Product Details

• Actors: Simon Jones, David Dixon, Peter Jones, Sandra Dickinson, Mark Wing-Davey
• Format: Color, EP, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: 20th Century Fox
• VHS Release Date: August 9, 1995
• Run Time: 194 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (169 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 630266523X
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #196,485 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The production values aren't the greatest here, but this adaptation does capture some of the ebullient, hilarious anarchy of Douglas Adams's book. Arthur Dent discovers that his friend, Ford Prefect, isn't human at all but an alien on assignment, writing for the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Many of Adams's delicious asides are dropped off here, like the woman who figures out the meaning of life right at the moment that she gets blown up with the rest of the Earth, but it retains what it can. Sure, the book was better, and the realization of Zaphod Beeblebox and Trillian are, well, just different, but it's a great introduction to the series for the uninitiated. --Keith Simanton

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

305 of 315 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a DVD Should Be - D. Adams would be proud, May 4, 2002

By 

Michael Talley "Hitchhiker" (Carrollton, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (DVD)

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!"

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As good as it gets, February 11, 2007

By 

Stephen Desalvo "Shakey" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (DVD)

These episodes are as close to the book as is possible, unlike the movie made in 2005. Being a latecomer to the Hitchhiker world, I wasn't sure what to expect from these 1981 renditions, but I was totally blown away by the "pureness" of the script and the graphics that they were able to make for the time. It's very well acted too, and the guy who played Arthur in the radio series also plays him on screen in these episodes. Douglas Adams also makes an on-screen appearance in a particular sequence, but I won't spoil the surprise.

They also include some documentaries done about 10 years later, which include interviews with the actors and Douglas Adams and a look at how they made the graphics.

The episodes cover most of the first novel, spend some time at the restaurant at the end of the universe and end at prehistoric earth.

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DON'T PANIC!! This is a great purchase!!, April 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy is one of those books that you would think there is no way that it could be done right as a movie. Well guess what? IT HAS BE DONE!!!! This is a must have for EVERY "Hitchhiker's" fan. Even if you never heard of the book,radio series, etc, and are a fan of british humor in the vein of Monty Python's Flying Circus, you will love this. The movie isn't actually just based on the book, Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, but is based on the 1st 3 books; The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy,The Resturant At The End Of The Universe, and Life The Universe And Everything. Sure the effects are low budget as hell, but that is all part of it's charm.This is a comedy based on story not effects. I actually think that the effects add to the humor. This is a classic and will always be a permanent part of my movie collection.I just have one question, WHEN WILL THIS COME OUT ON DVD?!?!?