The Martian Chronicles (1980)

With each passing year, this 1980 miniseries becomes more for those who have read Ray Bradbury's landmark novel. The three-part, nearly five-hour series keeps its brainy science fiction roots; this story (and the 1940s novel) is not about laser battles and exciting action pieces. Bradbury's novel is galvanized by the cold war nightmare: at the end of the 20th century, an earth teetering on world war begins to colonize Mars without much knowledge of the new world. Hard science is left for other stories, and director Michael Anderson (Logan's Run) keeps this retrofitting: for example, astronauts arrive on a breathable Mars in leisure suits. The space travel effects are clunky, but the action on Mars--with Assheton Gorton's geometric sets and simple props--are far more effective. There are Martians there, as the unprepared first Earthlings learn. Later, as the planet is quickly colonized, the remaining Martians are near specters--bringing awe and fear to those they encounter. Master sci-fi writer Richard Matheson (I Am Legend) smartly streamlines Bradbury's episodic stories, giving a central role to Col. John Wilder (played by Rock Huston, leading a plethora of solid, yet B-list actors). For those in love with cerebral science fiction, they can enjoy this dated but curious sci-fi miniseries; for those of think sci-fi began with Star Wars, beware. --Doug Thomas Amazon.com

A real classic, and true to the book

When I saw this as a young lad, I was blown away, I read the book and was equally impressed, then I watched the TV series again recently and although it had dated badly, I was really impressed just how well the spirit of the book had been captured by the min-series. A lot of love and care had gone into it, and the scenes particularly featuring the Martians, and their architecture were really well done. From the senseless slaughter of York in the first expedition, through the subsequent visits. Ok, some elements had been altered and changed to fit the format of the series, but the overall essence of the book was not lost in the slightest. How many times can you say that a much loved book has been bought to the big or small screen with so much authenticity? I particularly like the bit featuring Spender and his battle with Rock Hudsons expedition members, who have desecrated the dying planet.

Roddy McDowell also puts in a lovely came as a priest seeking to integrate the Martians into The Church. Its wonderfully acted and sensitively realised. I can only think that Bradbury must have turned into a miserable old sod in his old age not to have seen the effort that went into the imagining of his masterwork.

Thoroughly recommended to all serious sci-fi fans.
December 31, 2008

Far Out!

My daughter has to do a paper on the book of the same title. It was interesting to watch this, in large part philosophical, and yet silly production as far as astronauts camping out on Mars and drinking. Some interesting ideas from Bradbury come across well. November 23, 2008

OLD SCHOOL TITLE

If you read the book or saw the TV series when it was out years ago, get this DVD. You will not be disappointed. Ray Bradbury's stories are always A+ top notch! November 21, 2008

The Martian Chronicles

I've been a fan of Ray Bradbury and The Martian Chronicles and only saw this "made for TV" program when it first aired. Since the movie was shot for TV it doesn't have the production value of a theatrical movie or HD, but it was a pleasure to see the entire movie without interruptions. The movie is a good representation of the book and will make a great addition to a "true" Sci-Fi collection. October 28, 2008

Buyer beware: only 2/3 of the series is present on the DVD version

I loved Ray Bradbury's novel, even though the real Mars isn't like that: I'd give it five stars. I liked the 1979 TV adaptation of it, even though Ray Bradbury didn't, and even though the special effects weren't so special. (The scenes showing Darrin McGavin so clearly pretending to sail a sand ship are a hoot; the 1979-style disco haircuts also raise a smile.) I would have given this TV adaptation four stars, but the DVD version should be on three DVDs, each about 1.5-2 hours long making for a total of about 5 hours, but only DVDs 1 and 3 were present in my package, with the middle third of the series conspicuously missing. (The missing episodes include the one about the Christian missionaries who meet "the Old Ones," and the one about the Martian who telepathically appears to be every human's lost person of desire, and the one where a Martian appears to Sam Parkhill and gives him half of Mars.) If there's anything that burns me up, it's being sold something that isn't what it says it is, even if it is a good product and the price is low. October 22, 2008

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