The Hitchhiker's Guide to The galaxy...

[FamilyGuyfanBOY]

The 1981 BBC series...is it any good? Worth a blind buy?

[Brikar99]

I liked it. It depends on how much it'll cost you, frankly. But if you liked the books, or if you have an appreciation for really silly humor or British comedy, I'd give it a shot.

[Wirehed]

If you don't know, then you probably don't want it.


Of course I'm a huge fan boy over it.

[Welles and Ford Fan]

Well, I would recommend the BBC radio audio version over the TV version. So much of the humor involves the narration, and definitions from the Guide itself, so visuals are not always necessary. Many of the actors from the radio version are on hand for the video version as well.

The video version does not suck, and there are some clever graphics to explain some of the narration. It's really cheezy, though. Zaphod's second head is really lame, like they decided to revel in the cheapness of the budget and try to make that a joke, too.

I just find the audio version to be much funnier.

[sparky]

I just saw it at Best Buy, but they wanted $30...when it gets to $15, it's mine!!!

[Musashi74]

FamilyGuy...have you read the books? Just curious...if you liked the books you'll probably dig the show. The effects are horribly dated, but it's almost charming for it.

I actually saw the series on my local PBS affiliate when I was about 13 years old...before I read the books.

There are a TON of extras on the discs, too. I didn't time it, but it's a good 3+ hours, including two really good documentaries. $30 really isn't bad for the amount of crap you get.

Anyway, IMHO it's great stuff. I watch it at least once a month

[FamilyGuyfanBOY]

I have read the books and loved them, so I think I might go ahead and rent this set for the weekend since its so expensive and if I love it I'll go ahead and purchase it in the neer future...

[LeChuck]

Douglas Adams is one of my top five favorite authors. This is not as perfect as either the book or the radio program, but it is still a humorous series. Probably should rent it first, but I blind bought and was not disapointed. About the head, I actually heard that it was quite an amazement for its time. It moved and everything! Pretty funny what was considered good back in the day.

[Notoriousaurus]

Originally Posted by Welles and Ford Fan

Well, I would recommend the BBC radio audio version over the TV version. So much of the humor involves the narration, and definitions from the Guide itself, so visuals are not always necessary. Many of the actors from the radio version are on hand for the video version as well.

The video version does not suck, and there are some clever graphics to explain some of the narration. It's really cheezy, though. Zaphod's second head is really lame, like they decided to revel in the cheapness of the budget and try to make that a joke, too.

I just find the audio version to be much funnier.

I agree with everything said, except that the TV series is more or less true to the novel, whereas the radio show went a completely different course.

But that's okay because all Hitchhiker's stuff is golden.

Best in TV series is watching "South End wave up and down" while the water remains still after the use of the Infinite Improbability Drive.

[Wirehed]

Just a point of fact to interject here, the radio program is the official source. The novels came later, and then the TV mini-series was based on the novels.

[NotaNumber]

Wasn't there an LP phonograph album in there also.

All of the various media versions are different (often significantly so) and all are enjoyable.

[Notoriousaurus]

Originally Posted by Seamonkey

Just a point of fact to interject here, the radio program is the official source. The novels came later, and then the TV mini-series was based on the novels.

True, but I mention the difference because it is not most people's first exposure to the series.

[Musashi74]

On the order of release: from what I understand, Douglas Adams never really felt that one version had precedence over the other. They are all different versions of the same story.

But you're right, the radio series was first.

Personally, I prefer the books and TV version to the radio series. The radio series is still fantastic, but there are some things that never worked that well for me. For instance [minor spoiler for those that have never read, seen, or heard HHGTTG], in the radio series, it is not Ford Prefect that gets Mr. Prosser to lie in the mud, but Arthur Dent. A minor point to be sure, but it makes Arthur Dent a little too clever IMHO. That line was rightfully given to Ford in the books and TV show.

That said, the radio show is marvellous in it's own right. Each version has a number of differences which make each a unique experience.

[aintnosin]

The best thing about the DVD is the extensive extras about the genesis of the whole project, going back to the radio show.

[The Mule]

Being a huge Douglas Adams fan I've had it on VHS for years and did buy the DVD. It is an improvement, and there are some very cool extras. However, if you haven't read the books you might not be able to follow it very well. Plus there is only so much that the BBC can do. I would like to see someone make a movie of Dirk Gentlys Holostic Detective Agency. That would be interesting....

[Paul.n3w]

I've never read the books or seen the TV show, but I have heard the radio show and really enjoyed it. Is there a way to get a copy of that (like on CDs maybe?)

I've been meaning to read the books for such a long time!

Originally Posted by NotaNumber

Wasn't there an LP phonograph album in there also.

All of the various media versions are different (often significantly so) and all are enjoyable.

Yeah there was. I have a copy. It's a two record, gatefold album that basically recreates the first four episodes of the radio series with a few minor differences. There are a couple of cast changes as well. In this version Cindy Oswin plays Trillian and Vroomfondel and Bang-Bang are played by none other than Jim Broadbent!

Hmmm came across this interesting tidbit in Wikipedia...

New radio series
A third radio series, based on Life, the Universe and Everything is due to be broadcast on BBC Radio 4, starting September 21, 2004. It was adapted by Dirk Maggs, following instructions left by Adams. All of the original radio series cast are set to return, except for the late Peter Jones, who will be replaced by William Franklyn. There will even be a cameo role for Adams, edited from his BBC audiobook recording of the novel.

A fourth series will follow; both are being produced by Above The Title Productions Ltd.

[NotaNumber]

Link to BBC Site with announcement of the new radio series. Audio sample files are available.