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THIS REMASTER IS A SUBSTANTAIL UPDATE, BUT WITH VISIBLE ARTIFACTS FROM THE FILM STOCK --- PERHAPS 4 STARS FOR THE REMASTER WITH CREDIT FOR IT'S AGE
***CRITICAL UPDATE ON REPLACEMENT DISC FOR WIDESCREEN VERSION: multiple web sites are issuing replacement disc notices for disc 3 of the widescreen version due to missing content on the episode The Magnificent Warriors (first episode on the disc). The announcements gerenrally read the same. Email to USHEConsumerRelations@visionmediamgmt.com ---- include the following in your title line: "Battlestar Galactica Classic Collection: BD'" --- and state the following in your email body: I would like to receive a replacement disc for (Disc 3, Episode "The Magnificent Warriors") --- They will respond with an email within 24-48 hrs asking for your mailing information and shortly after that with a postage paid envelope. They state it takes 2-3 weeks for the replacement disc to arrive. ***
***SEE NOTES ON THE REMASTER AND CROPPING NEAR END OF THIS REVIEW***
WHICH BLU RAY VERSION IS FOR YOU?: Major fans will have already hashed and rehashed this. However, here is the very simple perspective. If you want to see the program mainly as it aired, in Full Screen (older square-ish format), that is only in "The Definitive Collection" which has both Widescreen and Full Frame versions and includes the 1979 movie theater edit of the TV pilot episode called "Saga of a Star World" (slightly different edit with more final ending). However, if you don't mind some slight cropping at top and bottom and you don't need the additional Theater edit of the pilot, then the cheaper
The Remastered Collection
is all you need. ***Note that though the Widescreen version has minor cropping top and bottom, it also gains some picture width on each side (not viewable in the original Full Frame) as they take advantage of overshoot on film stock to widen the frame. So it's a give and take either way. ***More on the cropping below.*** ---Both sets include Galactica 1980
REVIEW INTRO: Shortly after Star Wars ushered in a new era of special effects, there was a rush to get new space sagas onto the small screen. As a result, Battlestar Galactica is one of our great milestones in TV Sci Fi. It was made in the 70's, so of course there's a little 70's acting shmultz. But, the 70's bent is part of its charm in a way. This show ages surprisingly well because of the quality of story and character development. The mythology speaks to a deeper part of the human soul and captivates our imagination. As a young boy, I was obsessed!
BASIC STORY (no spoilers): From the pyramid skyscrapers of home world Caprica, to the undiscovered worlds of space, this is one of our seminal tales of space saga. -- Humans in a system of planets with twelve colonies have been enemies for a thousand years with a cybernetic race called Cylons. These Cylons have now sued for peace and celebrations are planned throughout the planetary systems. However, this peace accord is only a ruse (aided by the human traitor Baltar) to mask an approaching invasion force bent on their annihilation. The war vessel Battlestar Galactica catches the attack early and manages to survive the holocaust along with a ragtag fleet of 220+ civilian vessels filled with survivors from all twelve colonies. Together they will travel throughout the universe in search of a fabled Thirteenth Colony on a planet called Earth. This so they can bolster their numbers and survive as the human race. They seem to be guided by the Lords of Kobol themselves and thwarted by a force darker than the Cylons. Along the way, they will find countless worlds holding clues to where the Thirteenth Colony went many millennia ago. They will also encounter many species and learn more of the Lords of Kobol, who are god-like and associated with the mother race for all humans.
CHARACTERS: One of the things that make this show so durable are its outstanding characters. Yes, the acting can be a little shmultzy, but that is normal for the 70's and a prime-time series viewed by a wider age group. Loren Green leads the cast as the elder statesman and commander of the remaining Battlestar. It is a tale of his family with son Apollo rising in his footsteps. Starbuck is the lovable rake that everyone seems to love best despite his mischief. Jane Seymour plays beautiful Serina, who becomes Apollo's love interest. Lucifer is the envious and impetuous robot who plays second fiddle to the human traitor Baltar. Sheeba is the kick butt female fighter pilot. And of course, the now mythical cylons themselves with that monotone voice, eerie cyclops eye that burns red and waves from side to side with that warbling sound!
THE MYTHOLOGY: The show has a very strong mythology borrowed from many ancient religions and cultures, as well as from some relatively new ones. This is not a religious program and no one against that should be put off. However, the use of these mythologies is brilliant because it speaks to such a primal part of the human consciousness. The twelve colonies (tribes) are clearly Israelite inferences while Egyptian and Greek images and dress and architecture are copied immensely. The Counsel of the Twelve - very Christian. Still, it's done in a way to create structure and story. It is wholesome for a family show, but not preachy in any way. It is first and foremost Sci-Fi.
REMASTER AND BLU-RAY REVIEW: Keep in mind this is all in context of a show over 35 years old so one can't expect it to be exactly like releases of new Sci-Fi. This is also a remaster and not a full restoration and cleaning. That said, this is a clear improvement over the older releases with crisper details and brighter colors that are still reasonably natural tone. For a program with so many dark scenes on ship bridges or deep space, I actually felt lucky that the dark scenes still looked as good as they did. Deep space shots of nebula (in special effects) can still look a little fuzzy but certainly better than before. When actually looking at real objects even in dark scenes, there is way less grain than there could have been. I still saw a little more grain looking at a few shots of Galactica from the outside in space, but it was not bad given the dark scene and the age of the film. Luckily they didn't do too much DNR in my opinion and I can still see pores on people's faces if reasonably close. I did notice there are still many small film artifacts and an occasional hair thin yellow streak now and then. The artifacts are definitely on both Widescreen and Full Frame, but are more noticeable on the Widescreen version. A few of the more harsh artifacts I saw on the Widescreen were not in the Full Frame version (again, frame by frame comparison), which was a little strange. Also, the larger your TV, the more noticeable it will be. The sound is also a great improvement and there is separation. But again, it's an old source so it won't be just like a new Sci-Fi movie. It's much better than before, but it's not going to be reference quality. Overall I am very happy and breathing a sigh of relief. I have seen much worse restorations that were from shows a decade later than this. I have seen dark scenes in other movie restorations that look like bad VHS (not the case here). It is also important to note that despite some obscure rumors, there is no CGI enhancement of special effects.
ABOUT THE CROPPING ON THE WIDESCREEN VERSION: I ran frame by frame comparisons and there is cropping on the widescreen to get that length though they also take advantage of the overshoot on original film stock to get even more length and minimize the amount of cropping necessary top and bottom. It's not going to make a huge deal, but it could make a difference to more particular fans. In really close scenes when viewing a pilot in the cockpit, the frame can cut off higher parts of the helmet design of the pilot. When the camera pans to show screen readouts that the pilot see's, some detail might be cut off. In one scene for example, I could see an entire freighter on the cockpit diagram in full screen mode, but in widescreen it cut a noticeable part of the bottom off. Conversely, the width you gain in Widescreen from overshoot will show side details not in the Full Frame version. The opening scene with the council around a table will show the outer wall layers creating a natural picture frame effect (you do see the whole room and characters though). This would not be viewable in the original TV broadcast or the Full Frame version Blu Ray. As I said, it's a trade off and a matter of personal preference. I will post more on this later. If you really prefer watching in widescreen and don't mind a little snipping top and bottom, the other package I mentioned is a cheaper option.
FINAL THOUGHTS: Though the special affects will seem dated to new viewers, they were part of that groundbreaking revolution in their day. Be forgiving of the ticky-tac stuff and appreciate this show for the milestone and accomplishment that it was. From the dark regions of space, the engaging mysticism, to the fighter jocks with gunslinger like laser pistols on their hips, this show has so many elements to entertain and captivate.
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From the manufacturer
Battlestar Galactica: The Definitive Collection [Blu-ray]
Synopsis
The ultimate collection for the classic series that launched one of the beloved sci-fi franchises, enjoy Battlestar Galactica in both its original television format and in widescreen format for the first time – all in high-definition! Battlestar Galactica: The Original Series: Hopeful for lasting peace following centuries of intense warfare, the Twelve Colonies gather to sign a treaty with their dreaded enemies, the Cylons. But after an act of treachery on the eve of the ceremony, the Cylons launch a devastating surprise attack, destroying the Colonies' home planets and most of their military strength. A lone flagship battlestar, the Galactica, remains to aid the surviving colonists on their epic journey for a new home to a far-off legendary planet—Earth. Galactica 1980: The Complete Series: 30 years after the events of Battlestar Galactica, the original crew finally makes the long-anticipated descent to Earth. With time running out and the Cylons closing in on their trail, Commander Adama and the Galactica must work harder than ever before to help Earth create the technology necessary for battle. Battlestar Galactica: The Original Movie: The original movie that started it all, this theatrical version of the pilot episode includes several alternate scenes different from the televised version.
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Reviews with images
Battlestar Galactic: The Definitve collection is the way to go!
I am not going to review BSG as a series, you are interested in this set because you love the show. My review is for the Blu-Ray set which I will say right off that The Definitive set is well worth it! First a warning, The series is NOT meant to be seen in widescreen! The feature film (and the pilot by default) is the only thing that was meant to be seen in widescreen. The feature film was shot with 1.85:1 in mind for a theatrical release and was meant to be matted to 1.85:1 (trimming the top and bottom and opening up the sides) but was also protected for TV (opening up the top & bottom and trimming the sides to achieve 1.33:1, the TV ratio of the time). The feature film is also a different edit (and better IMO) than the pilot version. Once you get to the first episode "Lost Planet Of The Gods" The widescreen framing looks wrong. (Examples included with this review) Heads are cut off, framing looks unnatural and cramped, and things are cut off in general. I went back and started again watching everything in "full frame" (Full frame is a misleading term) 1.33:1 where everything looks like it should. I am totally against faking widescreen which is the case here. The picture quality is outstanding! Sharp and colorful. There are some grainy shots, but if they use DNR to remove grain, it destroys detail and causes "smearing", so grain is the lesser of 2 evils. Keep in mind this was a TV show made in the 70s with lots of visual effects. Some shots are still going to have dirt and scratches that can't be removed, but a lot of the major damage has been removed as shown in the special feature "Battlestar Galactica: Remastered" which is only on the "widescreen" version included in "The Definitve Collection". My other gripe with this set is the "5.1" audio. It was lazily "mixed". If a proper 5.1 mix can't be done, leave it in it's original mono or stereo (In the case of the BSG series, mono) It sounds like the dialog was put in the center (where it, for the most part) belongs. But it sounds like the effects and music were just spread into the left & right with little or no mixing / panning but with a fake "stereo" effect. This is really annoying when a viper flies from one side of the screen to the other and the audio stays in both the left and right channel with no left to right panning. It's also annoying that when Muffet barks and it comes from the left and right channel when it should be centered. These are just a couple of examples but the audio over all is like this for BSG. I would have been happier if the original mono audio was included. I know it's an older TV show and all the original elements may be lost making it impossible for a proper 5.1 mix. The original Star Trek series has a fantastic 7.1 mix, but all the original elements must have existed for them to do that. All the gripes aside, this is a significant upgrade from the DVDs. The feature film is included in the Definitive set and is the ONLY BSG that is made for widescreen. The feature film includes the original mono "Sensurround" (2.1) which packs a powerful punch when you have a killer sub-woofer hooked up to your system. So in a nutshell, Movie is great in widescreen and 2.1 audio, From "Lost Planet Of The Gods" on should be viewed in 4x3 "full Frame" and NOT widescreen (examples given in pics), 5.1 audio on BSG is annoying at times. Picture quality over all is excellent. Battlestar Galactic: The Definitve collection is the way to go!
Top reviews from other countries
Daniel Frias García
Excelente calidad del producto, llego en tiempo y forma.
Reviewed in Mexico on January 5, 2021
Steven Else
Battlestar Galactica plays on uk blu-ray players
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 16, 2020
Tony from Hull
Definitive Battlestar Galactica plays fine on UK Blueray players...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 31, 2019
