Customer Reviews

Space 1999 Megaset

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Two things that I did not see mentioned or mentioned incorrectly:

1. This box has indeed 17 DVDs and not 16. The 17th is the Bonus Disk mentioned in some reviews. It is tucked at the far right after DVD 16 in a plain white sleeve. It also took me a while to discover it.
2. The Episodes are not in the airing sequence, which is usually the logical one but in production number sequence which is usually not the logical one. Thus it helps to get an episode list like for example from www.epquides.com and then jump around in the correct order.

Space: 1999 was a futuristic science fiction series, produced in the 1970s, after Star Trek, and still had a basic hopefulness for the progress of science and the future of the world that such science fiction would strive to have during the height of the Cold War. Space: 1999 is in many ways more in the style of 2001: A Space Odyssey than Star Trek in several respects, not the least of which is that it was set in the very near future -- going from simple orbits to moonlandings in a decade made some people optimistic about the pace of science, space science in particular. It is in some ways sad that we are no closer to building a moon base or sending people to Jupiter than we were twenty years ago.

It is hard to imagine that there was a time when we thought 1999 was so far off that it had to be something futuristic and incredible. The design of the outfits was 70s-style future (just as the Star Trek outfits were 60s-style future, mini-skirts and all). The furniture of the future could have been described as Danish Post-Modern; everything is plastic and steel, everything gleams. Computers are a bit more realistic in Space: 1999, although it is fascinating what did advance beyond.

However, Space: 1999 wasn't about the gadgets. It was a cosmic voyage of discovery. Being a fairly low-budget television production, the producers had to be very creative with special effects and mood setting scenes; actual science took a back seat to the kinds of planets and situations the crew of Moon Base Alpha would face. These ideas were innovative -- from various peoples who were predecessors of earth civilisations to outside civilisations and cosmic forces that combined mystical and psychological elements well.

There are two seasons, rather loosely related. The first season had Moon Base Alpha on the surface of the moon -- the first episode has the moon blast out of orbit due to a nuclear waste-storage accident. Martin Landau and Barbara Bain are the main characters as the commander of the base and the chief medical officer; Barry Morse stars as science officer in season 1, but one of the changes for season 2 is that he disappears, which is unfortunate, given the stability his character lent to the show. Nick Tate was the Australian pilot (there was a fleet of Eagle spacecraft on Moon Base Alpha); season 2 added Catherine Schell as a shape-shifting alien orphaned on the moon base (Brian Blessed, in one of his myriad of b-roles, played her father for one episode). Her love interest (season 1 was all about the science and the journey of discovery; season 2 was all about love affairs) was the dashing Tony Verdeschi, played by British actor Anthony Anholt (rather unknown to American audiences, but frequently on British programming). Meanwhile, Commander Koenig and Dr. Russell (Landau and Bain, married in real life) were also falling in love, and the base was relocated for unexplained reasons underground, with a complete redesign even of the uniforms (rather dramatic changes for a resource-strapped moon base).

There were 48 episodes in all, 24 for each season, and like many a good series, it ended without resolution -- our moon base travellers are still hurtling through space, hoping to find a home.

The ideas were often ahead of their time, and it is interesting to see the character developments over time, also. It was perhaps a blessing that the show ended after two seasons, as the directions for the series were beginning to be limited (Battlestar Galactica, several years later, would encounter the same problem). The acting was mostly solid, but sometimes cheesy - Joan Collins playing an elitist doomed to mate with the barbarian she might at another time have had to synthesise as food; Christopher Lee playing himself (as usual) in an interesting role (the same is true for Peter Cushing and Leo McKern).

There is a certain style about Space:1999 that still is pleasing and future-oriented despite its now-dated title. The plots are inventive if not always entirely original, and the central characters carry the show well through the episodes. The moon-base minatures and space-craft effects are well done; the general sets, particularly for the first year, are very well done, from central command to the underground tube transport system.

Take the journey! This remains one of the best science fiction series ever produced.

If you want to see the science fiction show that bridged the first Star Trek and the Next Generation, this is it.Many of the plots, characters and ideas would be used for the next generation series , and even The X-files and Alien. When Space 1999 came out in the early 70's George Lucas claimed he woudn't have been able to make Star Wars without it. Even today the show feels very modern with its blend of gothic horror, the paranormal and science fiction. Many episodes are filmed in a neo-surrealistic style akin to Luis Bunel and Hitchcock. This mega set is the way to go, since it has year 1 and 2 episodes in order and bonus material. In a long run it will be cheaper to buy this set than the individual sets. This is the sci-fi release of 2003!!!!!!!

Mega-set is a dream come true. The series was far ahead of its time, such wonderfully fun to watch. I remember sitting at home when I was a kid waiting for "Space 1999," to come on. Shamefully I have never seem "Space 1999," since it originally aired. And, after all those years its terrific to be able to watch them again at home.
As far as character go...i liked them. Maya, and tony hafd the most potential, but the series was canncelled before things could really get moving.
Mayas Catherine Schell was excellent as the shape shifting Maya...She was one of the major reasons I liked "Space 1999," as a kid, and now as an adult. She's gorgeous! And highly intelligent! Best episodes are: "The Beta Cloud,""Brian The Brain,""Guardian of piri,""The metamorph."
As far as comparing "Space 1999," to other sci-fi series...don't waste your time each one has its own uniqueness, which is good. The other reason is because I want their to be more sci-fi shows out there instead of creators being frightened of similarities to other shows, so they don't give a new show a chance--now thats a true shame...

Extraordinarily high quality TV sci-fi show designed to please intelligent viewers out there. The mix of "Hard Science" with brilliant scripting brings a much needed, refreshing change from the overplayed, mundane Star Trek world and other works. Sheer and true brilliance at works here. Some of the visuals come out as being as strong as the ones present in 2001 by Kubrick, that is saying a lot. Each episode feels like a full blown movie.

Space 1999 is an overwhelmingly trippy and smart sci fi experience. It also brings elements of true horror, you'll be shocked and awed many times. Prepare for a psychedelic journey through the inky void and blackness of space, which can be scary and downright frightening at times. I wouldn't recommend this show for younger audiences at any rate. I do recommend viewing the show with lights dimmed out for maximum immersion factor.

No watered down space opera drama offered here, this is true hardcore sci-fi. Characters are blatantly confrontational, don't fake smiles and emotions are kept realistically raw. This is expected considering the odds they must battle with. It is however a very bold move by the original producers of the show. In this regard, it comes out as being honestly genuine, stories are quite imaginative as well.

This was done in the 70s, and as such several of the true science fact may seem dated by now, others remained shockingly fresh. Those minor miss ups are irrelevant overall, perhaps a small annoyance to the overwhelmingly critical viewers. At any rate, the show comes out as being incredibly fresh and energetic from all angles. The video quality of the episodes is superb on DVD as well.

Season 1 and Season 2 are very different beasts altogether. Understand that by Season 2 a new American producer was brought in (Freddy Friedburger, who worked on Star Trek). Suffice to say, he changed many things around, making the show similar to what Star Trek was. This was not needed, except for the ratings at the time. The show remained good in Season 2 nonetheless (Season 1 has a lot of episodes at any rate, no worries).

Have a look at a site called space1999.net for more details if you're interested. Basically several second role key actors were booted out at the end of Season 1, when they refused a salary decrease. Season 2 is shot in a Star Trek fashion, much less cerebral than Season 1, much more predictable and filled with the standard oneliners. Still enjoyable, but the true magic of the show really lies in the first Season.

This is a must get for all 70s fans. If you enjoyed Logan's Run, Westworld or 2001, you'll love this. Fantastic show, with content and intelligence. A pure mind trip at times and very surrealistic. Highly recommended, a rare gem. Sadly we don't get this level of quality from television shows anymore.

Martin Landau.

After buying the first 6 sets individually, I only hope that the special features announce for this MEGA Set will be available on the last DVD sets (number 8). And where is the "Message From Moonbase Alpha" episode ? ...

Beside the fact that those Sets are very expansive this is a MUST for any Space 1999 Fan. I have been a huge fan when I was a kid and looking at those fantastic Eagle spaceship again was a great source of fun and pleasure.

If you have already started buying the first DVD sets individualy like me, you are probably feeling frustrated by the fact that we didn't see that MEGA DVD Set comming. I DO !!!

First of all, the moon is not traveling at light speed or anywhere near it. This misconception is probably due to the fact that the episodes were either put in the wrong order on the DVD sets or shown out of order during their TV run, the latter not being uncommon. In the second episode they are already light years from earth with no explanation but by the 3rd or 4th episode, they are sent through a black hole and it is explained that they are now light years from earth. Obviously these episodes are shown in the wrong order. This happens a few times in the 2nd season when the dates that Helena gives at the beginning of each episode do not fall into sequence with the preceeding or following episodes. But why all the nitpicking, can't we, even as adults, suspend some belief, and enjoy something we enjoyed when we were younger. So what if the science is not perfect, it's close enough to ignore and enjoy. As for there not being any character development, this is an hour show and we have all the character that we need. Ok, so there could be some more developemnt, but we know Allen's character and certainly John Koenig's. With the little that we are given, we can draw from that and know what kind of people they are. As for romance and character interaction, there were 2 or 3 episodes with romances, ill-fated though they were. How do we know there were no children, we may not have been shown everything. Children wouldn't be running around in the control room. The premise isn't perfect, half the shows in the second season aren't that great, but it's fun, sometimes funny. So enjoy this great set. I bought them separately and have enjoyed them all. One final note on the extras included in the box set. There is a fan produced final episode and lots of other extras on an extra disk that was never available with the individual sets. I emailed A&E and complained about the unfairness of that to the people who bought the individual sets and they informed me that this extra disk will be made available separately during the early part of 2003. So, another thing to enjoy. Have fun and keep suspended.

I actually bought all 8 seperate 2 disc boxes rather than wait for 6 months until this 'mega-set' came out. Either way, you are getting the entire series of Space 1999, which hasnt aired on TV where I live for 20+ years. A great collection for fans. On an intresting note, A&E have a 17th 'bonus disc' which includes a 'series finale' that wasnt ever aired, only available on their website.

I definatly recommend getting this series from amazon.com and then checking out the 17th disc on A&E's site.

I've read most of these reviews and these people must have missed something. The set I bought (from a retailer other than "Amazon") also included a "Bonus Disc". This extra 17th disc includes 3 episodes with audio commentary, an alternate version of a scene from "Collision Course," and the "Message from Moonbase Alpha" fan produced episode. It also has several other features I can't think of off the top of my head (interviews and such).
With all 48 episodes in excellent quality and a nice set of features, it truly is what it claims to be--the "Mega Set"!

If you ever watched Space 1999 when you were younger, you must get this. Space 1999 was the bridge sci-fi show between Star Trek and Star Wars. When you watch these shows, not only will you NOT remember the episodes, but you will be amazed at how good they really were. Of course, there are the tacky episodes and every now and then you'll see strings holding up the Eagles, but the episodes are great and these flaws only add to the uniqueness of the shows. If you like Star Trek and Star wars, this is a 'Must Have' collection.