Tripods, The: Series 1 (2 Disc Set) (Region Free)
The complete first series of the classic BBC sci-fi serial
Certificate: U
Running Time: 322 mins
Retail Price: $24.99
Release Date:
Content Type: TV Series
Synopsis:
The year is 2089. An alien race stalks the land in towering machines known as Tripods. They have taken over the earth and enslaved mankind with a mind-controlling device, ceremoniously implanted at the age of fourteen. Will Parker anxiously awaits this ritual but hears of a place where a group of people is organising a resistance movement. Together with his cousin they leave their village, hoping to join them. They have not left unnoticed however, and the giant alien machines are in pursuit.
Based on the novels by John Christopher, The Tripods was was one of the most expensive productions ever undertaken by the BBC, using a huge cast of many new special effects. Originally aired in the Saturday afternoon slot, previously occupied by Doctor Who, The Tripods is another classic sci-fi serial from the BBC.
Special Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
Video Tracks:
Standard 1.33:1
Audio Tracks:
Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 English
Starring:
Michael Gilmour
Ceri Seel
Roderick Horn
Lucinda Curtis
Peter Dolphin
Jim Baker
John Shackley
Barbara Thorn
Soundtrack By:
Ken Freeman
Distributor:
Second Sight
Your Opinions and Comments
However, I certainly can explain why I was so disappointed.
First of all, these WERE the mid 80`s and what looked good back then looks pretty corny nowadays. The background mattes look utterly pathetic and flat.
Secondly, there are dozens of "dead minutes" where nothing ever happens and it is as if the plot is going nowhere.
The video transfer is dreadful. While the compression level is usually ok, there are numerous scenes which look grainy and out of focus. Sure, this has got to do with the source material, but still, it is very annoying. Even more annoying are the whites. They glow as if they were radioactive. It`s strange, though, because the sun and the clouds look nice and white, while white clothes, white fabric and indoor whites bleed and glow immensely. To top it all, the aliasing of the tripods against the different backgrounds looks exceptionally lame.
The opening and closing titles of each episode (especially on the 1st disk, but also on the 2nd one) look as if they suffered a severe sand storm. They are filled with dust particles and scratches and look 50 years old rather than 15 years old.
The DD 2.0 soundtrack is not too good. Yes, the main theme tune is probably the most memorable thing in the entire series. It still sounds great. However, the dialog is muffled, occasionally, and the lack of any subtitles is REALLY annoying because there`s a lot of French in the series.
The menus are still and silent.
The disk set contains nothing other than the 2 disks, not even an insert. Nothing. Come on! There must`ve been at least one documentary available or maybe a re-grouping of the cast. What a shame! To top it all, the package is very misleading, since it includes 5 pictures, 3 of which are from the 2nd series.
Bottom line - a classic series that got a very bad treatment by "Seconds Sight Television". It`s amazing the BBC allowed them to ship this series in this disgraceful manner. Fans - rent this disk set. Anyone else - forget it. Sometimes nostalgia is better left untouched.