Logan's Run: The Complete Series

It's been a long wait--35 years(!!!) but at long last LOGAN'S RUN: The TV Series (1977-78) is finally available on DVD! Starring Gregory Harrison ("Trapper John, M.D.") as Logan, Heather Menzies ("SSSSSSS") as Jessica, Donald Moffat as the android Rem and Randy Powell as Francis. The series was produced by Ivan Goff and Ben Roberts (creators of both "Charlie's Angels" and the short-lived "Time Express") and featured scripts by William F. Nolan, Saul David, Leonard Katzman, D.C. Fontana, David Gerrold (Noah Ward), Shimon Wincelberg, Kathryn Michaelian Powers, John Meredith Lucas, and Harlan Ellison.
EPISODES:
1) "LOGAN'S RUN" (90 minute pilot)--Guest Starring Keene Curtis, Morgan Woodward, Michael Beihn ("The Terminator")
2) "THE COLLECTORS"--Guest Starring Linden Chiles, Leslie Parrish, Angela Cartwright ("Lost in Space")
3) "CAPTURE"--Guest Starring Horst Bucholz, Mary Woronov ("Death Race 2000")
4) "THE INNOCENT"--Guest Starring Lisa Eilbacher ("Beverly Hills Cop"), Brian Kerwin
5) "MAN OUT OF TIME"--Guest Starring Paul Shenar ("Scarface"), Mel Ferrer
6) "HALFLIFE"--Guest Starring Len Birman, William Smith ("Hawaii 5-0"), Kim Cattral ("Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country")
7) "CRYPT"--Guest Starring Ellen Weston, Christopher Stone ("Cujo"), Liam Sullivan
8) "FEAR FACTOR"--Guest Starring Jared Martin ("Fantastic Journey"), Ed Nelson, Peter Brandon
9) "JUDAS GOAT"--Guest Starring Nicholas Hammond ("Spider-Man"), Lance LeGault ("Werewolf"), Spencer Milligan ("Land of the Lost"), Morgan Woodward
10) "FUTUREPAST"--Guest Starring Mariette Hartley ("Genesis II")
11) "CAROUSEL"--Guest Starring Melody Anderson ("Flash Gordon"), Morgan Woodward
EPISODES UNAIRED BY CBS-TV:
12) "NIGHT VISITORS"--Guest Starring Barbara Babcock, George Maharis ("Route 66"), Paul Mantee ("Robinson Crusoe on Mars")
13) "TURNABOUT"--Guest Starring Nehemeiah Persoff, Gerald McRaney ("Jericho"), Hari Rhodes ("Conquest of the Planet of the Apes")
14) "STARGATE"--Guest Starring Paul Carr ("Buck Rogers"), Eddie Firestone
It's worth mentioning and there are several other 1970's sci-fi shows that are somewhat similar to LOGAN'S RUN: The TV Series, namely ARK II (1976), STRANGE NEW WORLD-Movie/Unsold Pilot (1975), PLANET OF THE APES: The TV Series (1974) and THE STARLOST (1973)--all of these sci-fi productions are available on DVD and are well-worth adding to your collection.

We children of the 70's have it rough when it comes to our favorite shows. The fact is, much of what we grew up watching and loving has not aged well. I literally had not seen an episode of Logan's Run since the show ended in 1978, and was highly skeptical that it would hold up. But I'm surprised and delighted to report that the show hasn't aged poorly at all.

[Minor Spoilers Ahead]

For those who only know the 1976 movie of the same name, you should know that the show DOES change a few things. The pilot, rather than continuing the events of the film, re-imagines them. While I enjoy the pilot, I do feel it rushes things a bit. Logan's decision to rebel, for example, happens about six minutes into the episode. Likewise, the android Rem's decision to join Logan and Jessica feels a bit hurried. Naturally, the restrictions of 1978 television mean the film's more adult themes have been toned down.

The series also benefits from the contributions of veteran science fiction writers and directors, such as D.C. Fontana, Harlan Ellison, and Alexander Singer. Even when the acting isn't always stellar, the scripts are usually well thought-out and original. The special effects and sets (largely matte paintings, but very good ones) are on-par with anything else from the era. The budget was no doubt helped tremendously by re-using costumes and props (as well as a fair amount of effects shots, especially in the pilot) from the film.

As for the DVD set itself, it's the definition of a "bare bones" release. All you get is the episodes, although it does include 3 episodes that were not part of the series' original run. There are English & French subtitles. The picture quality is good for its age, although there does not appear to have been extensive remastering. Film scratches pop up infrequently. The audio is clear if unremarkable. The A/V quality is perfectably acceptable overall, but maybe slightly disappointing for those who have been spoiled by the restoration efforts of shows like the original Star Trek or The Prisoner.

Logan's Run: The Series will probably never be much more than a footnote in the history of sci-fi t.v. But it deserves a second look. Like the best episodes of Star Trek or Stargate SG-1, the shows were often ABOUT something. It's a future that is both frightening and yet often plausible. And isn't that what science fiction is all about?

The 70's were a transitional time in science fiction both in theaters and on TV. "Star Wars" had suddenly made Space Operas with strong visual effects big business and, shortly after, Steven Spielberg checked in with his epic "Close Encounters of the Third Kind". While there were still plenty of cheap science fiction movies being produced (and occasionally good ones as well), the genre suddenly had a little bit of respect from mainstream Hollywood.

Original novelist William F. Nolan penned the pilot episode (with changes from the producer of the film "Logan's Run" Saul David and series producer Leondard Katzman)changing elements from the film. Most likely a fair amount of the rewriting was to simplify the plot and reduce the cost of the pilot. Most fans remember the show pretty well so I'm going to skip the synopsis of the plot in favor of reviewing the quality of the presentation. Interestingly, some of the dialogue from the film is carried over to the TV show.

The series looks decent although it could have used restoration. There are occasional scratches, speckles although after the opening sequence the majority of the episodes are dirt free. There's also some evident print damage. The show looks fairly typical for a late 1970's TV series colors aren't exactly bold and skin tones are a bit on the pink side at times. Sharpness varies with close ups being particularly soft (perhaps a combination of the choices of the DP and just the age of the film).

We get subtitles in English and French and the mono soundtrack is clear.

The 14 episodes are spread over three discs and the dual layered DVDs are housed in an Amray case with a cardboard slip case.

While the series could look better on DVD I'm sure many fans will just be happy that the show has finally arrived on DVD. If you'r a fan of the series, I'd pick this up. Some episodes are better than others of course but if you enjoy 70's TV shows, you'll enjoy "Logan's Run". I will admit that I have a nostalgic attachment to the series so keep in mind I have a bias for the show. Having said that the show had some solid episodes and, if given the chance, showed promise.

There aren't any extras and but the series also doesn't require you to jump through a series of previews unlike many DVDs.

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