Battlestar Galactica
UNIVERSAL HOME VIDEO - 20570

STATS
Widescreen (1.85:1), Color, MONO (1.1), CC, Languages: English, French, Subtitles: English, Chapters: 18, Running Time: 2 Hr. 5 mins., Rated PG, Price: $12.95



VISUAL
There’s a bit of grain visible in the transfer, apparent more times than others. There are also element flaws such as scratches. Color too is problematic, most of the time seeming subdued and bland – especially in the earlier parts of the film. This is noticeable in skin tones, and especially during “red” alert lighting which comes off more orange. This does change however and colors become more rich and bold. In all, the picture is far below the quality standards usual for UNIVERSAL product. I’d like to know why a new anamorphic transfer wasn’t procured. It doesn’t make sense since at the time of this DVDs release the original TV series was scheduled as well – not to mention the new re-vamped GALACTICA for the Sci-fi Channel. The original aspect ratio was probably 1.33:1 a and, if so, a hard matte was placed on the image for theatrical release making it 1.85:1 Releasing a transfer so out of date just is plain sloppy.

AUDIO
The audio is the most interesting part of this release. (See SIGHTS & INSIGHTS below.) Even though this is a MONO mix UNIVERSAL has done its research and included .1 L.F.E. (Low Frequency Effects) Channel for an added bass response. It’s there, though not as strong as another UNIVERSAL release, MIDWAY. The bass is evenly spread not only to the effects but in the music as well. In fact, there are scenes where one would expect more of a bang, in effects driven sequences, but don’t. Noticeable in some quiet moments there’s a noticeable hiss which seems strangely out of place in a movie not quite that old. Probably, if UNIVERSARL wasn’t so cheap in delivering this release they could have avoided this by simply making a new master using better elements along with more advanced technology to aid in a cleaner presentation.

EXTRAS
Production Notes, Cast & Filmmakers’ Bios, Web Link. A real bare-bones DVD from a company it’s not expected from.

PRESENTATION
The standard black Amaray has the familiar artwork that promoted both the theatrical and (mostly) the Television Series is on the cover. Inside a bi-fold insert has Chapters Stops and multiple visuals. Menu screens are non-animated and without sound.

SIGHTS AND INSIGHTS
Although produced for TV, BATTLESTAR GLACTICA the pilot, was edited down and released theatrically first in Canada, and other parts of the world as a UNIVERSAL special SENSERROUND presentation; prior to the domestic televised edition. Stories have been reported of sound problems where the special SENSURROUND track either didn’t click in at all, or did at the wrong time making for a comic presentation. The film was not produced as a SENSURROND release; it was a gimmicky after thought unlike EARTHQUAKE, MIDWAY, and ROLLERCOASTER. The longer televised version of the pilot was released as part of the original series. In truth, although, “… there are those out there who…”, believe this was a good show, in reality it holds some of the most horrible acting and storytelling of any sci-fi made for TV. The characters range between stupid, dim, and down right un-likeable with Jane Seymour being one of the worst mothers ever. She loses tack of her spoiled brat to play up to Richard Hatch quicker than you can blink an eye. With all of humanity at the brink of starving time is taken to placate the boy who is in snit because his pet died – mean while all those around him are have lost probably whole families! John Dykstra’s not so very special effects never did hold up, with annoying blinking boxes that flicker around models – very noticeable in this bad transfer. (But then again this too was a problem with STAR WARS and no one seemed to notice.)
Here are two shots of the typical "Star Wars" effects flaws effects. Notice the greenish rectangle surrounding the smaller ship - this patchwork fashion of layering effects shots was considered a great leap forward at the time since it allowed greater freedom of placement - in when the film was not timed right in the labs in terms of contrast, and gamma this was the result.


What most don’t know however is that BATTLESTAR GLACTICA was born out of the efforts of pirating another TV series… SPACE:1999. According to high ups at I.T.C., who originally distributed SPACE, I was told the US Networks showed an interest in that series after its second season run. First it was CBS who wanted to run the series, starting from Year 1, and if successful after running Year 2 would create a new series with as many of the same characters, with new episodes. However due to the way the series was sold to various local stations throughout the country this was impossible since it would result in conflicting rights already sold to various regions. ABC entered the equation with an option of using the same characters but building a new scenario to continue the series anew thus avoiding the rights issue of Years 1 & 2 in syndication. It was devised that the traveling moon from Earth would be contacted by human aliens who foresaw a collision course was emanate between the two celestial bodies which would destroy both the their planet and the moon. Their offer was to have the Earth people from the moonbase join them on a space ark where they can find a new home. The ship used a unique jump drive that allowed them to jump from galaxy to galaxy and thus named… you guess it, The Galactica. When not being able to obtain most of the cast from SPACE the idea was shelved but not ABC’s interest structuring a new Sci-fi series. Although it could have been interesting what eventually emerged was a rip-off opera from of the popularity of STAR WARS rather than the intellectual and stylized approach of SPACE:1999 (especially Year 1). Even Year 2, though vastly different was till true to the show being unique in style. Merging with STAR WARS effects with laser ridden space dog fights would have been sad indeed. On the outside odd-note – There was a report that when the original series was cancelled a overly zealous fan committed suicide in New York by way jumping off a bridge. Mmm, and to think the series is on DVD now, shame.

REVIEW by Scott Michael Bosco©
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