Space 1999, Set 1 (1975)

Very good, realistic science fiction

This science fiction series has stories of space exploration similar to "Star Trek", although the sets look more like "2001: A Space Odyssey". The special effects are quite artistic and beautiful. Martin Landau and Barbara Bain star as Commander John Koenig and Dr. Helena Russell. The first episode tells of how the moon broke away from its orbit around the earth and started on its journey through space. It is something which may be scientifically impossible, as Isaac Asimov pointed out, but this series, of course, is fiction. In spite of the almost unbelievable way that Moonbase Alpha starts on its journey this is a very realistic show in appearance and the adventures depicting the lives of people in space.

I recommend purchasing these sets from Amazon's sellers since they currently are about one fifth the price of Amazon's own DVD sets. And if you don't want to buy the whole series, these sets each containing two DVD's are a good alternative. The picture is a little better than the sound quality, but both are at least as good as what is on most DVD's. The packaging is quite attractive and better than some of the DVD sets available today. I have been very satisfied with the four sets I have bought so far, and now I have the first season, which is often considered to have the best episodes. May 15, 2008

Star Trek: Generation X

The scientific inaccuracies of this show isn't one of details, it is in the very premise! Yes, the acting was sometimes wooden, and it had more than its share of episodes where nothing ever seems to happen. That being said, it is still visually magnificent, has an air of wonder, the soundtrack by Barry Gray is perhaps the classiest ever written for a TV show, the better episodes are great (and often chilling), it obviously heavily influenced the newer Star Trek shows, introduced the public to Black Holes, and its spectacular space battles primed audiences for Star Wars. I do notice, though, that not all the episodes seem to be remastered.

I've read that originally, it was supposed to be "UFO: 1999", in which the moon is purposefully driven out of Earth's orbit to act as a roving weapons platform for SHADO as it heads towards the alien's homeworld. It was written by some famous sci-fi author who removed his name from it when it was reworked into a totally new show instead of UFO's second season. It would be interesting to read how the moon was originally supposed to be launched into space. July 23, 2006

the journey begins here!

Space 1999 was a diverse series that had it all and then some. It was fun like Doctor Who, as abstract as the Prisoner, as explorational as Star Trek, as light as Lost In Space, as philosophical as 2001, as dark and claustophobic as the most entertaining horror movies and disaster films, as funny as Plan 9, and it even featured pre-Star Wars space battles that were truly a blast. On it's own merit it was also quite a unique series. It was never locked down into just one pattern so it never got sterile. There are episodes for every mood and mindset. One can enjoy the serious episodes or the just plain fun escapism. The setting of 1999 only adds to the fun and the out of control moon idea was certainly original. Many episodes allow the viewer to come to one's own conclusions and there's little clear continuity after the first episode which also allows creativity on the part of the veiwer. It's a very expansive and wonderous universe that's explored in different ways. The diversity of styles and ideas are it's greatest strength. It's always a wild ride. February 3, 2006

Space 1999, Set 1

This series was one of my favorites as a teenager, and just being able to get the set was awesome. I thoroughly enjoyed viewing it again: real vintage TV. Barry Morse as Professor Bergman was my favorite then, and now, as I have had the priviledge to meet him in real life, and we became close friends. A must for all science fiction buffs! September 13, 2005

BRILLIANT SF SERIES.

What a tragedy that this series has been so missunderstood by critics and brutalised upon its premiere all those years ago. What a blessing that so many of us first saw it through the non-judgemental eyes of childhood and can see past the stupidity of critics.
The supposedly wooden acting, lifeless or sterile atmosphere, etc, are actually essential to what makes the series SO GOOD. The whole thing feels utterly real, a cold, isolated and distant-feeling future environment in which to be trapped, with cautious, thoughtful, emotionally-controlled but intelligent heroes who treat every thing they encounter with the tredidation and curiosity of real scientists and space explorers.
Martin Landau is simply brilliant as Commander John Koenig, a man whose dogged and passionate dedication to the space program has him appointed to Moonbase Alpha by a self serving politician (whom he despises!) to get a troubled space probe project underway. But Koening's greatest consideration is the well being of the people he's responsible for and devotes himself to investing a series of mysterious deaths. When the Moon is hurled into deep space, he always consistently refuses to be sold on any option for his people unless he has absolute proof it is right. Joining him is the fatherly mentor of Professor Bergman, whom Koening confides in, and Helena Russell, his love interest, who is utterly real in her work as the base doctor, long before Dayna Scully.
This feels like real SF, cool headed and serious in the face of the total unknown. There's a major question which draws the most ruthless critical attacks, however: why does the Moon get blown from its orbit and manage to travel across the Universe to encounter endless alien planets?
Again, the fact that this flies in the face of science is actually the point. Several episodes suggest this apparently impossible journey has been planned and orchestrated in some way by some cosmic intelligence, and it is the Alphan's hinted destiny to colonise the cosmos and spread man's lineage to the stars. The series in this way has a central absurdity which its cool and realistic scientists are attemting to understand and rationalise.
Breakaway sets the Moon on its way into space.
Earthbound rids Alpha of the corrupt politician.
Black Sun, should be watched next as it shows how a trip through a Black Hole, and out a white Hole, it seems, (apparently aided by an enigmatic intelligence!) sends the Moon a million light years accross the cosmos. Much character development occurs here, too!
Episodes that also demand attention include Dragon's Domain, which fill us in further as to why Koenig is so passionate about the space program and show us some back story to the series situation. And it has a cool monster!
Another Time, Another Place is genuinely disturbing SF.
Force of Life, End of Eternity and The Troubled Spirit all feature sinister atmosphere and tense, edgey plots.
Wargames and The Last Enemy boast stunning space FX and action and deal with the theme of war and peace.
Finally, Collision Course and Testament of Arkadia confront the Alphans with their destiny and hint at the intelligent purpose behind their seemingly inexplicable space journey.
The series is really a cold, hard, intelligent and thoughtful work of high concept Science Fiction which has realistic scientists becoming the crew of a latter day Noah's Ark, their destiny in the hands of God, and attempt to understand and cope with it in a realistic scientific and rationally-minded manner. It should be noted that the proposed final ever episode, written by Johnny Byrne but never produced, despite Gerry Anderson saying it was the best thing he'd ever read, was called Children of the Gods and featured the Alphans meeting their distant descendants in the far future, in a colony on a planet where they are remembered as Gods.
Despite the massive missunderstandings of critics (one book even named it as the worst SF Series of all time!)Space: 1999 is really an example of TV SF at its brilliant best, in many ways far superior to anything else there's ever been on the small screen. January 28, 2005

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