INTERGALACTIC GALACTICA!

Out there amongst the stars the magnificent, mighty Battlestar Galactica continues its onwards journey to find a new home, to find that long lost world of... Earth. Great art by Ad Nadin.

SAGA OF A STAR WORLD wishes all its worldwide readers a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a prosperous, safe 2022!

CLASSIC IMAGE: A TRUE COLONIAL HERO!

A courageous TV sci-fi hero to remember, Captain Apollo gets into blaster firing mode in this great posed publicity image of the much-missed Richard Hatch, taken on set presumably during the middle shooting phase of the original series in 1979.

CLASSIC IMAGE: A NEW HOPE?

Reunited with her long-lost love in that 'old war Daggit' Commander Cain, what will this new/old situation mean for Cassiopeia's other continuing special relationship with Starbuck? All will be  revealed by the end of The Living Legend.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE DEMISE OF PEACE...

With the Colonial Fleet near total destruction from a thousand Cylon ships during their sneak-attack, our shocked command deck heroes on the Battlestar Galactica presumably look toward the ailing Atlantia in this great storyboard art from Saga of a Star World.

CLASSIC IMAGE: AN ALTERNATE FLEET!

 

Not something seen in the original Saga of a Star World, but a fun composite image of some kind of Colonial Fleet, and with two mighty Battlestar protectors no less, presumably put together by the Apogee team, and used for publicity and merchandisers (namely for puzzles) of 1978.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE COMPANY HE KEEPS...

Putting the most into his confident swagger, the captured Starbuck daringly confronts the traitorous Baltar within his Cylon Basestar, in a classic scene for Dirk Benedict from Lost Planet of the Gods, Part Two. 

CLASSIC ART: THE AMAZING ATHENA!

Once a warrior, always a warrior, as Athena prepares to take to the skies for Colonial Viper action in this lovely art (by Marco Rudy) for the issue four of the Dynamite Comic Classic Galactica range of all-new stories.

CLASSIC IMAGE: COLD PURSUIT!

 

The Cylons, undeterred by the deadly cold weather of Arcta, begin their search for Colonial survivors from the crashed shuttle, in this memorable moment from Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part One.

CLASSIC IMAGE: BOND OF FRIENDSHIP, BOND OF CONCERN!

The best and closest of friends, the best of combat pilots aboard the Battlestar Pegasus, Sheba comforts the injured Bojay after their previous and tense infiltration of the immense Cylon city of Gamoray, in a memorable scene from The Living Legend, Part Two

CLASSIC IMAGE: EXPLORING THE GEMINI FREIGHTER!

When it came to designing spaceships for the Rag-Tag Fleet, the classic series couldn't have had a better model designer/artist than Joe Johnston, who gave us a truly intriguing and diverse array of used craft, like the impressive 'Gemini Freighter' model that was eventually sold off to the highest bidder during a special film/TV model prop auction from a few years back...

CLASSIC IMAGE: A KILLER OF HUMANS!

 

As the Cylons reveal themselves and attack the Colonial Warriors, one of their kind locks on and blaster fires in this great posed publicity shot. With the Galactica merchandising of 1978/79, this image was particularly well used as part of a set of 4 UK-released puzzles from Waddingtons. Taken specially during rehearsals on Saga from a Star World, the image would have the unique Cylon blaster pulse and its distinctive red eye added/rotoscoped on, likely by an Apogee technician during the pilot/film's post production stage.

CLASSIC IMAGE: SPACE CONFLICTS!

 

The exciting space battles between Colonial Vipers and Cylon Raiders in and around the Battlestar Galactica are well showcased in this terrific publicity composite image used often during and after the series launch in 1978.

CLASSIC IMAGE: BY BALTAR'S COMMAND!

In his new command centre on his Cylon Basestar (designed to cut down on lengthy lighting and filming time on the previous bigger chamber set), Count Baltar receives news from the Atilla Outpost on the recent capture of a Colonial Warrior, much to the annoyance of his servant Lucifer, jealous of the Outpost's ambitious fellow IL series Cylon, Spectre. A scene from the enjoyable The Young Warriors. 

CLASSIC IMAGE: WHAT ELSE COULD GO WRONG?

His 'can't lose' card game with those sneaky Gemons has been thoroughly ruined, and his winnings subsequently stolen. So what else could go wrong for Starbuck on what should be a momentous day of peace with the Cylons? Well, an alert klaxon, that's what,  as he and his friends now rush to their assigned Vipers. But, as the drama of Saga of a Star World intensifies, what possible situation beyond pomp and circumstance could justify the alert?

CLASSIC ART: DEADLY PATROLLERS...

 

There's nothing more ominous to run into than a lethal hunting pack of Cylon Raiders, as seen in this terrific cover art for Mattel's big-selling Cylon Raider toy for the original series back in 1978. The art was once again provided for the memorable range by the toy company's excellent regular box artist, Otto Kuhni.

CLASSIC IMAGE: A FAMILY OF WARRIORS!

Could a seventies sci-fi series possible have had a more attractive family trio of heroes and role models than Commander Adama and his children, Athena and Apollo? They're seen here in this terrific posed publicity shot, one of many, taken between the filming of the original pilot and Gun on Ice Planet Zero, and on the Imperious Leader's set no less, now more colourfully lit for photographic purposes.

More

CLASSIC IMAGE: MONITERING THE FLEET!

Image: via Kobol.com

The Colonial Vipers may be the defensive force for the Rag-Tag Fleet, but keeping their own vigil on the 220 odd and ancient ships are the many technicians working from the always-busy Galactica bridge- the set, despite its now dated looking electronics, nonetheless remains an impressive overall visual sight- no wonder it was so costly to maintain during the life of its first season filming run...

CLASSIC ART: IN THE DEPTHS OF SPACE...

 

Speeding through space on a mission for the Battlestar Galactica and its Rag-Tag fleet is the Colonial Stellar Probe and satellite, searching the heavens for the lost Thirteenth Tribe whilst also keeping humanity safe from the pursuant Cylons.

Great art by Otto Kuhni for the 1978/79 evolving MATTEL US toy range of Galactica vehicles. It was also released internationally, and in numerous UK toy shops by 1979/80.

CLASSIC IMAGE: PARTYING WITH CASSIE!

If you're ever going to enjoy the decadent pleasures and delights in and out of the Carillon Casino, then you certainly need one of the Galactican fleet's most gorgeous ladies at your side: the former ex-socialator Cassiopeia, played with onscreen charm and genuine sex appeal by the lovely Laurette Spang!

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE PRICE OF DUTY...

They've been at each others throats for years within the Prison Barge but former Colonial Warrior Croft and Leda's love will survive into the next life and beyond with her passing, having bravely shielded her husband from a lethal Cylon blast, in the finale to Gun on Ice Planet Zero. 

CLASSIC IMAGE: STARBUCK THE DESTRUCTOR!

Starbuck loves nothing better than wiping out Cylons, and now he gets the chance to wipe out hundreds of them, and within one of their greatest cities on Gamoray, in this scene from part two of The Living Legend. 

A great image used for the French promotion of Mission Galactica: The Cylon Attack in cinemas during1979/80

BEHIND THE SCENES: FLEET INSPECTION!

A great side angles look at the primary Rag-Tag fleet models used in the pilot/series filming, including the Colonial Movers vehicle, the prison barge, the later-named Celestra, a three-tier fuel processing ship (seen approaching Carillon in the pilot episode) and another unknown vessel. 

CLASSIC IMAGE: READY FOR ACTION!

She's already a top-class Shuttle pilot, now Athena will go on to become a badass, super-hot Viper pilot. But first she has to conquer the heavy-duty flight simulator training, in this memorable moment from Lost Planet of the Gods part one.

CLASSIC ART: COLONIAL SCARAB READY TO ATTACK!

Though not seen in the original series, the Colonial Scarab vehicle/launcher toy was nonetheless a big success within the colourful toy range created by Mattel during 1978, and was surely well used by young fans indulging in imaginative and heroic battles against the Cylons. 

Lovely toy box art from regular Mattel toy artist contributor Otto Kuhni.

DEATH SQUADRON ATTACK!

The surprise-attacked Colonial Fleet continues to take an incredible battering from the Cylon Raider assault fleet, most notably the Battlestar Atlantia, as fires rage out of control in and out of the flagship vessel...

A striking visual moment, one of so many, from Saga of a Star World...

CLASSIC IMAGE: "BARMAN?"

Working alongside Councillor Siress Tinia was a struggle enough during the events of Baltar's Escape, now Colonel Tigh really needs a drink when he sees her arm-in-arm with a gallant Commander Adama, in a great comedic closing moment to the episode that showcases Terry Carter's subtle flair for comedy within his normally stern role onscreen.

CLASSIC ART: A LIGHTSHIP SHOWCASE!

With their three-episode appearance in the latter half of the series, notably in the memorable opening to the epic two-parter War of the Gods, those mysterious enigmatic 'gods' in their striking, ethereal 'Lightship' would certainly make an eerie impression on viewers and especially the series long-term fan base, as seen in this terrific art.

If anyone knows the name of the artist, please get in touch...

THE COLONIAL GUNFIGHTER!

Stranded by choice after having led off a pursuant Cylon fighter trio from the Colonial Fleet, Apollo lands on Equellus to discover an enemy presence of an altogether different kind, in the classic early episode well showcasing Richard Hatch, The Lost Warrior.

CLASSIC IMAGE: OPERATION - ANNIHILATE!

A trio of lethal Cylon Raiders close in for the kill on the capital city of Caprica, in this great effects shot from Saga of a Star World that was often reused through the first part of the series.

CLASSIC IMAGE: LET THE WORD GO FORTH...

All seems lost for the Twelve Colonies of Man: their planets devastated, their peoples mostly eradicated. Yet the spirit of hope and leadership charisma emanating from Commander Adama brings the struggling, defeated survivors of the Cylon holocaust together for one last chance of escape from their horrific enemies, as seen in this important moment from Saga of a Star World...

BEHIND THE SCENE: PULSAR PIONEERS!

The excellent model making talents of Lorne Peterson and Steve Gawley, both of whom would be veterans of the original Star Wars saga, are well showcased with the construction of the Ravashol Pulsar in this great behind the scenes image for The Gun on Ice Planet Zero. 

CLASSIC IMAGE: DOUBLE DINING, DOUBLE LOVING!

 

Always on the move, Starbuck's unexpected double date with both Athena and Cassiopeia aboard the Rising Star luxury liner yields unexpected problems but also lots of fun light comedy for the three characters, in this fun opening to The Long Patrol. 

Interestingly, in the episode's Deleted Scenes released on Blu-ray, Cassie is still a designated Socialator  and not yet a Med-Tech. When she later appears on the Galactica bridge to see Athena, her beauty in the job position catches all the attention of the male bridge crew! This indicates that The Long Patrol was shot in production order between The Gun On Ice Planet Zero and before Lost Planet of the Gods, where Cassie, having now survived the Ovion food mine (originally eaten in the pilot), has the new position of Med-Tech (as revealed in another deleted scene from Lost Planet).

CLASSIC IMAGE: COMING IN LIKE A MISSILE!

Starbuck's heavily damaged fighter within one of the Galactica landing bays is memorably captured in this great behind the scenes image taken during Apogee's model effects filming of Saga of a Star World, in mid 1978.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE COST OF VENGEANCE!

For all the years she's served under her father, the legendary Commander Cain, viper pilot leader Sheba has always trusted her father's instincts for battle and the survival of their Battlestar Pegasus. But now the stakes are higher with their reuniting alongside the Galactica and its struggling rag-tag fleet. Having first-hand watched his deliberate destruction of two vitally needed Cylon tankers, has Cain's strategies finally gone wrong? 

A tense scene between Colonial Warriors from The Living Legend Part One.

CLASSIC ART: KOBOL ATTACK!

Ready to destroy all traces of Human civilisation old and new, the Cylon Raiders continue their brutal surprise air attack on the Tombs of Kobol, in this great conceptual art for Lost Planet of the Gods Part Two.

CLASSIC IMAGE: FAMILY MATTERS!

The Galactica bridge is normally recognised as a place of high-stakes battle and drama, but there's still an occasional time there for quiet and reflection as Adama and Boxey share some quality time together whilst Apollo is currently missing in action, in this scene from The Lost Warrior.

CLASSIC IMAGE: INTO THE REALM OF THE OVIONS!

Deep in the bowels of the mystery world of Carillon, an insectoid Ovion mine worker leads his Colonial visitors in a trek across the bridge entrance to the alien race's underground realm of power and nightmares in this unseen angle/moment from Saga of a Star World that ultimately made it to TOPPS card form in 1978.

CLASSIC IMAGE: HEROINE SWAP!

One of the series most action-packed adventures, Gun on Ice planet Zero was soon a ratings hit for Galactica when the story debuted later in the series run than had at first been planned- not as the feature-length movie to have followed on from the pilot episode but rather becoming an expanded two-parter with additionally shot material.

It looks like from The Young Lords Audrey Landers somehow wandered into this adventure though, rather than the story's actual female guest lead Britt Ekland, as seen in this hilarious 'Oops!' TV Guide magazine episode ad promotion.

CLASSIC ART: VIPER'S AWAY!

Scouting the galaxy for signs of the Thirteenth Tribe's Earthbound presence, as well as being the advance scout for any dangers that lie ahead of them, a Viper patrol launches from the mighty Galactica in this lovely art from Carlos Zangrando.

CLASSIC IMAGE: HERE COMES THE BRIDE...

There's never not been a time when British beauty Jane Seymour hasn't looked gorgeous or spectacular, either as herself or in the wide variety of on screen characters she's played, but her portrayal of Serina in Galactica will always be particularly memorable, especially when seen in this striking wedding dress creation, as seen in part two of Lost Planet of the Gods. Lucky Apollo, eh?

CLASSIC ART: CYLON ATTACK!

 

Legions of Cylons, led by a distinctive death-delivering Gold Centurion (one of its kind, the memorable Vulpa, having previously appeared onscreen in Gun on Ice Planet Zero) go on the attack in this stunning art. If anyone knows the artist of this piece, please get in touch.

CLASSIC IMAGE: WHAT'S IN A NAME?

Probably the classic series greatest guest star, acting/dance legend Fred Astaire was simply marvellous as the aging conman who might just be the father of that equally lovable rogue-of-sorts Starbuck, in the highly-regarded episode The Man With Nine Lives. Had the series continued for a second year, I'm sure Astaire/Chameleon would have returned for more comedy escapades with a genuinely awestruck Dirk Benedict.

CLASSIC ART: UNDER ATTACK!

It may have had the briefest of runs, but it was always a great thrill when a new Marvel Comics issue of Galactica was released via my London-based comic shops during 1979. The excellent covers promising all the thrills, action and adventure we wanted. This was one of my particular favourite covers - I can't resist a good series space battle - and another splendid piece of work from Walt Simonson during that era.

CLASSIC ART: THE ENDURING SAGA...

Great fan art of the enduring heroes and villains of the Glen A. Larson created classic series. It looks like a new movie (from the talented Simon Kinberg) and separate TV series are on the way (then again, we've heard all this before, haven't we?), but they'll never beat the original for its epic sense of space adventure and unique galactic 'family' spirit.

Great art by Neil Davies.

A pleasant look back at the series:

youtube.com/watch?v=Af6wuq0h6Fc

CLASSIC ART: TIME OF THE CYLON!

Their ability to do evil may have diminished over the course of the series, but the Cylons nonetheless remain one of sci-fi TV's most memorable villains, and they always looked good onscreen, as seen here in another of Jean-Pierre Dorleac's stunning original costume design pieces that went up for auction a few years back. It's a shame that the trident weapon never made it to reality, though perhaps it was deemed too scary a weapon for a family audience.

CLASSIC IMAGE: A VIEW TO DESTRUCTION!

From her spacial viper cockpit vantage point, Sheba watches the deliberate explosive detonations on the Galactica's hull wrought by Apollo and Starbuck's specially placed explosives, in this dramatic moment  near-concluding Fire in Space.

CLASSIC ART: COMING IN TO LAND.. (MCQUARRIE)

 

Another terrific concept piece by Ralph McQuarrie for Star Worlds, then Galactica, showing one of the mighty vessel's landing bays with some exterior attachments (ultimately removed to make the important area a more streamlined visual by the time of approved model construction).

CLASSIC IMAGE: UNLOCKING THE ANCIENT MYSTERY!

Within the fascinating but ominous tombs of Kobol, Commander Adama searches for answers to the location of the lost Thirteenth Tribe on Earth, but soon runs into great danger from an old enemy, in this great image from Lost Planet of the Gods Part Two.

CLASSIC MERCHANDISE: NICE - PRICE 'GALACTICA'!

There are many young people out there who don't know what a VHS is, nor its true place in commercial entertainment history. But for us Classic Galactica fans, the thrill of getting that first theatrical film on 'nice-price' cassette tape was certainly memorable. I always have great affection for this early CIC Video packaging, which I recall purchasing in the Piccadilly Circus branch of HMV in the late eighties.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE MYSTERY OF IBLIS!

He;s enchanted, beguiled and confounded the human Colonial Fleet with his arrival and the subtle unleashing of his mysterious powers. Just how benevolent is Count Iblis, our Galactican heroes wonder, as the War of the Gods begins its epic two-part adventure, Patrick Macnee clearly gives one of his finest performances on States-side television, after his prior international acclaim as the debonair agent John Steed in The Avengers.