Space: 1999 - Ultimate Edition Review From Imprint Television

[@CerealAtMidnight]

Order yours from the following retailers: *VIAVISION - viavision.com.au/shop/space-1999-the-complete-series-ultimate-edition-blu-ray-imprint-television/ *JB HIFI - www.jbhifi.com.au/products/space-1999-the-complete-series-ultimate-edition-imprint-collection-special-edition-1975-blu-ray *DEEP DISCOUNT - www.deepdiscount.com/space-1999-the-complete-series-ultimate-edition-space-1999-the-complete-series-ultimate-edition/9337369023991 *AMAZON - amzn.to/3AToCAI Check out our coverage of EVERY Imprint release to date HERE: kzbin.info/www/bejne/paqtiKudq5Jpoac

[@mikesilva3868]

You should watch the 70s classic starcrash movie it's a lot of fun to watch huge starcrash fan 💛

[@MasterJediDude]

The only thing that would have made this better is interviews/commentary with Martin Landau (God bless him -I miss the man).

[@bastidface]

Just received my copy of this over the weekend. It's fantastic. The HD transfers seem to be identical to the prior UK Network releases. Also, the 5.1 mix is very similar, if not identical to the Network releases. However, it's still a great set that can be played in North America without a region-free blu-ray player. Lots a great extras too that aren't contained in the original Network releases.

[@eduardo_corrochio]

Catching up on some of your previous YT videos, and this was a fun unboxing and discussion. This series carries nostalgia for me ... as a kid I watched its reruns on afternoons or weekends in the years after it was first aired. Also, have to mention, I'm always glad when someone says he prefers watching a TV series as it was originally broadcast (i.e., not modified/altered from 4:3 aspect ratio, and so on). You and me both. The box itself is so appealing, mostly because of the color choices. There's something so pleasing about that vibrant salmon-like color, and it goes nicely with the yellow font on that cover image. Someone at Imprint has done a bang-up job of product design with this release. Thanks for this, and for your enthusiasm too.

[@davejanes8091]

Gerry Anderson gave his shows some fantastic theme music. Loved the twangy, 60's guitar of Space:1999, and the drums/synth combo for U.F.O.

[@collegeman1988]

Not Gerry Anderson, Barry Gray composed the music for the first season of Space: 1999. Derek Wadsworth composed the music for Space: 1999’s second season.

[@neilhoughton1004]

I have done a comparison of the special features between this and Network's set and the following extras are missing from this edition - Clapperboard Part 2, Concept and Creation featurette, Special Effects and Design featurette & Horizon behind-the-scenes footage. The Imprint set makes up for this in the extra commentaries and the book of Fanderson articles.

[@vuuk]

Love the show. Even though the first season is technically far better, my first exposure to this show was the second season, which is a great guilty pleasure.

[@AlphanPeter]

Space:1999 a great show.

[@brockreynolds870]

The only thing that I wish they has done differently on these DVD sets, would have been to leave the twirling diamonds ITC logo at the beginning and end of each episode. The only release that included that in it's original form was the 1990 Laserdisc releases.

[@richardburnett8595]

Great review again. I watched this show on TV in the 70s & that's the next box set I'm buying tonight cheers

[@YellowfinGrouper]

The 5.1 sound is very well created and is not overly pumped up. The isolated music soundtracks are especially interesting for season 1 as there is a great diversity of musical styles. There has recently been a British release of the Space 1999 compilation movies in HD - the four which you mention in really high quality and widescreen plus an Italian compilation movie with a new soundtrack by Ennjo Morricone.

[@hqvideos4u111]

Fantastic set, I have the Shout Factory and the DVD version. I loved this show as a kid. Yes, I'm that old, lol

[@adorkability]

Great video, Heath! I LOVED this show as a kid. I even had the toy Eagle space ship, which was still one of my favorite toys even after most of the others were pushed aside in favor of Star Wars toys. I own the 17-disc A&E 30th Anniversary Edition, which at this point is almost 15 years old. Not sure if I'll upgrade though. Even though I loved it as a boy and still enjoy it as an adult, I haven't watched it in several years. I am planning on a rewatch though as soon as I finish rewatching U.F.O. (another of my favorites as a lad). Once I get into it, if it rekindles that old love, I may just have to plop down the money for this bluray set.

[@whos-the-stiff]

Eaglemoss are bringing out a collection of Space 1999 ships soon. The first Eagle is up for pre-order.

[@adriansherlock3907]

Space 1999 is the best TV space opera ever.

[@adrianjames3815]

That's a beautiful box set.

[@ebkesq72]

Does it contain Message from Moonbase Alpha? I did not see that on the list of special features. Also, I am eager to see if it is from the same masters as the Shout Factory release and/or the Network release. I’ve already double or triple dipped on this!

[@eddiehanson2738]

Lovely enthusiastic (justifiably!) review. Thank you.

[@littleangel446]

I just ordered the Imprint version from Deep Discount with a 10% coupon. I already have the Shout Factory Blu-ray. Once I have completed all the episodes (in original audio) and bonus features on the Shout edition, I will then start and do the same on the Imprint edition.

[@Terry.W]

Yes got the older version...this looks like the ultimate ..ultimate version..pity the series got cancelled ..also what happened to Professor Bergman ??

[@stephendevore3902]

The actor had contract dispute with studio and eventually told him they going a different direction. So the characters role of Victor just ended with out explaining

[@gbhxu]

@@stephendevore3902 One story I've heard was that Prof Bergmans' death was supposed to have been explained in the Season 2 episode called Catacombs of the Moon. That's the one where Michelle Osgood (played by Pamela Stephenson) needed the new heart.

[@stephendevore3902]

@@gbhxu Thank You

[@wayneoates8842]

@@stephendevore3902 victor’s departure was explained in the script for the second season opener’The Metamorph’ with Tony Verdeshi saying something like ‘I sure wish Victor was here to help, one lousy leaking space suit and he had to be in it!’ It was scripted but never filmed. 😢

[@davidnewcomb9027]

Great review and I love ur background , so perfect for the review and I also have the original DVDs , Shout blu ray, and the season one blu ray but I’m still gonna buy this set, my favorite show when I was about 13 along with Planet of the Apes, Logan’s Run, u get the pic lol, keep up the great videos and thxs.

[@kenpope5798]

Thanks for all the info and the comparison between this and the shout factory Blu-ray set as best you could not having it

[@ronnysgames9625]

Awesome BluRay set. Very tempting to upgrade from my dvd set.

[@mrenard72]

My bluray player (region 1) is probably 10 years old. I wonder if this would still play on it.

[@movieflicktube]

ALL 5 movies now in HD from Network

[@griffredux9966]

I do love a good space/scifi series. Might have to look into getting this! Plus that space aged clear/invisible case really seals the deal!!

[@CerealAtMidnight]

Space Age Clear Case* Not Included! *Green Screen malfunction required.

[@mikesilva3868]

@@CerealAtMidnight favorite Gerry anderson shows Thunderbirds 1965 stingray tv show fireball xl5 tv show supercar tv show ufo tv show four feathers falls tv show torchy the battery boy tv show Joe 90 tv show and this show🤯

[@Scott_Finch]

Apologies for the late comment. I believe it would be beneficial if all the episodes of Space: 1999 in that box set were updated with new effects while also retaining the option to view them with the original effects. Interestingly, the KZbin channel Alpha68 has episodes of Space: 1999 that feature updated effects, although accessing them will require a high-quality VPN.

[@peteriuliano5846]

iN SOME WAYS SEASON ONE SPACE 1999 WAS SO MUCH MORE SOPHISTICATED AND ENGAGING THAN MOST AUDIENCES COULD FATHOM AND FOR ITS TIME PERIOD THE LOOK OF THE SHOW both KEITH WILSON'S PRODUCTION DESIGN, RUDY GERNREICH'S COSTUMES AND THE PROPS DEPT. WAS INCREDIBLE. THE MUSIC WAS FASCINATING AND THE OPENING SEGMENT ALWAYS STRONG: YET THE SHOW COULDN'T BE SOLD TO THE NETWORKS USA (CBS ABC NBC) BECAUSE THE SHOW WAS REALLY A CUT ABOVE THE REST: CONSIDER THE LOVELY SHOW QUARK ON NBC AS BEING THE TYPE OF RIDICULE (THOUGH CLEVER) THAT WOULD PASS FOR SCI-FI AT THE TME.....

[@mikesilva3868]

Love this show huge Gerry anderson fan 💛😊🤯

[@cessnaace]

This looks like the package to get. I already have 2 of the compilation movies for 1999 )the one for Breakaway has additional footage), two for Thunderbirds, and one for UFO on DVD - all are Italian releases, so PAL/Region 2. However I have a player that can play DVDs from anywhere in the world. I have some of them on U.S. LaserDiscs as well, plus the one for Stingray.

[@JasonAdank]

Question: How is the audio in the ultimate edition? I have the bluray Network release of season 1 which defaults to 5.1 and its mixed really well - Sounds awesome! Then I bought the Shot Factory complete edition recently, and it defaults to the original mono (you have to change it every time you load the disc). And though they offer 5.1, its mixed terribly and sounds awful compared to the Network release.

[@CerealAtMidnight]

Good question! Imprint's defaults to 5.1 but does also have the original 2.0.

[@ravenelektra]

I wonder how this compares to the network on air releases I have. They're loaded with extras and booklets etc.

[@CerealAtMidnight]

Elsewhere in the comments, we've been doing a full breakdown of how this stacks up to the other two releases, and the Network release is the one with the least extras of the three. It's missing almost everything.

[@mikesilva3868]

@@CerealAtMidnight 😊

[@stephendevore3902]

Great review 😎

[@darrenblizzard3851]

Hmm this is a tough one. Being an Aussie I've been supporting Imprint since day 1 and have every release so far but my dilemma is that I have the Shout Select version of this which is a pretty nice set in itself (though I really like this box design). I'll have to scrutinise in more detail re features and transfers (will assume it's the same source Shout used) to see if this is worth upgrading and offloading my Shout set. Won't be the first time I've double dipped an Imprint though as they've released a couple of things recently I'd already bought on Paramount Presents. Ah well.

[@CerealAtMidnight]

I don't have the Shout version, so I'm unable to do side by side comparisons, but I notice that the Shout Factory release doesn't say anything about 35mm scans in their promotion (at least not that I can find), but Imprint's release absolutely mentions 35mm as the source. They may be the same transfers after all, but I thought it was interesting that Shout doesn't promote their source. I also note the Imprint edition contains text commentaries not on the Shout release, isolated scores on 46 of the 48 episodes, as well as a clapperboard featurette, textless titles, unfinished opening titles, theme demo, outtakes, behind the scenes "Model Shop" featurette, 4 feature film versions (huge), the movie trailers for the four films, archival interviews from season 1 and 2, Cosmos 1999 featurette, extensive photos and behind the scenes pictures for each episode, and the 48 page book, compared to a 16 page book. There may be more, that's just comparing the features list from both Shout and Imprint's websites. The Network version contains almost none of this. A few commentaries, the isolated music scores, the image galleries, and that's about it. It really does seem to contain every piece of Space: 1999 archival material ever created.

[@darrenblizzard3851]

@@CerealAtMidnight hmm well you don't own the Shout version but you've done some homework for me regardless! Thanks Heath, much appreciated. That there has sold me and I'm going to have to pick this up now as that definitely has some interesting stuff on it and yes the Shout booklet is barely a pamphlet really. I'll also be curious to compare the PQ and see if Shout is using the 35mm or not. Plus the Imprint packaging is much nicer. Way more retro. Again, much obliged Heath *doffs hat*. 🎩

[@CerealAtMidnight]

Happy to help! Getting into the nuts and bolts of this stuff is part of the fun.

[@darrenblizzard3851]

@@CerealAtMidnight amen to that!

[@mikesilva3868]

@@CerealAtMidnight 😊

[@bnchile1]

Imprint's stuff rocks!!!!

[@davejanes8091]

Before we had 7 of 9, we had Maya as our hot alien......no complaints here.

[@peteriuliano5846]

love all GERRY ANDERSON CONTENT ---- COOL!

[@DL30Creations]

Would rather get this on DVD as blu ray has more problems and less manufacturers than before. Old DVD player still works like new. Not much you can enhance on a 1974 TV show to warrant Blu ray price either.

[@Abraxus34]

when you will review the comparison with DVD and new blu-ray set edition of the HB herculoiids?

[@CerealAtMidnight]

I don't have the DVD or Blu-ray set, so I can't do a comparison. The Blu-ray is on my wish list, though.

[@afterwit3620]

Fantastic. Did you purchase the clear cases separately, or is the set you have just slightly different than the typical release?

[@CerealAtMidnight]

That's just a joke. For some reason, my green screen washed out the Blu-ray cases--they're not even green, they're blue!

[@afterwit3620]

@@CerealAtMidnight Ah...gotcha. What an odd effect.

[@geraldgutsueii3324]

Are the cases see-through because you're using a blue screen for the background? Noticed the little notice so I was curious if that, or you got a unique set.

[@CerealAtMidnight]

Yeah, the green screen washed them away. Weird, considering they're blue! The note is just a little joke.

[@davejanes8091]

hey Heath. Have you seen the announcement for Lionsgate releasing The Evil Dead box set? Missing Army of Darkness, but includes the 3 seasons of the TV show.

[@CerealAtMidnight]

I have, yes! I'm not sure how I feel about it, since I already have the two films on 4K. I have the series on Blu-ray and I honestly don't know if I'll be upgrading. For people who don't own any of it already, I think it's a great package.

[@cinemalord9055]

U do great 👍videos . Do u have a home theater setup we would love to see how you watch your movies, tv 📺etc.cool name cereal at midnight i love 💘the name. Are u picking up the incredible hulk series on blu-ray?

[@donaldsmith7633]

If I can find a set I'll buy it

[@roberthamilton4429]

Heath, any chance that you could do a show on buying/playing foreign releases?

[@CerealAtMidnight]

Thanks for the suggestion! I use Blu-ray.com as a resource to find out the region coding for global releases, which is a great way to find out what's region locked and what's all-region. That takes all the guess work out of international orders.

[@MrDelciope]

nice series

[@only257]

Good tv series 🤖

[@collegeman1988]

That really does look like everything and the kitchen sink, but does each episode begin with the spinning 3 color ITC logo and fabulous intro music? kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYaagXqmbK6ojbM That’s what I remember from seeing Space: 1999 as a kid, but was missing from the A&E DVD and Blu-Ray sets. A small detail that’s missing, but important.

[@CerealAtMidnight]

The ITC logo is not included. I wonder if that logo was present in all markets, or if each market (U.S., Canada, Australia, etc) saw a different logo, depending on the distribution partner for that region. For instance, in Italy, I wonder if it had RAI at the beginning, and so on.

[@ZulcanPrime]

This Imprint edition is too expensive for me. I already own the DVD version and the first season on Bluray that I bought from the UK.

[@johnh2566]

Amazon says its the region B2 and wont play here

[@CerealAtMidnight]

Amazon almost always marks non-U.S. releases as unplayable here, but that information is not accurate. Every Imprint release to date has been region free.

[@ebkesq72]

Also, as a Space: 1999 fan, have you seen Star Maidens? It used some of the same crew and leftover sets from Series 1 of Space: 1999. Despite the cheesy name, it’s quite good.

[@YellowfinGrouper]

It gets a lot of flack but is good fun. I doubt whether it used any sets from Space 1999 as it was in production at roughly the same time. It did have the same production designer so that would explain similarities in the visual look.

[@peteriuliano5846]

GERRY'S SUPERMARIONATION WAS A SHARED UNIVERSE, A CHRONOLOGICAL SCIENCE FICTION ADVENTURE SERIES OF SERIES THAT REALLY SHOWS HOW COOOL GERRY AND SYLVIA FIGURED OUT WHAT TO DO: WE'RE GOING TO MAKE OUR WONDERFUL SHOWS WITH HUMAN ACTORS OR NOT AND HOW CREATIVE AND INGENIOUS TAKE ON THE FUTURE SET IN THE 1960'S.

[@andrewbiehn1031]

Want that so bad but it is so expensive. Way out of my budget.

[@whos-the-stiff]

Just pre-ordered the new Space 1999 book from the Gerry Anderson store in the UK, it's a kind of visual guide to everything Moonbase Alpha. Unfortunately I couldn't afford the special edition that comes in a case with props.

[@johnh2566]

It sucks this set is a region B2.............So I got the shout factory one...

[@CerealAtMidnight]

It's not region B. Mentioned multiple times in the video.

[@PAULOSOUSADIAS]

Looks really cool, but I already own the Carlton Y1 DVD boxset and the Network Y1 Bluray boxset. As far as Y2 is concerned, the less said the better.

[@chrisgorton4577]

Sorry. But the latest release from Network in the UK is the very best..... the true Ultimate Collection.

[@CerealAtMidnight]

Which didn't exist when this video was made, Chris.

[@chrisgorton4577]

@@CerealAtMidnight I totally agree with you. It wasn't. Even though I now live in Florida I still hear rumblings from friends back home, in the UK, who are sci-fi nerds like me. I held off from the Australian release due to those rumblings.

[@brockreynolds870]

If soundtrack music is truly able to be isolated on the original elements, I would love more than ANYTHING to see a project where they take some year 2 episodes and re-score them with year one music... and change the opening titles to year one titles as well. I think it would take those episodes and make them FAR FAR more palatable.

[@hunterdean4766]

Imprint just seems way overpriced IMO. $178 for that is ridiculous. For that amount you can get the entire Game of Thrones series in 4k with money left over.

[@CerealAtMidnight]

I'm just the messenger here and have no personal investment in this one way or the other, but I see criticisms like this a lot and I think it's more complicated. It is worth mentioning that Game of Thrones is a mass-produced commercial product that was shot in HD and owned by Warner Bros, who puts out the discs themselves. No license fees required, and the masters are brand new, no restoration required. Also, Game of Thrones appeals to millions of people, and has made the company who knows how many billions of dollars. In the case of Space: 1999, we're talking about a seventies show that had to be: 1) restored from the original film elements at a cost of thousands of dollars per hour of film, and this is 48 hour long episodes. 2) Via Vision/Imprint doesn't own Space: 1999, ITV does, so they have to pay ITV to license it. ITV will no doubt have included the cost of the restorations into their licensing fees. 3) All those special features have to be paid for and licensed from ITV as well. This is likely why the other two releases (Network and Shout Factory) don't include NEARLY the same amount of extras that this release does. They appear to have paid for everything here, including the four feature film versions, which none of the other releases include. 4) This is an Australian release, made primarily for the Australian market. The cost through Via Vision themselves translates to around $121. The fact that Americans, or anyone else in the world, can enjoy this release if they so choose is icing on the cake. It's an option for those that are interested. More options means more competition, which means more good things for us as fans. So while I do recognize that this is not a cheap release, the cost of production for a series release like this, which is limited to 2000 units, is reflected in the asking price. It's not corporate greed. It costs a lot of money to put together a release like this and to license all the content, and then Via Vision has to factor in enough profit so that they can stay in business and then go do it again for the next project. I observe how so many fans support limited edition bottom-shelf movies with limited edition slipcovers at $50 per pop and I wonder why that's beloved, but movies and television shows with higher pedigree draw suspicion and frustration, despite actually delivering the goods where so many other companies fail.