Rating: 
Summary: Smashing.
Review: If you follow the film carefully, it has great laughs.
Rating: 
Summary: Now for Something Completely Different...
Review: For those not familiar with British tele, the humour (sic) is often silly, and often fast. While foreseeable technology can do nothing with silliness (take it or leave it), DVD can slow it down.And this is apparently essential for many viewers for this series on this side of the Atlantic: Even the "pro" reviewer, Keith Simanton, missed the mention of "...the woman who figures out the meaning of life right at the moment that she gets blown up with the rest of the Earth..." and a recent amateur critic had trouble fathoming why " some guy" (Douglas Adams) tossed money and headed into the surf buck naked. But the info is in there. If the accent loses you, put on the subtitles. If the graphics go by too fast, and you want to learn the anatomy of a babelfish, or study the 3-second bios of the stars (presented in the "Making of..." bonus feature) ...just view it with your slo-mo or pause features. If it looks too fuzzy, I would recommend a bigger, or better, screen. Disc one has all the essentials: not only all the episodes, but also with a useful running commentary available as subtitles. The bonus disc cost the effort a star; it could use some editing. I mean, just how many times do we have to be told that no computers were used to produce the "computer " graphics? As far as I was concerned, the "Making of..." feature had everything necessary to appease the fanatic that needed to know more about the series, and it is unfortunate that it could not have been squeezed onto the first disk. As to whether it was better than the original radio series, or the subsequent books, that is for you to judge. Just remember that the creator, Douglas Adams, must have had an active role, for he seemed to have appeared in more cameos than Alfred Hitchcock and Stephen King combined...in ALL their movies.
Rating:
Summary: We will miss you, DNA...
Review: The Hitchhiker's Guide found its way into my backpack one summer I spent doing more hiking and biking than I have in my life since. I began reading the novel under a tree in the middle of a field, but in difference to Douglas when he conceived the notion of such a story, stone sober. Expecting the literal interpretation of its title, I was disappointed it wasn't some British comedian's fictional reference guide to a Anglocentric universe, but a social satire surpassing Voltaire for sheer wit and sense of irony. I listened to the BBC radio programme later in life, following bouts with the books-on-tape of the American series, the record album, and this television series that looked like it took place between tapings of Red Dwarf and Doctor Who. For sheer cleverness, the TV version was superior in many ways to all but the original radio series. Somehow the tacky sets, outrageous costumes and flamboyant acting lend themselves to the satire. We see Simon Jones as we envisioned him in the text and on the radio, Zaphod as he should always be, and Marvin the paranoid android as mad as he wanna be. As a stock BBC project, it was brilliant and ended too soon much like its author. The DVD with its special effects takes the old VHS version and gives you an enduring historical record of a great work of English fiction. We miss you, Douglas. Thanks and remember where your towel is. You'l never know when you'll need it in the afterworld.
Rating: 
Summary: Does NOT contain radio broadcast version!
Review: The DVD content description is misleading. When it says "Recording of radio broadcast", it means a 5 minute video extra: behind-the-scenes during the production of the radio show. Or, more precisely, video of people working on a particular sound-effect to be used in the radio show. The disks do NOT contain the radio show audio. As a DVD for a niche audience, this is fine, although the original 6-part TV series it is based on was made in 1981. Production values are extremely crude; it's actually hard to overstate how crude they are. Someone not already familiar with the "Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy" book, will find their patience sorely tested. There seem to be some random scenes inserted in some episodes which I can't relate to the book or anything else in the TV series (i.e. suddenly you are looking at some guy throwing money and walking into the surf without clothes on -- no apparent relationship to anything else in the show, no explanation. Just a video interlude). The start of each episode has a silent rehash of the previous episodes. One really has to work at to follow or even make sense of it. The numerous computer-like graphic displays that make up part of the show use lettering that is mostly illegible (too small to read) on NTSC video. For hard-core fans only; every one else is better off reading the book.
Rating:
Summary: It's fine BUT ...
Review: I'm writing this primarly for those not familiar with the HGTTG - "the story" is one of my favourites of all time. My introduction was through the BBC radio drama as broadcast by PBS in Boston. The television show was made much later and leaves out far too many crucial plot elements. It's not bad but if you purchase it and enjoy it, please move on to the radio drama or the actual books. My favourite is still the radio play by the BBC. If you purchase it and do not enjoy it ... please try and find the BBC drama or get the book! The ideas expressed by the late Douglas Adams are a real treat!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!!!!!
Review: So full and complete that you will be impressed not only by the wonderful extras on the second disc, but by the quality of the episodes, themselves. One only hopes that the BBC will release some sort of audio edition that is comparable in its hoopiness. Frood stuff, baby!
Rating:
Summary: new favourite DVD
Review: I just finished watching both discs, and my tail is still wagging! This is the new item I'll grab first when the house catches fire (or gets demolished). There are more extras on these discs than you can shake a stick at... whatever that means. And the story is still fantastic. If you're one of those people who appreciates writing over FX, you know, if you prefer Doctor Who to Independence Day, then this is for you. Clever, witty, insightful... enough good things about Adams' writing cannot be said! Buy this DVD!
Rating: 
Summary: 2 to the power of 7,000,000,000 and falling
Review: Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy was a lot better as a radio show. 'nuff said.
Rating:
Summary: If you like fawlty towers and red dwarf this is for you
Review: What can be said of this series? It both makes fun of and honours Star Trek at the same time! If your understanding of english humour is limited this can be hard going. Speaking personally (I was raised by english parents) I find this series to be well written with some excellent comedy moment scattered throughout. There are several slow moments but they do not detract from the overall appeal in the slightest. I find the one main drawback to be getting the time to watch this in one piece, it was originally broadcast by the BBC in britain in half hour segments over a period of some 12 weeks. In one hit it is an excellent comedy hit but can effect your outlook on life just a little. I find the series to have aged very well considering it was first broadcast in about 1980 so it is getting on in years but like all classic british comedy it will withstand the ravages of time. As i said at the start If you liked Fawlty Towers and Red Dwarf this is for you. If english humour leaves you baffled then this may not be for you.
Rating:
Summary: Don't Panic! Just buy this!A must for traveling the galaxie!
Review: If you have a bad day, don't panic, Marvin, the robot, will cheer you up with his always being so depressed he's hiilarious! Simply buy this thing, put it in your VCR or DVD player (Be sure to be specific, and be careful that whatever version you have goes in the right player!) This is a MUST OWN for every family! The series showed on PBS years ago, then was put on VHS, now is on DVD! Covers HHGTTG and The Resturant at the End of the Universe books (or the VHS version does anyhow... maybe more on the DVD?) One to definitely keep and watch over and over again... the laughs never get dated or become old... and won't unless we are invaded by aliens who destroy earth to put in a bypass, but then it wouldn't matter anyway now would it? Watch from a man who's minding his own business, to the government mowing his house to put in a bypass, then he discovers his friend is an alien who hitchhikes on alien vessels, the world is about the be destroyed to put in an intergalactic bypass, and his friends shows him how to survive, how to use a babblefish (a universal translater fish you grab out of an aquarium and shove it in your ear.. literally! Puts a whole new spin on "stick it in your ear!) and more... THEN watch the end of the Universe (I won't explain that, you'll simply have to buy the thing and watch it!) By God! What are you doing still staring at this screen? Why aren't you buying this movie? Get busy and click "Buy" Now!
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