Allegories aside, Down is engaging and satisfying, and pulls off the same amazing trick that the novel did--you'll forget that this is a story about rabbits. --Keith Simanton

Sympathy for the Devil

This version of Jean-Luc Godard's 1968 One Plus One caused a legendary confrontation at a film festival when the director became infuriated at his producer's decision to attach the Rolling Stones' completed song "Sympathy for the Devil" at the film's end. Godard's own original plan had been to make a film of the Stones' construction of the tune in rehearsal, and intercut that with a story line about a white revolutionary who becomes suicidal when her lover embraces black separatism. Production problems caused Godard to give up that idea and just allow scenes to fall where they would, allowing viewers to construct the film in their own minds. Be that as it may, this slightly shorter and more commercial producer's cut does not lack in satisfaction by closing things out with the song as Stones fans know it. Overall, the film is a bewildering affair, and that's not at all a bad thing: one's orientation is whatever one makes of Godard's enthralling mess here. Even if a viewer is just interested in seeing the Stones at their peak and at work on their brilliant 1968 album Beggars Banquet, this is a highly rewarding experience. Astute watchers and listeners will note that in an early take of the song, Mick Jagger sings the lyric, "I shouted out, 'Who killed Kennedy?'/When after all, it was you and me." Later, with no mention of a particularly tragic 1968 event in American politics, Jagger has revised the line to "I shouted out, 'Who killed the Kennedys?'" Talk about a startling moment. --Tom Keogh

Space 1999, Set 1

When it was first broadcast in 1975, there had never been a more lavishly produced science fiction TV series than Space: 1999, a British production whose budget for the first of its two seasons ran an astounding 3.25 million pounds. What keeps us fans enthralled after all these years has only partly to due with the first-rate production values, the plausibly constructed spaceship models, and expert special effects. The tone of the show is one of scientific dispassion, setting it apart from its TV sci-fi predecessors such as Star Trek, whose mood was more convivial. Our heroes here are in dire circumstances that require cool heads as a survival trait. Those circumstances: the 311 crew members of Moonbase Alpha experience a cataclysm that causes the moon to break away from Earth's orbit and travel endlessly through space, turning our heroes into unintentional explorers. No TV series has created a more palpable feel of hard science fiction than this. Of course the show is not without its detractors; it has been soundly lambasted for its many scientific errors. No less august a figure than Isaac Asimov criticized the show for its premise in the opening episode, "Breakaway," which had nuclear explosions on the "dark side of the moon" somehow propelling it out of Earth's orbit and flying through space without regard to any physical laws. In "Earthbound" (included in this set), aliens traveling to Earth state it will take them 75 years to reach their destination, making one wonder why it didn't take the moon that long to encounter the aliens. While these are serious complaints, fans tend to remember the scientific seriousness of the series and the sense of awe created by the many strange creatures and phenomena that the crew members encounter on their journey through the galaxy. In addition to "Breakaway" and "Earthbound," this set includes "Matter of Life and Death," "Black Sun," "Ring Around the Moon," and "Another Time, Another Place." --Jim Gay

The six episodes (on 2 DVDs) in this set are the very first of the seminal sci-fi series, and they have been digitally re-mastered from the original 35mm footage for the ultimate Space: 1999 experience. In addition, they include up to 12 minutes of additional footage not seen in areas of the U.S. during the original broadcast.

Episode 1--"Breakway":. In this opening episode, it is September of 1999. John Koenig (Martin Landau), the Commander of Moonbase Alpha, must solve the mysterious deaths of nine astronauts and oversee the launching of the Meta Probe. With the aid of Chief Medical Officer Dr. Helena Russell (Barbara Bain) and Professor Victor Bergman (Barry Morse), the race for answers will lead to the dark side of the moon. There, a new and terrifying source of magnetic radiation from buried nuclear waste threatens to engulf the moon and forever change its relationship to Earth. Guest Star: Roy Dotrice (Beauty & the Beast) as Commissioner Simmonds.

Episode 2--"A Matter of Life and Death": A reconnaissance ship returning from what seemed like a compatible planet for the lost humans on Moonbase Alpha lands with an additional crew member, Dr. Helena Russell's long lost husband, Lee (Richard Johnson)--a man thought dead from the disastrous Astro 7 mission. Unknown forces have changed him into a being who slips from matter to anti-matter, wavering between life and death. He brings a dire warning: avoid the planet at all cost, or face total obliteration. Guest Star: Richard Johnson (Khartoum and the original The Haunting) as Lee Russell, with Stuart Damon (General Hospital).

Episode 3--"Black Sun": The runaway moon is drawn into the inescapable gravity field of a "black sun." This hole in space, where even light is captured, begins to drain Moonbase Alpha's power, slowly consigning its inhabitants to death. In a desperate attempt to survive, Commander Koenig launches a ship staffed with a chosen few to flee in the opposite direction. Now, as the moon enters the black sun and the Alphans submit to their fate, the line between science and mysticism fades, opening the way for an encounter with the eternal mind of the universe. With Paul Jones as Ryan and Jon Laurimore as Smitty.

Episode 4--"Ring Around the Moon": A probe from the planet Triton immobilizes the journeying moon in a ring of light, drives technician Ted Clifford (Max Faulkner) mad, and then abducts Dr. Russell. When Helena is later returned to the moonbase, Alphans soon realize that she has become a living "link," transmitting vital data about Alpha and the Earth to the aliens. Koenig and Eagle pilot Alan Carter attempt to confront the aliens and thwart their plans before the final transmission can be sent, and the implanted probe in Helena is ignited, thus destroying her. With Max Faulkner (Goldeneye) as Ted Clifford.

Episode 5--"Earthbound": Humanoid aliens bearing gifts make an emergency landing on the traveling moon. After learning of their sorrow-filled sojourn, Koenig grants them aid and rest, and learns their destination is Earth! Their leader, Captain Zantor (Christopher Lee), makes a dramatic offer--one Alphan may return with them. Zantor would like to have Dr. Russell go along, but Koenig assigns Main Computer to make an unbiased choice. Will everyone agree? Guest Star: Roy Dotrice (Picket Fences) as Commissioner Simmonds. Special Guest Star: Christopher Lee (Dracula) as Captain Zantor.

Episode 6--"Another Time, Another Place": The moon is struck by a spectacular shower of color and light. Regina Kesslann (Judy Gleeson), screaming that she has seen two moons, has obviously been affected by this cosmic disturbance. Only she possesses the knowledge that the Commander and Alan Carter are dead. The fabric of time has been torn asunder, leaving the Alphans with no place to die. Guest Star: Judy Gleeson (To Sir With Love) as Regina Kesslann.

Space 1999, Set 4

Isaac Asimov reportedly described Space: 1999 as "scientifically preposterous." That hasn't stopped Thunderbirds creators Gerry and Sylvia Anderson's 1975 British series from gaining a devoted cult following. Still, after watching the six episodes included on this two-disc set, one has to concede that (entertaining though they are) Isaac may have been on to something. In "The Troubled Spirit" Moonbase Alpha Commander John Koenig (Martin Landau) resorts to a little "bell, book, and candle" to exorcise a crew member's destructive spirit. "Space Brain"--or, as it is known to series aficionados, the one with all the foam--finds the Alphans desperately seeking a way to communicate with a cosmic intelligence. As Professor Bergman (Barry Morse) observes, "This is either a practical joke or something very interesting." You be the judge. Leo McKern (Rumpole of the Bailey) guest-stars in "The Infernal Machine" as the aged companion to Gwent, an odd-looking plundering spacecraft. In the "can't we all just get along" episode, "Mission of the Darians," guest star Joan Collins looks good for a 900-something alien, one of 14 who survived a mammoth ship's nuclear-reactor explosion. The same can't be said for the other onboard savages whom the Darians use for transplants. "Dragon's Domain" puts new life into the ancient myth about St. George, as crewman Tony Cellini is reunited with a real-life nightmare in the form of a tentacled beast. In "Testament of Arkadia," which closed out Space: 1999's first season, crew members Luke and Anna are determined to live as a futuristic Adam and Eve and "make fertile" a barren planet. As for Moonbase Alpha, it would drift through the universe for just one more season. --Donald Liebenson

Academy Award winner Martin Landau and Emmy winner Barbara Bain star in one of science fiction's lost masterpieces. Premiering after Star Trek and before Star Wars - Space: 1999 offered TV audiences cinema styled special affects, grand expansive set design, and sleek ultra-modern costumes. Combining storylines both adventurous and cerebral, Space: 1999 has claimed a worldwide following - finding life beyond its titled date and securing its place in the 21st century and beyond.

Space 1999, Set 2

When it was first broadcast in 1975, there had never been a more lavishly produced science fiction TV series than Space: 1999, a British production whose budget for the first of its two seasons ran an astounding 3.25 million pounds. What keeps us fans enthralled after all these years has only partly to due with the first-rate production values, the plausibly constructed spaceship models, and expert special effects. The tone of the show is one of scientific dispassion, setting it apart from its TV sci-fi predecessors such as Star Trek, whose mood was more convivial. Our heroes here are in dire circumstances that require cool heads as a survival trait. Those circumstances: the 311 crew members of Moonbase Alpha experience a cataclysm that causes the moon to break away from Earth's orbit and travel endlessly through space, turning our heroes into unintentional explorers. No TV series has created a more palpable feel of hard science fiction than this. This set includes the episodes "Missing Link," "Guardian of Piri," "Force of Life," "Alpha Child," "The Last Sunset," and "Voyager's Return." --Jim Gay

Episode 7, "Missing Link": Commander Koenig's soul is captured after his eagle crashes and is scrutinized by an alien on the planet Zenno, where humans appear to be their missing link. Guest star: Peter Cushing.

Episode 8, "The Guardian of Piri": The planet Piri is discovered to be hospitable to humans, promising a potential home for the wandering Alphans. But there's a catch: on Piri, humans are lured by the promise of eternal, zombie-like happiness, and only Koenig knows how to rescue his crew from their hypnotic captivity. Guest star Catherine Schell would later join the regular cast as Maya.

Episode 9, "Force of Life": Technician Anton Zoref becomes possessed by an energy being that feeds on heat, making everyone on Alpha a target to its icy touch of death. As the body count rises, Koenig must order that Zoref be killed... But will his orders be carried out in time to save Alpha?

Episode 10, "Alpha Child": Unto Alpha a child is born, but soon joy will change to fear as every Alphan must bend to the will of its newest resident. The newborn swiftly transforms into something totally unexpected...the leader of an alien invasion.

Episode 11, "The Last Sunset": A miracle has happened: the moon has an atmosphere, which has been emitted by a satellite from the nearby planet Ariel. It seems as though Alpha will become a permanently habitable home for its human occupants--but will this surprising gift signal the final days of Moonbase Alpha?

Episode 12, "Voyager's Return": Sent from Earth years ago, the Voyager One probe is returning to Earth propelled by its innovative "Queller Drive." The probe's memory banks provide valuable data for Moonbase Alpha, but a fleet of alien ships arrives to condemn all of humanity for unleashing the "Queller Drive" as a destructive force in the galaxy.

Space 1999, Set 3

Set 3 of Space: 1999 contains six more first-season episodes from Thunderbirds creators Gerry and Sylvia Anderson's 1975 British series. The castaways on Moonbase Alpha, led by Commander John Koenig (Martin Landau), continue their drift through the universe, where they encounter fantastic planets, oddball races, and cataclysmic perils. In "Collision Course," Koenig must rely on "a thing called faith" when the moon seems headed for a too-close encounter with a massive planet. Unfortunately, the faith of his crew, including Chief Medical Officer Dr. Helena Russell (Landau's Mission: Impossible costar and then wife Barbara Bain) and Professor Victor Bergman (Barry Morse, who relentlessly pursued David Janssen on The Fugitive) is lacking, and they mutiny. In "Death's Other Dominion," the Alphans arrive at an ice-encrusted "lost paradise" planet, on which survivors of "the Uranus expedition of 1986" seek the secret of eternal life, and dissidents rise up to stop them. "The Full Circle" explores the nature of man when the Alphans encounter a race of cave dwellers. In "End of Eternity," the Alphans learn not to "interfere with other people's justice" when they unwittingly free an evil and quite unstoppable alien (Peter Bowles, much more civilized as Penelope Keith's friendly nemesis in the popular Britcom To the Manor Born. The cautionary "War Games" might better be called "Mind Games," as Commander Koenig considers whether to launch an attack against alien spaceships. One of Landau's favorite episodes, "The Last Enemy," is a Middle East allegory that finds the Alphans literally caught between two perpetually warring planets. Space: 1999's then state-of-the-art special effects hold up well, less so the deliberate pacing. But these fan-favorite episodes are a must for all earthbound Alpha devotees. --Donald Liebenson

Academy Award winner Martin Landau and Emmy winner Barbara Bain star in one of science fiction's lost masterpieces. Premiering after Star Trek and before Star Wars - Space: 1999 offered TV audiences cinema styled special affects, grand expansive set design, and sleek ultra-modern costumes. Combining storylines both adventurous and cerebral, Space: 1999 has claimed a worldwide following - finding life beyond its titled date and securing its place in the 21st century and beyond.

The Great McGonagall