Blakes7 Discussion

dave · Joined: 30 Jul 2004 Posts: 218

Have to vote the books.

Never heard the radio series. TV wasn't bad, but when I tried watching it again recently I found it a bit boring compared to how I remembered it.

The film is rubbish.

the masters of cheese · Joined: 25 May 2004 Posts: 3227 Location: round the bend

I SEEM TO BE HAVING THIS TREMENDOUS PROBLEM WITH MY LIFESTYLE

Futsie · Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 1:34 am Post subject:

Let's not forget the computer game version of HHGG! That quote just reminded me of it... you have to distract the small dog at the start of the game with a cheese sandwich, otherwise later when you get teleported on board the microscopic space fleet you get eaten by what appear to be giant jaws...

Ron · Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 3149 Location: A town, UK

When Douglas Adams was asked which incarnation of the HHGG he liked the best it must have caught him by surprise. How else can his "definitely not the TV show" be explained? In episode 3 (with Zaphod convinced they're above Magarathea), for example, I can't help feeling that the TV version is the best!

I like :
The colourful special effects, such as the coloured sea at the beginning, and the way in which the soundtrack/narration goes with it; director Alan J. Bell, thanks!
Making Trillian glamorous

The way Arthur, beyond caring, just wants to know "Is there any tea on this spaceship?" but then cares for some more appreciation for saving their lives.
The response from Magarathea and the ship's computer is cleverly realised.
Coming out of the ship on Magarathea with Arthur and Marvin's exchange. I find it funniest in the TV show.

I don't like :
Mark Wing-Davy could maybe have held his head to his left to make the second head more realistic. (Because when he's talking to Arthur from behind the gate, before he goes down into Magarathea, Zaphod's two heads look quite realistic because you can't see his body!)

white afro in space · Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 3286 Location: Afrovia

I have to agree, Ron. The more I watch the series, the more it goes up in my esteem. I think Adams didn't like the tv show because the effects and production were a bit naff (except for the animated book sequences, which were excellent). As Blake's 7 fans, of course, we are able to see through the shoddy production values. If we can accept Brian the spider, we can accept Zaphod's second head.

I've been watching the series again recently and my favourite part is the whole Golgafrincham sequence in the last episode. I love Aubrey Morris in the bath and his sudden realisation of his dire plight. Also, the Golgafrincham society is hilarious and quite a potent satire on contemporary society.
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As I was saying, we all have to learn to live with disappointment

the masters of cheese · Joined: 25 May 2004 Posts: 3227 Location: round the bend

Ron · Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 3149 Location: A town, UK

oops, I got them mixed up.

The head amputation in the film went a bit too far too, I thought!
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Last Watched: Bounty, 2nd July 2020

Ron · Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 3149 Location: A town, UK

The Film is on BBC2 (again) at 11pm. I'll probably watch it 'till Arthur's cup of tea falls off the table!
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Last Watched: Bounty, 2nd July 2020

Lestat · Joined: 16 Mar 2010 Posts: 52

I discovered the radio version many years ago, and for me that's the definitive version, the Tv version was ok, but the radio version wins every time, and I have no intention of watching the film!!
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“I’m entitled to my opinion.”
“It’s the assumption that we are entitled to it as well that is irritating.”
Villa and Avon, “Bounty”, Blake’s Seven