Customer Reviews

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Season 1 Vol. 2

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After watching the initial 16 black-and-white, hour length episodes in addition to the unaired colour pilot of "Eleven Days to Zero" (14/09/1964) in the VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA - SEASON ONE, VOLUME ONE 3-disc set I was pleasantly surprised to find that there were absolutely no technical problems encountered with all this considerably hefty amount of viewing pleasure crammed onto a mere 3 DVDs as I initially feared.

I'm pleased to report that the volume one collection turned out to be a truly exceptional tv premium and can be highly recommended to all devout VOYAGE fans.

The impending volume two set (scheduled for release on July 11th, 2006) is no less impressive in content with many outstanding efforts presented taken from a consistently excellent first season (1964-65) most notably being "Mutiny," "Doomsday," "The Invaders," "The Buccaneer," "The Human Computer," "The Saboteur," "The Amphibians," "The Enemies," "The Condemned" and "The Traitor."

The glittering galaxy of star-studded celebrities making brilliant guest appearances in the latter half of the first season formidably includes Robert Duvall, Donald Harron, Michael Constantine, Barry Atwater, Harold J. Stone, Warren Stevens, Edward Asner, John Anderson, Rudy Solari, Skip Homeier, Leslie Nielsen, Torin Thatcher, J.D. Cannon, Henry Silva, Michael Pate, David Sheiner, Bert Freed, John Van Dreelan, Malachi Throne, Arthur Franz, Joe De Santis and George Sanders.

Not to mention boasting the fresh, vibrantly energetic performances by the series' two dynamic leads Richard Basehart and David Hedison whose interest and enthusiasm in their respective roles delightfully shines throughout in the course of these most extraordinary 32 segments that would be produced.

The final 16 first season episodes contained in the volume two set consists of:

17) "The Last Battle" (04/01/1965)
18) "Mutiny" (11/01/1965)
19) "Doomsday" (18/01/1965)
20) "The Invaders" (25/01/1965)
21) "The Indestructible Man" (01/02/1965)
22) "The Buccaneer" (08/02/1965)
23) "The Human Computer" (15/02/1965)
24) "The Saboteur" (22/02/1965)
25) "Cradle of the Deep" (01/03/1965)
26) "The Amphibians" (08/03/1965)
27) "The Exile" (15/03/1965)
28) "The Creature" (22/03/1965)
29) "The Enemies" (29/03/1965)
30) "The Secret of the Loch" (05/04/1965)
31) "The Condemned" (12/04/1965)
32) "The Traitor" (19/04/1965)

Most significant among the special bonus material to be included is a taped interview conducted with none other than David Hedison himself (expanded from his guest appearance on THE FANTASY WORLDS OF IRWIN ALLEN 1995 tv documentary) who provides an enlightening, firsthand, behind-the-scenes account of this landmark SF tv series' production in addition to offering his personal viewpoints specifically pertaining to Mr. Hedison's working relationships with the show's two prime movers Richard Basehart and Irwin Allen.

As with volume one fully restored and digitally remastered, pristine video transfers taken from the original 35mm source elements will be utilized providing optimum visual and sound clarity for maximum entertainment pleasure.

By the first year's end not only would VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA (ABC 1964-68) commendably prove itself to be a television sensation and renewed for the 1965-66 tv season on the ABC Television Network but it would be further honoured with an Emmy Award for L.B. Abbott in the category of Outstanding Special Photographic Effects. A resounding triumph for Irwin Allen who would ambitiously move ahead setting plans for LOST IN SPACE (CBS 1965-68) and THE TIME TUNNEL (ABC 1966-67) two more impressive television projects that would both become highly acclaimed SF tv classics in their own right.

Jeff T.

After watching Volume 1 Season 1, I heartily recommend. The quality of the DVD was great. I know that some people experienced a problem with the DVD freezing, but I did not. The stories were better than I remembered. OK, yes the special effects may not be as impressive as they are today, but they were good for its time. This series was one part action, one part sci-fi, and one part spy movie. These episodes were more thought out than later years where the show became monster of the week.

The last half of the first season and the first half the second season is the peak of Voyage. This set includes the the Robert Duval episode, "The Invaders," as well as the best written of the series, "Doomsday." (It also has the stinker, Indestructable Man.) But all in all, it shows what a tight, taunt hour of TV Voyage could be, and Irwin Allen could pull off.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching this final first season set of VTTBOTS. Never having seen much of the first season at all, the quality of this show, especially in the first two years is a real eye opener. The effects still stand up well to this day. I can see why re-runs of this show back in the 70's really grabbed me as a kid. David Hedison is a very likeable & solid co-star, Richard Basehart appears such a good actor working under some sort of anaesthetic. Great watching the who's who of guest stars - a pity about the double sided DVD's. Does it really cost that much more to produce single sided discs? Picture quality appears better than the Lost In Space Season 1 release?! Looking forward to watching my colour second season set as well as a possible future Land of the Giants DVD release.

It's important to know where Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea came from, in order to understand why it was such a popular show. This collection of B&W season 1 episodes showcases the kind of storylines that the studio thought the audience wanted to see. Spys, foreign powers, megalomaniacs, all trying to undermine the capitalist way of life. And somewhere in there, the fearless Admiral and Captain of the Seaview thwarting every attempt. As a cloak & dagger effort, it succeeds well. But it was only a forerunner to the later seasons, which changed the focus to a more prevalent science-fiction theme. One episode of exceptional note is the Human Computer, a masterpiece of film-noir that is just as nail-biting today as it was when first aired. You need to see these episodes to fully appreciate the transformation that the series made in Season 2 and beyond.

Ok, there's no denying it...The storylines and scripts are full of holes. Mad scientists sabotaging the Seaview, getting caught, and being allowed to sabotage again. Security lapses, too many to mention. Don't the cabins have locks? But I just love the show. I watched it when it originally aired on tv back in the late 60s. Was so impressed by the underwater images of the Seaview, the computer lights in the command room, the sonar sounds, Nelson and Crane, the exciting, adventurous stories (wasn't so picky at age 7). Oh, and the Voyage theme song. Fantastic! Can never get enough of it. I have waited and searched on the internet for so long to get my hands on the dvds, so you can imagine how excited I was when the series were released. Season 1, Volume 1. I was pretty disappointed by the storylines. They weren't exactly like I remembered from my youth. But by the time I watched Volume 2, I was totally sold! For the 2nd time. What makes it work for me is the comradery among the crew, the loyalty to each other, the chemistry between Nelson and Crane, the adventurous spirit throughout the entire Season 1. I don't know if Season 2 will be as good. I can remember from my childhood that I was so disappointed that Curly was gone and that the crew seemed to have shrunk by half and the crew wearing those silly jump suits instead of the regular marine uniforms. But I will still buy the whole series, just out of nostalgia.

Loved the show however three episodes on the first disc and at least two on the second disc were flawed (play would skip and sometimes stop all together several times while watching - this was for each affected episode).

Finally got it! (Initially I hesitated in buying Series 1 because it was in black and white. I already have all the others in color. I had to check it out first so I got it from the library.) I am so utterly pleased with this first series, especially Volume 2. The images are very sharp and clear (included the following series in color)--so much BETTER than the complete series of Star Trek the Next Generation--not the separate silver series. Great job 20th Century Fox! Do you hear that Paramount?

Richard Basehart and David Hedison are SUPERB actors each complementing the other without needing to complete each other. Richard Basehart, who plays Admiral Nelson, was already an accomplished cinema actor, and from what I am reading, he thought the series was beneath him, but fortunately stayed with the series. David Hedison (Captain Crane) was the perfect captain. In his interviews that are included in this 1st series, stated that he really didn't want the role because he was looking for something with more substance. Irwin Allen INSISTED on the two actors--he knew Basehart and Hedison were perfect for the job. In fact, Hedison and Basehart became immediate friends and really hit it off on the screen. I was in love with this series when I was a kid. This was my favorite series at a time when television had many sophisticated shows.

I was literally enthralled with "Mutiny," where a giant jellyfish envelopes the submarine Neptune while Admiral Nelson (Basehart) is on board evaluating the ship. The images are spectacular!! This is not the whole story! Later on Captain Crane takes charge of the Seaview while having TWO ADMIRALS on board the Seaview and Admiral Nelson has an adverse reaction to medication! Really Awesome acting!!! Check out when Admiral Nelson says to Captain Crane (more or less) I treated you like a brother & you point your gun at me? Other episodes are also superb! Other episodes are really good. In fact you have a bit of an early version of Catch 22.

I have this in my cart for my next purchase! But first I am getting SEASON FOUR VOLUME 1 ALREADY AVAILABLE! I think I am in heaven!

On the first part of Season 1, you have the pilot show in black and white and on disc three, you have the same pilot show in color!

ALL the regular actors are very good. In fact I think they are better than some of the shallow characters and actors from Voyager--Paris for example.

Richard Basehard founded Actors and Others for Animals.

My only regret is that we can't catapult these two superb actors into the future to do a Star Trek series on board the "The Starview! Ahh what perfection!

I liked this volume too. Remember it's still in black and white. But there's nothing you can do about it. Episodes are still very interesting.

Yes Its Part 2 of the First Season of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. This was their best season and good fun.
Fair reasonable plots and good dramatic acting.
Good Price for this series.