DVD Review: Survivors the complete Original Series

Survivors

(BBC, 1879)

http://www.bbcamericashop.com/dvd/survivors-the-complete-original-series-1975-77-15522.html

For sci-fi aficionados growing up in the ‘70s, Survivors was amongst the most popular series of it’s time. Springing from the mind of Terry Nation, whose credits include contributions to Doctor Who, the Avengers, and MacGyver among others, Survivors was a tale of a group of people struggling to, what else, survive.

After only one season, disputes with producers forced Nation out and before long the writer’s inability to move beyond the initial premise became evident, forcing the series to wane and become stagnant. After one season, the show had hit its peak and from there on faltered, never quite recovering.

As stated above, the series follows the lives of a group of survivors as they cope with the idea that they may be the last of mankind. Members of the group include Jenny, Greg, Abby, and others as they learn to cope with having to make do without the technology they took for granted. Originally the first season focused primarily on the three, with more cast members being introduced as the series progressed.

The show, the first season to be specific, is thought provoking as it explores the aftermath of a man-made disaster that has greater potential to happen in this day and age than it did when it first aired. Eventually though, after three seasons the glow wore off and the show, rather than continuing tobuild on the foundations set for it, became tedious and redundant. After all, the premise can only take one so far before every episode becomes about the group’s reaction to discovering a new city uninhabited and desolate.

Survivors is a product of its time, made even more evident by its treatment on DVD. He image is soft with dirt and grain prevalent. The series is presented in full screen as it was originally aired. In terms of acting ability, many of the performances are wooden with only Ian McCulloch’s take as Greg Preston standing out. The dialogue is also a product of the times and comes off as dated. Adding to the disappointment is the fact that the discs are double sided and must be fliped, increasing the risk of smudges and finger prints.

The only extra of note is a documentary called “the cult of Survivors” which originally aired on BBC. This is akin to retrospective look back on the series featuring interviews with the actors and staff. It’s acceptable for what it is but far too short. Also included is a photo gallery. Cast and crew commentaries would have been appreciative but alas.

Though it tends to drag after the first season, Survivors is still worth checking out. The idea of a group of strangers banding together to traverse a landscape vastly changed from what they are used to is thought provoking and epic in scope. It’s truly a shame that Terry Nation’s involvement was cut short as the series had the potential to be one of the best examples of sci-fi. While there are some genuinely touching moments later on but sadly they are few and far between. This set comes recommended if only for the first season.

B-