Product Details

• Actors: Michael Keating, Paul Darrow, Peter Tuddenham, Jan Chappell, Jacqueline Pearce
• Writers: Terry Nation
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Bfs Entertainment
• VHS Release Date: November 11, 1998
• Run Time: 105 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302287723
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #245,279 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Intergalactic adventure with an interplanetary resistance group battling for survival against a totalitarian super-power. Roaming a universe of boundless space and restrictive discipline, freedom-fighter Blake, with the crew of spaceship Liberator, is locked in combat with the all-powerful forces of the Federation.

Episodes:
Cygnus Alpha - Commandeering an alien spaceship Blake, Jenna and Avon make for Cygnus Alpha on a rescue mission. What they discover is a threatening religious group whose 'divine' ruler has cast the curse of Cygnus upon all the prisoners. Dar Blake challenge "he who must be obeyed' in a society with a currency of human souls?
Time Squad - On their way to attack the Federation communications complex on the planet Saurian Major, Blake answers the distress call of a mysterious projectile, drifting in space, and takes it on board the Liberator. Can his crew simultaneously blow up the Federation's nervous system and face the consequences of returning bodies, frozen in time, to life?

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blake has a ship now he needs a crew..... on to Cycnus Alpha, July 7, 2002

By 

Jacob "RavenLoc" (Virgina, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Blake's 7, Vol. 02 - Cygnus Alpha / Time Squad [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The next volume of Blake 7 with two titles called "Cygnus Alpha" and "Time Squad". Roj Blake former rebel leader now prisoner on his way to Cygnus Alpha was written off dead along with Jenna and Avon by the captain of the prisoner ship taking him and the others to the prison planet. What the captain doesn't know is that Blake and the others are alive and figuring out the newly dubbed ship Liberator and what is offers to Blake in his quest to stop the federation. Zen the ships computer is not what you would call forth coming with answers about who made Zen and why no one was on board still. Avon thinks Zen is defective, Blake thinks Zen knows more then he is willing to let on. Jenna just pushed a button that sent them flying thorugh the universe at break neck speed. Blake realizing he needs a cerw heads for Cygnus Alpha knowing that those on the ship as he would want to get off that planet as quickly as they arrived. Blake, Jenna and Avon all make discoveries on board the Liberator. The most important is the teleport device with witch they can go down on the planet without landing. Meanwhile Gan, Villa and the others land or should I say dropped on Cygnus Alpha where they find a clut has been formed by the prisoners sent before them. They are controlled by a madman who (Played by veteran actor of such other great BBC shows and of other movies Brian Blessed) is called "He who Must be obyed". Blake finds out that those on Cygnus Alpha are infected with some kind of illness and He who must be obeyed has the only cure. Blake has to find a way to get the cure get the others out and begin in earnest his mission. What will Blake do?
In the next Episode entitled Time Squad
We see Blake and the others adjusting themselves to life on the ship. Blake has picked his first target it the federation planet Saurian Major holding a vital communcation network. Also in hope to try and find rebel natives trying to stop the federation as well. Along the way they find a small craft floating in space with a distress beacon asking for help. Blake and the others bring the craft aboard. Inside they find three men forzen. Not knowing where they were going or where they are from they deforst them and try to help. While waiting they arrive on Saurian Major. Blake, Avon and Villa teleport down and try and make contact with the rebels. Gan and Jenna stay on board but face challenges from the three from the craft. Blake makes contact with but a lone rebel left after all the others are gone. A woman not from the planet but from a planet called Auron a woman called Callie. She helps Blake and the others destroy the network all the while Gan and Jenna are fighting to save the ship themselves and Blake when they need to get out. All in all it was really the first four episodes that would set the stage for Blake and his seven. Those wishing to think of jumping ahead shouldn't because these were what laid the foundation for a rather long running show.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Two early episodes-cast and series producershave yet to gel, October 7, 1998

By 

dialysis biller (Layton, UT, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blake's 7, Vol. 02 - Cygnus Alpha / Time Squad [VHS] (VHS Tape)

"Cygnus Alpha" is a bit hoky, with bizarre characters. It is essential viewing for fans of the series as it is a continuation of episode 2- "Space Fall." The plot of "Time Squad" is similar to ones used in a number of sci-fi shows. It is interesting, but predictable. END

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Further B7 foundations, June 10, 2001

By 

Michael J. Mazza - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Blake's 7, Vol. 02 - Cygnus Alpha / Time Squad [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The second volume of "Blake's 7" on video contains two more episodes of this beloved British sci-fi series. In "Cygnus Alpha" and "Time Squad," the foundations of the B7 saga are still being established. This series tells the story of a band of rebels who wage a campaign against an oppressive interplanetary power known as the Federation.

"Cygnus Alpha" opens with escaped prisoners Blake, Avon, and Jenna in possession of a mysterious alien spacecraft (given the name "Liberator"). They stage a mission to rescue other prisoners from the Federation penal colony on Cygnus Alpha. There are some good suspenseful scenes, and the episode also contains an interesting depiction of a religious cult that has evolved on the planet. The B7 crew dynamics continue to evolve as the story unfolds.

In "Time Squad," Blake masterminds a daring attack on a Federation facility. This episode introduces a new regular character: Cally, a telepath from the planet Auron. By the end of these two episodes, the original "Blake's 7" of the title (including the computer named Zen) are fully assembled, and ready to chart their bold course into sci-fi history.

Viewing these episodes (which set the stage for even better installments to come), I am struck at how much later space operas like "Babylon 5" and "Farscape" seem to echo some of the themes and narrative strategies of B7. Yes, B7's special effects and props may look a bit primitive today, but the show had a wit and intelligence that are still sharp. If you're a sci-fi fan who hasn't yet discovered "Blake's 7," check out this and other videos in the series.