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From Amazon.co.uk
It was a long time coming, but finally the crew of the Red Dwarf were reunited for what could be the last time with Back To Earth. And it proved to be a bit of a mixed blessing, with the three parts of show--all of which are brought together on this DVD--throwing up moments of absolute genius, alongside parts where you couldn’t help believing that its best days are far behind it.
The idea behind the show is quite ingenious. Back To Earth takes place after the supposed season ten of Red Dwarf, and the crew find themselves thrown through a portal, whereupon they realise that they’re all just characters from a TV show. Furthermore, they’re characters from a TV show who are going to all buy it in the final episode. The only solution? To track down both the actors that play them (including a trip to the Coronation Street set!), and the creators of Red Dwarf itself.
This opens the door for plenty of postmodern gags and situations, but arguably it’s only when things get back onto a more comfortable Red Dwarf plain do things start to gel a little more. And when it works, you can’t help but enjoy the fact that the crew are back together.
Will this be the last voyage for Red Dwarf? Quite possibly, and there’s little doubt that it’s far from the show’s peak. But it’s still a fun send-off for the crew, and while a little patchy, it still manages to be both funny and entertaining. It’s also, thanks to the DVD, far better to watch it all in one advert-free block.--Jon Foster
Product Description
Back to Earth takes place after ‘series ten’. Kochanski is dead and the crew are hurled through a portal and discover they are just characters from a TV series. Knowing they will die in the final episode the Dwarfers, in best Blade Runner traditions, decide to track down their creators to discover how long they have left to live. First the crew attempt to track down the actors who play them in the series and their metaphysical odyssey begins…
• Bonus Features • Cast Commentary • Director Commentary • All-New Exclusive Documentary • The Making of Back to Earth • Deleted Scenes • Smeg Ups • Featurettes • Trailers Web Videos • Photo Gallery • Easter Egg • Features both a Director's Cut version of Back to Earth and the original televised version.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By D. Levy
Format:DVD
This mini series is a victim of its own publicity. Expectations were raised so high that it was bound to disappoint many fans. I had my first reservations when they announced they were making a three part special, as opposed to a full series. What is clear from series 8 is that 2 or 3 parters don't work as far as Red Dwarf is concerned. It slows the plot down and for me there is a sense of trying to pad out the episodes with weak gags. If viewed as a one off feature, which this DVD has an option for, it works so much better. By ending episode 1 just as the plot starts to get going kills the momentum and by the time its picked up again in the second episode its killed once more.
As a story i think its very imaginative and entertaining. Yes it harks back to earlier series and isn't totally original but i thought the twist was constructed very well and sets it up perfectly for a future series. I also thought the serious scenes between Lister and Kochanski were beautifully played. In order to get the most out of this though it must be watched in one go.
As a story i think its very imaginative and entertaining. Yes it harks back to earlier series and isn't totally original but i thought the twist was constructed very well and sets it up perfectly for a future series. I also thought the serious scenes between Lister and Kochanski were beautifully played. In order to get the most out of this though it must be watched in one go.
25 of 28 people found the following review helpful
By Low-Quality
Format:DVD
I am a huge Red Dwarf Fan and hearing there was a new recently made mini series, I was really looking forward to see these actors reunited.
We live in an age of remakes and sometimes surprise returns of well known series/actors trying to recapture the peaks of glory. Many attempts in recent years of making a huge comeback of recreating nostalgia or continuing a series/franchise put to rest long ago , have been a mixed bag of decent effort and Epic Fail. So one has to keep an open mind nowadays and except returns of old greats to differ greatly from it's past success.
Luckily for Red Dwarf fans, things aren't that bad because many of the people behind the show are still involved , as well as the 4 main actors ! Infact my heart gives a huge salute to see them back together. It's actually very heart warming to see them play the same roles again without problems after such a long period of absence.
Unfortunately even though it's great to seem the old team back , it's not among the best Red Dwarf stories told. It gets a while to get into it ( Well with Red Dwarf having left us years ago , that's a given ) but later on it shows to have the makings of the more classic style of Red Dwarf Formula and the series classic trademark humorously confusing yet clever scientific explanations and twists.
This is still a great adventure with some fresh new twists, along with the usual great stuff you'd expect from Red dwarf.
One thing to note is that special effects are greatly improved and amazing to watch ..... which is a big step forward from the humble days of bad special effects budget BBC that we loved and gave great charm to the older series.
There are a few scenes that are particularly enjoyable to watch thanks to these modern advances .... Read more ›
We live in an age of remakes and sometimes surprise returns of well known series/actors trying to recapture the peaks of glory. Many attempts in recent years of making a huge comeback of recreating nostalgia or continuing a series/franchise put to rest long ago , have been a mixed bag of decent effort and Epic Fail. So one has to keep an open mind nowadays and except returns of old greats to differ greatly from it's past success.
Luckily for Red Dwarf fans, things aren't that bad because many of the people behind the show are still involved , as well as the 4 main actors ! Infact my heart gives a huge salute to see them back together. It's actually very heart warming to see them play the same roles again without problems after such a long period of absence.
Unfortunately even though it's great to seem the old team back , it's not among the best Red Dwarf stories told. It gets a while to get into it ( Well with Red Dwarf having left us years ago , that's a given ) but later on it shows to have the makings of the more classic style of Red Dwarf Formula and the series classic trademark humorously confusing yet clever scientific explanations and twists.
This is still a great adventure with some fresh new twists, along with the usual great stuff you'd expect from Red dwarf.
One thing to note is that special effects are greatly improved and amazing to watch ..... which is a big step forward from the humble days of bad special effects budget BBC that we loved and gave great charm to the older series.
There are a few scenes that are particularly enjoyable to watch thanks to these modern advances .... Read more ›
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Rob Cameron
Format:Blu-ray
I saw this "final series" when it was first shown on Dave. Having been a fan of Red Dwarf when it was originally shown on BBC I was intrigued as to how this would work so long after the original last series was made. Furthermore I had felt that the show had started to lose its momentum by series seven and eight so I was a little cautious about this new series. I remember enjoying it but not being over impressed.
I bought this on DVD for completeness as I had all the previous episodes on the two "Just The Shows" volumes. I enjoyed it much more on seeing it a second time and am glad I decided to buy it. The actors seem to slip back into their roles quite naturally despite such a long break. The story re-uses some ideas from the original show but with a twist, and it pays homage to Blade Runner in rather obvious but very successful way. If you a Red Dwarf fan I would definitely consider getting this as it is certainly a return to form and completes the Red Dwarf cannon.
I bought this one on Blu-Ray and was very impressed with the quality of the photography and the effects.
I bought this on DVD for completeness as I had all the previous episodes on the two "Just The Shows" volumes. I enjoyed it much more on seeing it a second time and am glad I decided to buy it. The actors seem to slip back into their roles quite naturally despite such a long break. The story re-uses some ideas from the original show but with a twist, and it pays homage to Blade Runner in rather obvious but very successful way. If you a Red Dwarf fan I would definitely consider getting this as it is certainly a return to form and completes the Red Dwarf cannon.
I bought this one on Blu-Ray and was very impressed with the quality of the photography and the effects.
73 of 85 people found the following review helpful
By E. Thomas
Format:DVD
'What is it?!'
'It's the equivalent of one of those overly self-referential Christmas specials that aren't actually as funny as the regular series (When 'Carbug' pulled up at the Rovers Return at the end of episode 1, I died a little inside)'
'What is it?!'
'It's a surprisingly heartfelt Lister and Kochanski story, with Craig Charles providing some highly touching moments'
'What is it?!'
'It's a comedy/drama hybrid that tries too hard to be both, ending up being an emotionally confusing experience'
'What is it?!'
'It's a self-deprecating look at the series and its legacy, which can be viewed as a humorous aside to the series itself'
'What is it?!'
'It's a story that uses a number of unfunny 'aliens/time-travellers in an unfamiliar place' cliches. I mean, Kryten talking to a post box because he thinks it's a robot?! Purlease...'
'What is it?!'
'It's a surprisingly un-padded, cleverly structured three episode story with some nice DVD freeze-frame gags that are picked up through repeated viewings'
'What is it?!'
'It's a science fiction story that is heavily weighed down with genre references and head-twisting digressions, making the light-hearted comedy elements seem out of place, and alienating the series from those who just want a good, well-scripted laugh'
'What is it?!'
'An extension of the cinematic aspects that made Series VII both so brave and controversial, and probably as close to 'Red Dwarf: the movie' as we are ever likely to get. As such, its an initially jarring departure from Series 8'
'What is it?!... Read more ›
'It's the equivalent of one of those overly self-referential Christmas specials that aren't actually as funny as the regular series (When 'Carbug' pulled up at the Rovers Return at the end of episode 1, I died a little inside)'
'What is it?!'
'It's a surprisingly heartfelt Lister and Kochanski story, with Craig Charles providing some highly touching moments'
'What is it?!'
'It's a comedy/drama hybrid that tries too hard to be both, ending up being an emotionally confusing experience'
'What is it?!'
'It's a self-deprecating look at the series and its legacy, which can be viewed as a humorous aside to the series itself'
'What is it?!'
'It's a story that uses a number of unfunny 'aliens/time-travellers in an unfamiliar place' cliches. I mean, Kryten talking to a post box because he thinks it's a robot?! Purlease...'
'What is it?!'
'It's a surprisingly un-padded, cleverly structured three episode story with some nice DVD freeze-frame gags that are picked up through repeated viewings'
'What is it?!'
'It's a science fiction story that is heavily weighed down with genre references and head-twisting digressions, making the light-hearted comedy elements seem out of place, and alienating the series from those who just want a good, well-scripted laugh'
'What is it?!'
'An extension of the cinematic aspects that made Series VII both so brave and controversial, and probably as close to 'Red Dwarf: the movie' as we are ever likely to get. As such, its an initially jarring departure from Series 8'
'What is it?!... Read more ›
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3.7 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Red Dwarf Nine?
Pity it was so short. Some great ideas and some obvious movie rip offs (2001) great ideas but it is only 3 episodes and a disc of extras.
Published 18 days ago by B. Perham
5.0 out of 5 stars
:)
you know it makes sense to any would be cult buff who just happens to rellish in the red dwarf milieu
Published 19 days ago by Shaw
5.0 out of 5 stars
love Red Dwarf
was so pleased when they brought red dwarf back use to watch it when i was at school, could sit and watch this over and over and still find it funny
Published 1 month ago by leasy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Smeggin' funny!
I ordered Red Dwarf - Back to earth - Director's cut DVD & it lived up to expectations & beyond. Dwarfers will love it.
Product arrived on time. Thanks.
Product arrived on time. Thanks.
Published 2 months ago by bookworm
5.0 out of 5 stars
top rate
always enjoy red dwarf, i have got the first 8 series and never get bored of watching them the cast are top drawer
Published 2 months ago by Mr. Raymond A. Rice
5.0 out of 5 stars
Running Time Confusion/Discrepancy!
I enjoyed the new series 'X' on Dave and thought I'd better catch up on this as I didn't watch it when it was mainly due to the terrible reviews and my fear it would risk ruining... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mr Happy
4.0 out of 5 stars
Collection.
I was a bit disappointed when I watched this. Even so, I bought it to complete the Red Dwarf collection.
Published 3 months ago by Mr John Gardiner
3.0 out of 5 stars
all the hype
With all the hype I bought this to see the ending.
But like the rest of it thier mind was on warped drive.
But like the rest of it thier mind was on warped drive.
Published 3 months ago by Stephen Duesler
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not like the old days.
After series 6 it went a bit rubbish and this just carries on the trend of not being as good as the old days back in series 1 - 5. Entertaining but not that good.
Published 3 months ago by Finmeister
4.0 out of 5 stars
Give this a chance!
As a brand new Red Dwarf fan of the series (six months and counting), I was sort of dreading watching this after reading such bad to mediocre reviews on it. Read more
Published 3 months ago by tove89
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