Rating: 
Summary: Possibly the best documentary series of the 1990's
Review: This is a georgeously produced documentary series laying out both the history of the exploration of the solar system and the current state of knowledge about it. It contains many, many interviews with the 'movers and shakers' in solar system exploration and interpretation. There is also an enormous amount of wonderful original footage illustrating the text, and extremely well produced computer graphic imaginary to show things for things for which no footage exists or to set the 'atmosphere' of excitement that is part and parcel of working on what is often the cutting edge of human knowledge of the universe we live in.This DVD well deserves every one of its five stars. (I'd particularly recommend getting the acompanying book too, and working through both book and DVD together. The book contains a wealth of extra information and illustrations that perfectly compliment the DVD.)
Rating:
Summary: The Solar System - The First Frontier
Review: This is a wonderful series, which is a real treat on DVD. The series itself is very nicely balanced. Suitable for all ages, with plenty to keep the young folk interested as well as adults. Beautiful graphics throughout and relevant commentary compliment the solid foundation of facts about the solar system. The DVD features make navigation to your favourite episodes or scenes simple. It's great to have such an educational DVD in my collection that is so professionally put together and it's one that I return to often. Right up there with "Walking with Dinosaurs" as my co-favourite 'special interest' DVD. Terrific.
Rating:
Summary: Another vote for Region 2
Review: This is an excellent series. The cinematography, narration and content are first rate. This comes as close to Cosmos as one can get. While it was produced in 1999, the information is still current and has a good mix of scientific data and space history. But I also have to second the other reviewers. Get a Regionless Codefree DVD player (You can get them on EBay for about US$50-60.) Then get the Region 2 version of this series. The 2 DVD set is cheaper and better produced. The British version has more about the Soviet achievements in space.
Rating:
Summary: The best space documentary
Review: This is my favorite space documentary! It handles most aspects of the solar system: the planets, of course, but there are also episodes on the sun and the moon. Historical footage is really astonishing! With a lot of missions you feel like standing next to the guys in the control room. You can smell the tension! The computersimulations are really beautifull and worth making a screensaver from some time (any volunteers?). There is also a book about the subject (from the BBC). I would also recommend this one!
Rating: 
Summary: Okay, but lots of talking heads
Review: This series was okay, but could have been much better. Like all the BCC's work you can't fault it technically, but the abundance of talking heads does get annoying (though there is a little bit of CG). Any fan of space will find the knowledge they recite as rudimentary at best. It's okay for a novice, but otherwise it's pretty boring to hear a guy in a lab tell you basic facts about the solar system. Some of the archival footage, particularly of the Russian space program is very interesting, however. Space is incredible but show it to me, don't tell me about it! I think the BBC's upcoming 'Walking with Spacemen' series, which will be 100 percent CGI and use the technology to recreate what it would be like to visit various planets and moons in the Solarsystem will be much more interesting (If you have seen Walking with Dinosaurs then you'll know what kind of breathtaking visuals they should come up with). Anyway, till then, the Planets is still a great series.
Rating:
Summary: Great Information... very rewarding.
Review: This set is really quite fantastic. It is full of spectacular footage, animations, sound. Some topics overlap slightly between discs, but all the information is quite interesting. Watching this series fills my mind with amazment of our universe. I highly recommend this box set to anyone who wishes to understand our solar system more and see it on a grand scale.
Rating:
Summary: A FANTASTIC SERIES - BUT GET THE REGION 2 VERSION!
Review: This truly is an astonishing documentary series which anyone with any interest in the solar system we live in is sure to enjoy. Featuring the high production values and state-of-the-art computer graphics we've come to expect from the BBC, this really is unmissable; educational and informative certainly, but this is also entertaining and relaxing in equal measure - it's the soothing visual equivalent of ambient music (if that makes any sense!). I'm still watching this over three years later, although judging from the other reviews I'd say my Region 2 version is infinitely preferable to the US edition, which sounds as if it's been butchered by an over-zealous broadcaster who clearly underestimates the average viewers' intelligence. (The UK edition does indeed have a different narrator - the respected British actor Samuel West, who does a marvellous job. Why did they replace him, I wonder?) Fascinating, gripping and beautifully made, in short - buy it...
Rating:
Summary: A thriller! an out of this world documentary!
Review: Watch "The Planets" and travel through the Solar System, visit the Moon, the Sun, discover the mysteries of Jupiter and its satellites,explore Saturn's rings, the martian desert,the hidden surface of Venus,surf the stars and much more with this exciting and informative documentary! A visual delight that will teletransport you beyond Pluto and back to Earth, and then, on to the Sun in an astronomical journey that you will want to repeat again and again. A stellar Dvd set!
Rating:
Summary: Finest planetary voyage
Review: Welcome to the best documentary series ever. Yes, BETTER than Dinosaurs (which depended largely on sensational computer visuals)! Whether you have only a passing interest in astronomy or have read a hundred books about it, this series will steal your heart. Every single aspect is flawless. The musical grandeur of Gustav Holst's symphony and the warm, captivating voice of the British narrator make up the aurals. No artificial excitement, no badly chosen music, PERFECT. The visuals include stylish computer animations and footage that makes you wonder how deep they actually had to dig... The first footage of a human being outside the atmosphere (jumping out of a balloon), the first on-board rocket footage, the earth as a blue dot captured by an ageing Voyager looking back at its birthplace. The content isn't exactly dumbed down, either. Even for an amateur like me, there were plenty of new things to discover. It contains many interviews with astronauts, Russian and American space-project leaders, the finest available planetary geologists, exo-biologists and trendsetting astronomers. Providing not only information, but also a true sense of passion and childlike wonder. Hear how an American airforce officer tries to describe his silent jump through the outher layers of our atmosphere, falling back into "known territory". How Gene Cernan had the almost transcendental experience of covering all of human history (earth) with his thumb. How a NASA scientist was the first to see the other side of Saturn via a Voyager picture... If this series doesn't get you excited, you must be dead.
Rating:
Summary: BBC Deliver Again
Review: Well, another quality doco from the guys at BBC. Loved how it focused on the Russians and the American's equally instead of just hearing about the US accomplishments (though strangely no N-1 mention in the moon race?). Contrary to a reviewer below this series is not as good as 'Walking with Dinosaurs', nowhere near it, it would have benefitted from more CGI of the planets, but nevertheless this is an excellent series. Do get the original BBC R2 DVD release, however, just as with Walking with Dinosaurs it is much, much better, different original narrator and dual layered to boot. In summary, another fine documentary series from the lords of the doco, the BBC.
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