Yeah. There are two types of people in the world. Those who saw "Dragons Domain" in their early teens and those who didn't. I'm am solidly in the first category. Never forget that night.
The first season of Space: 1999 is the best "path not taken story" we have for space exploration to date. Alpha Moonbase and the technology in it is where we should have been in 1999.
To this day, season 1 of Space: 1999 remains the most significant experience of science-fiction in my life! I saw Breakaway in 1975 (in Australia) and it simply blew my mind! Still does!! As a 10 year old I went to sleep each night imaging I lived on Moonbase Alpha. The "greater destiny" subplot story arch of season 1 was exciting and unique for TV at the time! Thus is such a beloved show, full of beautiful sets, ships and characters!
Well said, i had similar experiences as a Kid i would dream if various Space 1999 related dreams,mainly about characters and Props, specialy the Commlock and hand Laser that i just loved and tried to take back into reality from my Dreams by holding on to them just before and while i was waking up !
@@tasosrealmastoras4399 I was totally same. I imagined walking the corridors of Alpha ... visiting the different sections of the base. I could even 'hear' the noise of my shoes on the floor! Such an influential experience was Space: 1999!!
@@harvey1965 I had a dream over and over again with something like the commanders Seat or similar right in the middle of a forest Area in the middle of nowhere and it had some sort of tube that it was on and would lead to the base,that was either above or below the ground...Also i cant remember how many times i was dreaming or just pretending that i used my Comlock to open various Doors in the House Even the Fridge door and all appliances !
Same for me. Many episodes of season 1 are still quite "high concept" pure science fiction that is highly idea based, and unthinkable to do today. "Guardian of Piri", "Another time", "Death's other domain", "Testament of Arkadia", and a handful of others still hold up. But most are terrible, even in the first season... I did like "Earthbound" with the blue alien Spaceship, but I have trouble with aliens with Earth-like skin tone who speak English for no reason...
Yes I agree 100%. Every one likes a good origin story, and this one is absolutely mythical. The best sci-fi from writers like Asimov, and Herbert also deal with historical origins that are so far back no one can remember. Only the select few who under take an extremely difficult challenge, or some near death initiation are allowed to know this sacred knowledge. I think Frank Herbert called it the Little Death. One someone goes through this experience they are never the same. They have a religious experience, and are born again. They abandon their old life with it’s ego to save humanity from stagnation, or destruction.
“Space 1999” began airing in 1975 in the US when I was 9. To this day I remember being immediately hooked when I saw the premiere of the first episode, and I never missed an episode the entire time it aired. I was a big Sci-Fi buff as a kid, and what really impressed me about Space 1999 was that something this impressive wasn’t in the movies, it was made for television. My family always watched it when it was on from 1975-77, my father worked at NBC television production in Los Angeles, and he was extremely impressed with the sets and the special effects on Space 1999, and would always say that it must be outrageously expensive to make a show like this. Even if it had been a major motion picture with a huge budget it still would’ve been very impressive in the 70’s. Watching the series again now as an adult the show is still impressive because it’s still very futuristic. When I was a kid I really thought that we would have spaceships and bases on the moon by 1999.
I couldn't agree with you more, Mike. When I first watched it around 6-10 years ago I was so impressed with the production values for a TV show, and also its earnest/serious approach to storytelling (in Year One). No camping things up for jollies, like many other sci-fi shows of that era did. As for bases on the moon, perhaps we already do but they're not telling us :D. I'd like to think so.
I was 10. SOMEHOW I knew about it and was salivating in advance. As a kid I loved it but the Season 1 scripts seemed off to me. As an "adult" I REALLY appreciate them.
Despite cancellation the series managed to live on in syndication ultimately achieving pop culture iconic status today. Various stations chose to pick it up in latter years as a filler to make up for shows on hiatus during breaks. Saturday an' Sunday would be where it would be most needed in the latter years when it ended its syndication run.
Yo tenía nueve años y siempre esperaba el día que la ponían que no me separaba del sofá de lo que me impresionaba .olala la pusieran otra vez en la tele
I've no idea how I stumbled on this and now about 1 1/4 hours after I did, I've no idea how I've ended up watching the whole thing after starting it 'just to see'. Cracking video. 👍
You're welcome, Dale. Glad you liked it. I only watched a few episodes as a kid. But I got the Series One DVD out of the library a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. When I finished the last episode I sat through it all again.
I remember this show from when I was a kid in elementary school. Always looked forward to the next episode. I actually wish someone would do a reboot of it, or maybe even a sequel series where the descendants of the original crew are still traveling the stars on the moon.
a fantastic documentary! it really talks about the fascinating aspects of the show.and good to know that the things that you realize conscious or half conscious while watching are intended and thought through.i think that is why it never gets old,it fascinated me when i saw it for the first time as a child many years ago and it does when i see the episodes today
Back in my memories...have 13years old when saw the 1st episode in 1976,always still on my mind since that time,best science fiction serie of this era😏
Yes, and I thought for sure Johnny Byrne was going to mention it at the very end since "Testament of Arkadia" is to Battlestar Galactica what "Dragon's Domain" is to Alien.
What a brilliant documentary! I really need to get this on Bluray... (shame Another Time, Another Place isn't on this but the rest of the eps are classics!)
Watching the interviews here shows the tremendous amount of thought and care that went into the series, at least S1. Sometimes the constraints of hour long series television worked against the successful conveyance of those ideas to the audience. I wonder sometimes if these programs should have been transmitted as 90 minute films in order to explore more fully a lot of the concepts, or at least render them more explicit and understandable to a general audience.
At this point it's very certain and sad that nothing more will ever be made of what was a great show .to much time has past and to many of the cast have passed . Very Sad.
And Morse also enjoyed a brief stint as Parminter on THE ADVENTURER in 1972-73, starring Gene Barry with a recurring role for future SPACE: 1999 star Catherine Schell.
Gerry Anderson let me down so badly with his optimism for the technical and scientific advancements to come in the future. In 1969, "UFO" gave us a picture of the Earth in the 1980s with atomic powered vehicles, hypersonic passenger jets, bases on the moon and fighter space-craft defending us against alien invaders. In 1974 he gave us "Space: 1999" with technology even more advanced than the "UFO" era. Alas, here we are, two decades into the 21st century and we are still just contemplating how we might be able to make another manned moon landing...not to mention the ambitious Mars colonisation plans. Oh, Gerry! I am so disappointed in how it all turned out. Why didn't you tell us the truth?
Season 1 was brilliant!. The gloomy vibes, amazing stories, beautiful sets, and serious acting by the regular cast and guest actors made it a truly unique series, especially for the time.
I especially like Johnny Byrne's contribution. He comes across as a writer who is deeply passionate about storytelling. I could probably sit and listen to him for hours.
@@chrishlady Just to clarify, when I said his contribution I meant to this documentary. As for his stories for the show, Mission of the Darians is the standout one for me because it has a big sci-fi concept and a well-structured script. The Troubled Spirit is a good episode but that's mostly down to onscreen atmosphere. Once you've seen that one a few times it starts to wear a bit thin. In contrast, Mission of the Darians would work as a fully fleshed-out novel in its own right. I think it's one of the best stories in the show. It's up there with Death's Other Dominion.
Yes, Mission of the Darians is a brilliant episode. I remember watching it as a boy and being enthralled. Plus, any time I watch again is a joy. This documentary was serendipity.
They are great episodes. My personal favourite one is Death's Other Dominion, and I'm particularly fond of Mission of the Darians. So many good episodes to choose from.
So many good memories of this show. I agree that the look was akin to many a sci-fi feature film of the time. Certainly did enjoy the first series more than the 2nd. The Troubled Spirit was one of my favourites. Loved the electric sitar music at the beginning (and elsewhere throughout the episode), and there were some genuinely creepy moments. Great stuff. Zeinia Merton is still a gorgeous looking woman.
A very entertaining and informative documentary. I liked the comments by Gerry(presumably before he came down with the disease that was to kill him) and by Zienia Merton(may God rest her soul).
A rogue moon wandering the cosmos takes 311 reluctant astronauts on a journey into mystery, and destiny. The Full Circle is never on anyone's list of favorite episodes; why is it here? There are some fun anecdotes about its production. Guest stars helped many episodes shine, and a deslolated, gothic tone gave the series 1 a unique vibe that's never been part of a space opera before or since.
Hi speeta. Thanks for your comment. Re: The Full Circle... I think the function of this featurette is to present an overview of the series, focusing on significant changes along the way, rather than being a 'best episodes' list. Death's Other Dominion would be my top one in a best-of list. But I'm pleased Mission of the Darians is featured here.
People keep complaining that Barbara Bains acting was wooden. But I challenge anybody to go through a situation like the one which her character was going through, with her husband having seemingly died prior to the events of Breakaway on top of everything else, and act normal. She probably clammed up and became cold going through all this nightmare. Every person would deal with this differentiy, and this in my mind explains Helena Russell's aloofness.
Great show which filled the HUGE "space based" sci-fi void on USA TV after the premature demise of STAR TREK OS in the late 1960's. Other shows such as "6 Million $ Man" were at least offered up by one network (ABC TV) as NEW ones while the "oldies" were run in syndication on "independent" stations.
As much as I love Maya (probably the best "thing" in season 2), I agree. Victor Bergman was an amazing character. The kind of father figure we all wish we had.
It was a fantastic idea, even if it was scientifically ridiculous, to just blast the Moon away from the Earth with a bunch of people on it. I remember when I was little, watching Martin Landau's Koenig's "We do not try to return to Earth" speech in Breakaway; it had a lasting impression on me.
The nuclear explosion was indeed a bad idea. Some phenomenon sucking the moon out would have been better. But surprisingly, "Another time" explores, perhaps correctly, the possible consequences to Earth of the moon leaving in a believable way... A very haunting episode.
Season 1 of Space 1999 was vastly superior than Season 2 ... all the changes made in Season 2; new crew members, new command decks and uniforms were a big mistake in my opinion as Space 1999 had lost its original mature sci-fi aspect gained in Season 1, for a kind of 'Lost in Space' odd concoction in Season 2 ... Zienia Merton as Sandra Benes in her cavewoman fur bikini was a prominent poster on my wall as a kid ...
Back around 2013, J. Michael Straczinski [JMS] -- creator the science fiction TV show *BABYLON 5* -- posted a comment online saying most TV network executives just do not 'get' science fiction. I think JMS is correct. The 'interference' this show's production received from *ITC* in New York {or wherever} helped kill this show. And YES, I am American. But I also HATE STUPIDITY.
No offense, but just to clarify: as opposed to Bob and Doug's Great White North - you are actually referring to SCTV's Farm Film Celebrity Blow-Up: the hosts were Big Jim McBob (Joe Flaherty) and Billy Sol Hurok (John Candy). This recurring skit originally started as a film review show parody (think homespun Siskel and Ebert); the two hosts would briefly interview a celebrity guest - before that guest spontaneously "blowed up real good".
People are always ripping this show apart, but for some of us it was magical, especially at that time. The Starlost gets similar treatment but I can tell you both shows fired my imagination on how interesting the future would be in an era where things were much better already. Who knew the actual future would turn out so horribly? Sandra / Zienia and Paul / Prentice were always my favourite characters on the show, they were the ones who were most human. I also wanted to see them officially get together too but alas...
I very much doubt if it still exists, otherwise I imagine it would have been available to see somewhere by now. If anyone knows different please leave a comment.
Barbara Bain did not want to be upstaged, so certain stipulations were put in place concerning Catherine Schell's arrival in year two. One involves Mya was never featured in the pictures at the end of credits. Everyone else was featured here but Schell.
This series had several firsts. Wargames was like Star Wars before Star Wars. Dragon's Domain was like Alien before Alien and Black Sun was like Black Hole before Black Hole.
Season one was SO GOOD. Season 2 was just a crapshow, it was so jarring to a kid in the 70s. However, I suppose better than not having a second season I suppose. That episode with the squid monster was one of the most terrifying things I'd ever seen on TV at that age, but I watched it every time it was on. Great mini documentary.
Yeah, I found it a real struggle getting through the season two episodes. I watched them all just to be a completist. It was a completely different show.
@@Ruby_Kang I guess the only really good thing about it was that it was syndicated, or I never would have seen it. It was big in Canada for a while, and the effects were so realistic for the time (and they stand up well today). Before Star Wars upped the bar for sci fi effects, this show was top notch. I mean, it could have been done with puppets and not real actors...I honestly can see interest in this show increase now that entertainment has taken a huge downturn and people are looking to old media to find quality (and no politics). I just hope hollywood doesn't try to resurrect it "for modern audiences". It's a nice little time capsule as it is.
@@tombstoneranch69 The production values of season one are very impressive. And I couldn't agree more with you, the craftsmanship of drama and storytelling has become a lost art now (on the whole) and things seem to be getting worse as every year passes. Thankfully with home media and YT we can revisit the good old stuff we enjoyed back then and explore the shows we missed. Even shows that were a bit ropey were lovable and good entertainment, like Buck Rogers. I see an increasing amount of the online younger generation now falling in love with the old shows and movies. They knew what they were doing back then.
@@Ruby_KangEverything now is about profit, but the studios don't even care about profit, so now everything is part 12s or reboots, and it's all worse than the originals. Odd aside, there is a used bookstore in my town, 6,000 sq feet...it is PACKED with people all the time now, after years of it being on the brink of extinction. They also have a huge back catalogue of dvds. Even kids are in there getting OLD comic books and movies. I truly hope kids are inspired to create new wonderful original works, and not just remake what came before. Hollywood is dying, YT is king (for now), and instead of trying to adapt, they just double down and attack...it's crazy. It's like nobody understands what escapism is supposed to be anymore. Seriously, can you imagine ANYONE today bankrolling a show about some people who work at a garbage dump on the moon? Of course not, but it was a wonderful little piece of escapism. Hell, they couldn't even create star trek today, new concepts are foreign. What direction do you think we'll go? Are the whackjob preppers like myself living in the wilderness going to be right, or will civilization turn a corner and start to prosper again? Entertainment is a huge indicator of societal health I believe...
@@tombstoneranch69 Entertainment is absolutely an indicator of societal health, as one feeds the other. Who knows what the future holds. But the pendulum always swings, so maybe we will reach a point where more independent, passionate artists will be allowed to emerge when the masses grow tired of living in a vacuum, and the big studios will cater for an audience who want high standards again, like in the 70s (because it will be in their interest). Or maybe it's already game over regarding mainstream. Same goes for society as a whole. World societies are collectively being engineered towards disaster and collapse (as a prepper you'll understand that) but the amount of people wising up to how things are is increasing exponentially. At the moment it feels like we're heading fast towards Fahrenheit 451, but those kind of worlds never last. The human spirit will prevail eventually, give or take a few wars! :D That's great to read what you said about that bookstore. A sign of hope.
Space 1999 was not just a TV show but a warning to how we are living today. All the use of nuclear energy produces waste product that will never "go away" so the idea to use the moon as a dumping ground back then was brilliant since we were still new to space ourselves. The explosion that ripped the moon from orbit was properly planned and possible just, from POV it would have pushed the moon INTO the earth not away from it. Utilizing the original idea and by today's standards a remake would be very entertaining to say the least save one condition. Do NOT change a single thing about the Eagles they were perfect back then and still today. Out of every sci Fi movie and show they are the most realistic and probable ships ever designed. The Moonbase set also was practical for something built in no atmosphere and gravity. Update the computer technology but leave the rest be. As for the disposal areas that explode, they need to be relocated to give more trueness to what could happen. Also include episodes on earth showing aftermath and how life changed here as well too. Between both earth and moon for diversity it could help generate more stories than to focus solely on the moon. So much can be done here easily to make a superb show from the original idea. I mean, seriously, if Walking Dead can have so many seasons of the exact same thing and keep going this could go farther.
Moon as a garbage deposit... should never happen. Building a mechanical contraption like the Death Star for that purpose seems more plausible. Moons and planetoids should be used to study as much as we can about solar system and mankind's history. Moon is a sanctuary.✌
Had the series survived another season or two and offered cheaper syndication deals in the USA, the series would have enjoyed the "Sci-Fi" mania with the release of Star Wars. Also, why no Barbara Bain interview? She has barely mentioned the series whenever asked. Was it an unpleasant experience for her and Martin Landau?
I wish they had stayed with UFO, which IMO, was a much better show. Space 1999 was very predictable, with the blue, red , pink planet of the week, an endless supply of eagles to destroy gratuitously and an ALWAYS angry and outraged Koenig. I really like Martin Landau as an actor, just not in this role. UFO had so much room to grow and was well acted with Ed Bishop in a very strong leadership role.
The episode "black sun" gave theoretical knowledge about black holes.. but for the sake of being dramatic, some scenes were out of logical thinking, e.g. detecting the black Hole only when so close, protecting the base simply by producing counter-gravity against the monstrous black hole😅... Still a good try in terms of those years of 70s...
I will admit I disconnected three quarters into this but... I find it very interesting that no mention or appearance of Catherine Schell at all when a great deal of saving 1999 the series is about her. I mean I did little skips to see if she would appear and never saw her.
Hot take: black sun is a better thing to call a black hole than a black hole. A black hole sounds like some kind of a nothing, even though the name describes the most massive contiguous objects in the universe.
"Breakaway" and "The Metamorpth" were the two best episodes of the series. The worst episode was the talking plant life under Friedkin who also killed Star Trek. Seriously, talking deadly balls of fur in the dozens that multiply wasn't exactly going to bring in high ratings nor were talking trees an' plant life on 1999.
Season 1 was the best, then they hired so American producer that turned the next season into a schlocky, rip-off of a cheesy Star Trek joke. The stories from the original run were great, serious, with great dialogue.
That's not a very polite thing to say Cosmo, lol. I guess it depends on what we find attractive. Personally I think maturity brings character. As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
@@Ruby_Kang I didn't mean to offend. I'm just saying from my perspective she was a much more beautiful woman when she was younger and honestly it makes me kind of sad to see beautiful women age like this. I would give anything to have the power to somehow make her look as beautiful as she did years ago if she were still alive today.
@@cosmo9390 I didn't really see it as offensive, just funny the way it reads (hence the lol). And your perspective is just as valid as mine even though we disagree. I think she looks great in this doc.
Zienia is still just as beautiful as she always was. Wonderful to see her again.
yes she was a classical beauty so sad she passed away
Before there was a Joan Chen, there was Zenia Merton (Twin Peaks VS Space 1999).
Chances are very high, Lucy Liu of Charlie's Angel fame probably knows who Zenia is.
Thank the Lord Gerry Anderson and Zienia Merton lived long enough to lend their comments to this documentary.
Zienia Merton's contribution to this doc is a real highlight for me.
@@Ruby_Kang Me too. She's a joy and a delight.
Dragon's Domain is one of the most scary sci fi stories ever. As a kid it really stuck with me, still scares me 50 years on.
Yeah. There are two types of people in the world. Those who saw "Dragons Domain" in their early teens and those who didn't. I'm am solidly in the first category. Never forget that night.
It's a masterpiece in sci-fi horror.
The first season of Space: 1999 is the best "path not taken story" we have for space exploration to date. Alpha Moonbase and the technology in it is where we should have been in 1999.
Here we are... almost 25 years on from 1999... loved this show when I was 12 year old
I was 10 years old in 1975 and it was my favorite sci-fi, Eagle still my favorite spaceship.
To this day, season 1 of Space: 1999 remains the most significant experience of science-fiction in my life! I saw Breakaway in 1975 (in Australia) and it simply blew my mind! Still does!! As a 10 year old I went to sleep each night imaging I lived on Moonbase Alpha. The "greater destiny" subplot story arch of season 1 was exciting and unique for TV at the time! Thus is such a beloved show, full of beautiful sets, ships and characters!
Well said, i had similar experiences as a Kid i would dream if various Space 1999 related dreams,mainly about characters and Props, specialy the Commlock and hand Laser that i just loved and tried to take back into reality from my Dreams by holding on to them just before and while i was waking up !
@@tasosrealmastoras4399 I was totally same. I imagined walking the corridors of Alpha ... visiting the different sections of the base. I could even 'hear' the noise of my shoes on the floor!
Such an influential experience was Space: 1999!!
@@harvey1965 I had a dream over and over again with something like the commanders Seat or similar right in the middle of a forest Area in the middle of nowhere and it had some sort of tube that it was on and would lead to the base,that was either above or below the ground...Also i cant remember how many times i was dreaming or just pretending that i used my Comlock to open various Doors in the House Even the Fridge door and all appliances !
@@tasosrealmastoras4399 I did exactly the same thing with my Comlock (normally a hair brush!) with doors inside the house too!
Same for me. Many episodes of season 1 are still quite "high concept" pure science fiction that is highly idea based, and unthinkable to do today. "Guardian of Piri", "Another time", "Death's other domain", "Testament of Arkadia", and a handful of others still hold up. But most are terrible, even in the first season... I did like "Earthbound" with the blue alien Spaceship, but I have trouble with aliens with Earth-like skin tone who speak English for no reason...
Testament of Arkadia. The best episode of Space:1999
Yes I agree 100%. Every one likes a good origin story, and this one is absolutely mythical. The best sci-fi from writers like Asimov, and Herbert also deal with historical origins that are so far back no one can remember. Only the select few who under take an extremely difficult challenge, or some near death initiation are allowed to know this sacred knowledge. I think Frank Herbert called it the Little Death. One someone goes through this experience they are never the same. They have a religious experience, and are born again. They abandon their old life with it’s ego to save humanity from stagnation, or destruction.
I’m so hooked on this excellent, too often forgotten sci fi show.
“Space 1999” began airing in 1975 in the US when I was 9. To this day I remember being immediately hooked when I saw the premiere of the first episode, and I never missed an episode the entire time it aired. I was a big Sci-Fi buff as a kid, and what really impressed me about Space 1999 was that something this impressive wasn’t in the movies, it was made for television. My family always watched it when it was on from 1975-77, my father worked at NBC television production in Los Angeles, and he was extremely impressed with the sets and the special effects on Space 1999, and would always say that it must be outrageously expensive to make a show like this. Even if it had been a major motion picture with a huge budget it still would’ve been very impressive in the 70’s.
Watching the series again now as an adult the show is still impressive because it’s still very futuristic. When I was a kid I really thought that we would have spaceships and bases on the moon by 1999.
I couldn't agree with you more, Mike. When I first watched it around 6-10 years ago I was so impressed with the production values for a TV show, and also its earnest/serious approach to storytelling (in Year One). No camping things up for jollies, like many other sci-fi shows of that era did. As for bases on the moon, perhaps we already do but they're not telling us :D. I'd like to think so.
I was 10 and found it a very thought provoking series. Ahead of its time.
I was 10. SOMEHOW I knew about it and was salivating in advance. As a kid I loved it but the Season 1 scripts seemed off to me. As an "adult" I REALLY appreciate them.
Despite cancellation the series managed to live on in syndication ultimately achieving pop culture iconic status today. Various stations chose to pick it up in latter years as a filler to make up for shows on hiatus during breaks. Saturday an' Sunday would be where it would be most needed in the latter years when it ended its syndication run.
Yo tenía nueve años y siempre esperaba el día que la ponían que no me separaba del sofá de lo que me impresionaba .olala la pusieran otra vez en la tele
I've no idea how I stumbled on this and now about 1 1/4 hours after I did, I've no idea how I've ended up watching the whole thing after starting it 'just to see'.
Cracking video. 👍
100%.
Loved this series as a kid when it 1st aired, and have watched the series multiple times since. Thank you for the documentary.
You're welcome, Dale. Glad you liked it. I only watched a few episodes as a kid. But I got the Series One DVD out of the library a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. When I finished the last episode I sat through it all again.
Loved space 1999 back in the day, great to see this wonderful recap and deep dive into the origins of these classic episodes.
I remember this show from when I was a kid in elementary school. Always looked forward to the next episode. I actually wish someone would do a reboot of it, or maybe even a sequel series where the descendants of the original crew are still traveling the stars on the moon.
I enjoy actors who are articulate about their craft.
a fantastic documentary! it really talks about the fascinating aspects of the show.and good to know that the things that you realize conscious or half conscious while watching are intended and thought through.i think that is why it never gets old,it fascinated me when i saw it for the first time as a child many years ago and it does when i see the episodes today
I always found Space:1999 to be very cerebral. The kind of sci-fi that I read in the 1970s (and written in the 50s thru the 70s).
Wished we had more shows like space 1999 season one was now into today's streaming..
It was great to hear Johnny Byrne talk about Testament of Arcadia !
It was a great tv series.
Zienia; we'll miss you...
Back in my memories...have 13years old when saw the 1st episode in 1976,always still on my mind since that time,best science fiction serie of this era😏
The Eagles are Totally Awesome
Battlestar Galactica 1978/79 also an Awesome series!
Yes, and I thought for sure Johnny Byrne was going to mention it at the very end since "Testament of Arkadia" is to Battlestar Galactica what "Dragon's Domain" is to Alien.
We always thought the Galactica picked up the Alphans on their way to Earth😊.
What a brilliant documentary! I really need to get this on Bluray... (shame Another Time, Another Place isn't on this but the rest of the eps are classics!)
I agree because Another time, another place was the best episode of series one
Watching the interviews here shows the tremendous amount of thought and care that went into the series, at least S1. Sometimes the constraints of hour long series television worked against the successful conveyance of those ideas to the audience. I wonder sometimes if these programs should have been transmitted as 90 minute films in order to explore more fully a lot of the concepts, or at least render them more explicit and understandable to a general audience.
Bought boxed sets of all episodes on dvd here in Australia many years ago….for about $50. Have watched them soooo many times…
Gosh Ruby, you are a goddess. I loved you 'then' and I love you more now. This doco. has transported me back to my youth, thank you
Brilliant! This really highlights the brilliance of S:99!
Whew!!!! Sondra is a REALLY nice looking lady!!!!!!!!! I think she's better looking as an older woman now than she was when she was younger then.
At this point it's very certain and sad that nothing more will ever be made of what was a great show .to much time has past and to many of the cast have passed . Very Sad.
Barry Morse ,After He Was on The Fugitive as Inspector Gerard, He Was Doctor Bergman, on Space 1999
And Morse also enjoyed a brief stint as Parminter on THE ADVENTURER in 1972-73, starring Gene Barry with a recurring role for future SPACE: 1999 star Catherine Schell.
It's a warning also about messing with nature. Great show
Gerry Anderson let me down so badly with his optimism for the technical and scientific advancements to come in the future. In 1969, "UFO" gave us a picture of the Earth in the 1980s with atomic powered vehicles, hypersonic passenger jets, bases on the moon and fighter space-craft defending us against alien invaders. In 1974 he gave us "Space: 1999" with technology even more advanced than the "UFO" era.
Alas, here we are, two decades into the 21st century and we are still just contemplating how we might be able to make another manned moon landing...not to mention the ambitious Mars colonisation plans. Oh, Gerry! I am so disappointed in how it all turned out. Why didn't you tell us the truth?
Season 1 was brilliant!. The gloomy vibes, amazing stories, beautiful sets, and serious acting by the regular cast and guest actors made it a truly unique series, especially for the time.
Just love this review.
I especially like Johnny Byrne's contribution. He comes across as a writer who is deeply passionate about storytelling. I could probably sit and listen to him for hours.
@@Ruby_Kang Which of his stories do you like the most?
@@chrishlady Just to clarify, when I said his contribution I meant to this documentary. As for his stories for the show, Mission of the Darians is the standout one for me because it has a big sci-fi concept and a well-structured script. The Troubled Spirit is a good episode but that's mostly down to onscreen atmosphere. Once you've seen that one a few times it starts to wear a bit thin. In contrast, Mission of the Darians would work as a fully fleshed-out novel in its own right. I think it's one of the best stories in the show. It's up there with Death's Other Dominion.
Yes, Mission of the Darians is a brilliant episode. I remember watching it as a boy and being enthralled. Plus, any time I watch again is a joy. This documentary was serendipity.
Every school should have a Victor Bergman.
And that shapeshifter, she was nice
Every 70s skool had a Victor Bergman 🧪⚗️🥽🔬
We do need people like Victor Berman, Commander John Kornig, Dr. Helena Russell, Dr. Matthias and Maya the metamorph/shape shifter.
@@davidfrontini829 The episode where Maya turns into a creature for the type of atmosphere in a room, brilliant
Thank you so much for sharing this! Very uplifting!
Glad you enjoyed it.
The best sci fi series ever made
Classic ! 100% Classic !
I remember this tv 📺 series 1976
On
wpix channel 11 NYC
Ahh The Troubled Spirit what an under rated gem . And of course Dragon’s Domain undoubtedly the best episode of the whole series
They are great episodes. My personal favourite one is Death's Other Dominion, and I'm particularly fond of Mission of the Darians. So many good episodes to choose from.
I totally agree with you.👍
Many season one episodes would be even better at 90 minutes.
I always wondered how Earth made out after losing the moon.
So many good memories of this show. I agree that the look was akin to many a sci-fi feature film of the time. Certainly did enjoy the first series more than the 2nd.
The Troubled Spirit was one of my favourites. Loved the electric sitar music at the beginning (and elsewhere throughout the episode), and there were some genuinely creepy moments. Great stuff.
Zeinia Merton is still a gorgeous looking woman.
The Look, wasn't akin to anything - then or now. Season 1 remains some of the purest SciFi TV ever produced.
A very entertaining and informative documentary. I liked the comments by Gerry(presumably before he came down with the disease that was to kill him) and by Zienia Merton(may God rest her soul).
perfect intro!
Show us the 2 hour version, please.
Both seasons are marvellous!!!!!!
This show was a dream, to all the cast ❤🙏❤️
A rogue moon wandering the cosmos takes 311 reluctant astronauts on a journey into mystery, and destiny. The Full Circle is never on anyone's list of favorite episodes; why is it here? There are some fun anecdotes about its production. Guest stars helped many episodes shine, and a deslolated, gothic tone gave the series 1 a unique vibe that's never been part of a space opera before or since.
Hi speeta. Thanks for your comment. Re: The Full Circle... I think the function of this featurette is to present an overview of the series, focusing on significant changes along the way, rather than being a 'best episodes' list. Death's Other Dominion would be my top one in a best-of list. But I'm pleased Mission of the Darians is featured here.
جميل جدا هذا المسلسل بفضل جهود جميع العاملين فيه من ممثلين ومخرجين ومنتجين وفنيين ولهم كل الاحترام والتقدير
I LOVED this show! It's a shame it didn't last.
This series is a masterpiece without cgi. And the use of real scientific ideas was great.
Yep the dragon scared the shit out of me when I was a kid.
People keep complaining that Barbara Bains acting was wooden. But I challenge anybody to go through a situation like the one which her character was going through, with her husband having seemingly died prior to the events of Breakaway on top of everything else, and act normal. She probably clammed up and became cold going through all this nightmare. Every person would deal with this differentiy, and this in my mind explains Helena Russell's aloofness.
Great show which filled the HUGE "space based" sci-fi void on USA TV after the premature demise of STAR TREK OS in the late 1960's.
Other shows such as "6 Million $ Man" were at least offered up by one network (ABC TV) as NEW ones while the "oldies" were run in syndication on "independent" stations.
Nice to see faces to actual names to the 1999 production crew, thank you.
Dragon's domain was one of my favourite episodes. And yes it frightened the shit out of me when I was little.
Barbara Bain is 93 now. Legend.
Age 10. Dragon's Domain. All I need to say.
Professor Bergman made the show. It was stupid to lose him for series 2.
As much as I love Maya (probably the best "thing" in season 2), I agree. Victor Bergman was an amazing character. The kind of father figure we all wish we had.
It was a fantastic idea, even if it was scientifically ridiculous, to just blast the Moon away from the Earth with a bunch of people on it. I remember when I was little, watching Martin Landau's Koenig's "We do not try to return to Earth" speech in Breakaway; it had a lasting impression on me.
The nuclear explosion was indeed a bad idea. Some phenomenon sucking the moon out would have been better. But surprisingly, "Another time" explores, perhaps correctly, the possible consequences to Earth of the moon leaving in a believable way... A very haunting episode.
best SF series in the known universe (imho) the look the plot the sounds . . . *sigh*
IF it could have just ended at episode 24, I wouldn't have spent so much of my life with a bad taste in my mouth from Season 2!
Season 1 of Space 1999 was vastly superior than Season 2 ... all the changes made in Season 2; new crew members, new command decks and uniforms were a big mistake in my opinion as Space 1999 had lost its original mature sci-fi aspect gained in Season 1, for a kind of 'Lost in Space' odd concoction in Season 2 ... Zienia Merton as Sandra Benes in her cavewoman fur bikini was a prominent poster on my wall as a kid ...
Back around 2013, J. Michael Straczinski [JMS] -- creator the science fiction TV show *BABYLON 5* -- posted a comment online saying most TV network executives just do not 'get' science fiction.
I think JMS is correct. The 'interference' this show's production received from *ITC* in New York {or wherever} helped kill this show.
And YES, I am American. But I also HATE STUPIDITY.
The best series 1976 ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I liked this show as a kid. It was cheesy but as Bob and Doug said "that blewed up real good".
No offense, but just to clarify: as opposed to Bob and Doug's Great White North - you are actually referring to SCTV's Farm Film Celebrity Blow-Up: the hosts were Big Jim McBob (Joe Flaherty) and Billy Sol Hurok (John Candy). This recurring skit originally started as a film review show parody (think homespun Siskel and Ebert); the two hosts would briefly interview a celebrity guest - before that guest spontaneously "blowed up real good".
@@unbrokenandalive1089Or Graham Greene on the Red Green Show😂!
one of my fav sifi show like it better than star trek!
People are always ripping this show apart, but for some of us it was magical, especially at that time. The Starlost gets similar treatment but I can tell you both shows fired my imagination on how interesting the future would be in an era where things were much better already. Who knew the actual future would turn out so horribly?
Sandra / Zienia and Paul / Prentice were always my favourite characters on the show, they were the ones who were most human. I also wanted to see them officially get together too but alas...
Does the two hour pilot exist in any form or is it long gone? I don't care if it's boring, I just want to see what it was like, gizmos and all.
I very much doubt if it still exists, otherwise I imagine it would have been available to see somewhere by now. If anyone knows different please leave a comment.
Barbara Bain did not want to be upstaged, so certain stipulations were put in place concerning Catherine Schell's arrival in year two. One involves Mya was never featured in the pictures at the end of credits. Everyone else was featured here but Schell.
This series had several firsts. Wargames was like Star Wars before Star Wars. Dragon's Domain was like Alien before Alien and Black Sun was like Black Hole before Black Hole.
September 13th -- although NOT in 1999 -- is my Grandson's birthday...😊
John Koenig Loves Doctor Helena
I wonder if Steven Hawking was consulted about the episode "Black Sun"?? Watching the episode now, to what we now know, its a interesting episode. 😉
Season one was SO GOOD. Season 2 was just a crapshow, it was so jarring to a kid in the 70s. However, I suppose better than not having a second season I suppose. That episode with the squid monster was one of the most terrifying things I'd ever seen on TV at that age, but I watched it every time it was on. Great mini documentary.
Yeah, I found it a real struggle getting through the season two episodes. I watched them all just to be a completist. It was a completely different show.
@@Ruby_Kang I guess the only really good thing about it was that it was syndicated, or I never would have seen it. It was big in Canada for a while, and the effects were so realistic for the time (and they stand up well today). Before Star Wars upped the bar for sci fi effects, this show was top notch. I mean, it could have been done with puppets and not real actors...I honestly can see interest in this show increase now that entertainment has taken a huge downturn and people are looking to old media to find quality (and no politics). I just hope hollywood doesn't try to resurrect it "for modern audiences". It's a nice little time capsule as it is.
@@tombstoneranch69 The production values of season one are very impressive. And I couldn't agree more with you, the craftsmanship of drama and storytelling has become a lost art now (on the whole) and things seem to be getting worse as every year passes. Thankfully with home media and YT we can revisit the good old stuff we enjoyed back then and explore the shows we missed. Even shows that were a bit ropey were lovable and good entertainment, like Buck Rogers. I see an increasing amount of the online younger generation now falling in love with the old shows and movies. They knew what they were doing back then.
@@Ruby_KangEverything now is about profit, but the studios don't even care about profit, so now everything is part 12s or reboots, and it's all worse than the originals. Odd aside, there is a used bookstore in my town, 6,000 sq feet...it is PACKED with people all the time now, after years of it being on the brink of extinction. They also have a huge back catalogue of dvds. Even kids are in there getting OLD comic books and movies. I truly hope kids are inspired to create new wonderful original works, and not just remake what came before. Hollywood is dying, YT is king (for now), and instead of trying to adapt, they just double down and attack...it's crazy. It's like nobody understands what escapism is supposed to be anymore. Seriously, can you imagine ANYONE today bankrolling a show about some people who work at a garbage dump on the moon? Of course not, but it was a wonderful little piece of escapism. Hell, they couldn't even create star trek today, new concepts are foreign. What direction do you think we'll go? Are the whackjob preppers like myself living in the wilderness going to be right, or will civilization turn a corner and start to prosper again? Entertainment is a huge indicator of societal health I believe...
@@tombstoneranch69 Entertainment is absolutely an indicator of societal health, as one feeds the other. Who knows what the future holds. But the pendulum always swings, so maybe we will reach a point where more independent, passionate artists will be allowed to emerge when the masses grow tired of living in a vacuum, and the big studios will cater for an audience who want high standards again, like in the 70s (because it will be in their interest). Or maybe it's already game over regarding mainstream. Same goes for society as a whole. World societies are collectively being engineered towards disaster and collapse (as a prepper you'll understand that) but the amount of people wising up to how things are is increasing exponentially. At the moment it feels like we're heading fast towards Fahrenheit 451, but those kind of worlds never last. The human spirit will prevail eventually, give or take a few wars! :D
That's great to read what you said about that bookstore. A sign of hope.
Silly show but I loved it as a kid.
The waste explosion didn't kick the moon out of orbit, it awoke an Elder God asleep IN the moon...
Space 1999 was not just a TV show but a warning to how we are living today. All the use of nuclear energy produces waste product that will never "go away" so the idea to use the moon as a dumping ground back then was brilliant since we were still new to space ourselves. The explosion that ripped the moon from orbit was properly planned and possible just, from POV it would have pushed the moon INTO the earth not away from it. Utilizing the original idea and by today's standards a remake would be very entertaining to say the least save one condition. Do NOT change a single thing about the Eagles they were perfect back then and still today. Out of every sci Fi movie and show they are the most realistic and probable ships ever designed. The Moonbase set also was practical for something built in no atmosphere and gravity. Update the computer technology but leave the rest be. As for the disposal areas that explode, they need to be relocated to give more trueness to what could happen. Also include episodes on earth showing aftermath and how life changed here as well too. Between both earth and moon for diversity it could help generate more stories than to focus solely on the moon. So much can be done here easily to make a superb show from the original idea. I mean, seriously, if Walking Dead can have so many seasons of the exact same thing and keep going this could go farther.
Eagle 5,Ready to Launch Commander
AB Chrysalis. Best episode of the series.
Moon as a garbage deposit... should never happen. Building a mechanical contraption like the Death Star for that purpose seems more plausible. Moons and planetoids should be used to study as much as we can about solar system and mankind's history. Moon is a sanctuary.✌
Imagine a 2025 film with Catherine Zeta Jones as Mya, or Tia Carrera (True Lies) playing the metamorpth?
Had the series survived another season or two and offered cheaper syndication deals in the USA, the series would have enjoyed the "Sci-Fi" mania with the release of Star Wars.
Also, why no Barbara Bain interview? She has barely mentioned the series whenever asked. Was it an unpleasant experience for her and Martin Landau?
I wish they had stayed with UFO, which IMO, was a much better show. Space 1999 was very predictable, with the blue, red , pink planet of the week, an endless supply of eagles to destroy gratuitously and an ALWAYS angry and outraged Koenig. I really like Martin Landau as an actor, just not in this role. UFO had so much room to grow and was well acted with Ed Bishop in a very strong leadership role.
"the blue, red, pink planet of the week" lol. I like the pink planets :D
Agree. UFO was more entertaining and better conceived. It still had so many stories to be developed upon...
The episode "black sun" gave theoretical knowledge about black holes.. but for the sake of being dramatic, some scenes were out of logical thinking, e.g. detecting the black Hole only when so close, protecting the base simply by producing counter-gravity against the monstrous black hole😅... Still a good try in terms of those years of 70s...
I will admit I disconnected three quarters into this but... I find it very interesting that no mention or appearance of Catherine Schell at all when a great deal of saving 1999 the series is about her. I mean I did little skips to see if she would appear and never saw her.
Hot take: black sun is a better thing to call a black hole than a black hole. A black hole sounds like some kind of a nothing, even though the name describes the most massive contiguous objects in the universe.
"Breakaway" and "The Metamorpth" were the two best episodes of the series. The worst episode was the talking plant life under Friedkin who also killed Star Trek. Seriously, talking deadly balls of fur in the dozens that multiply wasn't exactly going to bring in high ratings nor were talking trees an' plant life on 1999.
Season 1 was the best, then they hired so American producer that turned the next season into a schlocky, rip-off of a cheesy Star Trek joke. The stories from the original run were great, serious, with great dialogue.
where's part 2 season 2?
This doc is from the Complete Season One DVD.
oh, i have the old version, don't remember it being on their? @@Ruby_Kang
What for?
We don't talk about Season 2.
The original music score rocked the second season version was horrible
production chane and develop
Ah, so it was Johnny Byrne who kept turning the series away from sci-fi and towards sci-fu.
Zienia Merton was so beautiful when she was younger. Her looks really went downhill fast.
That's not a very polite thing to say Cosmo, lol. I guess it depends on what we find attractive. Personally I think maturity brings character. As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
@@Ruby_Kang I didn't mean to offend. I'm just saying from my perspective she was a much more beautiful woman when she was younger and honestly it makes me kind of sad to see beautiful women age like this. I would give anything to have the power to somehow make her look as beautiful as she did years ago if she were still alive today.
@@cosmo9390 I didn't really see it as offensive, just funny the way it reads (hence the lol). And your perspective is just as valid as mine even though we disagree. I think she looks great in this doc.
Ideat.
@@cosmo9390 Ideat, again.