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Space: 1999 - Series 2 Complete [1975]


RRP: £79.99
Our Price: £149.75 (subject to change)

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Many fans don't rate the second series of Space: 1999 as highly as the first. Responding to audience feedback, as well as the separation of producers Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, the programme makers drafted in new producer Fred Freiberger, the man responsible for the third and weakest season of the original Star Trek. Under his guidance the storylines drifted away from the hard sci-fi of the first season in favour of more action and a faster pace. The theme music, sets and costumes all changed, as did some key personnel. Out went professorial (and very dull) Barry Morse, in came dashing Tony Anholt as security officer Tony Verdeschi, while the glamour quotient was upped considerably by Catherine Schell as the shape-shifting Maya (a much-needed change, since the frosty Barbara Bain had reduced the show's sex appeal to nil in Series 1). Series 2 also introduced lots and lots more aliens kitted out in badly fitting costumes and dodgy glam-rock era makeup. Responding to yet more feedback from American TV executives the protagonists now had to encounter more highly unconvincing monsters than even Dr Who ever dared imagine: "The Beta Cloud", for example, is a classic rampaging-bloke-in-a-suit scenario. That said, this second season has more emphasis on characters other than the headline stars, as various stranded Alphans are allowed to come to the fore instead of just blankly following Commander Koenig's orders. It's all good fun in a silly, nostalgic sort of way, and fans of the more vintage Season 1 will find it hard to resist this second season as well.

On the DVD: There aren't many extras here, although sundry interviews with principal cast and crew are scattered across the six discs in this complete box set. There's also a commentary on some episodes with special effects man Brian Johnson, a couple of deleted scenes, production stills and some text features. Each disc has a small booklet that gives some useful background information on the episodes. The remastered 4:3 ratio picture and mono sound are fine. --Mark Walker


"Koenig to Moonbase Alpha!"
Review date: 2008-09-14 Rating: 10 out of 10

After the sombre and gritty feel of season one, season two of Space: 1999 feels almost light and fluffy in comparason. Boasting flashy new credits, a smaller Mission Control and redesigned costumes, the season two opening episode, The Metamorph, also introduced us to two new characters - the dashing Security Chief Tony Verdeschi, played by Tony Anholt, and the shape shifting Psychon, Maya, played by Catherine Schell. Most of the season one major characters return, with the exception of Paul Morrow and Victor Bergman who, I think, is the most sadly missed. His solid performance as the elderly Professor lent a steadying edge to the rest of the cast and he had a wonderful easy and natural acting style that no one else mastered. However, the two newcomers fill his absence nicely, displaying great chemistry in all their scenes together, and hinting at a possible off-screen romance!

Season one was often quite neutral in colour, but in season two colour abounds, both in the sets and the Moonbase uniforms, with the cast now sporting flashy new jackets. Storylines also take a gigantic leap forward, gifting us with action packed episodes and aliens that often pop in and out of Moonbase with alarming regularity and little regard for security! Some fans have argued that the second season loses the plot a little and goes over the top - as a fan I enjoy both seasons for different reasons - season one for its grittiness, excellent storylines and classic look, and season two for its pace, humour and characterisation.

Favourite episodes include The Metamorph, New Adam New Eve, The Beta Cloud, Dorzak and The Immunity Syndrome, but I guess this is because Verdeschi features quite heavily in most of them! Okay, I admit it - I'm shallow!

Space: 1999 didn't receive the recognition it deserved back in the '70's, due primarily to being bounced around the TV networks without adequate promotion. Now it has a following of dedicated fans and the two seasons have achieved cult status. As a fan of both seasons, I have no hesitation in recommending Space: 1999 to any new viewer. For its age, the effects are groundbreaking, particularly the beautiful backdrops of space, although admittedly some of the alien effects are quite laughable and often a little repetitive. But the series hasn't achieved cult status for nothing. I'll leave it up to you to decided which season is your favourite - have fun finding out!

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Reviews


Ahh, memories...
Review date: 2005-02-20 Rating: 10 out of 10

I remembered this from Sunday lunchtimes when I was about knee high to something quite small. I wasn't sure if re-visiting the past was such a good idea, but watching them now, they're so hard to dislike!
Okay, the acting was undemanding on all involved, and the scripts could occasionally clunk along - but doesn't that also apply to so many tv shows and movies today? Has anything really changed in the past 30 years? No, but we live in an era where bog-standard digital effects compensate for a lot. Beyond the computer jiggery-pokery, nothing much is different between now and those days gone by. Enjoy this for what it is - an entertaining, enjoyable slice of 70s sci-fi, which influenced a lot that came after it. Red Dwarf has an episode or two which owe a great deal to this show - for example, Space 1999's two-part The Bringers Of Wonder. Big ugly aliens appear, which can make the characters see them as whatever they want to see them as. Bit like a Pleasure Gelph, I'd say.
For its time it was imaginative, a little cheesy, but definitely fun, and I'm pleased to go back to it. When there's nothing much on tv (and that happens a lot) you could do a lot worse than putting an episode of this on.

Memories aren't made of this
Review date: 2004-10-13 Rating: 2 out of 10

The French word for memory is very interesting. It is souvenir, and conjours up ideas of nik-naks you've picked up through your life that years later have the power to remind you of happy times. I had a nice souvenir of this show and was thus excited to buy it. But this time my memory served me wrong. This season of Space 1999 is unremittingly poor. The acting is wooden, the aliens look like extras from Goldmembers roller-disco, and the special effects are firstly not special, and secondly barely qualify as effects. Every show seems to drag for an eternity, and as one finishes you realise there are twenty more bad episodes to go.

However, it might be of interest to the "so bad it's good" brigade, who it is safe to say would love this veritable goldmine.

Remember those lovely times of home SciFi..
Review date: 2004-05-17 Rating: 8 out of 10

I like this series video pack that usually a lot of years ago. I like the argument and role playing of scenarios and situation. FX could be better with our current and recent references but really a good TV that remains at our memory. As foreign, I appreciate the english sub-titles and also see that UK version better than others because it includes 4 episodes per DVD.

Stick to series one
Review date: 2004-02-03 Rating: 4 out of 10

Sadly the second season of Space 1999 is terrible compared to season one. Half the original cast were replaced, Barry gray's wonderful music was dropped and the stories became silly. The bonus materials are ok but for me series one of Space 1999 is the only one worth watching.

Product Details/Specifications


Creators:
Brendan J. Stafford (Cinematographer)
Fred Freiberger (Producer)
Gerry Anderson (Writer)
Sylvia Anderson (Writer)

Recording label: ITV DVD
Manufacturer: ITV DVD
EAN: 5037115017536
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 6
Format: Box set, PAL,
Release date: 2001-11-12
Number of discs: 6
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 999 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1975-09-05
Language: English (Original Language)

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