Rating: 
Summary: What a DVD Should Be - D. Adams would be proud
Review: This is a review of the DVD set itself, as I assuming most of you already know the story and have possibly seen the TV show. This is a digitally remastered DVD with a stereo soundtrack and clear crisp visuals.It's actually a two DVD set. The TV series, which is on the first DVD, is as near to a flawless reproduction as is currently possible. Watch it with the lights off to enjoy all the visuals and matte painting special effects that were available in 1981 with a shoestring budget. Additionally, this is a "must buy" just for the second DVD alone. Outtakes and deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes footage, The Making of The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, BBC Omnibus Tribute to Douglas Adams, and much more. BBC Video has stepped up and hit a homerun with this DVD set. Be sure to watch it with and recommend it to your friends. "Share and enjoy!"
Rating:
Summary: Discover the secret to the number 42
Review: The video is based on the TV series, which is based on the books and the radio play. The radio play is hilariously satirical and very creative. The TV series was on PBS years ago and pops up every so often. Great story. The characters in the TV series don't quite measure up to the radio play but are good anyway. The story does measure up and the cheesy special effects only add to the fun. It's a Monty Python-esque view of space and travel in general with great commentary on our society and its peculiarities. The Hitchhiker's Guide is all you need to travel the universe and is essential when your planet is destroyed to make way for a hyperspace bypass. The Guide is many things: a primer on Vogon poetry, a guide to using the Babel fish, and a calming influence with it's friendly "don't panic" on the cover. The best character in the show may be Marvin the paranoid robot but Arthur Dent, Ford, Trillian and Zaphod are just right for fans of the books and play. The restaurant at the end of the universe is the place to be seen. All this and mice make the world go 'round. Zany and original. A definite find! It really can't be fully explained within the limits of a short review. Now if someone will only put out the radio show on CD!
Rating:
Summary: The Answer Is...42!
Review: "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" started life as a radio series at the BBC, and quickly became a huge smash. Following that success, creator Douglas Adams found himself writing novel adaptations and the screenplay for this wonderful six part television show, which premiered in 1981. It was an instant success and has achieved a huge following worldwide. First seen in the mid 1980s on PBS in the US, its popularity grew greater still, and if any show ever called out for a DVD release this is it. For those of you who aren't familiar with "Hitchhiker" it is the story of a human, Arthur Dent, and his extraterrestrial friend Ford Prefect who flee the Earth after it's destruction (to make way for a hyperspace bypass) and have mind-bending misadventures with compatriots Zaphod Beeblebrox and another human, the lovely Trillian. The series is filled with extremely quirky twists and turns throughout, and truly defies description. Suffice it to say that it is light years ahead of its time and never fails to provoke a laugh. The good humor of the series is cemented by actor Simon Jones, playing Arthur, who tours the galaxy in his bathrobe (and always knows where his towel is.) Simon was the only key cast member carried over from the radio show, and he truly is made for the part. Likewise David Dixon is perfect as the wild-eyed Ford. Remember that this was a low budget production, so don't expect special effects to rival "Star Wars." Most of the effects are adequate, although I think the producers would have done well to dispense with the robotic second head of Zaphod found in the radio show and book, as the contraption that Mark Wing Davey has to wear is extremely lame, and really doesn't further the plot. His third arm, though, is surprisingly well done. Something to note in this show are what appear to be computer generated entries from the guide, which are actually amazing pieces of first rate animation. The second DVD is a wonderful gift from BBC Video. It contains two documentaries on "Hitchhiker" one from 1992, and one made for this release, as well as outtakes, deleted scenes, behind the scenes footage, and production notes which can be superimposed throughout the entire presentation. It has a digitally remastered stereo soundtrack, but you can also select the original mono soundtrack which I generally prefer, as when the computer, Deep Thought, speaks there is too much reverb in the stereo version to understand it easily. It also contains a tribute to Douglas Adams who died suddenly at the age of 49 immediately before the release of the DVD set. This is still the only science fiction comedy series that truly got it right, and this DVD is an absolute treasure to own and watch. By all means, check it out today, but don't let the Vogons read you any of their poetry!
Rating:
Summary: DVDs
Review: A bit of advice since I own pretty much all formats of The Hitchhickers Guide To The Galaxy if you want the BBC radio 4 series you should probably not go around buying DVDs. But some of us are from Washington so i can see how that would be confusing.
Rating:
Summary: The Answer Is...42!
Review: "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" started life as a radio series at the BBC, and quickly became a huge smash. Following that success, creator Douglas Adams found himself writing novel adaptations and the screenplay for this wonderful six part television show, which premiered in 1981. It was an instant success and has achieved a huge following worldwide. First seen in the mid 1980s on PBS in the US, its popularity grew greater still, and if any show ever called out for a DVD release this is it. For those of you who aren't familiar with "Hitchhiker" it is the story of a human, Arthur Dent, and his extraterrestrial friend Ford Prefect who flee the Earth after it's destruction (to make way for a hyperspace bypass) and have mind-bending misadventures with compatriots Zaphod Beeblebrox and another human, the lovely Trillian. The series is filled with extremely quirky twists and turns throughout, and truly defies description. Suffice it to say that it is light years ahead of its time and never fails to provoke a laugh. The good humor of the series is cemented by actor Simon Jones, playing Arthur, who tours the galaxy in his bathrobe (and always knows where his towel is.) Simon was the only key cast member carried over from the radio show, and he truly is made for the part. Likewise David Dixon is perfect as the wild-eyed Ford. Remember that this was a low budget production, so don't expect special effects to rival "Star Wars." Most of the effects are adequate, although I think the producers would have done well to dispense with the robotic second head of Zaphod found in the radio show and book, as the contraption that Mark Wing Davey has to wear is extremely lame, and really doesn't further the plot. His third arm, though, is surprisingly well done. Something to note in this show are what appear to be computer generated entries from the guide, which are actually amazing pieces of first rate animation. The second DVD is a wonderful gift from BBC Video. It contains two documentaries on "Hitchhiker" one from 1992, and one made for this release, as well as outtakes, deleted scenes, behind the scenes footage, and production notes which can be superimposed throughout the entire presentation. It has a digitally remastered stereo soundtrack, but you can also select the original mono soundtrack which I generally prefer, as when the computer, Deep Thought, speaks there is too much reverb in the stereo version to understand it easily. It also contains a tribute to Douglas Adams who died suddenly at the age of 49 immediately before the release of the DVD set. This is still the only science fiction comedy series that truly got it right, and this DVD is an absolute treasure to own and watch. By all means, check it out today, but don't let the Vogons read you any of their poetry!
Rating: 
Summary: Misleading product information
Review: I bought this DVD expressly for the recording of the original radio play. The product details published here on Amazon indicate more than once that this DVD contains the radio play recording. However, it does NOT.
Rating: 
Summary: cheesy special effects
Review: I ordered the vhs version of "Hitchhiker." I've read the books several times, really enjoy the humor. The television series on this video set just isn't as good, cheesy special effects, very cheap production. I've noticed that about British science fiction on television - oh well. Strange choices for the actors, especially Zaphod Breeblebox, it looks as though they had a spare pirate's head hanging around and decided to make up the actor to look like the fake head. I never pictured Trillian as a blonde bimbette with a baby voice. I hope some day someone spends some money on it and makes a really good movie of the "Hitchhiker."
Rating:
Summary: Funny, funny, hysterically funny. . .
Review: . . .over-the-top campiness! For anyone who has read the "Hitchhiker" books, this DVD collection is a "must-have". Obviously done on a shoe-string budget, this lack of "high-tech" makes the show more appealing -- not less. I've read all the books many times over -- and the DVD literally had me laughing out loud. A joy for all Douglas Adams fans, and for all fans of campy British Sci-Fi television. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: What! you don't already own this!
Review: I read the books frequently, and I'm still obsessed with the number 42...(aren't we all?) So when the series came out I bought the special "Collectors" edition created for people who buy products with "special Collectors edition" stickers placed on the front of them (unlike the same thing minus these stickers) The DVD format makes watching the series all the more fun to watch...Marvin is exactly as I pictured him...loved the voice and attitude...The others were also very good. As was mentioned previously by others, the production values are not extravagant, but that is part of the charm (Think Monty Pythons Holy Grail...whould you change anything?...I think not!)
You owe it to yourself to get this...if not for your own enjoyment but to keep the Vogons at bay.
Rating:
Summary: Funny, profound - what else can I say?
Review: This show was produced 1981. The special effects are a bit dated, but not as much as you would expect. But the story, ah, the story! It leaves Star Trek, Star Wars and whatever in its wake. Witty, clever, profound, and timeless. Every time I watch it I find something new. If you are in for explosions this might not be for you, but if you are into clever use of metaphor and double entendres you will be delighted by tis gem.
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