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Colonial Archives / Data Bank |
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REVIEW: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA DVD By Mark A. Rivera Title: Battlestar Galactica Widescreen DVD Edition A year after Star Wars ABC Television aired a three-hour pilot for what was one of the most expensive television series of its time. The series was Battlestar Galactica. Then, just at a time when The Phantom Menace was playing in theaters, Universal Home Video released the theatrical film version of the ABC pilot of Battlestar Galactica. Previously available in the states on VHS and LaserDisc, this is the first time Battlestar Galactica has ever been made available to fans in a 1.85:1 widescreen format. My understanding is that this non anamorphic transfer of the widescreen theatrical version does not in any way preclude the 1.31:1 versions that have been available, so those who do not own a DVD player should not feel that they are missing out on some piece of composition that is lost in the full frame version. This is simply a remastered widescreen version that for me was a real treat when it was released this past summer. In a far off Galaxy, the twelve tribes of humanity are finally going to sign a peace treaty with the Cylon Alliance after a thousand years of conflict. Little is disclosed in this version of the pilot, but for those who might be unfamiliar, the Cylons are a race of beings that let their technology overtake them and have become conquerors. Of course the peace is really trap and the 12 colonies along with what at the time was then entire Battlestar fleet are destroyed. Only the Battlestar Galactica and a fleet of about two hundred spaceships holding the survivors of this galactic holocaust are left with their only hope to find a new home on a world believed to be a legend where a thirteenth colony of humans have settled. The planet is called "Earth." Battlestar Galactica is classic space opera at it's best. The feature film version of the pilot has never looked better and for the first time the 1.1 mono soundtrack has been manipulated to reproduce the "Sense-Surround" sound advertised during the theatrical release. What makes Galactica special is it takes the "Chariot of the Gods" idea that what if the great pyramids and such are actually relics from a humanity that was once a space faring race of deep space explorers as "Apollo" hints to his brother "Zac" played by a pre-General Hospital/pop star Rick Springfield. Richard Hatch and Dirk Benedict are wonderful as the heroes while Lorne Greene lends the movie a degree of seriousness that elevates the film and the original series from the camp of other sci-fi shows of the era. I mean, who would not follow Commander Adama as portrayed by Lorne Greene across the galaxy. I would follow and you would too. The cast is truly ensemble. Noah Hathaway and Jane Seymour provide a family unit for Apollo while adding a degree of romanticism that in some ways is far more adult than Star Wars. The story is more somber too. John Colicos is the "Judas" to what is essentially a biblical tale where the twelve tribes of humanity are like the Israelites leaving Egypt. The production value is well thought out. The effects are great and this print seems to have gotten the matte boxes out of the film, too. The "Viper" pilots wear helmets with an Egyptian look to them. The Cylon robots known as Centurions look a bit like the Roman Guards. Everything in this film is meant to play on our subconscious knowledge of the ancient world and now more than ever offers an enjoyable fantasy especially since archeological dates of the different Egyptian artifacts have been astounding both scientists and laypeople alike. The picture quality is very good although there are some scenes that look grainier than others. The sound as I mentioned earlier is mono with English and French soundtracks. English captions are available as an option too. Though there is no trailer, the production notes and cast and filmmaker bios are very informative and interesting. All in all, this is must get DVD for fans of the show. With Galactica interest growing I hope Universal may consider a "Collector's Edition" DVD release with commentary by the show's stars and the missing TV pilot scenes either reinserted or available in the extras section. Battlestar Galactica Widescreen DVD Edition is available from Universal Home Video and in stores now. |
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