Battlestar Galactica was one of the first off the starting blocks in the rush to repeat the Box Office business of Star Wars. The original pilot episode was adapted for both cinema and television viewing, and this DVD features the more self-contained theatrical release, which eliminates certain plot threads (such as John Colicos's treacherous character Baltar). Mixing Egyptian, Greek and made-up mythologies and designs, the premise was almost too sprawling for a two-hour presentation. In the series, we'd go on to learn why there were only a handful of humans left floating... around, and what their relationship with the eagerly sought planet Earth was. Here it's all about set up, with Apollo (Richard Hatch) and Starbuck (Dirk Benedict) stealing the show as the fighter pilots with all the charm and the best lines. Lorne Greene adds a classy element to the large-scale acting ensemble, as does an uncredited Patrick Macnee as narrator and voice of the villainous Cylon Leader. Producer/writer Glen A Larson debuted Buck Rogers in the 25th Century at almost the same time (again for both TV and cinema), but something about this has always made it the most fondly remembered Star Wars wannabe. It's a shame that the soundtrack, and Stu Phillips's cracking music in particular, is only presented in mono, but a clean digital transfer at least means that Daggits, Centons and all the other felgercarb look its best. Extras on the DVD include cast and filmmakers' biographies, production notes and Web links. --Paul Tonks [show more]
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