Product Details

• Actors: Martin Landau, Barbara Bain, Barry Morse, Nick Tate, Catherine Schell
• Directors: Kevin Connor, Val Guest, Bob Brooks (III), Robert Lynn (II)
• Format: Box set, Color, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 17
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: A&E Home Video
• DVD Release Date: July 31, 2007
• Run Time: 2496 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (126 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000P6R5TI
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,597 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Space: 1999 (30th Anniversary Edition Megaset)" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

When it was first broadcast in 1975, there had never been a more lavishly produced science fiction TV series than Space: 1999, a British production whose budget for the first of its two seasons ran an astounding £3.25 million. What keeps us fans enthralled after all these years has only partly to due with the first-rate production values, the plausibly constructed spaceship models, and expert special effects. The tone of the show is one of scientific dispassion, setting it apart from its TV sci-fi predecessors such as Star Trek, whose mood was more convivial. Our heroes here are in dire circumstances that require cool heads as a survival trait. Those circumstances: the 311 crew members of Moonbase Alpha experience a cataclysm that causes the moon to break away from Earth's orbit and travel endlessly through space, turning our heroes into unintentional explorers. No TV series has created a more palpable feel of hard science fiction than this.

Of course the show is not without its detractors; it has been soundly lambasted for its many scientific errors. No less august a figure than Isaac Asimov criticized the show for its premise in the opening episode, "Breakaway," which had nuclear explosions on the "dark side of the moon" somehow propelling it out of Earth's orbit and flying through space without regard to any physical laws. In "Earthbound," aliens traveling to Earth state it will take them 75 years to reach their destination, making one wonder why it didn't take the moon that long to encounter the aliens. While these are serious complaints, fans tend to remember the scientific seriousness of the series and the sense of awe created by the many strange creatures and phenomena that the crew members encounter on their journey through the galaxy.

The Space: 1999 30th Anniversary Mega Set collects all 48 episodes broadcast over the show's two seasons, contained on 17 DVDs that include vintage interviews, production stills, TV promotional spots, and interactive menus, and some material that was not seen in the original U.S. broadcasts has been restored. The episodes do not use the 2005 high-def remasters, so this is essentially the same as the 2002 Mega Set, but at a fraction of the shelf space (the Thinpak packaging is nicely compact) and a fraction of the price. --Jim Gay

Product Description

All 48 episodes of this acclaimed space adventure are contained in this complete collection, digitally remastered from the original 35mm film, plus bonus footage, featured extras, and much more! With its progressive plotlines, an outstanding cast, and astonishing special effects from Oscar® winner Brian Johnson (Alien, The Empire Strikes Back), SPACE: 1999 has secured its place as one of the most thought-provoking series of the 21st century—and beyond.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 44 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars 30th Anniversary MegaSet of Space: 1999 May 29, 2008

By E. Dunn

Format:DVD

Having the original MegaSet of Space: 1999, I was hoping to have 'extras' on the 30th Anniversary MegaSet DVD's. The DVD containers have been changed and condensed, but otherwise the offerings are the same as the original MegaSet -- the addded 'Bonus Disc' is the same that has been available at all the Space: 1999 Conventions since 2005. The 'Special Features' throughout the MegaSet are the same as on the original MegaSet. It would have been "special" if the Anniversary MegaSet had 'bloopers', 'behind the scenes' that weren't on the original MegaSet DVD's, et al. A purchase of this MegaSet is more for nostalgia and to support the continuing life (after cancellation) of Space: 1999.

116 of 135 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Better Price? YES! Better Remaster? NO!!! August 2, 2007

By K. A. Walsh

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I feel ripped off...I really do. I had all the old American releases on DVD (which I will be selling to a local merchant because they deal in used DVDs) to recoup some of the cost I spent on this set. THIS IS NOT THE NETWORK DVD/UK EDITION REMASTERS FOR REGION 1...let's make that VERY clear.

If you have a multi-region/format player, go over to Amazon UK and order the First Season from Network...it is *spectacular*. You can also pre-order the Second Season from Network there as well (release date is Sept 10). The Network DVDs have phenomenal video AND audio, crisp and clear 5.1 audio in fact that gives your sub-woofer a workout. Needless to say, I pre-ordered mine from across the pond the day I got this.

Why 3 stars? Overall story and series would have gotten a 5. Minus four stars for the remaster rip-off, plus a star for slimmer packaging/better price, plus a star for *some* improvement in the audio (now 2.0 stereo as opposed to mono) and a bit of an improvement on Season Two eps video.

If you have this...save your cash, even though the old discs might take up more shelf-space. If you don't and only have a standard Region One player, then by all means get it. If you have a multi region/format player...RUN to Amazon UK and purchase the Network Season One and Two Versions.

There is no comparison...the Network DVDs are spectacular!

59 of 67 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars This IS the same as the other set...just a better price. July 25, 2007

By Keith C. Bradbury

Format:DVD

As soon as we got this in, we opened a set and checked it out...

This so-called digitally remastered 30th Anniversary edition is NO DIFFERENT than the older Mega Set...just slimmer packaging. You still see all the spots, smudges, hairs, graininess. The only reason to buy this is if you have not already gotten the older set and want to save some money. Sad, really, that we did not get the better UK remastered product.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Weird "Blotches" and (Yikes!) DVD Rot on Disc #15!!! May 9, 2011

By FRED

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I give the show itself 5-stars (for nostalgic reasons if nothing else), but I DID have unusual problems with the DVD's. I purchased the SPACE: 1999 30th ANNIVERSARY MEGASET from Amazon New/Factory Sealed in 2007, the first week that it was released. When I opened the set I was concerned to notice that ALL 17 discs had weird looking "blotches" on them. I returned the set to Amazon for a replacement--and--SHOCK!--the replacement set had the EXACT SAME "blotches" on all of the discs! Fast forward to 3 years later, I played back the discs in 2010 and had no playback problems whatsoever--THAT IS until I got to DISC #15 which would NOT PLAY--I examined the disc and was HORRIFIED to see that it was COMPLETELY ROTTED! If you own the SPACE: 1999 30th ANNIVERSARY MEGASET set PLEASE check for weird looking "blotches" on the discs and/or DVD Rot--*hopefully* your set will be blotch and rot-free!!! UPDATE: In early 2011, several other discs in the set had also become ROTTED. I ended up junking the entire 2007 set and (instead) purchased the Big Box--SPACE: 1999 MEGA-SET released in 2001--the original set is both blotch and rot-free!!! I realize that my experience with "blotches" and DVD Rot may have been unique--at least I hope it was! Comparing both sets, I prefer the Big Box SPACE: 1999 MEGA-SET by a wide margin--it is PERFECT in every way! If you found this review useful, please click the "YES" button. (Please read my other reviews as well).

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Despite the errors, the show has much to offer August 2, 2007

By D. Merchant

Format:DVD

1. The show does have many scientific errors, which can make some of the plots implausible. However, my approach is to watch the show more for its treatment/depiction of philosophical issues than for its scientific treatments/depictions. Look at the episodes as allegories, as science fiction fairy tales, and you will find them enjoyable (after all, most fairy tales are very implausible).

2. Some of the critiques of the plot errors are a bit unfair - they show that the reviewer hasn't really watched the show closely. For instance, the Amazon review bemoans that "In 'Earthbound,' aliens traveling to Earth state it will take them 75 years to reach their destination, making one wonder why it didn't take the moon that long to encounter the aliens." Uhm, maybe because two episodes earlier the Moon had an encounter with a small black hole which caused the Moon to be hurled far away from the Earth. That is why in the episode "Earthbound" the Moonbase Alphans didn't know what direction Earth was in anymore - with help from the aliens they learned at least what direction Earth was in. So while you can certainly argue with some of the science in the show, at least for the fictional/fantasy world the show exists in, there is consistency in it.

Another complaint is how season two has different uniforms and different decoration of the set from season one. The show had a one year hiatus and I suppose they thought the audience would just assume that some time had passed and the Alphans made some modifications - heck we change fashions here on Earth over time, why not for the Moonbase? What is so unbelievable about that? Also, with time, there would be a change in personnel as people die, and/or needs of the Moonbase change and people get reassigned.... Of course, this doesn't explain Barry Morse's character being replaced by Maya (the Mr. Spock rip-off). That, I will easily concede, is not a nit-picky minor detail to be overlooked.

3. And other critiques say things like "without regard to any physical laws." Balooney. Without enough regard, I'll agree with. But to insinuate that the show had no regard to _any_ physical laws is harsher than it needs to be. Yes, the show didn't pay enough regard to physical laws.

Anyway, again, treat each episode by itself - treat them as allegories, treat them as futuristic fairy tales, and just enjoy the stories themselves. Back to the episode "Earthbound" (with guest star Christopher Lee), it is a new twist on the "lifeboat" type of philosophical dilemma - if you only have enough room to save one person, who goes? Actually, several moral questions are raised and treated in that episode.

And that is what is best about Space: 1999. It is a very thought provoking show - for some though, they can't stop complaining about the science errors that create some implausible staging for the plots to unfold upon. It's like going to a play and complaining how the set pieces aren't real, or going to a movie and complain that it is implausible for superman to fly. Superman is a metaphor - by straining at the gnat details, you are missing the meaning. The show was never about hard science. So don't expect it.

Relax, and just enjoy the stories for the stories, for their metaphors, for their thought provoking treatment and discussion of moral and philosophical issues. If you want more hard science science fiction, there are other shows you can watch and enjoy. Read more ›