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Blake's 7 - Series 1 - Complete [1978]


RRP: £49.99
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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Blake's 7 was the hit BBC space opera launched in the wake of Star Wars, though with a grittier sensibility and produced on a fraction of the budget. Over 13 episodes the first series introduced freedom-fighter Blake (Gareth Thomas) as he escaped from the Orwellian Federation, gathered a crew of low-life rebels, salvaged an alien starship called the Liberator, and began striking back against the forces of Supreme Commander Servalan (sultry Jacqueline Pearce). The effects were cheap, and alien planets were represented by a disused quarry or an industrial complex, but the strong characters and cynical storylines created by Doctor Who veteran Terry Nation remain involving.

The perfect foil for Blake was Paul Darrow's Avon, a near psychopathic criminal mastermind who only fought to save his skin. The cowardly Vila (Michael Keating) was almost as memorable, while the female leads were Jenna (Sally Knyvette), a smuggler and pilot, and determined Auron telepath Cally (Jan Chappell). Also on board was Gan (David Jackson), inhibited from violence by a brain implant. With even the good guys being criminals, including murderers, this was a galaxy far, far away from previous screen space opera. Though undeniably dated, the show is still vintage TV SF, right from the opening three-parter "The Way Back / Spacefall / Cygnus Alpha" to the cliff-hanging shocker "Orac", which introduces the final member of the un-magnificent seven.

On the DVD: Blake's 7, Series 1 presents the 13 episodes across five DVDs so as to maximise picture quality. Following the BBC's Doctor Who DVDs the 4:3 images are as strong as one could expect from a 1970s TV show shot partly on video (interiors) and 16 mm film (exteriors). Film shots have some grain and vary considerably in quality while the video material shows occasional minor tearing and flaws in the tape. Otherwise these are as good as Blake's 7 is ever going to look. The same is true of the mono sound, which is clear and undistorted.

Each DVD is introduced with a CGI reincarnation of the series' famous logo and three episodes are offered with a commentary. These are "Spacefall" (Sally Knyvette, Michael Keating and producer David Maloney), "Seek-Locate-Destroy" (Keating, Jacqueline Pearce and Stephen Greif) and "Project Avalon" (Knyvette, Pearce and Greif). The chat ranges from high-school reunion playfulness, including singing the title music, to some more serious insights into making the show, to an amusing running debate as to whether Glynis Barber appears in "Project Avalon". Other extras are "2 out takes, a missing scene, 1 robot, 2 flat feet and a blooper". These are exactly what they say: an extract from Blue Peter in 1978 with Lesley Judd making a Blake's 7 bracelet; nine clip compilations introducing the main characters; a synopsis for each episode; and a trailer for the Series 2 DVDs. --Gary S Dalkin


The Beeb's definitive space opera
Review date: 2008-03-04 Rating: 8 out of 10

Yes, it's low budget. Yes, the sets wobble. Yes, the costumes are naff. But Blake's 7 has that certain 'something' that makes it special and something to be cherished. The first of the four seasons isn't the best, but it does have a freshness and harder edge that gradually diminished as the show went on. What makes this show so watchable are it's characters who are wonderfully brought to life by some excellent actors. The Blake's 7 universe is a very dark and pessimistic one, the total opposite of Star Trek, an Orwellian 1984 scenario in space with the heroic Blake and his crew bravely fighting against overwhelming odds. The first episode, The Way Back is one of the finest episodes of the entire series and one of the most adult too (Blake being convicted on false charges of child molestation) and the other'7' main characters being far from clean cut and wholesome, consisting of thieves, murderers, smugglers and the cynical and cold Avon, played by Paul Darrow who would become the show's most memorable character. Other great episodes this season include Seek Locate Destroy which introduces the two main rivals, Servalan and Travis, Duel and the cliffhanger finale Orac. A superb start to one of the finest sci-fi shows ever made.

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Reviews


CLASSIC!
Review date: 2007-08-11 Rating: 10 out of 10

When you talk about quality acting then you need look no further than this. Each character is so well drawn that i honestly can't believe that Grammy's weren't smothering the cast. This is top notch entertainment indeed i could almost use the word 'Olivier' when watching this. I haven't seen such jaw dropping theatrics since Hugh Grant's last effort and that is praise indeed. The storylines must have been toiled over for at least a day and the special effects are worthy of Ridley Scott's 'Alien' trilogy (which pails in comparison with this) You can feel the tension between the actors during the set pieces (never since Roger Moore has the left eyebrow and pursed lips been used to such effect) So believable were some of the story lines that it wouldn't surprise me if some watchers thought they were watching a real life drama documentary. Why oh why won't they revive this classic? If they can do it with the inferior Dr. Who then Blake's should be top of the list (after reviving 'crossroads' of course) All i can say that anyone who has been weaned on Hollywood's sci-fi should head for this. The BBC licence fee was never better utilised!

Blakes 7 Series 1 - A fine start to a wonderful series
Review date: 2006-05-20 Rating: 10 out of 10

Blakes 7 is the classic SCI-FI series. In series 1 there are thirteen episodes chartering the life and times of a band of renegades against the mighty Terran Federation. In a similar way to `A Clockwork Orange' Blake's 7 finds spectacle not in law abiding honour but the honour of criminals. The future according to this series is depressing: of technology racing ahead but mixed with conflict and corruption. This type of thing tells you something about the kind of series you are watching - no compromise SCI-FI. The series starts off quite slowly and it might be possible for the less discerning viewer to reject Blake's 7 early on. However it's not long before the major strengths of this series become apparent. These are as follows:
1. Superbly original and imaginative storytelling
2. Intricate and realistic characters
3. Plausible use of low budget effects
4. Magnetic draw on the viewer to keep on watching
5. Touches of genius sprinkled through the episodes
6. The music
Blake is a strong leader, already well known for previous exploits. With a piece of good fortune they capture the superstarship the `Liberator'. One aspect of Blake's 7 that will keep you on the edge of your seat is the tense action and risk taking. Blake takes some formidable risks throughout the series. Early on when nobody is confident with the teleport system Blake volunteers to try it out, risking his particles being spread across the universe. Success hangs by the slenderest of threads. The characters are marvels:
1. Blake - a natural leader, honourable, humane, idealistic and moralistic
2. Avon - a leader, highly intelligent, high ability with computers, materialistic
3. Villa - a coward, very criminal, breaks into anything, comic
4. Jenna - a pilot/smuggler, interacts a lot with Blake, dependable
5. Cally - a telepathic alien, not criminal, has good insight into problems
6. Gan - murderer, strong man, gentle giant, practical
The interaction of these characters is one aspect that makes the series a star. The arguments, conflicts and different ways of seeing things is plausible and done to great effect. Against this band is the immensely powerful Federation headed by Servalan and the renegade space commander Travis. Balancing these two unequal forces against each other has been a compromise for writers since fiction began. The reality of a quick annihilation stops the show and a sequence of very low probability events doesn't fool anyone. If I might be so bold as to criticise such a great achievement as Blake's 7 this is the area I would find fault. In `Mission to Destiny' Blake leaves with an empty box carrying what he thinks is a neutrotope, they run into an asteroid belt and run low on the energy required to maintain the force wall and power the drives. They are stuck. Teleport range along with other facts has been stated as 1000 spatials. A few moments later they teleport back to the other ship? Cally says `How did you get here'. How indeed.
The often quoted low budget effects of Blake's 7 have often been criticised. I find them a little uninspiring but this doesn't take much away from such a quality series. They are cleverly arranged to minimise their impact and often they could be realistic, realism not always being that flashy. Sometimes when the crew teleport down to an military installation which is a gas works, it seems like Blake is a time traveller coming back to Earth from his ship. It does reduce a little of the flavour but it's the consequence of not having the budget of Star Wars. Blake's 7 is a bit like one of those classic fibreglass cars from the seventies: cheap, pretty and handles beautifully but the rain leaks in and there isn't a V12 engine. In this series there are also some wonderful ideas that add a lot. Gan's brain implant and its malfunction, the super computer Orac, the different weapons. The Liberator with the computer Zen and his character. The idea that computers might be condescending and sarcastic. Then there's Travis with an artificial limb which a weapon has been installed. The mutoids that serve him, vampires requiring a serum to sustain their life. There is so much in this series from the scary `Time Squad', the spectacular `Seek-Locate-Destroy' to ice planets and obsolete space ships. Each episode is beautifully crafted as Blake's band weaves their way around the Federation, hitting centres, stealing prized equipment with their future hanging by a thread. The acting is excellent throughout and the characters seem lifelike. One trait of Blake's 7 is in the use of female characters - this is no male dominated series. A class act, most SCI-FI pales against this level of quality.




Regret , is part of being alive , just keep it a small part
Review date: 2006-04-23 Rating: 10 out of 10

Blake`s 7 was an awesome British sci-fi series, which was first shown in the UK the same night Star Wars premiered in London ( 2nd Jan 1978 ). Created by Terry Nation , father of the Daleks from Dr Who , it follows a band of outlaws who continually try to thwart the plans of a futuristic totalitarian government , the Federation.

The real magic of the show , which resulted in a cult following and a viewing figure of about 10 million for the final episode ( a lot back then ) , is its diverse , yet beautifully and wittingly scripted characters. The sniping relationships mixed with subtle humour , the way out and over the top costumes and wobbly , yet lovingly crafted and original sets and spaceship models made the show unmissable. Both good and bad guys alike are flawed. And no-one is really safe , neutron blaster in hand or not. The show was forever being replaced with new blood. This sugar and spice approach gives it a wonderfully rich flavour , which keeps you coming back for more. And like a fine wine it just gets better with age , tasting just as good today as it did back then. This is a real sci-fi delicacy that any fan of the genre should try at least once.

The DVDs in this boxset , unfold to reveal a lovingly crafted set of images with a nice background. This luscious creativity continues , as you play the first disc. The CGI opening scene , and the style of menu on each one , really get you in the mood for the viewing pleasure that lies ahead.

Both the sound and image quality on each disc are superb. The commentaries are nice and long and very enjoyable. For anyone who remembers the show with fondness , this boxset will surely take pride of place in thier DVD collection.


Deliverance
Review date: 2006-04-23 Rating: 10 out of 10

"Blake's 7" is undoubtly the best piece of Science Fiction ever, and it is unfortunately overlooked and extremely underrated. It was only six years ago I discovered this and I'm pleased I did and now that it is out on lovely DVD this couldn't get better.

I am a Science Fiction fan, however I am extremely picky when it comes down to it and my love of Science Fiction in terms of television and movies is extremely limited. In terms of television I only like "Doctor Who" and of course "Blake's 7" and I detest "Star-Trek". This beats "Who" into a corked hat and as "Blake's 7" is very much anti-Trek I love it. Of course, there is more to it than that. The whole premise is Orwellian and it is fantastic because of it. Imagine "Nineteen Eighty-Four" set in space. Big Brother is the evil Terran Federation, still as repressive as the former, and their empire is set across space. Winston Smith in Orwell's novel is a tragic anti-hero. Well we have a fair share of those: and this would be something that would continue to emerge in all four series of this wonderful show. Every character has their strengths, however as is very much the case in Shakespeare, these strengths can become major weaknesses. For example, Cally has the ability to be telepathic which can be used to save Blake and the others in cases of extreme peril. However, others they come across abuse this talent of telepathy and has Cally feeling isolated, as she has no one else to have telepathic thoughts and feelings with.

It would be stretching it to say that "Blake's 7" is gritty but it can certainly be hard-hitting. For me, the first series is the best. It is close to its roots as its creator, Terry Nation, writes all the episodes. I also have the view that this series is the more political, and shows how extreme the power and repression of the Federation is. This is good sold, textbook action adventure with intelligent storylines and wonderful dialogue and great characterisation. All backed up by a cast that is 100% committed to the show. What more could you want? If anything, "Blake's 7 Series 1" gave us the best episode of television ever: the bleak Big Brother nightmare of its opening story.

This is wonderful stuff. Buy it; watch it and you will not be disappointed.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Jan Chappell
Gareth Thomas
Sally Knyvette
Michael Keating
Paul Darrow

Creators:
Gareth Thomas (Primary Contributor)
Sally Knyvette (Primary Contributor)
Colin Davis (Writer)

Director(s):

Recording label: 2 Entertain Video
Manufacturer: 2 Entertain Video
EAN: 5014503117627
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 5
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2004-03-01
Number of discs: 5
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 650 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1978-01-02
Language: English (Original Language)

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