Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea The Complete Collection [DVD] [1964]

This is a great release from Revelation!... Well-packaged, It's simply a case of the company taking the four individual season releases and placing them inside two halves of a strong cardboard outer case, which provides good protection from dust & looks very impressive (while under 5 inches deep). As well as including a 10-page leaflet featuring production notes, each individual series includes a number of special features (see below). The first 32 episodes are in black & white, with the final three seasons switching to colour (78 episodes). The disc menu's feature an episode synopsis. The prints used for this collection are very good, with English subtitles.

This show holds many great childhood memories for me. Originally broadcast from 1964/68, this US sci-fi/adventure/fantasy series follows the exploits of the crew aboard the "Seaview"....a hi-tech, state-of-the-art atomic submarine. Officially titled a research vessel, the sub is in fact a sophisticated weapon against threats of espionage and war. The first season is primarily concerned with the aforementioned threats to national and world security, with further episodes veering increasingly towards more fantasy themed stories, involving the likes of aliens, sea monsters, and even a rampaging gorilla!

The impressive cast put in good performances, the lead characters include Admiral Harriman Nelson (Richard Basehart) and Captain Lee Crane (David Hedison). Series creator and producer, Irwin Allen employed the sets and miniatures from his 1961 movie of the same title, and the special effects are fine (for the time), along with good production values. From the master of 60's family entertainment, the show displays many familiar Irwin Allen ingredients: action, adventure, fantasy & peril. For me, a series that still holds up very well to this day.

***SPECIAL FEATURES***
*Never Seen Before Pilot Episode - Eleven Days To Zero (Unaired Pilot).
*Home Movie Footage From Irwin Allen (No Audio).
*Promotional Reel.
*David Hedison Interview.
*Blooper Reel.
*Presentation Book.
*Original US Broadcast information.
*Stills Galleries.
*1966 Audio Interviews (Richard Basehart & David Hedison).
*Original Unaired Pilot.
*Eleven Days To Zero (Re-Cut Unaired Pilot).
*Broadcast Pilot With Original TV Commercials.

I was a young boy during the 1960's, and when shows such as Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Lost in Space and Land of the Giants were the big thing on TV from American Studios.

At school we would recap the latest episodes in the playground.

When I saw this box set for a very reasonable price of £53.99, I just had to buy it......and I can tell you I have not been disappointed. So what that the special effects don't come upto the high demands that this generation of youngsters expect. The storylines can be humerous and inventive, but as with a lot of shows, reflected the political situation and views of the time.

Most importantly this box set is thoroughly enjoyable and nostalgic entertainment for that little boy who never quite grew up!

The one star rating because the individual seasons are available is ridiculous. Ignoring that, this looks to be a magnificent complete collection, with all four seasons together for the first time. Beautifully remastered picture from original 35mm film, and if the packaging is to the same standards as Revelation's previous Irwin Allen complete collections (Time Tunnel and Land of the Giants) then this is an essential purchase for fans of the master of disaster. Fingers crossed for a blu-ray release soon!