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{{disline|For information on the 2003 "Re-imagined" miniseries and regular series of the same name, see [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)]].}} | |||
:''For information on the short-lived Original Series spin-off, see [[Galactica 1980]].'' | |||
{{shortcut|TOS}} | |||
{{Series Data | |||
| image = Bgpromo1.jpg | | image = Bgpromo1.jpg | ||
| title=Battlestar Galactica | | title=Battlestar Galactica | ||
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| next=''[[Galactica 1980]]'' | | next=''[[Galactica 1980]]'' | ||
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==Production History== | ==Production History== | ||
Initially envisioned as a series of TV movies for ABC, consisting of a three hour premiere and two additional movies of two hours in length<ref | Initially envisioned as a series of TV movies for ABC, consisting of a three hour premiere and two additional movies of two hours in length<ref name="starlog aug 78">{{cite magazine|quotes= |last= Meyers |first= Richard |authorlink= |coauthors= |year= 1978 |month= August |title= Get Ready For... BATTLE STAR "GALACTICA" |magazine=Starlog |volume= |issue= |pages=52-53 |id= |url= |accessdate= }}</ref>, ''Battlestar Galactica'' was ultimately developed into a regular television series. The "first seven hours" of the series, consisting of "[[Saga of a Star World]]", "[[Lost Planet of the Gods]]", and "[[The Gun on Ice Planet Zero]]", was reported to have cost–"at over one million dollars an hour", according to ''Galactica'''s publicist, Joe Santley–over $7 million dollars<ref name="starlog aug 78"/>. However, this figure is contradicted by [[Richard Colla]], who revealed that the budgets for the three-hour pilot were nine million dollars alone, despite the fact that it was sold to ABC for 1.8 million.<ref>{{cite_web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-1978---interviews/richard-colla-galactica.tv-interview.html|title=Richard Colla GALACTICA.TV Interview|date=29 April 2008|accessdate=30 April 2008|last=Egnor|first=Mike|format=|language=}}</ref> | ||
To defray costs, the three hour premiere was re-cut as a theatrical release. Several weeks before the TV series premiered in America, the series pilot appeared as a two hour film in Canada, Europe and Japan. Opening on July 7, 1978, the theatrical release did quite well, given modest expectations. | To defray costs, the three hour premiere was re-cut as a theatrical release. Several weeks before the TV series premiered in America, the series pilot appeared as a two hour film in Canada, Europe and Japan. Opening on July 7, 1978, the theatrical release did quite well, given modest expectations. | ||
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{{Mainarticle|Season 1 (1978-79)}}[[File:B00018LTDI.01.jpg|thumb|The artwork for the Complete Epic Series DVD package]] | {{Mainarticle|Season 1 (1978-79)}}[[File:B00018LTDI.01.jpg|thumb|The artwork for the Complete Epic Series DVD package]] | ||
During its single season, the series went through a few phases, as the Fleet got farther away from the Colonies, and closer to Earth. | During its single season, the series went through a few phases, as the Fleet got farther away from the Colonies, and closer to Earth. | ||
After the initial series pilot, where the Fleet visited [[Carillon]], the next stop was the mythic planet {{TOS|Kobol}} where the ancient birthplace of humanity was found. | After the initial series pilot, where the Fleet visited [[Carillon]], the next stop was the mythic planet {{TOS|Kobol}} where the ancient birthplace of humanity was found. Together, these two stories established the mythos of the series. | ||
Next, there were a series of episodes where the Colonials visited lost colonies such as [[Equellus]], [[Proteus]] and [[ | Next, there were a series of episodes where the Colonials visited lost colonies such as [[Equellus]], [[Proteus]] and [[Antilla]]. | ||
In the middle of the season were some two part episodes that established foils for Commander Adama with the introduction of [[Commander Cain]] and [[Count Iblis]]. | In the middle of the season were some two part episodes that established foils for Commander Adama with the introduction of [[Commander Cain]] and [[Count Iblis]]. | ||
Then, there were some episodes that focused on the life of the Fleet, focusing on characters such as [[Chameleon]]. This was followed by a series of episodes based around the [[Terra]] arc. | Then, there were some episodes that focused on the life of the Fleet, focusing on characters such as [[Chameleon]]. This was followed by a series of episodes based around the [[Terra]] arc. | ||
Lastly, the Cylons, who had been absent for awhile, were reintroduced in the {{TOS|The Hand of God|final episode}} of the series. | Lastly, the Cylons, who had been absent for awhile, were reintroduced in the {{TOS|The Hand of God|final episode}} of the series. | ||
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There are two different [[opening credits|opening narrations]], both narrated by [[Patrick Macnee]], who portrayed Count [[Iblis]] and was the voice for the [[Imperious Leader]] during the series' run. | There are two different [[opening credits|opening narrations]], both narrated by [[Patrick Macnee]], who portrayed Count [[Iblis]] and was the voice for the [[Imperious Leader]] during the series' run. | ||
The opening narration to "[[Saga of a Star World]]": | The opening narration to "[[Saga of a Star World]]": | ||
: ''"There are those who believe that life here began out there, far across the universe, with {{TOS|The Twelve Colonies|tribes of humans}} who may have been the forefathers of the [[w:Ancient Egypt|Egyptians]], or the [[w:Toltec|Toltecs]], or the [[w:Maya civilization|Mayans]]. They may have been the architects of the great pyramids, or the lost civilizations of [[w:Lemuria (continent)|Lemuria]] or [[w:Atlantis|Atlantis]]. Some believe that there may yet be brothers of man who even now fight to survive far, far away, amongst the stars.''" — {{video|/Intro Video|watch}} | |||
: ''"There are those who believe that life here began out there, far across the universe, with {{TOS|The Twelve Colonies|tribes of humans}} who may have been the forefathers of the [[w:Ancient Egypt|Egyptians]], or the [[w:Toltec|Toltecs]], or the [[w:Maya civilization|Mayans]]. They may have been the architects of the great pyramids, or the lost civilizations of [[w:Lemuria (continent)|Lemuria]] or [[w:Atlantis|Atlantis]]. Some believe that there may yet be brothers of man who even now fight to survive far, far away, amongst the stars.''" | |||
The opening narration used starting from "[[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]]": | The opening narration used starting from "[[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]]": | ||
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: ''"Fleeing from the Cylon tyranny, the last Battlestar, ''Galactica'', leads a ragtag, fugitive fleet, on a lonely quest—for a shining planet known as Earth."'' | : ''"Fleeing from the Cylon tyranny, the last Battlestar, ''Galactica'', leads a ragtag, fugitive fleet, on a lonely quest—for a shining planet known as Earth."'' | ||
== Year Two == | == "Year Two" == | ||
{{mainarticle|Battlestar Galactica: Year Two proposal}} | {{mainarticle|Battlestar Galactica: Year Two proposal}} | ||
In recent years, Glen Larson's son, Chris, discovered various memorabilia from his father's personal collection. In addition to packets for the official Battlestar Galactica Fan Club, he also came across [[Battlestar Galactica: Year Two proposal|a treatment]] for the second season of ''Battlestar Galactica''. In the treatment, many changes were proposed, including the reduction of the cast size, the addition of [[w:Issac Asimov|Issac Asimov]] as a story and science consultant, and massive character changes. | In recent years, Glen Larson's son, Chris, discovered various memorabilia from his father's personal collection. In addition to packets for the official Battlestar Galactica Fan Club, he also came across [[Battlestar Galactica: Year Two proposal|a treatment]] for the second season of ''Battlestar Galactica''. In the treatment, many changes were proposed, including the reduction of the cast size, the addition of [[w:Issac Asimov|Issac Asimov]] as a story and science consultant, and massive character changes. | ||
While it is uncertain as to whether this document ever made it to Universal Studios, the document does shed light on the origin of various concepts introduced in ''[[Galactica 1980]]''. These concepts included the human android Cylons, the concept of Boomer being ''Galactica''{{'|s}} executive officer, and the character of "Troy. | While it is uncertain as to whether this document ever made it to Universal Studios, the document does shed light on the origin of various concepts introduced in ''[[Galactica 1980]]''. These concepts included the human android Cylons, the concept of Boomer being ''Galactica''{{'|s}} executive officer, and the character of "Troy". | ||
==Cancellation and Rebirths (of a sort)== | ==Cancellation and Rebirths (of a sort)== | ||
Citing declining ratings and cost overruns, ABC canceled ''Battlestar Galactica'' in April 1979. Its last episode, "{{TOS|The Hand of God|The Hand of God}}, | Citing declining ratings and cost overruns, ABC canceled ''Battlestar Galactica'' in April 1979. Its last episode, "{{TOS|The Hand of God|The Hand of God}}", was broadcast on April 29. Fans were generally shocked to find the series canceled as viewership was reasonably robust. However, after some years, some fans believe that ABC pulled the plug on the show after ratings began to drop after network executives ordered changes to storylines that resulted in a less appealing, "family oriented" format, as well as a distaste for the show and desire for more profitable fare. Some fans were more philosophical, believing that a [[continuation]] series or revival was possible, as it was for shows such as ''Star Trek'' and ''Night Gallery''.<ref>[http://www.cylon.org/bsg/bsg-article-01.htm ''Who Killed Battlestar?'', Editorial, by William J. Adams, ''Fantastic Films'' magazine (defunct), issue #29, June 1982.]</ref> | ||
After the series's cancellation, the pilot was edited together into a new theatrical release, with certain scenes trimmed or edited out completely. This release is notable for the incorporation of the [[w:Sensurround|Sensurround]] enhancement system first introduced in the film [[Wikipedia:Earthquake (film)|''Earthquake'']] in 1974, and is considered by most critics as perhaps the only film where the technology was used properly. It was, in fact, the last of only four films ever released in the US to feature Sensurround. | After the series's cancellation, the pilot was edited together into a new theatrical release, with certain scenes trimmed or edited out completely. This release is notable for the incorporation of the [[w:Sensurround|Sensurround]] enhancement system first introduced in the film [[Wikipedia:Earthquake (film)|''Earthquake'']] in 1974, and is considered by most critics as perhaps the only film where the technology was used properly. It was, in fact, the last of only four films ever released in the US to feature Sensurround. | ||
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Special effects shots from the series were reused in the low-budget 1988 film ''Space Mutiny'', which later had the dubious honor of being mocked on ''[[w:Mystery Science Theater 3000|Mystery Science Theater 3000]]''. | Special effects shots from the series were reused in the low-budget 1988 film ''Space Mutiny'', which later had the dubious honor of being mocked on ''[[w:Mystery Science Theater 3000|Mystery Science Theater 3000]]''. | ||
A news story in fandom was reported on the suicide of a 15-year-old boy named Eddie Seidel, Jr., who jumped 200 feet from a bridge out of despair of the series' cancellation.<ref | A news story in fandom was reported on the suicide of a 15-year-old boy named Eddie Seidel, Jr., who jumped 200 feet from a bridge out of despair of the series' cancellation.<ref>[http://www.kobol.com/archives/suicide.html "TV Death", Associated Press, August 25, 1979. Reprinted on website Kobol.com.]</ref> | ||
A series [[spin-off]] did appear some months later in the form of ''[[Galactica 1980]]''. Despite initially promising ratings, the show became victim to questionable writing that was heavily influenced by science fiction clichés. The show was generally panned by critics and fans alike (with the exception of its [[The Return of Starbuck|last episode]]). ''Galactica 1980'' was canceled after only 10 episodes. | A series [[spin-off]] did appear some months later in the form of ''[[Galactica 1980]]''. Despite initially promising ratings, the show became victim to questionable writing that was heavily influenced by science fiction clichés. The show was generally panned by critics and fans alike (with the exception of its [[The Return of Starbuck|last episode]]). ''Galactica 1980'' was canceled after only 10 episodes. | ||
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The [[Battlestar Galactica (2003 game)]] was created to encompass elements of both the original series and the re-imagined series, but, as such, is in a [[Battlestar Wiki:Separate continuity|separate continuity]]. | The [[Battlestar Galactica (2003 game)]] was created to encompass elements of both the original series and the re-imagined series, but, as such, is in a [[Battlestar Wiki:Separate continuity|separate continuity]]. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | |||
{{reflist | |||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
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}} | }} | ||
*{{archivelink | *{{archivelink | ||
| url = http://galactica1981.tripod.com/StarWars.htm | | url = http://galactica1981.tripod.com/StarWars.htm | ||
| title = Article - Star Wars Made Many of the Same Mistakes as Galactica | | title = Article - Star Wars Made Many of the Same Mistakes as Galactica | ||
| live = No | | live = No | ||
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{{Episode List (TOS)}} | {{Episode List (TOS)}} | ||
[[Category:A to Z]] | [[Category:A to Z]] | ||
[[Category:Behind the Scenes]] | [[Category:Behind the Scenes]] | ||
[[Category:TOS]] | |||
[[de:Battlestar Galactica (TOS)]] | [[de:Battlestar Galactica (TOS)]] | ||
[[fr:Galactica (série télévisée)]] | [[fr:Galactica (série télévisée)]] | ||