V: The Original Miniseries (DVD)

V: THE ORIGINAL TV MINISERIES is now and will always be a landmark in television science fiction. The recent airings of the two miniseries on the SyFy Channel finally goaded me into buying a DVD copy for myself. I was not disappointed. Producer, writer, and director Kenneth Johnson had almost complete control over this production. The quality shows through with a good story, fluid camera work, thrifty film editing, and symbolism throughout the film. Even better is Kenneth Johnson's director commentary as a special features option. Johnson narrates from beginning to end. His dialogue is tied to the scenes at hand and is a virtual cornucopia of behind the scenes production information, trivia, and memories verbalized as clearly as if the film production concluded only yesterday. Johnson's explanation of film techniques alone almost seems to constitute a semester's worth of a film production class. Overall a first rate production. The plot for those who care to read it again: A seemingly humanoid race arrives on Earth with dozens of enormous mother ships Earth to assist mankind. All they ask in return is the ability to process synthetic chemicals to bring back to their planet. Quickly however the Visitors, as they are known, facilitate social unrest that is wholesale blamed on those employed in the science profession. Scientists are blamed for attempting to derail the Visitor's goodwill, open acts of sabotage, and are linked to an alleged world-wide conspiracy to withhold medical cures purely for the sake of extorting research funds. As such scientists are treated in much the way the Jewish population faired during the Holocaust. In the meantime people continue to disappear without a trace much like the Nacht and Nebel degrees of Nazi Germany. The Visitors even supplement their ranks with human volunteers in local Visitor militia groups much like storm troopers of the 1930's. The Visitors, having taken world leaders into their protective custody, enforce martial law. All is not lost as a brave band of resistance fighters, led by Julie Parrish and Mike Donovan, methodically assemble a force to fight the visitors. Mike Donovan, formerly one of the news cameramen welcomed by the Visitors, has seen the Visitors in their true reptilian form. He quickly discovers that the aim of the Visitors is to rob the Earth of its water and enslave the population. Humans are primed by the Visitors as potential impressed soldiers for the leader's army, as well as a source of food for the Visitors. The resistance is not alone in its struggle as there are a handful of aliens who do not support their leader's aims. The first miniseries concludes with the resistance having emerged victorious from a nominal battle and preparing for the next engagement. The mini series moves along smartly. There is no useless dialogue or prolonged scenes to overly exhibit expensive sets. Much as I enjoyed V: THE FINAL BATTLE I readily admit that the original television series is far superior. THE FINAL BATTLE picked up where the first series left off, but quickly devolved into a more drawn out production. Lacking Kenneth Johnson at the helm and a reduced budget, the second mini series lacked the creative camera work, superb editing, and tight dialogue of the original. Kenneth Johnson pitched a sequel that would have ignored the second mini-series and weekly television production, but Warner Brothers (who own the television rights to the series) opted to remake the series for ABC. Johnson's sequel eventually ended up as a book. For reasons that still escape me I missed the original May 1983 broadcast of V. I did not become a fan of the series until early 1984 when I saw V: THE FINAL BATTLE and was later able to watch a summer rebroadcast of both mini series prior to the airing of the weekly television series. Much as I admired both mini series and the television show, I admit that I always felt THE FINAL BATTLE's ending was rushed. The instant resolution with the simple release of red dust was too hurried and not in keeping with the original mini series. Ultimately V: THE ORIGINAL TV MINISERIES is a superior effort. I recommend that after you watch the film that you watch it again with Kenneth Johnson's commentary.

It's just so incredible that this is available to purchase and add to my streaming collection! This mini-series was huge when it first aired a V The Visitors(83'), followed by V The Final Battle(84') For me, it was just as big as any sci-fi production or franchise that had been manufactured and still is. Factoring in the era, I believe it's still the most expensive production ever created. The cast was perfect, and with the exception of David Packer(personal reasons), there wasn't an actor in this production I didn't enjoy, especially Michael Ironside, whom I have followed ever since his role of Ham Tyler! I've also felt that Marc Singer, was a terribly underrated actor, whom I believe was mostly used for his physical capabilities, but has proven that he can, indeed act! As a kid growing up, I was not an exceptionally good student in school, so I really didn't make the connection with the "Visitors" acting as a modern day German empire led by Hitler to extinguish anyone he considered to be inferior or weak, but what I have realized through the years is our race can fight each other and we can wage war on each other over race, religion, political beliefs or just our lust for power or dominance, but a supreme intelligence with advanced technology could care less about any of those trivial things we deem of value and just attack us and devastate everyone as a whole. It doesn't matter who we are, what we believe, or where we come from. The Visitors see us as all the same and we are!

I completely understand how people lost their mind over this show 40 years ago. The storytelling and character building are awesome. Also, WAY ahead of their time on lead roles belonging to women and POC. The graphics are amazing… for 1984. The ending was a little too, “wrap this up quick” for my taste, but they did have a season of Television. Maybe they dig in on answers there.

One of the greatest miniseries ever made.

* "V," the NBC Television mini-series which first aired nearly two decades ago, was intended to be seen for its entertainment value though, admittedly, using some pre-mid 20th century historical elements to contribute to the overall plot and theme of the story -- specifically World War II Germany (the alien "national symbol" even resembling an incompleted 'connect-the-dots' swastika). Little did the writers, directors and producers of this mini-series realize that their sci-fi project was a late 20th century prophecy which would begin seeing fulfillment in the just few months shy of the dawning years of the 21st century. The purchase of this DVD marked the very first time of my ever seeing this feature, and I was instantly hooked, especially by its dazzling high-octane opening sequence. The special effects were also nicely done considering the time period in which it was made, that it was a "made for television" movie, and the fact that it was made on the cheap. (It was also nice to see Robert Englund as something other than a flame-scarred tragedy figure.) The story of "V" revolves around a race of seemingly benevolent space aliens who look, sound and act a lot like us. They convince the world that they are our friends and only wish to extend the hand of cooperation & unity and work toward a "common good" where all will benefit. But there are those who have some very gnawing suspicions about the "Visitors," that they are not quite everything they appear to be -- which is a serious understatement, for it turns out that the real agenda of the "Visitors" is to rape the planet of its most precious resources and enslave humanity. "V's" creators obviously tried to parallel the story with National Socialist Germany, but in hindsight it becomes frighteningly obvious that "V" was as much a vision of the "historical future" as it was a view to the "historical past!" That unintentionally forseen future sneaked up on us and, just like in the mini-series, nobody took notice... until it was too late! That "future" which "V" foreshadowed occured during the "Campaign 2000" ("C2K") presidential [s]election! The similarities are too hauntingly similar: > "V": "Visitors" came as "friends" promoting "brotherhood" and prosperity for all. > "C2K": Republican nominee presented himself as a "compassionate uniter" who promised a strong, vibrant economy. > "V": "Visitors" took control without being duly elected and under suspicious circumstances. > "C2K": Republican presidential administration took control without being duly elected and under suspicious circumstances. > "V": In order to usurp power, "Visitors" took advantage of impotent elected government officials. > "C2K": In order to usurp power, Republicans took advantage of impotent elected Democrat government officials & politicians. > "V": "Visitors" fabricated a non-existent energy crisis on their homeworld in order to plunder & exploit the precious natural resourses of earth. > "C2K": Republicans fabricated a non-existent energy crisis in our homeland (in California specifically and in the whole of the United States in general) in order to plunder & exploit the precious natural resourses of the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve. > "V": Major news media almost unilaterally gave supportive non-critical "pro-Visitor" spin to the news and did all they could to suppress independent media outlets and put a halt to, or discredit, any serious investigative news reporting. > "C2K": Major news media almost unilaterally gave supportive non-critical "pro-Bush" spin to the news and did all they could to suppress independent media outlets and put a halt to, or discredit, any serious investigative news reporting. > "V": Scientists were demonized by "Visitors" as unwholesome, unpatriotic, and even dangerous elements of society. > "C2K": Environmentalists, corporate regulation advocates, and civil rights advocacy groups were demonized by Republicans as unwholesome, unpatriotic, and even dangerous elements of society. > "V": "Visitors" preached peace and tolerance while instigating a very one-sided "endless war on terrorism," resulting in the repeal of certain rights guaranteed under Constitution-- including and especially 'free speech' --and labelling anyone critical of their unconstitutional actions as having sided with terrorists. > "C2K": The Bush Administration preached peace and tolerance while instigating a very one-sided "endless war on terrorism," resulting in the repeal of certain rights guaranteed under Constitution-- including and especially 'free speech' --and labelling anyone critical of their unconstitutional actions as having sided with terrorists. > "V": "Visitors" operated a 'secret government' from a base on their homeworld. > "C2K": The Bush Administration established a secret government in an undisclosed location here in our homeland. > "V": "Visitors" advocated a policy encouraging citizens to spy upon one another and report "anything suspicious" that could be construed as being linked to terrorism or terrorist organizations. > "C2K": The Bush Administration advocated a policy called "Operation TIPS" ("Terrorism Information and Prevention System") which encourages citizens to spy upon one another and report "anything suspicious" that could be construed as being linked to terrorism or terrorist organizations. It goes on and on! Where does one stop with all of the comparisons? The similarities are virtually endless! The only thing missing is a distinctive insignia to rally behind (that is, of course, if one doesn't already consider the American Flag to be it, especially since the unfortunate tragedy of "911"), designer costumes for the "Youth Brigades," and entire sweeps of towns and mass imprisonments. In "V" the violators of our basic and most cherished liberties were lizard-creatures wearing human-looking skin; In 21st century America they are human through-and-through, but they do often speak with the 'forked tongue' of a reptile! The makers of this mini-series probably had no idea they were developing a story with an eye on a direct future outcome, which makes this series even more enjoyable and even more disturbing to watch. Everyone should watch this video, not only for the entertainment value, but also as a warning and a wake-up call! [Dialogue from the film]: (Mike Donovan): "How did someone like that get to be your leader anyway?" ("Martin"): "Charisma. Circumstances, promises. Not enough of us spoke out to question him until it was too late." * * *

One of my favorite shows

Loved it when on TV now can enjoy anytime

If you like old shows this is a good one I've always enjoyed it It's fun to compare technology from then to now and how it might look now if they were to redo it

Mon adolescence...que du bonheur de revoir...

Bra film tycker om v men vill ha fortsättningen på den första som ni skickade lyckas tydligen inte får den får se om jag hittar den någon annanstans.

One of the best mini series ever made. Everyone should watch this to remind them what happens when your country is infiltrated by groups with nefarious agendas. Shame they never gave Ham Tyler and Chris Farber their own show.

Tolle Serie guter Klassiker Zustand perfekt

tres rapide et efficace le produit est conforme et parfait . merci