The Starlost Complete Series DVD Review - Part 1

[Evilmike42]

Ben Bova later wrote a tongue-in-cheek SF novel called 'The Starcrossed', which is a very thinly disguised story of why 'The Starlost' sucked as much as it did.

[Zaranyzerak]

@Evilmike42 Nice! I'm definitely going to have to track that one down now...

[Monkofmagnesia]

All I remember about this show was that the computer never was able to help them.

[straker2]

British TV was doing SF shows like Dr.Who and Blakes 7 on video so this was no problem to me, but Americans were not used to that at the time, so it came as shock and I think Ellison wanted it to be spectacular and expensive. Trumbull cut his teeth on 2001 A Space Odyssey so with him and Keir Dullea, it should've been amazing. But despite Ellison's outrage, this was much better than its rep, I really enjoyed Starlost as a kid and the ideas still compell.

[Ranger7studios]

LOL! I just bought the graphic novel of The Phoenix Rises from the ashes! And I knew about The Star Lost and never made the connection between the two. Now I can't wait to start reading this GN. Thanks for the awesome video!

[atrumira]

No. I'm sorry, the acting in this series is god awful.

Robin Ward - I could replace him with a banjo playing monkey & I guarantee you the monkey wud do a better job AND there wud be the added bonus of the banjo playing to help take your mind off the terrible special effects.

[Zaranyzerak]

@atrumira I could care less about whether the special effects are amazing or not, as long as it's got an interesting story. While some episodes were painful to sit through, others were top notch science fiction yarns. Robin Ward was acceptable, but Keir Dullea was excellent. As were many of the guest stars. It was a mixed bag. Thanks the production issues behind the scenes. It could and should have been amazing, it wasn't. But I don't think it's unwatchable, I quite enjoy it warts and all.

[JGlaister]

I've been remembering a TV show I watched as a teen. The title was "The Ark." My memories of the show are quite sketchy, but I remember domes and tunnels, and two or three people going from dome-to-dome. Internet searches for "The Ark" brought up too many false hits, and I couldn't find any data on "The Ark" until I somehow just remembered that the show was produced in Canada. A fresh internet search took me to "The Starlost." It wasn't great, but it was entertaining to me as a young adolescent.

[Dracopol]

As you say, the series was a mixed bag. I thought at age 12, in Canada, it was great. Great music, starts off with really high concept and "all humanity is at stake". Of course it should be remade.

If you like this, you would like the novel ORPHANS OF THE SKY by Robert A. Heinlein (originally as 2 magazine stories "Universe" and "Common Sense").

[OronOfMontreal]

@Dracopol

I was just going to write about the similarity between Orphans of the Sky and The Starlost! I'm glad somebody else noticed too.

(I'm glad somebody else reads those old S.F. novels!)

[eldersprig]

Ben Bova as science editor was completely ignored. Ellison was able to have his name taken off the production cause he had that as a stipulation in his contract.

[cultcuts1328]

Lots of great details in your review! Thanks so much! I've got the same set, but haven't watched all the episodes as of yet.

[truenorth1968]

Robin Ward. Wow. I forgot he was in this! He's the weaterm, er, meteorologist at our local CTV affiliate here in Toronto. I may check this out. I remember watching repeats in the late 70s.

[Zaranyzerak]

@truenorth1968 Oh, cool! He's done a lot of voice acting and narration over the years too, even taught some course about it.

[angeltread]

its like im looking down on you... oh wait.

[RazMansReality]

Awesome history lesson as usual buddy! Sounds like another good show I've never heard of I'd expect no less from you hehe!

[cloontrooper]

Great review Z!! I'm definitely gonna check this show out. We're about the same age and I've never heard of this show. Looking forward to getting this.

Speaking of Batttlestar G., have you checked out the new series yet?

[keynesrules]

This is why I like watching your videos. Each one is a mini history lesson on a sometimes obscure TV show. This show isn't really my thing as I think I enjoy Space Opera more than Hard Sci Fi.

[bluto1992]

Sorry for bashing, but Keir Dullea looks like Jeff Foxworthy in the intro. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I felt like I had to point that out

[Zaranyzerak]

@bluto1992 Just a TAD before Jeff Foxworthy was anyone. Dude was still in school at the time this came out.

[Stoudman]

@Zaranyzerak So what you're saying is....Jeff Foxworthy ripped off Keir Dullea? "You know you're a sci-fi fan when..."

[Dracopol]

@bluto1992 Only because of the mustache!

[DavidPrime83]

OH WOW that is awesome, I have to get this, I have to see it...

[leo12namath]

gotta love low budget sci-fi,sucks your selling your doctor who dvds,im trying to complete my tom baker collection,but im having financial problems too.

[Zaranyzerak]

@leo12namath Yeah, sucks to have to sell 'em, but whatever. They're always in print, so I know I can get 'em all again once the finances settles down again.

[turnippooferman]

That was the most intense MMC opening ever. Reverb , fast-talking, name dropping, and much much more. Awesome.

Now for the show... the whole thing sounds like its word-for-word the plot from "The Ark In Space", the Doctor Who serial, but taken as a series on its own. The music is simply kick-ass and the design for that ship looks really cool. I might have to check this show out.

[CoolXer0]

So, a space ship with a long forgotten mission is carrying the last human survivors of earth? Sounds pretty freakin' badass to me.

[Zaranyzerak]

@CoolXer0 Carrying them unknowingly to DESTRUCTION unless our intrepid heroes can find some way to prevent it. :) It has its ups and downs, definitely not as amazing as it should and COULD have been, but I like it.

[NorvenLeverone]

Wait, is videotape resolution-specific? Or is it just about the signal?

[Zaranyzerak]

@NorvenLeverone Resolution specific. Starlost was recorded on NTSC videotape, so NTSC resolution is as high as it can ever be (digital equivalent would be 720x480, interlaced). The only thing shot on film was a handful of the exterior shots of the Ark, and I'd be very surprised if those film masters still exist today.

[TheBluLife]

That show sounds really cool! I love classic Doctor Who so maybe I'll check this one out. Thanks!

[Notmadenough]

Hi, I'm hoping you can help me, I like you am a collector of almost everything and in order to have it all, I'm trying to find a film I watched in the very late 70's early 80's. All I remember about it was it was sci-fi, had lightsabre type weapons and at one point the sex female cyborg, buried herself and her captain? under sand in order to save him from freezing. Please for the love of chille cheese fries tell me you know what it is or where other than imdb I can look. Thanks, Rubin.

[Hagato54]

sort of reminds me of Megazone 23.

[PearlJammer07]

Sounds like an interesting show. One I might check out for myself too.

[AK231199]

sounds interesting, I have read a few people really badmouth this show, I might need to check it out for myself

[SBaby]

It kind of reminds me a bit of something from one of the Phantasy Star games.

[Blehhh49]

I've never heard of this show before, but the premise of it sounds like an AMAZING story, which I'm sure could have gone far if they had been able to finish. It's a real shame. Hopefully somebody will take a chance and give this a great remake.

[Barbaryotaku]

Looking forward to part two. I've never seen the show, but I like the idea of the arc split up into different domes. Shame it didn't get completed.

[tekwarsg1]

Your very interesting to listen to.your very informed about the topic you talk about and your very articulate in the way you express your thoughts and apinions. Keep up on being articulate and your subscriptions will surly rise.keep up the great work.

[Disthron]

This looks pretty cool, I think I might have seen an episode or so aaaages ago on TV. Must have been a re-run though.

[EnduranceProductions]

great info sir, never heard of this series, will have to check into it. i loves me some sci fi!

[stewie17]

how do you pronounce licht?

[Tidbitkid]

That Ladys first name is GAY,lol. Great Review as always. Can't wait for the second in this series.

[shibani2011]

Wow i'm first, that's new! Great review Zaranyzerak!