Buck Rogers In The 25th Century: The Complete Epic Series (5DVD) [Import]

Unlike a lot of old Sci-Fi shows coming to DVD this one includes the original two-hour pilot movie "Awakening" as it was shown in theatres. Climb into your Starfighter and join Buck, Wilma and the gang for all 37 galactic episodes spread out over 5 double sided discs. Yes that's right, five double sided discs from Universal Studios once again. The picture and sound are well done and better than I remember seeing on television, but it's too bad the soundtrack wasn't remastered in 5.1 Dolby digital like the original Battlestar Galactica.

Created by Glen A. Larson "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century" with its lame special effects is really cheesy and dated by today's standards, but still fun to watch. The series premiered on September 20, 1979 after the two-hour pilot "Awakening" was successful as a theatrical movie release that I was fortunate to see at the Drive-In. Former soap star Gil Gerard stars as Buck Rogers a hot shot pilot who is accidentally time warped from 1987 into the 25th century. Following a global holocaust the Earth now finds itself embattled in an interplanetary war and its newest inhabitant has just become an intergalactic Starfighter pilot. Joining Buck in his galactic crusade to protect the Earth Defense Directorate is the Ultra hot Col. Wilma Deering played by former model Erin Gray.

Once again Universal Studios has failed miserably to give fans what they really want, bonus material! Gil Gerard and Erin Gray are still alive so why wasn't a cast interview or look back featurette included in this DVD release. It would have been nice to see the stars from the show again and get their thoughts about working together for this DVD release. Five galactic stars for "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century" for a cheesy fun filled time, but four stars for the way it was released to the fans of the show. As for Wilma Deering, she could take me for a ride in her Starfighter any day and I mean any day!

The Cast:
Capt. Buck Rogers - (Gil Gerard)
Col. Wilma Deering - (Erin Gray)
Twiki the Robot - (Felix Silla) voiced by (Mel Blanc)
Dr. Theopolis - (Eric Server)
Dr Elias Huer - (Tim O' Connor)
Hawk - (Thom Christopher) Second Season
The Narrator - (William Conrad)

This show is corny at best. The acting not the best. But in my eyes the show has an entertainment value. It was an early version of all those space shows out there now and this is where they learned to write better shows. If you like to see something with more entertainment than good acting or writing I would suggest watching this series.

Not a particularly deep examination of post nuclear earth defending itself from marauding alien empires, but entertaining all the same. Besides, everybody loves Twiggy, beedeebeedeebeep!!!!!