BATTLESTAR GALACTICA

* * ½

STARRING: Richard Hatch, Dirk Benedict, Lorne Greene, Ray Milland, John Colicos, Patrick Macnee, Lew Ayres, Jane Seymour, Laurette Spang, Terry Carter

1978, 125 Minutes, Directed by: Richard A. Colla

Description: A futuristic flotilla of ragtag explorers search for a mysterious saviour planet known only as "Earth," while being pursued by the dreaded Cylons (cybernetic tin-can baddies with vocal patterns that closely resemble a Speak & Spell game). This theatrical feature is culled from the first and fourth episodes of the fondly remembered TV show. — Amazon.com

Blast-off or rip-off? Rip-off and George Lucas took TV supremo Glen Larson who produced this Star Wars clone to court. (Lucas lost it incidentally.)

Plot? Last vestiges of a human colony fleeing through space in a giant convoy of space ships to escape misanthropic golden robots called Cylons.

The special effects are by Star Wars special effects wiz John Dykstra and therefor not bad at all. Lots of impressive space ships roaring through space blasting each other to smithereens with noisy, flashy lasers. Fun in its own peculiar way . . .

Note that this is a feature film (blown to 35mm) which was cut down from first and fifth episodes of the short-lived TV series of the same name. The premiere was originally telecast at 148 minutes. 

• Read an extended review of Battlestar Galactica.
• Read Battlestar Galactica - 21 Years Old.
• Read a review of the 2003 Battlestar Galactica remake.
• See also: Cold Fusion Video Reviews.
• Read the script.