Space: 1999

[BHolst]

We're contacting you about order #***-******-******* for "SPACE 1999 Season 2." We recently learned that this item was incorrectly listed as a Blu-ray disc, when it was actually a DVD. We're very sorry about this.

If you'd like to keep the order and receive the DVD, you don't need to take any action. Otherwise, please cancel the item from the order in Your Account

Dang!

[NoirFan]

I received the same email. Considerate of them to send it.

[mar3o]

Figures.

The DVD listing doesn't make any more sense though. It still says 1 disc so I have no idea what it's all about.

Guess I'll cancel my pre-order.

[tom_k35]

Well, we knew it wasn't real from day one. The only mystery now is what's on that disc.

Meanwhile, over at the Digital Bits, they contacted Network about this disc and the state of the Year Two restoration. They're not sure what Lionsgate is releasing but said that the restoration isn't completed. It's still on their list but now has a mid-2014 release.

[Arkadin]

well at least it still seems to be planned for release.

[ditcin]

Originally Posted by mar3o

Figures.

The DVD listing doesn't make any more sense though. It still says 1 disc so I have no idea what it's all about.

Guess I'll cancel my pre-order.

I was the consultant for the I.T.C. catalogue at A&E for almost 7 years. I have also been an acting consultant for SPACE: 1999 in the US since the late 70's. While with A&E I was extremely disappointed in the master quality of the DVD releases for season 1 and had written a proposal for the entire series to be restored and re-mastered in hi-def.
A&E at the time had all their home video releases arranged through a company called New Video. Once in a meeting the representative from A&E was very proud to announce they had procured a group of "films" from the I.T.C catalogue all based on several TV series they had already released. Thinking she had one over me she mentioned the titles and I shook my head. What she didn't know was that years previous I.T.C had culled together a pair of episodes from each of these series making "films" that could be sold to various TV stations. This allowed I.T.C to make more sales on product already sold in syndication without infringing in contracts made for the given series. Basically, these "films" were made from two episodes edited together - yet edited down slightly for commercials.
In the end this person at A&E actually re-purchased product they already had the rights to from Carlton Ent. who, at the time held the rights to the I.T.C collection. DUH!
Well, long store short, I hope this DVD release isn't one of those "films" culled from the Second Season of SPACE 1999. That film would be "Cosmic Princess".
It is true the Second Season has had its elements prepared for restoration - years ago. There was a problem with the original sound tracks which has delayed the processed. The first Season was restored and mastered by Granada in the UK. In my proposal the cost was supposed to be shared by Granada, A&E, Network (UK) based DVD company, and a UK based cable company. However, A&E backed out quickly, leaving Network to step in and take up the slack - paying for the new 5.1 re-mix and all the bonus material. All of that was ported over to A&E years later! A&E has been dragging their feet in hopes the same would happen again. Now that Lionsgate is disturbing A&E's release's I'd say there was a mix-up in the announcement due to what was being planned and actually being slated for a street date. In the years I world with both New Video/A&E I only ran into one respectable and professional person who actually knew what they were doing - and he left only a few years into the contract not being able to deal with the fools he left behind.

[tom_k35]

New update via the digital bits:

Finally, we’ve confirmed with all parties involved that the listing on Amazon for Space: 1999 – Season Two on Blu-ray is actually for DVD – the very same disc released by A&E and New Video previously, just re-issued by Lionsgate. Network in the U.K. tells me they are well along in developing plans for the Blu-ray release of Season Two, but don’t expect it before mid-2014.

But the mystery deepens, what single disc? As far as I know, A&E never sold a single disc, unless they're referring to the Bonus disc from years back.

[CHASLS2]

Originally Posted by Arkadin

well at least it still seems to be planned for release.

Been hearing that for years now.

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by ditcin

I was the consultant for the I.T.C. catalogue at A&E for almost 7 years. I have also been an acting consultant for SPACE: 1999 in the US since the late 70's. While with A&E I was extremely disappointed in the master quality of the DVD releases for season 1 and had written a proposal for the entire series to be restored and re-mastered in hi-def.
A&E at the time had all their home video releases arranged through a company called New Video. Once in a meeting the representative from A&E was very proud to announce they had procured a group of "films" from the I.T.C catalogue all based on several TV series they had already released. Thinking she had one over me she mentioned the titles and I shook my head. What she didn't know was that years previous I.T.C had culled together a pair of episodes from each of these series making "films" that could be sold to various TV stations. This allowed I.T.C to make more sales on product already sold in syndication without infringing in contracts made for the given series. Basically, these "films" were made from two episodes edited together - yet edited down slightly for commercials.
In the end this person at A&E actually re-purchased product they already had the rights to from Carlton Ent. who, at the time held the rights to the I.T.C collection. DUH!
Well, long store short, I hope this DVD release isn't one of those "films" culled from the Second Season of SPACE 1999. That film would be "Cosmic Princess".
It is true the Second Season has had its elements prepared for restoration - years ago. There was a problem with the original sound tracks which has delayed the processed. The first Season was restored and mastered by Granada in the UK. In my proposal the cost was supposed to be shared by Granada, A&E, Network (UK) based DVD company, and a UK based cable company. However, A&E backed out quickly, leaving Network to step in and take up the slack - paying for the new 5.1 re-mix and all the bonus material. All of that was ported over to A&E years later! A&E has been dragging their feet in hopes the same would happen again. Now that Lionsgate is disturbing A&E's release's I'd say there was a mix-up in the announcement due to what was being planned and actually being slated for a street date. In the years I world with both New Video/A&E I only ran into one respectable and professional person who actually knew what they were doing - and he left only a few years into the contract not being able to deal with the fools he left behind.

Very interesting information! Thanks for taking the time to share this with us.

I'm a huge Space:1999 fan. I know the films you're referring to. There were 4 "films" in all for Space:1999 - each assembled from 2 episodes of the series.

- Alien Attack (Breakaway and Wargames, from year 1 - both episodes almost complete, plus some hilarious new material filmed with new actors)

- Journey Through the Black Sun (Collision Course and Black Sun, from year 1 - both episodes had heavy cuts)

- Cosmic Princess (The Metamorph and Space Warp, from year 2 - particularly sloppy music editing with music from both seasons spliced in)

- Destination Moonbase Alpha (consists of the 2-parter "Bringers of Wonder" - an excellent year 2 story that works very well as a film actually)

If this DVD release is indeed one of the two films comprised of year 2 episodes, hopefully at least it's Destination Moonbase Alpha. The 2 parter Bringers of Wonder makes an excellent film actually, and there are no cuts other than a tiny bit of the opening act where the original credits played, and the final short act that leads to the end credits). Overall, this wouldn't be a bad release as it makes a pretty nice film.

Cosmic Princess, on the other hand, is a mess.

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by tom_k35

New update via the digital bits:



But the mystery deepens, what single disc? As far as I know, A&E never sold a single disc, unless they're referring to the Bonus disc from years back.

Yeah, still very confusing. It just doesn't make sense. Maybe it is one of these "tele-films" after all. They've been released in several other countries, after all. Maybe they're releasing one of them over here to see how the films sell in the US? A bit late to the game though. Those films would have been nice extras with the DVD megaset or year 1 blu-ray, but only the die-hard fans will have any interest in the tele-films sold separately. The blu-rays put those tele-films to shame, and those tele-films didn't have the best transfers to work off of in the first place.

[CHASLS2]

Originally Posted by mar3o

Very interesting information! Thanks for taking the time to share this with us.

I'm a huge Space:1999 fan. I know the films you're referring to. There were 4 "films" in all for Space:1999 - each assembled from 2 episodes of the series.

- Alien Attack (Breakaway and Wargames, from year 1 - both episodes almost complete, plus some hilarious new material filmed with new actors)

- Journey Through the Black Sun (Collision Course and Black Sun, from year 1 - both episodes had heavy cuts)

- Cosmic Princess (The Metamorph and Space Warp, from year 2 - particularly sloppy music editing with music from both seasons spliced in)

- Destination Moonbase Alpha (consists of the 2-parter "Bringers of Wonder" - an excellent year 2 story that works very well as a film actually)

If this DVD release is indeed one of the two films comprised of year 2 episodes, hopefully at least it's Destination Moonbase Alpha. The 2 parter Bringers of Wonder makes an excellent film actually, and there are no cuts other than a tiny bit of the opening act where the original credits played, and the final short act that leads to the end credits). Overall, this wouldn't be a bad release as it makes a pretty nice film.

Cosmic Princess, on the other hand, is a mess.

I have all the movies. Kinda strange to hear year one music in Space Warp.

[ditcin]

Originally Posted by mar3o

Very interesting information! Thanks for taking the time to share this with us.

I'm a huge Space:1999 fan. I know the films you're referring to. There were 4 "films" in all for Space:1999 - each assembled from 2 episodes of the series.

- Alien Attack (Breakaway and Wargames, from year 1 - both episodes almost complete, plus some hilarious new material filmed with new actors)

- Journey Through the Black Sun (Collision Course and Black Sun, from year 1 - both episodes had heavy cuts)

- Cosmic Princess (The Metamorph and Space Warp, from year 2 - particularly sloppy music editing with music from both seasons spliced in)

- Destination Moonbase Alpha (consists of the 2-parter "Bringers of Wonder" - an excellent year 2 story that works very well as a film actually)

If this DVD release is indeed one of the two films comprised of year 2 episodes, hopefully at least it's Destination Moonbase Alpha. The 2 parter Bringers of Wonder makes an excellent film actually, and there are no cuts other than a tiny bit of the opening act where the original credits played, and the final short act that leads to the end credits). Overall, this wouldn't be a bad release as it makes a pretty nice film.

Cosmic Princess, on the other hand, is a mess.

These re-edited "films" have a very sorted past. The first released on Beta/VHS was through FOX VIDEO, in North America. They really botched it - the actual release and cover art was for Destination Moonbase Alpha but the back cover had the synopsis for ALIEN ATTACT; with pictures from an episode entitled, "Dorzak" as well as Bringers of Wonder". Knowing the lead lawyer at I.T.C. I informed them and it was taken off the shelf fast. FOX dropped SPACE too. Next it was USA HOME VIDEO who chose to release the "films" over the series under the banner ADVENTURE VIDEO. That didn't work out too well either - ALIEN ATTACK and JOURNEY THROUGH THE BLACK SUN were chosen. Both had new artwork and were packaged with correct images and liner notes... however, they chose actress Sybil Danning as a sort of MC. Her picture was on the cover and she did an intro to the films. The problem was the way she was dressed and how the words she spoke. Neither were of good taste - then again, the company had originally made their money from porn (which explained the over sized packaging and slide out tray similar to the way they had packaged their porn tapes). I had made it known to I.T.C just 24hrs before Martin Landau & Barbara Bain's attorney found out expressing his clients dissatisfaction. That was the end of that. SPACE went silent then for years until it all the episodes were released by IMAGE ENT on Laserdisc. I had provided all the images for the sleeves and checked liner notes.
Yes it would be nice to have these "films" restored/remastered for Blu-ray, but really they actually should be included as bonus material on as part of the Season 2 release of the episodes.
- Scott