V: The Original Mini-Series (1983) / The Final Battle (1984)

[Croweyes1121]

I can't discount The Final Battle due to its *amazing* opening credits theme. And Julie's conversion is horrifying. Seriously, what's more disturbing than an evil force altering your brain so that you're on their side? And Diana asking if her weak spot phobias stemmed from when she was young, finding out they are, then replying "good"?! The 80's were hardcore AF when you really think about it. lol

[VanDammage80]

This is great news!! I was actually about to cave on the dvd not too long ago.

[StingingVelvet]

Neat!

[Win Slow]

W.T.F took so long ! But no Final Battle ? That's like getting Godfather but the retailer telling u nah u don't need to see Godfather 2.

[alantracey]

Is it definite there's no Final Battle included? I can understand them not issuing the one hour series but unfortunately I won't buy the original miniseries unless The Final Battle is also available.

But the Warner announcement almost looks like they've finally got shot of the people working there who thought Bluray was a dead duck and also blocked a lot of interesting material. Additional Hanna Barbera beyond the acknowledged classics is especially exciting

[alantracey]

Originally Posted by BPW2016

I hope they release it in the 1.33:1 original broadcast ratio and not the matted 1.85:1 version that Kenneth Johnson insisted upon for the DVD release.

I'm usually one for original ratios but Johnsons stated it was shot with widescreen in mind for theatrical release and if you watch the 1.33 version there are numerous examples of boom mics and other bits and bobs appearing when they shouldn't be.

For that reason alone I didn't blow a gasket when they opted for wide with the dvd

[drush9999]

Originally Posted by alantracey

Is it definite there's no Final Battle included? I can understand them not issuing the one hour series but unfortunately I won't buy the original miniseries unless The Final Battle is also available.

There was a gap of a year for the previous DVD releases of the two mini-series. Which didn't bother me at the time. I can wait it out.

Still waiting for the Extended Superman II

[alantracey]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

It would be nice for them to go whole hog on this, and release a V Complete Saga set, with the 1983 V miniseries, the 1984 V: The Final Battle miniseries, and the 1984-1985 television series.

I wouldn't expect great sales for the weekly series so in my dreams Warner release the 2 miniseries together but at the same time a strictly limited edition that includes the one hour series.

I do hope those pre-credits recaps and "next time" previews they missed on the dvd's make some kind of appearance. The one at the very start of The Final Battle is one of the best ever but since the 80's I've only been able to see them as sub VHS Youtube videos

[Michael24]

I imagine if this sells well they would release The Final Battle. I'm sure they'll have something to say about it at their SDCC panel.

[alantracey]

Originally Posted by BPW2016

I believe his intention was that it should be released theatrically overseas but it never was. It was only ever broadcast on TV - in the UK, it was scheduled by ITV, along with The Final Battle, to be shown as counter-programming to the 84 Olympics which was being covered by the BBC. Smart move too because it was a ratings hit!

Not that smart really.
ITV had always intended to show the miniseries and The Final Battle separately as they'd aired in the US but this was back in the day when ITV and BBC shared Olympics coverage but at the last minute when Russia decided to boycott the 84 games in retaliation for the US doing the same in 1980 ITV decided not to cover the games which left them with a big hole in the schedule so that was where V came in.
Full details in an issue of Starburst who were caught short at the shows late addition to the schedule and had to review it well after it had aired

[The Great Owl]

Circa 1983 through 1985, during my fifth grade through seventh grade years, I was a superfan of all things V.

I watched both miniseries airings, I watched every episode of the subsequent television series, I read the novelization of the miniseries, and I even read the multiple spin-off novels, namely V: The Pursuit of Diana, V: The Chicago Conversion, V: The Florida Project, V: The Crivit Experiment, V: Texas Run, V: The Alien Swordsman, etc.

Although I ended up selling those novels at a family yard sale during my teen years, and have not seen or read them since, I remember most of them by heart.

That was a really cool time to be alive.

Funnily enough, in recent years, whenever I hear the term, “the Resistance”, in the context of our present-day American politics, I immediately think of the V series.

[Tyger]

I’m glad I’m not the only one who would welcome the TV series. That being said, the original miniseries is definitely the best and stands apart from everything else.

I watched everything before the 2009 series, rented the DVD's from Netflix. Can’t believe how outdated that sounds now. I actually watched the TV series before The Final Battle cause I was thinking Final Battle would be the last thing.

[The Great Owl]

I was loving the 2009 V miniseries as well...until it got cancelled.

The fate of that V reboot and the fate of the amazing Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles are one reason why I do not bother with television shows hardly anymore.

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by Croweyes1121

I can't discount The Final Battle due to its *amazing* opening credits theme. And Julie's conversion is horrifying. Seriously, what's more disturbing than an evil force altering your brain so that you're on their side? And Diana asking if her weak spot phobias stemmed from when she was young, finding out they are, then replying "good"?! The 80's were hardcore AF when you really think about it. lol

V: The Final Battle's opening nightmare sequence and title theme is amazing.

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by alantracey

I'm usually one for original ratios but Johnsons stated it was shot with widescreen in mind for theatrical release and if you watch the 1.33 version there are numerous examples of boom mics and other bits and bobs appearing when they shouldn't be.

For that reason alone I didn't blow a gasket when they opted for wide with the dvd

Regardless, the aired aspect ratio was 4:3, and I think that's what the majority of viewers want to see.

[AmishParadise]

I was thinking about watching V: The Final Battle this evening. To my surprise I realized I didn't own this on DVD. Left me with only one option...

[Show spoiler]

And wouldn't you know it. The last time I watched this I didn't rewind the tape for Part 1!

_____________________

Some additional eye candy...

V: The Original Miniseries

[Show spoiler]

V: The Final Battle

[Show spoiler]

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by AmishParadise

I was thinking about watching V: The Final Battle this evening. To my surprise I realized I didn't own this on DVD. Left me with only one option...

[Show spoiler]

And wouldn't you know it. The last time I watched this I didn't rewind the tape for Part 1!

_____________________

Some additional eye candy...

V: The Original Miniseries

[Show spoiler]

V: The Final Battle

[Show spoiler]

That's going to be a hefty charge for not rewinding the cassette.

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by Michael24

Has anybody read Kenneth Johnson's V: The Second Generation novel? I learned about it awhile back and that it's a direct sequel to the original mini-series, ignoring the events of The Final Battle and the TV show. Was wondering how it is.

I have the book but I haven't read it yet. I've been looking forward to reading it.

I know he wasn't happy with how The Final Battle turned out, and he had nothing to do with it himself, but I think many of the things people remember most vividly came from The Final Battle

[Show spoiler](the nightmarish conversion process, Tyler's rebellion and the red dust, the birth of the twins)

. It's definitely got some great stuff in that second mini-series.

[schusler]

Nice...

I just revisited the mini-series a few months ago. Sure there are some clunkers but for the most part, still holds up. I had forgotten the show ended abruptly, and we never did get to meet the "Leader".

[Egons Ghost]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Circa 1983 through 1985, during my fifth grade through seventh grade years, I was a superfan of all things V.

I'm probably a couple of years younger (born 75) but man, V was huge with my family and some choice friends. Huge. Either it ignited an interest and fascination with Nazi Germany or I had it already (in a historiographical sense, not to mention imagining the horror of it). The whole scenario of your friends and neighbors being part of the youth arm of the supposed benevolent and obviously militarily dominant "visitors" I found gripping and utterly horrifying at that age, and still do. Great actors and characterizations, too. Is it just nostalgia talking? I'm convinced it holds up well.