V (Original Series) - The Complete Collection [DVD]

I have been promising myself the DVDs of this series for years, then hearing that there is going to be a remake (to be shown in 2010) I decided that the time was now.

The box contains:

V - Mini Series (1983)
V - Final Battle (1984)
V - Complete Series (1985) - 19 episodes (though only 18 were originally shown in the UK)

This was one of those programmes that when I was younger I used to stay up late for.

Created by Kenneth Johnson, it was something completely different to anything else on TV - remember this was the time of Dallas and Dynasty.

*** Possible Spoilers ***

*V*

It starts with a number of spaceships arriving over various cities around the world. The "Visitors" - who appear to be human - are lead by "John" (Richard Herd) and his Second in Command "Steven" (Andrew Prine), along with Science Officer "Diana" (Jane Badler). They "come in peace" or so they say. They offer cures for cancer, and other diseases, but never come up with anything. Journalist Mike Donovan (Marc Singer) smells a rat (or something similar) and decides to launch his own investigation into these friendly Visitors, getting what he finds to the public proves difficult and makes him a wanted man.

Meanwhile Dr Juliet Parish (Faye Grant) and some of her colleagues have become disenchanted with the visitors seeming inability to come up with the cures they promised, and the way that are taking over. They launch a mini underground movement to undermine the Visitors. As time passes they come into contact with Donovan and the truth starts to come out.

*The Final Battle*

We are introduced to Ham Tyler (Michael Ironside) and his sidekick Chris Farber (Mickey Jones) who are the men that the US Government turned to when they needed someone to do the dirty work. They hook up with the resistance and finally give some military planning to the fight against the Visitors.

*The Series*

Follows on from the Final Battle and introduces new characters such as Kyle Bates (Jeff Yagher), Nathan Bates (Lane Smith) and Elizabeth (Jennifer Cooke) as well as continuing on with already established characters.

*** End of Possible Spoilers ***

Interestingly, a viewers pole done at the time of the favourite characters of the shows (both mini series and the episodic series) threw up a surprise for the studios - they had expected Juliet and Donovan to be top with Kyle Bates (Jeff Yagher) and Diana (Jane Badler) also in the top 5. What they hadn't expected was the top two to be Willie (Robert Englund) and Ham Tyler (Michael Ironside) - both actors, at the time, were mainly known for bad guy roles.

The cancellation of the series came a somewhat of a surprise, especially as it was doing so well in the ratings. So sure were they that they would be renewed that scripts had been completed for season 2.

Yes, the scripts and back stories had some problems and holes; and some of the special effects look a little dodgy in comparison with the current CGI effects, but it's still a great series.

I haven't regretted my purchase. In fact I have thoroughly enjoyed revisiting this series from my youth - unlike many I have returned to this one has lived up to my memories of it.

Just to set the record straight, this is what you get:

- The Original Mini Series (1 two-sided disc)
- The Complete Series (5 discs, 19 episodes)
- The Final Battle (1 two-sided disc & 1 single sided disc)

Total: 8 discs.

Hope this helps..!

Love V, used to watch that when I was a kid.
This collection is excellent as you are getting all the V episodes from the TV series, plus the mini series and "the final battle". you have everything you need at a very good price.