V - The Original TV Miniseries

Rating:
Summary: New Review Stating TWO FACTS!
Review: THIS DVD IS GREAT! THE AUDIO AND VIDEO ARE SUPERB!

THE SPECIAL FEATURES ARE JUNK!

NOW FOR MY REAL REASON OF WRITING A NEW REVIEW:

Okay, I don't see why everyone is complaining about "false advertising". It says on the case, and on [this items detail] page, "THE ORIGINAL MINISERIES". That's exactly what you get, the original miniseries and not the FINAL BATTLE MINISERIES. They are two separate miniseries' people, released over a year apart!!!

So read the case before you buy it. It DOES SAY 197 minutes, not 463 minutes or however long the whole batch runs. So, people, don't listen to those who say there is false advertising; they didn't take the time to check out the FACTS before they bought this. The FINAL BATTLE MINISERIES is coming to DVD in August 2002.

Secondly, this is widescreen, not cropped. They filmed it in widescreen for release in the UK (which never happened) and then aired it on TV at a 1.33:1 ratio. This new 1.85:1 ratio adds more to the sides and hardly anything is missing from the top and bottom. I have compared to my old VHS and found this to be 100% true.

Rating:
Summary: Nothing like this.! -A really great. -SCI FI.! -Classic.
Review: Their is nothing like this. -In many decades. -SCI FI. -Has
out done it's self in the past. -I think; -Director.
Kenneth Johnson. -"Alien Nation: -The Movie." -Does

really well with this; -"Independence Day." -1996.
take. -Though; -I like the modern day; -special day
effects. -These effects are really; -a, -classic.! -I
half two agree.. -Marc Singer. -Does a good job as are
hopless here on the run. -At the beginning. -When he
covers his story in; -Al Salvadore; -which I think

Is a cheesy way.. -At first. -I also love; -the Ships
the mother sips flie in. -As Mike Donovan reports the
UFO over Al Salvadore. -Which is my favorie scene in
the movie. -I also love the scene where the little
mini ships; -the craft that looks right from

"Battle Star Galaxtica." -And; -"Star Trek." -Land on the top the UN. -Building in. -L.A. -Which is the cheesyest way two make that possible.? -I even enjoy; -Robert Englund's. -Performance. -As; -Willie. -He's funny; -Yep; -stupid at times; -he does not understand; -English. -I can understand where

he is going through. -Robert Englund is familar two
us fans as the; -Sadistic; -Freddy Krueger. -In. -"A Nightmare on Elm Street." -And; -the series that fallow.

But; -I also love the computer effects. -The music is
better then; -any other; -SCI FI. -Cliche's. -The music is down right; -Cheesy.? -Even the landig craft on the Un. -The effects come right out of are
Apple Two. -Computer. -Does that sound familar.?

V: -The Original Mini Series. -Is really a realistic drama that stands the test of time two this day. -It is about are human morals. -The Stand against the visitors. -Their is a memorable scene which Donavon takes off the skin of a visitor abord the mother ship.

This movie is long. -I even like; -the two parter
which was stronger then this version. -Fallow by a T.V. -Series. -That shooed of not been; -short lived. -But; -if you love; -Invadors from space.

"V." -Will do it four you. -If you love other SCI FI. -Movies. -Like; -"Alien." -"They Live."
this flick will work four your all day
Rating:
Summary: Some Words From an Old Time V Fan.
Review: I have to let you all in on some secrets... well not really secrets, but things people don't seem to understand. This is the entire original V miniseries. The popularity of this show spawned a second miniseries entitled, "V - The Final Battle" and a regular weekly television series.
I have also seen someone saying that this show was made widescreen by cutting off the top and bottom of the original. I have not compaired, but I do not think that this is the case. From my understanding, this show was filmed in widescreen then edited for the television screen. I guess that I'll have to check it out.
As for the show, I loved it. I even liked the sequels which were done is a somewhat more action oriented vein, instead of the more inteligent way the original was. Willie was always my favorite character and I had never even heard of Robert Englund before this. Hell, he hadn't really done anything big before this. The special effects are really amazing if you take into account the technology available and the limited budget that they were working with. The DVD has some pretty good special features, though there could have been more. The transfer is pretty good quality too.
For any science fiction fans - I would recommend this film!
I personally can't wait for the release of the second miniseries and hopefully the regular series.

P.S. I liked Ham and I actually dressed up as a visitor for one Halloween. There was a short lived comic book series and some novels too. Wish I had all of those.

Rating:
Summary: Pretty Good for Old TV!!
Review: This TV miniseries was pretty good for the time. The special effects in Star Trek blow it away now. But if you want to see what TV sci-fi used to look like, this is a good example. The story concepts are as old as sci-fi as well.

Rating:
Summary: ''V'' is for ''Visionary''
Review: *
"V," the NBC Television mini-series which first aired nearly two decades ago, was intended to be seen for its entertainment value though, admittedly, using some pre-mid 20th century historical elements to contribute to the overall plot and theme of the story -- specifically World War II Germany (the alien "national symbol" even resembling an incompleted 'connect-the-dots' swastika). Little did the writers, directors and producers of this mini-series realize that their sci-fi project was a late 20th century prophecy which would begin seeing fulfillment in the just few months shy of the dawning years of the 21st century.

The purchase of this DVD marked the very first time of my ever seeing this feature, and I was instantly hooked, especially by its dazzling high-octane opening sequence. The special effects were also nicely done considering the time period in which it was made, that it was a "made for television" movie, and the fact that it was made on the cheap. (It was also nice to see Robert Englund as something other than a flame-scarred tragedy figure.)

The story of "V" revolves around a race of seemingly benevolent space aliens who look, sound and act a lot like us. They convince the world that they are our friends and only wish to extend the hand of cooperation & unity and work toward a "common good" where all will benefit. But there are those who have some very gnawing suspicions about the "Visitors," that they are not quite everything they appear to be -- which is a serious understatement, for it turns out that the real agenda of the "Visitors" is to rape the planet of its most precious resources and enslave humanity.

"V's" creators obviously tried to parallel the story with National Socialist Germany, but in hindsight it becomes frighteningly obvious that "V" was as much a vision of the "historical future" as it was a view to the "historical past!" That unintentionally forseen future sneaked up on us and, just like in the mini-series, nobody took notice... until it was too late! That "future" which "V" foreshadowed occured during the "Campaign 2000" ("C2K") presidential [s]election! The similarities are too hauntingly similar:

> "V": "Visitors" came as "friends" promoting "brotherhood" and prosperity for all.
> "C2K": Republican nominee presented himself as a "compassionate uniter" who promised a strong, vibrant economy.

> "V": "Visitors" took control without being duly elected and under suspicious circumstances.
> "C2K": Republican presidential administration took control without being duly elected and under suspicious circumstances.

> "V": In order to usurp power, "Visitors" took advantage of impotent elected government officials.
> "C2K": In order to usurp power, Republicans took advantage of impotent elected Democrat government officials & politicians.

> "V": "Visitors" fabricated a non-existent energy crisis on their homeworld in order to plunder & exploit the precious natural resourses of earth.
> "C2K": Republicans fabricated a non-existent energy crisis in our homeland (in California specifically and in the whole of the United States in general) in order to plunder & exploit the precious natural resourses of the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve.

> "V": Major news media almost unilaterally gave supportive non-critical "pro-Visitor" spin to the news and did all they could to suppress independent media outlets and put a halt to, or discredit, any serious investigative news reporting.
> "C2K": Major news media almost unilaterally gave supportive non-critical "pro-Bush" spin to the news and did all they could to suppress independent media outlets and put a halt to, or discredit, any serious investigative news reporting.

> "V": Scientists were demonized by "Visitors" as unwholesome, unpatriotic, and even dangerous elements of society.
> "C2K": Environmentalists, corporate regulation advocates, and civil rights advocacy groups were demonized by Republicans as unwholesome, unpatriotic, and even dangerous elements of society.

> "V": "Visitors" preached peace and tolerance while instigating a very one-sided "endless war on terrorism," resulting in the repeal of certain rights guaranteed under Constitution-- including and especially 'free speech' --and labelling anyone critical of their unconstitutional actions as having sided with terrorists.
> "C2K": The Bush Administration preached peace and tolerance while instigating a very one-sided "endless war on terrorism," resulting in the repeal of certain rights guaranteed under Constitution-- including and especially 'free speech' --and labelling anyone critical of their unconstitutional actions as having sided with terrorists.

> "V": "Visitors" operated a 'secret government' from a base on their homeworld.
> "C2K": The Bush Administration established a secret government in an undisclosed location here in our homeland.

Where does one stop with all of the comparisons? The similarities are virtually endless! The only thing missing is a distinctive insignia to rally behind (that is, of course, if one doesn't already consider the American Flag to be it), designer costumes for the "Youth Brigades," and entire sweeps of towns and mass imprisonments.

In "V" the violators of our basic and most cherished rights were lizard-creatures wearing human-looking skin; In 21st century America they are human through-and-through, though they often speak with the 'forked tongue' of a reptile!

The makers of this mini-series probably had no idea they were developing a story with an eye on a direct future outcome, which makes this series even more enjoyable and even more disturbing to watch. Everyone should watch this video, not only for the entertainment value, but also as a warning and a wake-up call!

[Dialogue from the film]:
(Mike Donovan): "How did someone like that get to be your leader anyway?"
("Martin"): "Charisma. Circumstances, promises. Not enough of us spoke out to question him until it was too late."

* * *

Rating:
Summary: wheres the rest of the story?
Review: when I was young I used to love the series and when I noticed it was being released on DVD I was over the moon and pre ordered it straight away. When it arrived I watched it with my boyfriend and was disappionted to see how the DVD ended and wondered what has happened to the rest of the story. I remember Robin having alien twins but on the DVD mini sereies it ends before she gives birth. is there a second part coming out on DVD or what? what is going on if anyone has an answer please email me at [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: Widescreen!?
Review: I should have been suspicious of the claim that this is the "widescreen" edition before I spent my money. They did not shoot TV in widescreen back in the early 80's. So I checked it side by side with my old tape recorded off the air, and the way they made this into widescreen is to crop off the top and the bottom of the screen! This is inexcusable! Why remove part of the picture and try to pass it off as though it's a good thing?
The story itself is still fantastically written... what there is you can see of it.

Rating:
Summary: Misleading advertising
Review: Having been a fan of V for years, i can remember watching this on TV when i was 9 ( i am 23 now). I fell in love with the series and taped them all, then bought the VHS and now the DVD. I felt that the advertising on the cover was misleading as i thought it contained the full original Mini -Series, including The Final Battle.
However that doesn't mean i didn't think it was value for money at all. I just need to know when the other DVDs are coming out as i cannot wait to buy them.
Personally, i would advise anyone to purchase this Mini-Series and Final Battle,...

Rating:
Summary: I was not impressed with the trick in advertising
Review: Had I known that this was not the entire "V" miniseries that I remembered (including the final battle), I may still have bought this DVD. However, I would have bought it, knowing what I was buying. When it ended, I could only think that I had somehow ordered the first of two in a series. I reread the case, but saw nothing stating "the first" or "1 of". I nearly tore up the cardboard case trying to see if there was another disk. It was an advertising trick to use "Original TV Miniseries".

What there was on the DVD, was very enjoyable, a far cry better than the VHS version. If this had been the complete "V" series, I would have given at least 4 stars and would have gladly paid for the rest of the miniseries.

Rating:
Summary: Classic SF miniseries
Review: It's a bit cheesy. Remember, it's formatted to fit your TV! But, it's ambitions make it quite enjoyable. This is a time when people were scared of a nuclear war with the Russians, and this miniseries (along with things like The Day After) played on this fear.

Much of the concept, and the first half hour of plot, is straight out of Arthur C. Clarke's classic novel Childhood's End. At least they gave him credit by mentioning him in a newscast. I think it's great they could introduce this classic story to the masses.

It soon departs from Clarke's story, however, and weaves its own. They clearly wanted to cover socially relevant themes, such as teen pregnancy and the Holocaust. They also threw in a little soap opera bickering. Mix it all together with a few great second-rate actors (what would a bad movie be without Michael Ironside?) and what have you got? A classic SF miniseries.