'MERRY CHRISTMAS!' - 2018

And so the Fortieth Anniversary year for Galactica comes to a close, but there's lots still to celebrate of the entire classic series, coming to this site in 2019!

SAGA OF A STAR WORLD wishes its worldwide readership A VERY MERRY XMAS, AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!

'GALACTICA' AT 40: THE ORIGINAL FINALE

Having just escaped with their lives from the trap at Carillon, but thankfully with the fuel needed to continue their search for Earth, the Galactican's (including a survived Sire Uri) meet for a subdued celebration anthem singalong of their second deliverance from Cylon fury.

This original unused ending was soon deemed slow and unsuccessful, to be abandoned in the editing, especially along with the rather miserable idea of Serina literally running away from Apollo and Boxey, knowing she has scant little time left to live from her radiation poisoning. Soon enough, as filming was underway on the subsequent originally planned TV movie, Gun on Ice Planet Zero, attempts were successfully made by Glen A. Larson to bring a disgruntled Jane Seymour back for a better demise in The Tombs of Kobol (aka Lost Planet of the Gods), by then being specifically designed as a two-part primer for ABC's weekly series demands. 

We hope you've enjoyed our year-long coverage of the pilot episode/feature-film of Saga of A Star World!

'GALACTICA' AT 40: GOING, GOING...

Too late to make escape velocity after having been tricked by Apollo and Starbuck's Vipers, the Imperious Leader's Cylon Basestar is caught in the Tylium energy vapours of the planet and is soon part of Carillon's devastating explosion!

Listen carefully to the audio effects of the impending explosion of the Basestar- there's lots of old reused Universal Studios horror film sounds of electrodes and power channeling going back to Frankenstein. The varying explosions for the basestar were all shot separately and added together for this shot. The separate explosions would also be seen throughout the course of the weekly series, whenever a sequence involved massive destruction. The far left explosion was even desaturated and used as part of the series opening narration visual sequence.

'GALACTICA' AT 40: THE ENEMY 'DECEPTION' REVEALED!

In one of the main control areas of the Cylon Basestar, Centurions monitoring Colonial communications soon discover the truth about Apollo and Starbuck's 'squadrons' gambit, and open fire on them, as Saga of a Star World nears its explosive conclusion.

Not wanting to spend money on an all-new set for a brief sequence, the Cylons were filmed in an alcove on the Galactica bridge that would be bathed in blue light (which comes across as purple onscreen) to make it look alien, with the bridge monitors given different streaming pattern graphics. (These graphics also appeared on the Cylon tech for the subsequently filmed Gun on Ice Planet Zero).

The alcove can be seen here:
https://galacticasagaofastarworld.blogspot.com/2018/06/galactica-at-40-colonel-tighs-bridge.html

'GALACTICA' AT 40: DESCENDING FOR PROTECTION!

Despite dangerous escalating fires building on the Tylium crusted surface of Carillon, the Imperious Leader's Basestar descends further to the planet, what with the news of Colonial Viper 'squadrons' heading their way to attack them, in this great angle from Saga of a Star World.

'GALACTICA' AT 40: "PURPLE AND ORANGE?"

The sneak attack by Adama's Colonial Forces has worked and the enemy has fled. Though he's denied them the chance to pursue the nearby Cylon basestar, Adama is soon told that Apollo and Starbuck's Vipers have gone after it on their own, pretending to be a mass number of ships via intercepted communications that the Cylons will also hear.

A fun little moment that I recall got some good laughs from the evening audience when seeing the film version of Saga of a Star World a second time at my local cinema.

'GALACTICA' AT 40: SPEEDY DEPARTURE!

"Boy, are they in for a surprise!", declares Starbuck, as the combined Viper squadrons of the Galactica depart Carillon and soon engage the Cylon armada attacking their home vessel. This time, however, the surprise factor has been turned directly to Humanity's advantage...

'GALACTICA' AT 40: UNDER THE CARILLON SKY

The secretly sent planet-side Blue Squadron vipers await their newly arrived piloting masters on Carillon, in this lovely matte painting art from ILM/Apogee (note the fuel tanker vessel in the background - in the official novelisation Starbuck was to perilously pilot it to the fleet amidst Cylon attack).

Whoever did the painting is unknown, though it was also used as a photo blow up for Carillon exterior scenes filmed at Universal, behind the close-ups scenes needed of the main pilots racing to their ships - primarily the full-scale build Viper prop and several cut-out dummies behind that, and a visual trick that had also been used with the Rebel hangar scenes of the original Star Wars during its London filming in 1976.

'GALACTICA' AT 40: SUICIDE RUN!

The second sneak attack by the Cylons on the Galactica has begun - soon enough Cylon Raiders are attacking key areas of its defence and its fighter launch bays in particular are compromised, as seen here in this great effects shot image.

'GALACTICA' AT 40: SURFACE TRAVELLERS!

In quick second unit filming, costumed background extras (possibly including members of the original ILM/Apogee), including one playing Boomer, travel the singularly-built Galactica Landram across the deserts outside California, for an insert scene for Saga of a Star World.

The location filming took place at Ridgecrest Trona Pinnacles. Its epic expanse was also used in several Buck Rogers in the 25th Century episodes (likely stock footage from what was shot for Galactica) and also for a lot of the action of Star Trek V: The Final Frontier.

'GALACTICA' AT 40: DAGGIT VS. CYLON!

It's Muffey the Daggit's finest hour in the pilot episode, as he damages and wrangles a Cylon Centurion to the ground during the Carillon exodus. This was an insert shot that was presumably done at the end of the main filming. Note in the above uncropped shot that Evie the Chimp's jeans-wearing handler can be accidentally seen alongside on the far right side, as well as the corner of the soundstage on the other!

'GALACTICA' AT 40: CASINO ENTRANCE SHOOT-OUT!

Likely a mixture of shot but deleted action material alongside on set specially posed publicity photographs, Apollo and Starbuck hold down the Carillon Casino entrance and attack the oncoming Cylon garrison, buying escape time for the desperate Colonials and other humans fleeing the resort, some picked up by newly-arrived Landram vehicles. The TOPPS card above (of 1978) was sadly incorrect to the location of the shoot-out.

Boxey (as played by Felix Silla) holds on to Apollo before the rush to escape.

'GALACTICA' AT 40: CONDITION RED!

A large body of objects has suddenly appeared on the Galactica's scanner. So Adama's hunch about Carillon and the Cylons has been proven right, as the mighty vessel goes swiftly to red alert status.

This was one of the regular computer graphics used for the pilot and weekly series. Early graphics for the Vipers were done against blue backgrounds but these were soon phased out to continuity conform with the green coloured graphics used for Galactica bridge scenes. The imge above was originally used early on in the pilot but tightened in- note the four right side markers that were to indicate colonial Battlestars.

'GALACTICA' AT 40: CASINO STAND-OFF!

Boomer and Starbuck buy escape time as the Cylon hordes emerge to attack the human guests of the Carillon Casino, in this classic image and an angle not seen in the finished production of Saga of a Star World.

'GALACTICA' AT 40: TIME FOR A SWIFT EXIT!

The Colonials and other humans populating the Carillon casino are stunned by the appearance of Captain Apollo and his blaster shot to the sky order to depart the resort complex as soon as possible. A terrific B/W image, and a background moment not fully seen in the finished pilot.

'GALACTICA' AT 40: ASCENDING TO THE CASINO

Having witnessed the Colonial group's escape from the mine, the Cylons follow them in the service elevator up to the Carillon Casino, in a deleted scene moment from Saga of a Star World.

Rehearsal shot image: note the left corner Cylon adjusting his mask.

'GALACTICA' AT 40: BATTLE AT THE BRIDGE!

Filmed at the famous Phantom of the Opera stage at Universal, our heroes in the Carillon mines of the Ovions seek escape from the Cylons traversing a bridge, in one of the most memorable scenes of the film and opening TV pilot. For reasons of safety, being high up on the soundstage (which had a superb and highly detailed background painting), and with lots of SPFX pyrotechnics being discharged, actor and stuntman Felix Silla (later Twiki in Buck Rogers) doubled for little Noah Hathaway in the run across.

'GALACTICA' AT 40: STARBUCK AND BOXEY TO THE RESCUE!

Having rescued a now all-forgiving Cassiopeia from a grisly fate (though her demise was originally conceived in the first scripts), Starbuck (with Boxey in tow) takes on a Cylon (or more than one) in an action sequence set in the Ovion mines that never made it to the final cut, or was re-shot on a new set alongside Richard Hatch as Apollo, as part of material later directed by Alan J. Levi before he commenced directorial duties on Gun on Ice Planet Zero.

A shot taken in rehearsal- note the Cylon's red eye isn't on.

Numerous publicity photos were also taken of that day's scene filming (on a set barely seen in the finished film or pilot version), which would promo the alien Ovions, a Cylon Warrior, and Noah Hathaway as Boxey with Dirk Benedict as Starbuck. These images would become well known worldwide.

'GALACTICA' AT 40: THE NEXT TASTY DISH...

She deliberately chose to miss out on the celebrations of the three Colonial warriors, which included Starbuck, but being captured by Ovions and then made ready for consumption by their young wasn't what former Socialator Cassiopeia had on her mind that evening, either, in this scary photo used for the international promotion of the theatrical version of Saga of a Star World.

'GALACTICA' AT 40: COLONIALS ON THE MENU!

They've discovered the Cylons' presence on Carillon, and now our heroes discover the hideous truth about the many disappeared resort guests who never made it back to their homes and peoples to tell them of their gambling experiences. 'The Ovions have been living off them!'

A chilling moment from Saga of a Star World.

'GALACTICA' AT 40: BASESTAR APPROACHING!

The Cylon Basestar from Borallus has arrived in the Carillon system and soon launches its Raiders to attack the Galactica. A great shot of the original filming of the impressive Basestar model at ILM/Apogee in 1978.

'GALACTICA' AT 40: 'DEATHTRAP!'

The secret Cylon garrison hiding in the lower levels of the Carillon mines have now been discovered, and young Boxey and Muffit have walked straight into them, in this memorable cover art by Dave Cockrum to issue three of the Marvel Comic adaptation of Saga of a Star World, in their monthly Battlestar Galactica comic.

'GALACTICA' AT 40: AWAY FROM THE GUEST ROOMS!

Chasing down fake Blue Squadron pilots (wearing lousy tailoring) who've been loitering the casino for Sire Uri's disarmament 'celebration', Apollo and Starbuck continue their exploration of the Carillon Casino mystery, and a soon discovery for them far worse than anything they could have possibly imagined!

HAPPY 40TH ANNIVERSARY, 'BATTLESTAR GALACTICA'!

Having recently had the chance to catch the series again on Blu-ray, I have to say that Glen A. Larson's original vision continues to hold up extremely well since its debut in 1978, primarily thanks to the main cast of stars, some highly enjoyable episodes, and first class special effects work.

Classic intro:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hrd767Xzfk

DVD release trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zb1wvDNB49g

KOOL TV celebration:
https://kooltvblog.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-quest-for-survival-battlestar.html

We hope all the Battlestar Galactica fans worldwide enjoy this special day, and this site wishes to send a big shout out to the past (and hopefully still) fans whose enthusiasm sparked my own into doing this blog a few yahrens back, most notably the UK's The Thirteenth Tribe, which, when I was a member in the noughties, was run by Victoria Haslam (with help from her hubby Robin). I don't know where they are right now, but a big 'Thank You!' to them for their dedication to the classic series and getting their always excellent and informative magazines and club service done for their enthused members.

HAPPY 40TH ANNIVERSARY,  BATTLESTAR GALACTICA!

CLASSIC SERIES MERCHANDISE: INTERNATIONAL DVD RELEASE ADDITION

Long-time friend to the site John Johnson has kindly been in touch to let me know of a DVD release I wasn't previously aware of- available in Germany is a compilation release of the three internationally released Galactica movies: Battlestar Galactica, Mission Galactica: The Cylon Attack, and Galactica 1980's Conquest of the Earth.

Here's the info:

·         USA, 1978-1980

·         FSK released from 12

·         Order number: 1519987

·         Release date: 23.8.2013

·         Science Fiction, 321 min.

·         Performers: Dirk Benedict , Richard Hatch , Lorne Greene , Herb Jefferson, Laurette Spang , Patrick Macnee

·         Original title: Battlestar Galactica (1978-1980)

·         Language: German, English

·         Sound format: DD 2.0

·         Picture: 4: 3

·         Subtitle: German

·         Specials: Super8 versions, interviews

Contains the movies "Battlestar Galactica," "Mission Galactica," and "The End of an Odyssey." 

After the destruction of the human colonies, the few survivors under Colonel Adama search for the mythical 13th colony on the "Battlestar Galactica." It is not only about surviving the "Cylon attack" but finally even "Ending an Odyssey" on Earth.

Not only since the globally acclaimed "BSG" relaunch, but also the original adventures of "Battlestar Galactica" are celebrated as a cult phenomenon by science fiction fans around the world, even parallel to the then outbreaking "Star Wars" brought to three highly successful theatrical releases. They are now in a box for the first time and follow Adama (Lorne Greene) and Co. from the beginning to their arrival on earth.

https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/movie/detail/-/art/Kampfstern-Galactica-Die-Spielfilm-Trilogie/hnum/1519987

https://www.amazon.de/Kampfstern-Galactica-Die-Spielfilm-Trilogie-DVDs/dp/B00CY6HKUQ/ref=sr_1_12?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1535819193&sr=1-12&keywords=battlestar+galactica

Link:
https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/movie/detail/-/art/Kampfstern-Galactica-Die-Spielfilm-Trilogie/hnum/1519987

If anyone has more info on the special features of this release, please get in touch.

CLASSIC 'GALACTICA' COMES TO SCOTLAND!

Fortieth Anniversary celebrations for our favourite show in the US may seem a little muted, but across the continent it's Scotland that will surely prove the place to go later this November if you want to meet four of the top Colonial Warriors of the classic series, at one of their Comic Con events, whose theme for 2018 is For the Love of the Eighties.

More information here:
http://www.comicconventionscotland.co.uk/guests

With thanks to John Johnson for the heads-up on this.