'BATTLESTAR GALACTICA' - THE MOVIE, COMING TO US/UK 4K UHD STEELBOOK...

Taking things up to the next level in picture and sound quality, the original Battlestar Galactica movie of 1978 comes to 4K UHD in the US/UK, in a relatively surprise release from Universal, this 13th June, 2023. Perfect timing for this year's 45th Anniversary.

We're hoping the rest of the series and other related spin-off movies will come to this format.

Digital Bits website review and article: Battlestar Galactica (1978) (4K UHD Review)

Get it here:

Amazon.com: Battlestar Galactica - 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital [4K UHD] : Richard Hatch, Dirk Benedict, Lorne Greene, Herbert Jefferson, Jr., Maren Jensen, Tony Swartz, Noah Hathaway, Terry Carter, Lew Ayres, Wilfrid Hyde-White, John Colicos, Laurette Spang, John Fink, Jane Seymour, Ray Milland, Ed Begley, Jr., Rick Springfield, Richard A. Colla, John Dykstra, Glen A. Larson, Glen A. Larson: Movies & TV

UK release details:

Battlestar Gallactica: 45th Anniversary 4K Ultra HD Steelbook (includes Blu-ray) 4K - Zavvi UK

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.

'MISSION GALACTICA' AT 41: THE HUMAN CYLON!

It was never explained to generic UK film audiences of Mission Galactica: The Cylon Attack, who'd not yet get the weekly series on TV screens until late 1980/81, how Count Baltar miraculously survived having his head cut off in the previous theatrical movie. But you can never kill off a great villain, especially when played by an actor with the calibre, and relish for evil-doing, personified by Canadian stage and screen veteran, John Colicos.

'MISSION GALACTICA' AT 41: IMPERIOUS LEADERSHIP!

The Cylon city of Gamoray's special status within the Empire is given an additional worthy boost by the presence of an impressed Imperious Leader. Impressed, that is, until the explosions start!

It was nice to hear Patrick Macnee once more voice the Imperious Leader, and see the important enemy villain in the reptilian flesh (and walking no less!), in both The Living Legend and Mission Galactica: The Cylon Attack.

'MISSION GALACTICA' AT 41: THE CYLON ATTACK!

The cost-effective re-use of special effects in both the movies and TV series of the original Battlestar Galactica was well known, nay infamous, yet Mission Galactica: The Cylon Attack's big screen outing did contain newly shot model footage and/or recomposited opticals that looked like new shots, like this great one above, showing the Cylons beginning their fateful kamikaze-esque attack on Galactica.

'MISSION GALACTICA' AT 41: A CLASH OF HEROES...

When it comes to incredible, nay near suicidal attack plans that always miraculously seem to pull themselves off, Commander Cain's reputation is secure and legendary. But try telling that to a worried Captain Apollo, conferring with 'The Living Legend' on his latest attempt to divert a Cylon Killer Force away from the Colonial Fleet, in this memorable scene presented in Mission Galactica: The Cylon Attack.

'MISSION GALACTICA' AT 41: FOR UK FANS ONLY...

British fans who loved Battlestar Galactica were happy to receive an official annual from publishers Grandreams for the first film back for 1979, which proved a big success, followed quickly by a worthy successor in Mission Galactica: The Cylon Attack for1980, a terrific Christmas stocking filler of all-new colour strips and short story tales that made the most of the saga's filmic scope and great characters, alongside details of the exciting new theatrical release.

It remains a highly-prized and beloved item by BG fans.

'MISSION GALACTICA' AT 41: DEMOLITION MAN!

He may be hip deep in Cylon-ville - their outer capital world of Gamoray, but nothing's going to stop Starbuck from blowing the Pogees out of it, in this great image taken on location for The Living Legend/Mission Galactica.

'MISSION GALACTICA' AT 41: IN LOVE AND WAR!

Bringing him love, pleasure and beauty as a necessary counterpoint to the horrors and brutality of war of which his natural talents are such a part, Commander Cain finds and enjoys the warm solace of a returned Cassiopeia into his life, in this deleted kiss moment- a decision presumably ordered by the TV censor for the original two-parter The Living Legend, who may have deemed Cain to be too old to kiss her in front of younger prime time audiences!

'MISSION GALACTICA' AT 41: GALACTICA ATTACKED!

Briefly ignoring the direct retreat order of Baltar, the massive Cylon Assault squadron tasked with destroying the Galactica deals the Colonial vessel a mighty blow and 'A Fire in Space', thanks to two suicidal Raiders packed with explosives, one of which has hit the bridge area and seriously injured Commander Adama!

'MISSION GALACTICA' AT 41: CYLONS ATTACKED!

The Gamoray City command centre of Cylons and Cylon technicians takes a Colonial blaster beating from the now discovered presence of Starbuck and Boomer, in this great image used for promotional purposes with Mission Galactica: The Cylon Attack.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE REALITIES OF SURVIVAL!

Two great men with wildly contrasting leadership styles and viewpoints during a dark time for humanity. Nonetheless, the chemistry and friendship between Commanders Adama and Cain in their chalk and cheese relationship is another compelling ingredient to be enjoyed in The Living Legend.

'MISSION GALACTICA' AT FORTY-ONE!

Black and white advert for Mission.

The heroes of the Colonial Fleet (many of them looking unrecognisable - perhaps due to actors likeness payment issues, save for Lorne Greene, the major star of the series who had to be in the marketing) get ready for the Cylon threat ahead and above them, in this great poster art for the theatrical release of Mission Galactica: The Cylon Attack, which celebrates its UK release Forty-First Anniversary this month.

German release trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXaeMuJBT-0

Great May 1980 colour back page advert for the London release, as seen in MARVEL's Star Wars Weekly comic no less!

In London, the film, deliberately released to box office cash-in on the arrival of the first Star Wars sequel in theatres- The Empire Strikes Back, debuted in spectacular style at the Empire Leicester Square theatre (and opposite to the Odeon Leicester Square, which was exclusively showing TESB). And like the original Battlestar Galactica released a year earlier, Mission had the memorable 'Sensurround' treatment added to it- your seat and ear drums certainly feeling the effects of a Colonial Viper blasting out of its launch tube!

With thanks to John Johnson for selected information and scans.

'GALACTICA 1980' AT 40: 'CONQUEST OF THE EARTH'!

Though my ten-year old self was disappointed that my favourite heroes in Apollo and Starbuck were not coming back to the new series of Battlestar Galactica airing on US TV in 1980, the idea of the Rag Tag fleet finally finding Earth, in Galactica 1980, still caught my interest. The Starlog magazine coverage for the new series at first seemed relatively encouraging, too. And when it was announced that a selection of episodes were being released as a theatrical compilation in Europe, as had been done with BG's Saga of a Star World and The Living Legend/ Fire in Space, my hopes and anticipation were higher spirited, especially as no indication had been given that the new series had actually been bought yet for UK screenings.

Then followed the above great art/photo composite poster, which, for the most part, actually ended up being better and more exciting to witness than the total onscreen edited mess, UK 1981 released, that was ultimately to be Conquest of the Earth!

The poster also made a terrific cover to the rare Japanese laserdisc release! With thanks to John Johnson.

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.