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With its campy combination of lightweight adventure and Spandex disco chic, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century is a nostalgic throwback to post-Star Wars opportunism. Series co-creator Glen A. Larson was incapable of originality, and former soap star Gil Gerard (in the title role) was a bland incarnation of the comic-strip hero, so the much-anticipated series premiered on September 20, 1979, with serious disadvantages. Although the two-hour pilot "Awakening" had tested successfully as a theatrical release, Gerard and the show's producers could never agree on a stable tone for the series, which presents Capt. William "Buck" Rogers as a jovial space cowboy who is accidentally time-warped from 1987 to 2491. Earth is engaged in interplanetary war following a global holocaust, and Buck's piloting skills make him an ideal starfighter recruit for the Earth Defense Directorate, where his closest colleagues are Dr. Huer (Tim O'Connor), squadron leader Col. Wilma Deering (former model Erin Gray, looking oh-so-foxy), the wisecracking robot Twiki (voiced by cartoon legend Mel Blanc), and a portable computer-brain named Dr. Theopolis, who's carried by Twiki like oversized bling-bling.
The series struggled through an awkward first season, with routine plots elevated by decent special effects and noteworthy guest stars including Jamie Lee Curtis, ill-fated Playboy Playmate Dorothy Stratten (appearing, with her voice dubbed over, less than a year before her tragic murder), Batman alumnus Julie Newmar, Buster Crabbe (veteran of vintage Buck Rogers movie serials), and several others in a show that favored vamps and vixens over credible science fiction. A full-scale overhaul resulted in a disastrous second season, but devoted fans still gravitate to Hawk (Thom Christopher), the charismatic alien "birdman" who was introduced with new characters and a new, space-faring search for lost tribes from Earth (with echoes of Larson's own Battlestar Galactica). Behind-the-scenes squabbles continued, and by mid-season of 1981, NBC pulled the plug on a breezy, still-engaging series that suffered from uneasy chemistry and never realized its full potential. Existing somewhere between Galactica and Lost in Space in the TV sci-fi food chain, this Buck--with a dearth of DVD extras--now functions as a cheesy stroll down memory lane. --Jeff Shannon
Product Description
Blast off with every groundbreaking episode of the action-packed sci-fi adventure, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century! Join legendary intergalactic crimefighters William “Buck” Rogers (Gil Gerard) and Colonel Wilma Deering (Erin Gray) as they lead the crew of the starship Searcher against a galaxy of evil from the past, present and faraway future. This must-own five-disc collection presents the entire Buck Rogers series and original theatrical pilot on DVD for the first time ever. Thrill to the epic sci-fi hit that the Associated Press called “razzle-dazzle good fun.”
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Most helpful customer reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By The Critic
TOP 100 REVIEWER
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
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)
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)
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Lise Vincent
Format:DVD
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.
Format:VHS Tape
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!!!!!
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4.2 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not the theatrical release
There is at least 1 scene missing. The scene where Buck is shown his apartment food dispensor and entertainment center. Read more
Published on Jan 2 2005 by L. LeBlanc
4.0 out of 5 stars
Cheesy Eighties Sci-Fi
This is a great movie to watch with some others that are in the same vein. Get this one along with Flash Gordon, Battlestar Galactica and Logans Run. Read more
Published on Dec 12 2003 by Brian J. Kinser
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Must See for any SciFi Fan
For the present-day SciFi fan who is used to huge explosions, amazing visual effects, and all those modern conveniences, this movie may be a little slow. Read more
Published on Mar 19 2002 by "govt_atty"
5.0 out of 5 stars
BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25TH CENTURY IS GREAT!
This is the original TV-made movie from 1987. It's fast paced and never a dull moment. When first shown on TV it was 2 hours (due to commercials). Read more
Published on Aug 4 2001 by "netterstx2"
5.0 out of 5 stars
Buck Rocks
I think a lot of people have forgotten how really good this show was. Gil Gerard plays Buck like no one else could. Read more
Published on July 21 2001 by Christopher Fitzgerald
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pure entertainment
When I was a kid, was sick and I had to stay home from school, I watched Buck Rogers. The film is so entertaining, it never got boring! Read more
Published on May 19 2001
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pure entertainment
When I was a kid, was sick and I had to stay home from school, I watched Buck Rogers. The film is so entertaining, it never got boring! Read more
Published on May 19 2001
4.0 out of 5 stars
Boy, did I oversleep this time!
Universal Studios updated the popular matinee movie serial sci-fi hero from the thirties to the seventies in this film which was the pilot for the TV series. Read more
Published on Feb 22 2001
5.0 out of 5 stars
Buck is Best! Gil is Great!
If you are one of those who takes movies (and anything else) too seriously; one who can't simply enjoy something for what it is - entertainment, then you won't like this movie. Read more
Published on July 16 2000
4.0 out of 5 stars
Gerard makes BUCK a Delight!
BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25th CENTURY could easily have become dated camp, by now (Rogers' disastrous space tour was supposed to have occurred in 1987...did we miss it? Read more
Published on Feb 5 2000 by Benjamin J Burgraff
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