Soon passing its incredible 45TH ANNIVERSARY legacy, this is a celebration of the classic, world popular original TV series from 1978, created by Glen A. Larson for UNIVERSAL TELEVISION. Re-live the heroic adventures of the crew of the mighty GALACTICA, fleeing the Cylon tyranny, in its epic search for the lost Thirteenth Tribe on Earth.
Showing posts with label IMPERIOUS LEADER. Show all posts
Showing posts with label IMPERIOUS LEADER. Show all posts
A true image gathering of the terrifying creatures encountered by our Colonial Heroes from the original pilot episode, Saga of a Star World, where the Cylons (and their Imperious Leader) were genuinely scary in their intent to destroy humanity, and the Ovions strikingly creepy as they attempted to eat the Twelve Colonies survivors within the underground depths of their Carillon-based casino.
It's an auspicious occasion for the Cylons of Gamoray as the latest version of their Imperious Leader (once more voiced by British icon Patrick Macnee) arrives on that world to officially dedicate and celebrate their newly created base and the planet's vital and significant position in the Cylon powerbase.
The Leader will soon be shocked by the destruction wrought to the city by Colonial Warriors!
Cylon IL civilians discuss the event.
A Gold Command Centurion heralds their leader's arrival at the space dome.
The Imperious Leader walks to his podium, watched by his fellow Cylons.
Back in 1979, I was aware that the Battlestar Galactica saga was already a successful series in the US, but so far the British Thames/ITV channel that had purchased the one season run had had, at that time, some kind of delay in airing it, presumably because Universal/CIC were about to launch a second adventure on big screens - soon great news to this eager near ten-year old and I'm sure many many other fans like myself around the country. Mission: Galactica - The Cylon Attack was blasting its way to us, bringing us all-new action and all-new additional characters that would make an impact on the saga!
Though I'm sure I recall seeing poster promotions on selected red London buses about town, as well as the obvious Tube station publicity, plus promos in teen related magazine titles like Look-In and 2000AD on the actual release, as far as I was aware there was very little early publicity for the theatrical run - my mum and I literally found out about the movie whilst shopping in the West End and talking to someone at the Empire Leicester Square when we saw the coming soon poster outside of it. Once again, we would soon experience Galactica's second 'movie' in the seat-rumbling Sensurround experience they had there by release time, literally opening mere weeks before the return of the Star Wars saga with The Empire Strikes Back, which we'd also go on to see in the West End at the opposite Odeon Leicester Square. It was clear that Universal were trying to cash-in quick with their own sci-fi hit before Lucas's release, of which they still needed to make money back on the series enormous production costs of the time, but I didn't care, it was just great to have the mighty Battlestar and its heroes and villains back on the big screen, and would prove such a nostalgic experience!
And my thoughts on the film at the time? Well it was very enjoyable - I always liked Lloyd Bridges as the unflappable and bold Cain, was surprised by the return of John Colicos as Count Baltar, and the spectacular Cylon kamikaze attack was impressive, a sequence which I later discovered was culled from another series episode and not specifically shot for the film. The reuse of footage from the original theatrical adventure of 1978 was noticeable and irked a bit, exemplified by the Cylon Tanker sequence (albeit with new space battle action woven around it) and the Ovion minefield of Carillon, but, to compensate, there were thankfully some noticeable new effects shots added to the film from Universal Heartland that were much appreciated - I remember loving the Viper strafing run on the shocked Cylon civilians in their city (part of some great action on Gamoray, of which I also certainly liked Sheba and Cassie in their black outfits!) plus certain exciting shots in the space battles against the Cylon Raiders. I wore my Galactica poster art jacket with pride at the cinema that afternoon on school holiday!
From the debut of the legendary Commander Cain and Sheba, to the bold attack on Gamoray, enjoy our Forty-Fifth Anniversary celebrations for Mission: Galactica - The Cylon Attack!
Dragged not to his execution but an unexpected meeting with an all-new and seemingly more benevolent Imperious Leader, Baltar's fortunes seemed to have changed, especially now that he is given a Cylon Basestar and an IL series special assistant, Lucifer, in his help to find the Colonial Fleet, during the additional series-leading ending sequence to the original pilot movie, Saga of a Star World.
The adjusted visage of one of the villainous leaders and schemers of the Cylon Race - the Imperious Leader, used for series marketing purposes, primarily as seen in a classic TV commercial and photo shoot promoting Universal Studios' then super-fun adventure ride The Battle of Galactica, back in 1980/81.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Imperious Leader looms large over his minions in his immense domain deep inside his Cylon Basestar, receiving all the news whilst hatching plans towards the destruction of humanity. A great image, presumably taken during filming of Saga of a Star World.
His sworn adversary in human leader Adama may have anticipated the huge Cylon starforce waiting to ensnare the last remnants of mankind at Borallus, but the Imperious Leader is not the cruel and clever leader of the Cylons for nothing- his three brains working as one in preparing an even deadlier strategy awaiting their enemies with the Ovions, via the far-off mining world flytrap lure of Carillon.
An even more reptilian version of the Imperious Leader poses for a publicity image during filming of a commercial for the BATTLE OF GALACTICA tram adventure at UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, in 1979.
The Cylon Commander in charge of the Carillon garrison (note the special insignia under his chin) informs the Imperious Leader of the Human Rag-Tag fleet's full immersion into the Ovion's casino complex. Now, the massive Cylon attack force is on its way from Borallus, preparing to exterminate their enemy once and for all, in this deleted scene from Saga of a Star World which originally had the voice of the alien leader scarily realised by film and TV icon Ted Cassidy.
Rare behind the scenes footage and close-up of actor/stuntman Dick Durock inside the Imperious Leader costume, from the 1978 filming of Saga of a Star World. Always loved that little pet lizard alongside him!
Patrick Macnee as the beguiling Count Iblis in War of the Gods.
Beloved the world over for his portrayal as the cool English super spy with the witty repartee and the glamorous action heroine at his side, Patrick Macnee is immortalised forever as THE AVENGERS John Steed during the 1960's and 70's. But, away from his iconic inhabiting of the bowler hat wearing hero, he had so many other theatre, film and TV credits to his name, including a Roger Moore James Bond film, and, of course, his excellent contributions to the world of American cult science fiction with BATTLESTAR GALACTICA during its singular season, providing the key opening narration to the series that set the tone of mystery and adventure for the series ahead, and giving his strong and distinctive voice to the calculating evil of the Cylon's reptilian/cyborg Imperious Leader. Creator Glen A. Larson, recognising such fine acting talent now firmly ensconced in Hollywood, would give Macnee a meatier and more distinctive series role to enjoy the following year, a brilliant casting choice as a fresh threat to the Galactican heroes, literally the Devil himself, in the corrupting form of Count Iblis, excellently and memorably played by the actor almost as if it were the darker, flip-side of the Steed character, for what would prove to be one of the series finest two-part tales, War of the Gods.
From atop his high tower of command and control, the reptilian/cyborg Imperious Leader is given the latest news on the Cylon annihilation plans against humanity, in this scene from Saga of a Star World.
One of my favourite film posters, from the German theatrical release of MISSION GALACTICA: THE CYLON ATTACK, though Commander Adama is the only hero I recognise in the explosive lineup of Colonial Warriors!
An American merchandise item I don't recall coming to the UK-this lovely piece of art depicting Saga of a Star World's principal baddies, as part of the skillful CRAFT MASTERPEN series.
A Cylon Centurion prepares to receive orders from his majesty, the Imperious Leader, to hunt the last remnants of humanity, from Saga of a Star World. As an interesting side note, before Patrick Macnee's commanding voice became the role, Ted Cassidy, best known as Lurch from THE ADDAMS FAMILY, was the original voice-which was allegedly changed because it was considered too scary.
Cassidy's voice can be heard in this early trailer for the pilot's theatrical release, also featuring other intriguing rare footage: ▶ GALACTICA TRAILER - YouTube
Estimating that the full content of Galactica's Colonial Warriors are now down on the surface of Carillon, a Cylon Centurion reports to the Imperious Leader, ready to spring their trap on humanity, in a deleted scene from Saga of a Star World.
Apollo confronts the Imperious Leader in a classic adventure.
The highly enjoyable Starloggd blog spot has a fun look back at the UK GALACTICA strip, from the iconic talent of artist Martin Asbury, and features that were so popular in the LOOK-IN comic magazine of 1979/80, of which the series first appeared in its weekly pages before it actually made its premiere on the ITV regions.
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