The Martian Chronicles Finally Coming to Blu-ray in 2018

[Thomas Veil]

For younger viewers this is a tough sell because of the effects and 70's budget etc..but if you can get past that the story itself is I think played out really well. I always felt bad about the character of Spender and seeing what we are doing to our own planet makes his story even more timely. If your all about the whiz bang then this isn't for you but if you can look past that it does hit home.

[do.wayne.ClassicFilm]

Originally Posted by Thomas Veil

For younger viewers this is a tough sell because of the effects and 70's budget etc..but if you can get past that the story itself is I think played out really well. I always felt bad about the character of Spender and seeing what we are doing to our own planet makes his story even more timely. If your all about the whiz bang then this isn't for you but if you can look past that it does hit home.

I totally agree. The special effects are pretty bad, (even for the time period and television budget) but— 'I saw past that' and really started to enjoy the storyline. I haven't seen the entire series yet, just enough to know that I really enjoyed the story. This was why I had recommended others who had concerns about a 'blind buy' to either preview or watch the entire series on YouTube.

Special effects aside... I'm really going to enjoy taking in the entire 'Martian Chronicles' storyline on blu-ray. I'm worse than a little boy, I can't wait until it gets released.

[mar3o]

Just learned about this, and I'me extremely excited to hear the news. Stunning blu-ray art too. This is a must-own for me.

Now bring on V:The original mini-series and V:The Final Battle!

[Automaton-X]

Originally Posted by mar3o

Just learned about this, and I'me extremely excited to hear the news. Stunning blu-ray art too. This is a must-own for me.

Now bring on V:The original mini-series and V:The Final Battle!

Ditto. I was 9-years-old when THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES mini-series originally broadcast and I've never had the chance to see it, and therefore, may risk a blind-buy.

I am, however, a fan of that other famous 80s, sci-fi mini-series – namely, Kenneth Johnson's V: The Original Mini-Series (and V: The Final Battle). I would love to see both of these come to BD at some point as well. In the meantime, I may catch this. Great news!

[glennstl]

Originally Posted by mar3o

Just learned about this, and I'me extremely excited to hear the news. Stunning blu-ray art too. This is a must-own for me.

Now bring on V:The original mini-series and V:The Final Battle!

YES to V! Can’t believe it’s not on Blu already. Talk about a great story.

[Pondosinatra]

I've had this on DVD forever but never got around to watching it...

[kevin87]

Never heard of this, and it would be nearly another 8 years until I was born when this was broadcast lol I'll check it out though.

Slightly OT, tvshowsondvd.com has been offline for 3 or 4 days... must be loads of maintenance to be done.

[DMRI2006]

I'm a Bradbury fan and thought this was just terrible. Dull and cheap looking too -- bad late '70s TV and a lame adaptation of the book (which Bradbury himself also disliked).

Obviously YMMV, but if you haven't seen it before, I would recommend sampling before buying if possible.

[peschi]

I agree, have the dvd, and once in a while I put it in the player, but some episodes are too dreadful to go through. That episode with the endless desert boat chase with the martians, the actors going through the motions, the really really crappy effects (even for its time), even doctor who that time looked better.

[Bobbyjoe766]

Originally Posted by peschi

I agree, have the dvd, and once in a while I put it in the player, but some episodes are too dreadful to go through. That episode with the endless desert boat chase with the martians, the actors going through the motions, the really really crappy effects (even for its time), even doctor who that time looked better.

Agreed. Some - if not all - the miniature work is poor, the “silver locusts” are disappointing.

I saw this years ago and didn’t think much of it, but purchased the DVD because of Darren McGavin’s involvement (Kolchak fan). Darren McGavin is always watchable - even in this.

[SpaceMind]

I've looked on all the services I am a part of, does anyone know if this is available to watch online anywhere? I remember when this aired when I was a kid but I don't remember anything about it really. Not sure I want to blind buy it. I would like to watch it first.

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by SpaceMind

I've looked on all the services I am a part of, does anyone know if this is available to watch online anywhere? I remember when this aired when I was a kid but I don't remember anything about it really. Not sure I want to blind buy it. I would like to watch it first.

Well it was released on DVD long ago, so maybe you can find a used copy cheap?

I watched a copy of the DVD I rented from Netflix several years ago, but only the first part - I got sidetracked and never got back to the rest of it. I did very much enjoy the first part, and it really took me back to seeing it on TV when it first aired. I haven't seen parts 2 and 3 since they aired originally, so I can't speak about how good or bad they were. But I'm sure I'll enjoy it for the nostalgia value alone, and for that, I'd rather wait for the blu-rays and see it look it's absolute best (hopefully).

Since you have never seen it, I understand it's a bigger risk.

[AnamorphicWidescreen]

Count me in as someone who not only felt that The Martian Chronicles TV mini-series was brilliant, but also strongly preferred this to the Ray Bradbury collection of stories. I found the series disturbing, poignant, and somewhat creepy at times.

I think some may be somewhat confused/turned off by the anthology aspect of this mini-series. I.e., there are several different stories here featuring different characters, and the stories are not really connected (too much). However, the one element tying them all together is the human colonization of Mars.

[do.wayne.ClassicFilm]

Originally Posted by SpaceMind

I've looked on all the services I am a part of, does anyone know if this is available to watch online anywhere? I remember when this aired when I was a kid but I don't remember anything about it really. Not sure I want to blind buy it. I would like to watch it first.

Like you and a few others who expressed similar concerns, I wasn't sure about doing a 'blind' buy so I simply made a YouTube search and I was able to catch enough of this mini series in order to 'whet my appetite'.

I liked it! I'm looking forward to adding this title to my stable of classic television series blu-rays.

I heard about —The Martian Chronicles— mini television series back when I was in my early teens, but I never had an opportunity to watch it. The special effects are a little horrendous though, even when viewing in 'low definition' on YouTube, but I still like it anyway.
Preview it on YouTube... it's free!

[Jon_Acord]

I can recall being 11 reading Ray Bradbury's tales. The Martian Chronicles I couldn't put down . When I learned a few years later a mini series would be premiering on TV I was revved up! I eagerly watched it unfold every night. I was the comic book kid with a box of mint Marvels, Warren magazines, Eerie, Creepy, Vampirella, my ten speed & tennis shoes. The wonder, the excitement of being a kid. The MC s fit nicely. Another RB movie adaptation I'd like is a Blu-ray of The Electric Grandma. Preordered!

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by Jon_Acord

I can recall being 11 reading Ray Bradbury's tales. The Martian Chronicles I couldn't put down . When I learned a few years later a mini series would be premiering on TV I was revved up! I eagerly watched it unfold every night. I was the comic book kid with a box of mint Marvels, Warren magazines, Eerie, Creepy, Vampirella, my ten speed & tennis shoes. The wonder, the excitement of being a kid. The MC s fit nicely. Another RB movie adaptation I'd like is a Blu-ray of The Electric Grandma. Preordered!

"The Electric Grandma"

Now that's one I haven't seen or even heard mentioned in forever. I barely remember it. I do remember liking it at the time.

[Jon_Acord]

I actually have The Electric Grandma on a homemade DVD I ripped & burned a decade ago.

[Jon_Acord]

Sweeet! Image1.jpg

[whotony]

Originally Posted by Jon_Acord

Sweeet! Attachment 198174

Care to enlighten the rest of us on what that is?

[Jon_Acord]

Originally Posted by whotony

Care to enlighten the rest of us on what that is?

Its an illustration for the short story 'The Martian Chronicles' by author Ray Bradbury. The movie of the same name was a published short story long before being adapted for the big screen, this particular illustration I shared is probably from the late 1950s or early 1960s.