The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (DVD, 2002, 2-Disc Set)

Immensely entertaining televised series based on the late Douglas Adams' book.

The six episodes of this mini-series are packed into a single DVD and offered up in their original format. So that means you have six separate batches of video to look at. Each episode was only about a half-hour with some end credits tacked on.

Disc 2 which comes with this, contains fan-packed tidbits for those who enjoyed the series. Between both discs you have a lot of territory to cover.

The 2005 feature film is half the length of the mini-series, but retells the story brilliantly as well.

I like both the 1981 mini-series and the 2005 version for different reasons, but I enjoy them equally.

If you're a Hitchhiker's Guide fan, this is a rare treat.

P.S. I have this mini-series on VHS tape and quite frankly the DVD is richer in the transfer process. The VHS is jumpy to say the least. So they smoothed out the imperfections using digital technology.

I saw the BBC 6-Episode in '81 and loved it then...appreciate it more, now. I thought the graphics were phenomenal and Zaphod's 2nd dummy head pathetic then, and continue to now. The main DVD of this set is great, just like watching it on TV (PBS Seattle/Tacoma, WA - viewed here in Canada) in '81, and the special features disc is jam-packed with rare BBC goodies - amazing stuff you'd think was lost.

You've got 2 choices: this 1981 version, or the 2005 movie. The feature film had some great elements, but was only half the running time. This story is so rich that even 3 hours seems like it's not enough. Douglas Adams could have extended it to 20 episodes. This story could STILL be going on....and maybe it is...at the end of the universe somewhere. Know where your towel is.

Ford Prefect, Arthur Dent, and Zaphod Beeblebrox were cast far better in 1981 in my opinion - and Zaphod's character written better, as opposed to the 2005 film. This story is British and cerebral and those '81 actors bring it to life. Of course, this review is aimed at people who know a bit out Hitch Hiker - if you don't know about it, it's a sci-fi and British Comedy classic that should be at least viewed. If your idea of sci-fi is strictly Stargate and assorted Hollywood action crap, don't bother. Conversely, smart people not into sci-fi might dig Hitch Hiker anyway.

I wanted this on DVD for years, glad I found it...but I'm keeping my old VHS of Hitch Hiker's, because all 6 episodes run together. My only complaint with this DVD is the silly Improbability Drive thing that occurs when you press 'Play All' for the episodes. Unnecessary. Otherwise....well, destroy all Vogons!

This is the BBC mini series based on the original radio broadcast. It is a great visual production with advanced special effects and character animation for it's time. Packed with a full disk of extras! Much better and more in keeping with the spirit of the original series than the 2005 big screen movie production as you would expect since Douglas Adams was directly involved in this production. For those already familiar with the zany adventures of ordinary earthman who somehow muddles through extrodinary events you know that each version, radio drmatization, TV, computer game and the books was slightly different so even if you have heard the radio series and read the books there is plenty to look forward to in this series. If you like British humor, social satire and zany logic that makes you go "hmmm" you will enjoy this series!

The classic BBC TV miniseries all on one DVD, plus extra features like the "making of" documentary, make this a must have for fans of Douglas Adams, the author (who appears in a few scenes). It also stars Marvin the Paranoid Android, whose hilarious part was severely diminished in the 2005 motion picture. Although the special effects of this original TV series are not up to modern day standards, this production has more charm and character than the glitzy recent update, and follows the books more closely.

This DVD contains a fairly good quality transfer of the complete British TV 6-part series covering what later became the first two books of Douglas Adams the 6 book Hitchhikers trilogy. I've enjoyed watching it a few times since it's always fun to freeze-frame many of the HHGTTG book entries to read all of the content that flashes on-screen very quickly. The humor is great in exactly the same way all of the Ernest movies are NOT!!! There are very few extras and an Easter egg that is not all that great.

Transfer: B
Package: C
Screenplay: A+
Animated Book Entries: A+