Own the rights?
21 out of 25 people found the following review useful: The "Star Wars Generation" will always love this deeply flawed show, 20 February 2001 Author: matthewdenby from Sydney, Australia
Battlestar Galactica is often dismissed as one of the most expensive turkeys in television history. Labelled a shameless Star Wars rip-off, the show exploded on to TV screens in the late 70s, only to peter out in its first season after audiences tired of increasingly lame scripts apparently built around the re-use of expensive effects footage. But to a generation of kids who could only tear themselves away from their Star Wars action figures for the weekly adventures of Apollo and Starbuck, it was the real deal. Now, like Star Trek before it, the much-maligned series looks set for a possible revival, with ongoing fan interest stirring rival camps to vie for production rights for a new series or cinema version. Battlestar Galactica was initially a major ratings success when it debuted in 1978 with a pilot episode detailing the destruction of human civilisation by the robotic Cylons - chrome-plated disco stormtroopers with metallic voices that were the last word in Casio home synthesiser effects.Lorne Greene as Adama effectively reprised his patriarchal leader role from Bonanza, leading the wretched remnants of human civilisation as they fled their mechanical oppressors in search of refuge on a lost planet called Earth. Richard Hatch played his son Apollo, while a scene-stealing Dirk Bennedict played his roguish friend Starbuck. The two blow-waved heartthrobs were clearly moulded on Luke Skywalker and Han Solo, but worked brown velvet in a way their cinema counterparts never could. Early plotlines -- involving mass starvation, political corruption, class division and religious fanaticism -- effectively detailed the desperate plight of the refugees and caught the imagination of viewers. But when the pilot episode won huge ratings, the full-length series that was hastily rushed into production abandoned such complex and gritty storylines for more puerile scripts that inevitably involved lots of re-used clips of explosions. Character development largely went out the window. Blonde vixen Cassiopeia (Laurette Spang), introduced in the pilot as a prostitute rescued from a baying refugee mob by Starbuck, was inexplicably reassigned as a nurse and a generic love interest. A disgruntled Jane Seymour apparently demanded that her character, Serina, be shot dead by a Cylon at the first possible opportunity. Her wish was granted in the fourth episode, leaving fans wishing that her son, Boxey and his yapping mechanical dog, Muffet, had also fallen under Cylon swords. Human traitor Baltar, who had been so satisfyingly hacked to death by his Cylon allies in the cinema version of the pilot, was the subject of an absurd plot alteration that saw him leading the genocidal robots in their quest to finish off humanity. John Collicos camped it up as Baltar, chewing through his ridiculous dialogue with occassional style. Baltar's queeny power struggles with his lieutenant, Lucifer - a bitchy robot with an impressive wardrobe of capes - were an ongoing feature of the series. Amid the recycled dog fights and budget-saving plotlines that involved characters being regularly stranded on backward planets that inevitably resembled Earth, several excellent episodes were produced that have maintained fan interest to this day. Lloyd Bridges put in a star turn as the war-mongering Commander Cain and Patrick McNee appeared as a seductive alien who was probably Satan. Despite occasional dramatic flourishes, the often-puerile plotlines alienated advertiser-friendly demographics. The show was axed at the end of its first season, leaving the storyline unresolved and a generation of kids feeling ripped off. Many more were tempted the following year with the appearance of Galactica 1980, a ultra-cheap bastardisation of the original show detailing the arrival of the refugees on a contemporary Earth. It failed to attract even the very young demographic it was aiming for. Twenty years later, actor Richard Hatch, series creator Glen A. Larson and the Sci Fi Channel are all working on separate Galactica proposals. Although copywrite issues continue to cloud the possibility of a revival, many fans will retain their fond childhood memories of this much maligned show.
20 out of 25 people found the following review useful: The highest potential of any sci-fi series ever..., 27 November 2000 Author: nunyerbiz from Detroit, Michigan
As remembering 'Battlestar' from the viewpoint of a youngster in the late 70s - early 80s, I would give it a 9/10.Viewing 'Battlestar' from the viewpoint of a near 30 male in the year 2000, I give it 7/10. (I have all 24 episodes on tape)The special effects were near the late 70's level of "Star Wars", and that is truly saying something considering this was a made for TV movie / weekly series. Sure, the stories were uneven. However, to put that in perspective, they rode the gambit from the morality plays of Star Trek (TOS) to the character stories of Star Trek (TNG).The backstory involved the last known group of 'humans'. After they were given a 'Pearl Harbor' job by the alien bad guys and nearly wiped out, they went in search of a long lost colony. This colony was located on a planet called 'Earth'.This was really a revolutionary show. It took the best 'good vs evil' elements of Star Wars and combined them with the 'every show is a lesson' elements of Star Trek (TOS). If you weren't contemplating the human nature element of the story, you were involved in the characters.Unfortunately, you were rarely concerned about both of those within the same episode. In my opinion, this is the only major flaw of the series, it was somewhat unbalanced from show to show. This is somewhat understandable from a series that was wrought with network politics and never made it past 25 episodes. Nevertheless, this is a series that would be very much enjoyed by any true sci-fi fan.If you don't know the history of the show by now... ABC canned it, despite well above average ratings. The brass felt the show was too expensive. What could have been one of the great sci-fi TV series of all time was done after 24 episodes.I place 'Battlestar' behind only Star Trek (TOS) as the best sci-fi TV series of all time.
24 out of 34 people found the following review useful: One of a kind..., 28 January 2004 Author: Robert Staggers (Captain Spyro) from West Virginia, United Sates
That's right, one of a kind. When I first watched this show back a couple of years ago, it just caught me like no other had ever done before. The characters, the settings, the stories, all just magnificent.One thing a lot of people pick on is the writing. I, myself, do not have a problem with it at all. In fact, I find that the stories make this show one of the most unique sci-fi's ever done. The 12 Colonies of Man all decimated by the Cylon Empire and the struggle of the refugees to survive, all escaping in some 220 refugee ships all being protected by the Galactica herself in search of the planet earth. And let's not forget the other memorable stories, such as the discovery of Commander Cain & the Battlestar Pegasus and when the Galactica found Kobol and discovered some of the origins of men. There's also the stories involving the Ship of Lights, Terra, and other ships from within the rag-tag fleet.Another highlight of the show is the characters, especially Adama, Apollo, and Starbuck. One could say that Adama was the father figure, the wisest of the group. Then there's Apollo, just one of them good ole boys. And then we have Starbuck, probably the most memorable character from the entire series. And let's not forget the others: Boomer, Jolly, Athena, Cassiopeia, Boxey, Muffit, and last, but definitely not least, Baltar. Yes, this menacing figure is probably the 2nd most memorable face in the series.And let's not forget the Cylons. These guys were probably one of the biggest money makers of the series back then. Menacing and powerful, they will stop at nothing until the destruction of the human race is complete.One of the biggest highlights of this production is the music. Who can forget the opening theme? No doubt one of the greatest in all of sci-fi. We also have the Cylon music, very dark and menacing. In this production, Stu Phillips was a genius and he should definitely be commended.Now, the special effects are something to be admired as well. Created by Star Wars' own John Dykstra, the effects in Battlestar Galactica greatly outshined the rest at that time. Though, the biggest drawback is the constant reuse of special effects footage over and over and over and over again. But it was done to save money, so it's understandable.Another memorable aspect of the show are the ships themselves. The Galactica, herself, is a huge and powerful vessel, while retaining a charm that few other ships can keep. Probably the most popular ship was the Colonial Viper. While they may resemble the X-Wing Starfighters of Star Wars, the Vipers are unique and special in their own way. Probably the most unique ship in the show was the Cylon Raider. Bat-like in appearance, it was a fierce competitor for the Viper. Then there's the Cylon Basestar, just plain menacing is all that can be said about it. Then there are the other ships: The Rising Star, The Colonial Movers ship, The Celestra, The Prison Barge, The Livery ship, The Gemini Freighter, etc. They all were memorable in their own way.This show is VERY underrated. A work of art, in my very honest opinion. I give it a 10/10. Extremely brilliant.
9 out of 10 people found the following review useful: A film for children of all ages, especially those who never left the 70s and 80s, 26 May 1999 Author: Matt-269 from Isle of Wight, England
This film, and the television series that went with it, definitely had the greatest impact on a lot of boys' childhoods in the early 80s. If like me you are unsure of whether you saw Star Wars or this first, then a mutual fondness of both arises. Today Battlestar Galactica is considered to be an example of how not to do sci-fi - despite the opening promise, with the unforgettable destruction of humanity's home and the following promise of hope still bringing tears to my eyes - the series quickly degenerated into children's television aimed at the youngest and dimmest of children everywhere. But none of that affects the promise of this opening film, which has all the elements any successful film or TV Movie could hope to employ - drama, action, loyalty, betrayal, destruction and death, loss and hope, and the most lovable of characters everywhere - right down to Boxey, who by owning Muffit, was the envy of children everywhere... (In fact it's rumoured that Annakin Skywalker's look was based on him!) So overall, I would recommend this film - it symbolises all the good that made the late 70s memorable.
14 out of 21 people found the following review useful: A for effort, C- for execution, 25 December 1998 Author: Scott Peterson from Rolla, MO
Give the people who made "Battlestar Galactica" credit, it took a lot to make what they did. The concept was good, a war between humans and "cyborgs" (although they seem more like simple robots) to survive, as the humans flee in a collected fleet trying to find the lost colonies of humanity, namely Earth.That would have been a novel idea for a theatrical movie, and for a TV show it was outer limits. The special effects were (by 1978 standards) top notch, the set design was good, and they even tried to create a different system of measures, since I think even in Star Trek they refer to things by minutes, hours, and years.What let the movie (and later series) down was the same limits that affected most of seventies television. Schlocky dialogue, storylines sticking on personal and relationship problems, and somebody had the bright idea to put in a kid and a robot dog to go with him. If the series had been made today, or had simply been let free to explore ideas rather than stick to the "conventions" expected of series television, it might have been great. Instead, it's hardly remembered today.
10 out of 15 people found the following review useful: Guilty Pleasure, 20 April 2005 Author: ebk3402 from United States
This is one of my favorite sci-fi shows, but I certainly recognize its flaws.The Good:* the concept---> I liked the historical context of the 12 tribes of Kobol, the Pearl Harbor-like attack, the "ragtag fugitive fleet" seeking Earth. This really framed the series well.---> The look of the Ceylon base ships and the bat-wing Ceylon fighters was terrific. I also liked the look of the battlestars and Colonial vipers. The command center of the battlestar seemed believable.* the casting:---> Lorne Greene as Adama brings a commanding screen presence---> Richard Hatch as Apollo is well-cast and believable as a leader/captain of a fighter wing---> Dirk Benedict as Starbuck the amiable sarcastic sidekick ---> John Colicos as Baltar oozed evil with perfection---> other minor cast members like Herbert Jefferson Jr as Boomer and Terry Carter as Colonel Tigh were very well cast too---> I thought the three most visible female characters were all good, though not standout. Maren Jensen, Laurette Spang, and Anne Lockhart just also happened to be beautiful too.---> visiting cast members like:-------> Lloyd Bridges as Commander Cain was truly memorable-------> Patrick McNee as Count Iblis was also highly memorable-------> Ray Milland and Fred Astaire were good guest stars too* the costumes---> I liked the Colonial Warrior uniforms - they still have a style to them today. I liked the Warrior helmets with their Egyptian-like motif.---> The Ceylon warriors with their shiny armor, had a great look to them too. The red strobe they used for vision was a great menacing concept.* some episodes with great plot lines---> the return of Commander Cain and the Pegasus stands out---> I thought the visit to the "home" planet of Kobol, with its Egyptian motifs, was terrific. This is part of the pilot's introductory three episodes.---> I also liked the encounter with the Ship of Lights and Count Iblis - this was especially well done.* the music - I still like the theme song to Battlestar Galactica* the behavior of the Ceylons was entertaining. "By your command" spoken in a tinny voice was a favorite.The Bad:* some cheesy special effects (by today's standards)---> ...and reuse of the same special effects---> why was Count Iblis' crash site off-color in one moment, and clear blue the next?* quite a lot of cheesy cringe-inducing dialogue* the little kid Boxie and his robot dog* some of the episodes had really horrible plot lines, especially later in the series---> the Lost Warrior where the kids attack the Ceylon outpost---> why did Baltar return to the human fleet again?The Ugly:* the original show was cancelled after one season* Galactica 1980, the follow-on show in which the battlestar finds earth, was pretty horribleAll in all, I am willing to forgive Battlestar Galactica's flaws and remember with fondness its strengths.Rick
7 out of 11 people found the following review useful: 1970s sci-fi, with a little bit of Star Wars plagiarism..., 13 November 2005 Author: rebeljenn from Bath, England
Although it is a little bit of a dated script and obviously copies off of Star Wars (don't those starfighters look an awful lot like X-wings), Battlestar Gallactica is worth a watch if you're a science fiction geek. If you've seen the new version before, you'll be amazed at how different the old version really is. In the old series, action, jokes, and flirting are much more common. The new version relies on political events and characters.Although this 1978 version of the film moves a little slowly in places, there are the fascinating space battles. The dialog between the characters and some of the comedy is a little dated, however. I would recommend it if you're a fan of this genre.
7 out of 11 people found the following review useful: watch it again for the first time, 16 March 2000 Author: gsawyer from kingsport tennessee
for over 20 years poeple have slammed BSG for not being as good as star wars.......excuse me? but sci fi series is. QUIT SLAMMING IT AND WATCH IT AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME.what you'll discover is a wonderful tale about tragedy,exodus,survival,conflict,strategy,and even romance.you'll find a group of people who are forced to draw a line in the stars and fight back when all odds are agianst them . the story is actually better than star wars. and maybe even better acted than star wars. what it fails to do is capture your immagination the way star wars did. the specail effects hold up even by todays standard. i'm going out on a limb to say that the 2 1/2 hour pilot movie is arguably the best space opera ever behind the star wars trilogy.if you love great looking space battles,good special effects, and a great story. this film is a must see.you owe it to yourself to own a copy of this movie. it is a classic treat your gonna wanna see over and over and over...and just like star wars you'll never get tired of it
3 out of 4 people found the following review useful: Engaging Saga Of A Star World, 3 May 2003 Author: Michael Daly (fanstp43@aol.com) from United States
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
(contains spoilers) Often derided as a Star Wars knock-off (even to the point George Lucas filed a lawsuit against Glen A. Larson and company), Battlestar Galactica is quite different (as Lucas found out when his lawsuit was beaten, and when he started copying Galactica themes and ship and alien designs into his Star Wars continuity).Galactica is a more serious story of the travails of twelve tribes of mankind when the search for peace ends in the largest military assault in the history of galactic warfare, leaving twelve worlds of mankind utterly destroyed and surviving citizens of these worlds forced to take flight into the stars under the wing of their race's only surviving warship, a 4,100-foot-long fighting and carrier craft named the Galactica. The concept is intriguing and with a magnificent cast, excellent production values, and superb direction from Sigmund Newfeld and Richard Colla (Newfeld handled the bulk of direction), the story is an engaging epic of the efforts by the Galactica and her warriors to protect what is left of humanity as they begin a search for a seemingly mythical planet that offers their race one last refuge - a planet called Earth.Lorne Greene, Richard Hatch, and Dirk Benedict shine throughout the film and subsequent weekly series (although Hatch admittedly gets too much screen time), but are ably aided by Herbert Jefferson Jr., John Colicos in one of the finest villainous roles in all sci-fi or television, Laurette Spang, the grossly underused Tony Swartz, and reclusive Terry Carter. Jane Seymour shines as well in her all-too-brief involvement with the series, and Ray Milland steals the show as the corrupt Ted Kennedy-esque Sire Uri who gets his comeuppance near the end of the film.The film is uneven because of the weaker second half at the planet Carillon, but the Carillon sequence is engaging nonetheless and a superb overall film results. John Colicos' role as Baltar is worth examining in the context of the movie because of the massive changes that took place. Colicos made such an impression that his fate was changed - in the first version of the film he is beheaded, but so strong an impression did he make that it was decided to change some scenes - instead of being beheaded, Baltar is spared when the Imperious Leader orders him removed for public execution; this is changed when a new Imperious Leader orders him to command Cylon forces, given that he alone thinks as the humans do and can deduce where they will go and what they must do. This is handled in a superior epilogue directed by Glen Larson himself involving Colicos and Patrick Macnee's Imperious Leader.
6 out of 10 people found the following review useful: We was robbed!, 17 July 2000 Author: rlcsljo from Hollywood, ca
From what I remember about what was said in the press about this show, Larson, et. al., had high minded ambitions about this show-He wanted to be fun and interesting for both children *and* adults. Cassiopeia was a "socialator(prostitute?)", remember.However, it was reported that the network was adamant that it be a kiddy show. This lead to increasingly inane plots and cartoon like characters which ultimately resulted in "Galactica '80".I still think the premiere episode and some of the subsequent ones were some of the best work ever done in science fiction.I still sometimes think in terms of "centons", and "microns", and praise the lords of Kobol.I cant wait for the theatrical remake!
Add another review
