V
The Original Mini-Series
WARNER HOME VIDEO - 11489

STATS
Widescreen (1.85:1) Anamorphic, Color, CC, Dolby Surround 2.0, Languages: English, French, Subtitles: English, French, Spanish, Chapters: 29, Running Time: 196 mins., Not Rated, Price: $19.98


Artwork from the Japanese Laser Release in 1988

VISUAL
According to writer/director Kenneth Johnson his epic was indeed filmed in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio, so this release is indeed special. The scope of certain scenes is welcomed to the widening of the picture and on a 16:9 monitor details, in both color and clarity emerge previously hidden. Subtle tones as the green under belly of the alien transport ships is both clever and for the first time, striking. Matte paintings, though at times very noticeable, show off intricate and amazing details – the landing of the transport ship on the roof of the UN building, and the Visitor’s human storage area. To put it bluntly, “V” didn’t look this good when it first aired! This is a real treat.


Artwork from the Japanese Laser Release in 1988

AUDIO
Like the visual, the audio has gone a re-doing as well. Originally aired on the Network in MONO “V” is now offered in 2.0 Stereo, Dolby Surround compatible. The decoding is wonderful showcasing some really good moments. The arrival of the motherships now carries a presence, a roar that rumbles with an ominous presence. Rats twitching in fear against their cages are split between the Front Left & Right speaker locations. Dialog is, for the most part, Centered –with the occasional crowd pan. Music is full and alive imbuing itself with more life and power. The score was originally recorded in stereo so this re-mix uses the original three-stripe stereo recording of the orchestra and chorus. In my communication with Mr. Kenneth Johnson he told me that he sat in during the dubbing stage for two weeks re-cutting the sound effects for Stereo Surround, for Pro-logic. He would have preferred a 5.1 mix, but WARNERS did not schedule the budget for it – the cheap and quick way out seems to be part of the WARNER credo, as with their packaging.


Behind the Scenes

EXTRAS
Behind the Scenes: What seems to be “home” video behind the scenes footage captures some humorous and interesting moments during camera set-ups and filming. Don’t Full Feature Commentary: Writer/Director Kenneth Johnson takes on the massive running time of this epic and delivers an incredible one man Commentary. With hardly a break he touches on every portion of production including, cast, crew, special effects, costumes, and locations. Without the aid of an MC he intelligently, and continually, holds his own, coherent and amusing. This is a far cry from many a Commentary I’ve had to suffer through with films half the length and from director’s who can hardly construct a sentence. Mr. Johnson is polite and respectful acknowledging those who have pasted on, or who have contributed to V in their own special way. I originally thought I’d do this one in two sittings but became so engrossed I just went to the bathroom, got a drink and dammed the torpedoes, and did it all in one sitting – it was so full of info and so and well done, I’d even do it again.


Behind the Scenes

PRESENTATION
Again WB Home Video falls short in their packaging and much need product support. The “snapper’ is hardly able to offer what this title deserves in terms of liner notes and visuals. Indeed, it was inevitable that someone in the graphic design department would screw up and they did by including a pic from V: THE SERIES on the back cover (shot of Marc Singer in blue shirt). A Scene Index in listed in the front inside flap, otherwise there isn’t room for anything else. Main Menu screen is non-animated with music. The mini-series is presented as it originally aired with the first night, Part 1 on side A of the disc, and Part 2 on side B. I know I’m being picky, but it would have been nice if the re-cap for Part 1 was included as well as a trailer or teasers.



SIGHTS AND INSIGHTS
It’s a sad but bitter truth that people sometimes need to step back and through the mask of satire, or biting commentary, become aware of the all too many flaws we hold as human beings. Strangely, a message holds more power when we inflect those same flaws into animal personas as in George Orwell’s ANIMAL FARM, or Pierre Boulle’s PLANET OF THE APES. Hidden in the guise of a non-human form, yet behaviorally very human - the message seems to carry more weight and the lesson cuts deeper. So Kenneth Johnson presented “V” with turn about of seemingly human aliens reining fascist horror upon earth, who eventually are disclosed as reptiles. Literally Mr. Johnson pull the table cloth out from under his audience, packing more of a punch, due to the initial trust of human visage – not the mention the axiom, “It couldn’t happen here.” Since its original airing on NBC there has not been a sci-fi mini-series which has held such emotional drama and power. Personally, there isn’t another mini-series (aside WAR AND REMEMBRANCE) which for me, never fails to elicit Goosebumps or tears upon hearing a music cue, line of dialog, or specific visual reference. Ahead of it’s time and, in terms of its scope and panoramic scenes it was a presence too big for small TV screens of the 80’s. I full believe Ronald Emmerich’s INDEPENDENCE DAY blatantly lifted from “V” and used it to storyboard his film’s first 20 minuets. Mr. Emmerich’s hack approach to filmmaking shows signs of this with his past filmic attempts with his JOEY aka MAKING CONTACT (POLTERGEIST), or his MOON 44 (OUTLAND – even using the son of the composer), not to mention exact lines in his STARGATE novel lifted from the film THE GREAT PYRAMID. Beyond “V’s”, at the time, spectacular special effects for the medium its real strength was within the characters, their fight and sorrows. Unlike much of the product produced today “V” presented characters with depth in lieu of gimmicky fads or fashion. Their story, like the film’s lesson, is perennial. It is said that all is vanity, and all sin springs from vanity. It is also true that if we forget the past in arrogance of thinking we know it all, then it is truly the doom of men that they forget. With so many generations born in peace in the US a fateful ignorance and has bloomed in the fatness which comes from security. Selflessness has been replaced with selfishness. We must all remember the words, “Never Again!”, least we become victims to it. If you who are reading this find this quote hard to understand then I implore you to research it and learn it’s meaning and truth. Burn it into your memory, hold it close your heart and pass it onto your friends. If what it represents should happen again, whoever, or wherever you are … it could happen to you.

REVIEW by Scott Michael Bosco©


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