Rating: 
Summary: Flawed series still fun as space opera
Review: When the date that the explosion on the Moon occurs in Space: 1999, I did do a double take at the moon (from what I recall it wasn't full that particular night). Although the series had fairly large narrative gaps and an implausible premise, I did enjoy it as a kid. I knew even then, however, that it wasn't scientifically accurate. There's a reason the show failed after two seasons--we don't really care about these characters as individuals. In many respects, Space:1999 reminds me of Harlan Ellison's misbegotten and botched television series Starlost. Ellison's creation was destroyed by the stupidity of television executives (which is why both the pilot and the series have his Cordwainer Bird pseudonym attached to them). Space:1999 likewise could have become something far more than it was if not for major inherent flaws in the series and writing.The best way to view Space: 1999 is through rose tinted glasses; it's a descendant of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Time Tunnel, Land of the Giants and Flash Gordon not of Star Trek. As science fiction, Space: 1999 shares a major flaw that also cropped up in much of the hard science writing then (and even today); there's a lack of character development. We get no sense about these individuals as people hope, dream and want beyond somehow getting home to Earth. We also don't find out much personal information nor do we see them really interact on a personal level. They are cardboard characters designed to propel the visual effects and the plot. Part of the blame can be layed at Gerry & Sylvia Anderson's feet as creators/producers but the other part is the pedestrian writing from British television vets. That isn't to say that Star Trek was perfect. The original series was also seriously flawed but managed to overcome many of those flaws due to the strong character development and involvement of major science fiction writers of the day (Issac Asimov corresponded with Gene Roddenberry: Jerome Bixby, David Gerrold, Richard Matheson & Harlan Ellison were hired as writers: whatever character flaws Roddenberry had, he understood that premise and characters had to be believable). THe picture quality on this DVD set is variable. Some of the episodes are quite stunning while some of the sequences shown overseas but not here clearly aren't as in good a shape. The extras are nice. Filled with vintage interviews, we get a sense of what Anderson and his crafts people were trying to accomplish. The optical effects still look pretty good although they are a bit dated by today's standard. Brian Johnson's (who later went on to work on Alien and other films) do an outstanding job given the time the series of was made. The second season Anderson imported US producer Fred Frieberger. Frieberger did craft on elements that made the series more action adventure orientated. He also made character development one of his key goals. The problem is, again, in the writing. None of the ideas presented for each episode is developed the way they should be. Frieberger was brought on board because of his affilation with Star Trek. Unfortunately, Freiberger produced Star Trek during a time of turmoil during the series and it was in decline. His introduction of Tony and Maya did spice up the series a bit. He couldn't do much to rescue Space:1999 from the same fate--cancellation. As a relic of the 70's, Space:1999 is still enjoyable today. It just didn't have the chance it needed getting out of the gate. It's fun for kids but fails as drama and science fiction all too frequently.
Rating: 
Summary: Nice Price
Review: Why Space 1999 priced at $$$,-- $ (inclunding Dicsount) is considered a rippoff by one reviewer is completly beyond me. The English sets cost roughly $$$Pound (including Discount) and this works out as $$$,-- $ + Shipping. BTW: That Space 1999 is a pretty brilliant, Hard-SF Series goes without saying. Shame though, that the brilliant Season 1 Mystery/Horror/Suspense-Episodes were largely replaced by dull Action (let's run arround the set for 45 minutes and shoot at things) episodes in Season 2.
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