BUCK ROGERS Series Coming on U.S. Blu-Ray with 2K Restoration of Theatrical Feature

[AndyDursin]

Unlike the international releases, Kino will have an actual HD master of the theatrical version -- which will also be available separately outside the box set:

[Eric Paddon]

I have to admit when Kino teased about a Universal sci-fi series being readied for Blu-Ray this was not what the TV buffs I know were hoping for. Most people I know were hoping for Night Gallery, Night Stalker or perhaps the first ever US release of a show like Sixth Sense. I've upgraded Buck once on DVD and I'm not particularly anxious to triple dip.

[Monterey Jack]

As far as Universal sci-fi TV shows go, I'm still waiting for Kino or someone else to give us Amazing Stories. I was hoping that recent streaming version might have kicked that loose, but no dice. Shame, as we never even got the second season on DVD, and it only ran two seasons anyways! It's a show that would benefit enormously from an HD presentation.

[AndyDursin]

Agree on AMAZING MJ, we both would've liked to have seen that.

I have to admit when Kino teased about a Universal sci-fi series being readied for Blu-Ray this was not what the TV buffs I know were hoping for. Most people I know were hoping for Night Gallery, Night Stalker or perhaps the first ever US release of a show like Sixth Sense. I've upgraded Buck once on DVD and I'm not particularly anxious to triple dip.

I understand, but from Kino's perspective, this is going to sell better than all of those shows. There's a reason it's already available in most territories outside the U.S.

I'm more surprised THE INCREDIBLE HULK is taking so long. Figured that would've been a no-brainer. Like "Buck" I already have an overseas release, but between the character's visibility these days and the show's popularity (plus the HD masters are readily available), that would've been one of the first shows I'd have gone after if I was running a label.

[John Johnson]

**UPDATE**

Kino Lorber have detailed their upcoming Blu-ray release of Daniel Haller's Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979), starring Gil Gerard, Pamela Hensley, Erin Gray, Henry Silva, and Tim O'Connor. The release will be available for purchase on November 24th.

Description: One Hero... An Entire Universe... Let the Adventure Begin! Blast off with this groundbreaking theatrical feature of the action-packed sci-fi adventure that launched the hit TV series starring Gil Gerard, Erin Gray, Felix Silla and Tim O'Connor. Join legendary intergalactic crimefighters William "Buck" Rogers (Gerard) and Colonel Wilma Deering (Gray) as they lead the crew of the starship Searcher against a galaxy of evil from the past, present and faraway future. Directed by Daniel Haller (The Dunwich Horror) and co-starring Henry Silva, Joseph Wiseman, H.B. Haggerty and Pamela Hensley.

Special Features and Technical Specs:
BRAND NEW 2K RESTORATION OF THE FILM
NEW Audio Commentary by critics Howard S. Berger, Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson
9-Minute Special Theatrical Preview
Theatrical Trailer
Two Radio Spots
Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature
*Please note that Buck Rogers in the 25th Century also appears in the Buck Rogers in the 25th Century: The Complete Collection. However, the box set has not yet been detailed.

https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=27366

[AndyDursin]

Quick review from my Kino column from next week:

Though silly, lightweight and decidedly “'70s,” BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25TH CENTURY (1979-81) was a Glen A. Larson production that was hugely entertaining for kids back in the day – myself included. In fact, I was so swept up in this TV series – even at age 5 – that when one episode was unexpectedly pre-empted for a “Sanford and Son” rerun, my Mom went so far as to call NBC headquarters in New York to find out what happened while it was supposed to air! The show only lasted two seasons but still made a big impression on a “Star Wars”-satiated youngster like myself: the weekly mix of outerspace adventure, wacky guest stars (Jack Palance's turn in “Planet of the Slave Girls” is an all-timer), dashing heroism (embodied by Gil Gerard's charismatic turn as Buck) and voluptuous female leads (Pamela Hensley and Erin Gray) filled in the gap on the small-screen for “Star Wars”/”Star Trek”-like fantasy, even if it's on a decidedly more juvenile scale here.

Interestingly, the show wasn't configured as a weekly series but rather a series of TV movies, with Universal deciding during production to release the first installment as a theatrical feature. Even if it's little more than a condensed, PG-rated version of what would become the series' first two episodes, the theatrical BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25TH CENTURY (89 mins., 1979, PG) still hit box-office paydirt in Spring '79 and convinced Universal that the show needed to go on – this time on a weekly basis as opposed to occasional two-hour installments.

The series debuted the following Fall (the premiere featuring some alternate/reshot material) and would go onto become a cult classic, and Kino Lorber has packaged both the entire series on Blu-Ray this month (Season 1 is infinitely better than Season 2), as well as just the theatrical movie separately if you choose to go that route. The movie features a brand new 2K master (1.85) that's noteworthy since it's only been presented previously in standard-definition across other, international Blu-Ray releases of the series. The transfer is great, a 9-minute preview reel is also on-tap plus radio spots, the trailer, and a new, enjoyable commentary with Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson.

“The Complete Collection” box-set houses the movie plus the entire series in nearly-as-solid 1080p transfers (1.33) with clear mono sound and 10 episode commentaries from writer Patrick Jankiewicz. There are also two new interviews, a 20-minute conversation with Erin Gray and a shorter talk with “Hawk” himself, Thom Christopher.

[Paul MacLean]

Even if it's little more than a condensed, PG-rated version of what would become the series' first two episodes, the theatrical BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25TH CENTURY (89 mins., 1979, PG) still hit box-office paydirt in Spring '79 and convinced Universal that the show needed to go on – this time on a weekly basis as opposed to occasional two-hour installments.

I'm surprised to hear the film was a hit. I remember when it was released, and how it was savaged by critics. Plus it wound-up on HBO about two months after its theatrical debut -- so I was always under the impression it was a bomb.

In any case, I agree it was an entertaining series, though at the time, for me -- as a lad bemoaning the recent cancellation of Battlestar Galactica -- Buck was a bit of a letdown. And yeah, it was different series and not trying to be Galactica, but seeing as it was the same production team (and even repurposed sets and effects shots from Galactica) the diminished quality was quite striking. Galactica was striving for the scope of a "feature film" (and was overreaching a bit in this regard), but Buck seemed more like The Dukes of Hazard in Space!

I wonder if the failure of Galactica led NBC to pressure Glen Larson to make Buck a more conventional TV show.

[AndyDursin]

I'm surprised to hear the film was a hit. I remember when it was released, and how it was savaged by critics. Plus it wound-up on HBO about two months after its theatrical debut -- so I was always under the impression it was a bomb.

I was surprised also, generated $20 million or so in 1979 dollars -- which would be like $77 million today, and very profitable given it was a TV movie. I don't know for sure but I'd guess the HBO fast-track was done on purpose, since the movie was released to kind of test the waters/stoke up interest in the TV show, which it sounds like they rushed right into production thereafter.

Interestingly, Erin Gray in this interview said she wasn't going to be in the TV series, they had hired another Wilma who wasn't working out and they "begged her to come back".

I wonder if the failure of Galactica led NBC to pressure Glen Larson to make Buck a more conventional TV show.

I think BUCK was definitely aimed more at kids with Twiki the robot and such. Certainly as a kid, I liked it more than BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, it's a lighter show more in line with STAR WARS or that kind of thing. It's interesting that the tone of the series is a lot less "adult" than the movie -- especially that opening credit reel!

[Eric Paddon]

To me, BR defines what "cheesy" really is, and not Galactica, which was more ambitious, dealt with more serious themes (not even the occasional silly episode detracted from that) and was more fun for me. I admit I did not catch BR at the time it was on because back then, NBC was the network to avoid in almost everything because it had such a reputation for putting bad shows on the air (at it's nadir in this period "Little House On The Prairie" a show no young boy ever would have been caught dead watching was its only Top 20 show). Years later, when I watched it I found some fun episodes and also *loved* Pamela Hensley's Ardala, but there was also that bittersweet feeling whenever I saw a Galactica prop or costume being reused and reminding me of what should have still been on. But Season 2 with the format/cast changes and no more Ardala is almost as enjoyable to sit through as an episode of "Galactica 1980".

[Paul MacLean]

Interestingly, Erin Gray in this interview said she wasn't going to be in the TV series, they had hired another Wilma who wasn't working out and they "begged her to come back".

They cast another actress to play, Juanin Clay, to play Wilma in the series, but after Grey agreed to come back, they gave Clay the role of Buck's assistant / side kick in the episode "Vegas in Space".

Certainly as a kid, I liked it more than BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, it's a lighter show more in line with STAR WARS or that kind of thing. It's interesting that the tone of the series is a lot less "adult" than the movie -- especially that opening credit reel!

Remember, eons ago, when a science fiction heroine looked like this...



...as opposed to this...

[AndyDursin]

[Paul MacLean]

In fairness I should say that I think Kelly Marie Tran is actually gorgeous...



...but they certainly went out of their way to make her dowdy and androgynous in Star Wars.

[John Johnson]

The original UK cinema poster.