Description: 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.
Amazon.com: 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
Set Television SF Back 20 Years Sadly, despite all the hype, this was one of the worst television SF series since Captain Video.
From the impossible initial premise (Moon suddenly becomes interstellar ship when nuclear waste dumps ignite and somehow turn into a star drive.) to the complete lack of logic (Why would a base on the airless Moon have standard backpacking gear?) to an utter ignorance of physics, astronomy and probably every other branch of science: The Moon is apparently traveling at Star Trek-level warp speeds as it seems to be in a different star system every week...with no noticeable effects on the locals..like sudden massive tides, collisions with asteroids etc.
The plots were even sillier and the acting gives a whole new meaning to "wooden".
It did have good sets and costumes, I'll give it that and their hand weapons, which looked a bit like futuristic staple-guns were kind of cool but beyond that, watch it for the laughs and only buy it if you're a TV completist or need something to balance the collection of "Starlost" you also picked up. ;)
Otherwise, wait until someone finally releases "Capt. Simian and the Space Monkeys!", an intentionally funny and surprisingly good TV SF series, especially compared to "Space:1999".
Marvelous!! But don't have ANY subtitles!! Great Buy...!!! Great video quality. Small package..big series..!!!! The only "problem" is the series doesn't have subtitles... But is a Great TV SERIES.. Good special effects ( for the time ) Excellent stories..
Very good series... The series was a real landmark at its time: it inspired several subsequent SciFi series and movies. For example, watch the episode Dragon's Domain and you will feel like an Alien predecessor. Of course that some technology shown is now old fashioned, but consider it as a Vintage series. Also it was originally exhibited with Star Trek, so it was very difficult to be more known to the great public. Here in Brazil it took long to appear in the 80's, but I did not miss a episode. Only a remark: the first year is far better than the second!
30th Anniversary MegaSet of Space: 1999 Having the original MegaSet of Space: 1999, I was hoping to have 'extras' on the 30th Anniversary MegaSet DVD's. The DVD containers have been changed and condensed, but otherwise the offerings are the same as the original MegaSet -- the addded 'Bonus Disc' is the same that has been available at all the Space: 1999 Conventions since 2005. The 'Special Features' throughout the MegaSet are the same as on the original MegaSet. It would have been "special" if the Anniversary MegaSet had 'bloopers', 'behind the scenes' that weren't on the original MegaSet DVD's, et al. A purchase of this MegaSet is more for nostalgia and to support the continuing life (after cancellation) of Space: 1999.
Space 1999 rocks! However there is one thing that upsets me . In the promotion page indeed there exist the promise of spanish language of subtitles, but none of this was true. To Amazon one advice. You dont need to lie for sell. This show is great and id purchased anyway, but please once again, you dont need to lie and deception your clients. Thanks!
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