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V - The Original TV Miniseries |  | Director: Kenneth Johnson
Actors: Marc Singer, Faye Grant, Michael Ironside, Jane Badler, Michael Durrell
Studio: Warner Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.98
Buy New: $8.64
as of 11/23/2009 00:57 CST details
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Rating:  204 reviews
Sales Rank: 251
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled)
Rating: Unrated
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 196 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 4.9 x 0.6
MPN: WARD11489D
ISBN: 0790760304
UPC: 085391148920
EAN: 9780790760308
ASIN: B00005B8UD
Theatrical Release Date: May 1, 1983
Release Date: July 3, 2001
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
They come in peace to enslave humankind. Aliens place our world in a hammerlock of fascist rule and valiant freedom fighters battle to save our species. Special features: director commentary: gag reel: international trailer: subitles in english french and spanish. Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 10/04/2005 Starring: Marc Singer Robert Englund Run time: 197 minutes Rating: Nr Director: Richard Heffron/daniel Blatt
Amazon.com
In its day, V was a monumental event that for one generation remains a pop-culture touchstone. Close Encounters of the Third Kind may have reassured us that perhaps we have nothing to fear from alien visitors and E.T. introduced us to a benign extraterrestrial who only wanted to go home, but Kenneth Johnson's 1983 television miniseries knew better. Visitors who claim to come in peace are revealed to be nothing but human-looking reptilians on human conversion and conquest. As in the dark days of fascism, some collaborate with the enemy; others form the resistance. At the time, the epic scale of this production was unprecedented. Those 50 motherships that hover over Earth's major cities anticipate Independence Day by more than a decade. The special effects and makeup are still awesome. Less so is the often-hackneyed dialogue. But thanks to their signature roles, the mostly no-star cast, most of whom would be reunited for a sequel and subsequent television series, have ensured themselves standing invitations to sci-fi conventions. Marc Singer is cameraman-turned-freedom-fighter Mike Donovan. Julie Parrish is a medical student-turned-rebel. Richard Herd is the aliens' supreme commander. Jane Bradler is Diana, the ravishing but ruthlessly ambitious alien science officer. Leonardo Cimino lends dignity to his heavy-handed allegorical role as a Holocaust survivor. Look for a pre-Freddy Krueger Robert Englund as one of the aliens. The DVD is presented for the first time in widescreen format. Supplemental features include an amiable and enlightening director's commentary and a brief "making of" segment. --Donald Liebenson
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 204
 V November 18, 2009
J. Schutte (potomac falls, va)
this DVD brought back so many memories for me! i remember watching the original mini-series and tv show back in the 80s and being obsessed with them. i remembered so many details while watching these DVDs, it was like i had just seen the episodes a few weeks ago - not 25 years ago!
a MUST BUY for anyone who was a fan of tv in the 80s. :)
The Invasion Begins November 11, 2009
Matthew Kresal (USA)
If a ninety-nine out of a hundred science fiction films fall into being cliché ridden, one will stand out above the rest. V, in its original miniseries, would be one of those that stands above the rest. V is anything but your typical science fiction story of an alien invasion. It is a tale of a fascist (alien) takeover of our society and the resistance of a few in a society to it. As a result V, while a product of the technology and culture of the 1980's, is a timeless piece of science fiction.
One of the elements to V's success is its cast. Leading, so to speak, the cast of human characters are Marc Singer as cameraman Mike Donovan and Faye Grant as med-student turned rebel leader Julie Parrish. Both Singer and Grant give nice performances that, for the most part, come across as real people in extraordinary situations. In fact the performances of the entire cast be described by that last phrase as well ranging from the Maxwell family (Michael Durrell, Penelope Windust as the parents with Blair Tefkin, Viveka Davis and Marin May as their daughters) who find themselves persecuted to the point of joining the resistance much like the Taylor family (Jason Bernard, Richard Lawson and Michael Wright) to the Bernstein family (George Morfogen, Bonnie Bartlett) who find themselves torn between their Visitor friendly son Daniel (David Packer) and the Holocaust survivor grandfather Abraham (Leonardo Cimino). In fact the single best scene involves Abraham, who is wanting to hide the persecuted Maxwell's, reminding his son that this whole situation is all too familiar for the consequences of them not being hidden means "we haven't learned a thing". This is a scene that is not only well acted and well written but incredibly rare in your average science fiction story as well. There's also many other fine members of the cast including Neva Patterson (Donovan's mom), Evan Kim (Donovan's camera partner Tony), Jenny Sullivan (reporter turned Visitor spokeswoman Kristine Walsh) and Kristine Walsh (as Gardener turned rebel Sancho) amongst many others. The human side of the cast is just the tip of the iceberg though.
There's also a fine cast playing the alien "visitors" as well. They range from their seemingly benevolent leader John (played briefly and well by Richard Herd) to Andrew Prine as the authoritative Steven. Then there's the innocent abroad in the form of Robert Englund as Willie and the resistance from within the visitors themselves in the form of Frank Ashmore as Martin and Jenny Neumann as Barbara. Then there is Jane Badler as Diana, perhaps the most attractive and conniving of the alien visitors, who plays the role with a seriousness not usually found in this kind of role. Together they form one of the best, and definitely one of the most diverse, cast of alien invaders ever assembled.
V is also aided by fine work behind the camera. There's the cinematography of John McPherson especially the tracking shot of characters watching the first contact sequence and the scenes in the mother-ship. The production design in the form of the mother ship interiors are fine examples of science fiction sets. There's also the special effects work ranging from the excellent shots of mother-ships (a decade plus before Independence Day) to the aerial dogfight at the end which all work marvelously for the most part despite a very few shots which don't look quite finished. No review of V is complete without mentioned the fine prosthetic work of the miniseries which range from the Visitors true faces to some rather uncomfortable dining sequences. Last, but not least by any means, is the fine score by composer Joe Harnell which takes puts together classical music influences and choir in one of the most unusual and best scores produced for any science fiction television piece I have heard, especially for the opening and closing credits of any part. In short: strong production values go a long way.
To my mind V's ultimate success lies in the script and direction of Kenneth Johnson. V was originally conceived not as a science fiction tale of alien invasion but as the tale of a fascist takeover of the U.S which can still be found deeply embedded in the final product. In fact that is what separates V from many other alien invasion stories. V is about fascism, how people can be lured in by it, how far those in power will go to secure their position, how the average person will react and what happens when ordinary people stand up to resist it. There's also more then a few hints of Nazi Germany as well from the Swastika-like symbol of the Visitors to Friends of the Visitors youth groups (the Hitler Youth) and, before the miniseries is over with, a strong allegory with the Holocaust as well (see the miniseries to get it). Wisely Johnson also puts a fair (but not gratitude) amount of action in as well which helps to compliment the story and move it along. V is embedded in the technology and culture of the 1980's when it was made to sure but that doesn't date the story at all. Instead V becomes, like H.G. Welles War of the Worlds before it, a timeless tale of alien invasion and human resistance to it.
What makes V successful? Well it's large cast of fine actors, nice cinematography, good special effects work, excellent prosthetic work and fine score go along way. Yet the true success of V lies in its script and story. Why? Because ultimately V is not about spaceships and ray-guns but is about people and their reactions to the extraordinary events around them.
One Of The Most Important TV Series Ever Broadcast. Should Be Taught In Schools November 7, 2009
darklordzden (Australia)
Los Angeles, 1983: Hundreds of massive flying saucers inexplicably appear in the skies over the major cities of the world. Panic ensues as attempts by the military to intercept them prove fruitless. Before the situation can escalate further out of control, the world is informed by the occupants of the craft that they come in peace and desire a meeting with the head of the United Nations atop the headquarters of that illustrious organisation in New York. During this meeting, which is attended by a battery of the world's press, the world gets it first glimpse of the "visitors": they look and sound like just us - although they're possessed of rather unusual voices - and they are visiting in a spirit of détente and mutual exchange; seeking our aid in their fight against dramatic climatic change which is destroying their planet. In return, they are prepared to share the fruits of their advanced scientific technology. However, before long it becomes apparent to an increasing number of people effected by the visitor's growing dominance in human society, that all is not what it seems and that their motives are anything but philanthropic...
The brainchild of "Bionic Woman" and "Incredible Hulk" alumnus, Kenneth Johnson, "V" was inspired by Sinclair Lewis' novel It Can't Happen Here. Johnson's initial conception of the idea was originally entitled "Storm Warnings" and was a speculative examination of the possible rise to power of domestic fascism within the United States. However, Johnson was persuaded by a network executive at NBC to introduce an extra-terrestrial element and the result is one of the best mini-series ever broadcast on American television and one of the best pieces of Wellsian science fiction to reach an audience in a populist medium.
Essentially an examination of how a cross section of citizens within a democratic liberal society can be seduced, frightened, coerced, beaten into submission and driven to armed struggle by a totalitarian dictatorship, it remains an absolutely chilling viewing experience. While it may occasionally suffer from the more glitzy action oriented/soap operatic trappings of the eighties mini-series zeitgeist, for the most part it remains a disturbingly astute examination of the loss of liberty and the birth of coordinated resistance to totalitarianism. Watching it again recently, I found that it was not the more grotesque revelations of the visitor's natures and appetites that unsettled me, but their insidious insinuation into every aspect of public and private life (ultimately culminating in a contemporary media-savvy interpretation of the burning of the Reichstag which the Visitors implement and use as a pretext in order to justify their subsequent coup d'état and draconian institution of martial law) and the look of growing dread that begins to haunt the features of Leonardo Cimino's elderly Holocaust survivor as he realises that he is witnessing history repeat itself.
Listening to the commentary on this DVD is a delight and provides all manner of fascinating insights into the series. Kenneth Johnson knows his history and eloquently explains the ingredients and processes that went into making this landmark piece of television. Amongst the tidbits on offer are the revelations that fictitious news anchor Christine Walsh was very deliberately based on Nazi film-maker and propagandist, Leni Riefenstahl, and that Johnson consciously tried to write a goodly portion of the dialogue in Iambic Meter.
"V - The Mini-Series" ends without your traditional Hollywood resolution. Johnson's intention was clearly to examine the idea of the rise of fascism in contemporary society - not to posit a solution or offer his characters an easy way out. The story was however continued and concluded a year later in an inferior sequel called V - The Final Battle (from which Johnson walked during production due to creative differences with the studio) which amped up the soap opera, science fiction and action elements and which featured a rather ridiculous ending which resorted to bad science fiction cliches. Its enjoyable in a cheesy way, but really not a patch on its progenitor. This is the one that you want to watch.
A Classic October 21, 2009
L. Cabos (planet earth)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This show was an EVENT when it aired some a little over a quarter of a century ago. I great tv mini-series of it's time -- marred by the murder of Ms Dunne and her replacement in the show by Blair Tefkin -- it was, really, the rise of the Nazis in sci-fi for the modern world. I can watch this over and over and still be entertained and forced to think. About to be "reimagined". Well, we shall see, won't we?
 The Visitors Are Coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! October 7, 2009
Mr. Sinister (El Cajon, CA USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Like anything from the early to mid-80s, there is going to be that twinge of nostalgic quality interlaced in your memory of what was good and what wasn't. When I was a kid I watched The Dukes of Hazzard and Dallas every Friday night. The Love Boat and Fantasy Island every Saturday night. I lived through The Sonny & Cher Show from the 70s. I was there at the birth and demise of shows like Happy Days, Luverne & Shirley, Diff'rent Strokes, Family Ties & so many more. What was good and what wasn't? V. That was good. V. The ultimate invaders from Mars taking over the planet while we dumb Earthlings stand around and gawk. V.
Marc Singer (The Beastmaster, If You Could See What I Hear) plays the tough-as-nails cameraman Mike Donovan in the opeing scenes, racing through the conflict in El Salvador like some leftover footage from the A-Team. Suddenly a gigantic spaceship fills the sky. 50 such ships hover over the major cities of the world (it's funny some of the cities they considered major at the time. New Orleans? El Salvador?) while humanity scrambles around looking for answers. The Visitor's make their presence known and they are just like us. Yeah! They come in peace and need our help to manufacture a chemical compound that will help their distant society survive. Their Supreme Leader John looks just like any middle-aged man with the exception of his strange voice and his need for bulky eyewear. Otherwise, everthing is just hunky dory. Mike Donovan, with the help of a charismatic anchorwoman and his asian sidekick are invited to film up at the mothership hovering over Los Angeles. Great. Up there they meet the beautiful and cold Diana (Jane Baldler, one of the great baddies of the 80s, right up there with Larry Hagman's J.R. Ewing and Joan Collin's Alexis) and get a chance to tour the facilities of the mothership to show Earth what they're up to. The Visitor's are so nice, so cool, so helpful... Enter the fascist state of bedlam. Scientists around the world are accused of conspiracy and the threat of sabotaging the Visitor's motherships. Nazi Germany has been reinstated. Young people are recruited into little cliqes, turning in scientific sympathizers and selling out their parents when they're questioned. Hysteria. Martial law. Mike Donovan sneaks into the mothership to discover something terrifying. The Visitor's are actually rat-eating reptilian monsters and they're steaing the Earth's water for their own as well as sealing away people like frozen dinners aboard their giant spaceships. He narrowly escapes capture with the aid of some Visitors who don't believe in the overall plan of planet-wide domination. Donovan becomes Public Enemy #1. The rebellion against the Visitor's is born.
V is definitely a first installment measure of a larger beast and we recognized this even back in 1984 when the mini-series first came out. It ends quickly and you know that this is just the beginning. The 80s were not kind now that we look back and have a chance to realize what everything looked like. The feathered hair and bulky clothing. The fact that anyone thought Marc Singer was a heartthrob with his chiseled baboon face. Cliches aplenty. Robert Englund as the quirky, feel-sorry-for-me Visitor Willie, which is hysterical, because the whole time you're looking at his goofy face, you're saying IT'S FREDDY KRUEGER!!!! Lots of outdated special effects and hammy, cloying dialogue. Lots of in-your-face wow isn't this just like Nazi Germany innuendos. But when you strip past all that stuff, you have a great mini-series with a great plot that was still somewhat fresh back then. It's been beaten to death by now, but it worked in '84. Nostalgia will coat over some of the glaring inconsistencies, and you feel yourself smiling at what we were wearing back then, thinking that we were so cool. The non PC parts are funny as well, the stereotypical characters with their stereotypical dialogues, and you will love that regular TV wasn't so straight-laced back then. All in all V is what it is, a great end-of-times invasion epic with Sci-fi trappings. The nod at the fascist threat (Communism was sill very alive back then) made it poignant and gritty in it's day. This paved the way for so many movies after.
Epic.
Dig it!
Showing reviews 1-5 of 204
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