ALL SCI-FI

Bud Brewster · Last edited by Bud Brewster on Fri Jan 18, 2019 3:20 pm; edited 5 times in total

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This 1996 unsold pilot for a series is remarkable in every way! I had a VHS copy of it for years, and a while back I received a much better DVD-R copy from Randy.

In a perfect world, this would have become a popular and long-running series. The cast is top notch, the story is terrific, and the the FX are extremely well done.

Notice the obvious John Berkey influence in the design of the spaceships above.

But don't take my word for it. Watch this very fine Youtube video of the full movie, which has a fairly good picture! You'll thank me, I promise.

_____________________Star Command (1996)

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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

Pow · Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2016 2:57 pm Post subject:

I agree with you, Bud. Star Command had tremendous potential if the pilot had been picked up to be a weekly sf tv show.

I have read that the creator of SC was very displeased with the final result of her concept due to producers mishandling of her ideas. Also, the production ran out of $$$ as it was being shot.

I still remain impressed at what was achieved under those 2 events to detract from the overall production.

And Kelly Hu was certainly beautiful.

Bud Brewster · Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2016 6:07 pm Post subject:

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Don't forget the impressive robot, reminiscence of Syd Mead's wonderful Johnny Five in Short Circuit.

He was used to good advantage in the story, serving occasionally as tasteful comic relief, but also as a high-capacity data storage unit at a key moment in the plot.

And then there's the delightful inclusion of those very attractive ladies who present both intelligent and interesting characters, as well as tantalizing eye candy for us "fan boy"! Very Happy

Miss Jennifer Bransford as Ensign Ali McGinty is my personal favorite, a tough lady who endured a very troubled youth, but who emerged as a strong and noble person who combines both intelligence and irresistible femininity.

I think this enjoyable TV movie is the perfect descendant of Star Trek TOS, presenting gorgeous women characters who wear their attractive miniskirt uniforms with pride as they stride through this optimistic future.

Star Command comes as close to anything I've seen to presenting the kind of future I describe in my novels, The Wishbone Express and Sail the Sea of Stars.

If you haven't read them yet, I think you're in for a real treat. To put it bluntly folks . . . what are you waiting for? Very Happy

(All the pictures above are screen grabs from the Youtube video of this great movie. Please download it and watch it on your big HD television! And if you don't have the ability to do that . . . get busy and figure out how, like I did! Shocked

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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

Gord Green · Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2016 12:42 am Post subject:

I love that poster, but who in heck is "Chat" Everett ???

Bud Brewster · Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2016 10:19 am Post subject:

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Actually, this is the image I started with, but I didn't like the bottom half —

So I pasted this picture from Star Command in it's place.

It must be the box art for the German DVD sold on Amazon. I'll fix Chad's name in the one I posted above. And maybe I'll change Morgan Fairchild to Morgan Freeman, just to see if anybody else notices! Laughing

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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

Krel · Guest

My understanding is that it was filmed in Germany.

David.

alltare · Quantum Engineer Joined: 17 Jul 2015 Posts: 349

I agree with Pow and Bud — good concept, good actors, and good special efects. The image quality of my Youtube download is very good, especially considering that the mp4 file is only 418 MBytes.

One curious thing about the Youtube video, however: Did you notice that ALL of the credits have been stripped? There are no credits of any kind at either the beginning or end of the movie. Not even the title is given. Maybe that was done to hide it from YT's copyright police.

Bud Brewster · Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 9:27 am Post subject:

Pow · Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2016 5:48 pm Post subject:

I was not taken with the comic relief robot, Bud.

Reminded me too much of the silliness of the Lost In Space robot. I realize that this show probably would not have taken it that far but I groaned every time it appeared on the scene.

I was also disappointed with the deaths of Morgan Fairchild & Chad Everett. They were intriguing characters with a strong presence. Had SC gone to series it would have been fun to see them in charge of the young & inexperienced crew.

Liked the Surprise space ship, aptly named for what they inflicted upon the enemy. It reminded me somewhat of Thunderbird #2.

orzel-w · Galactic Ambassador Joined: 19 Sep 2014 Posts: 1865

Bud Brewster · Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2016 10:16 pm Post subject:

Gord Green · Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2016 11:27 pm Post subject:

I felt an influence here from Verhooven's STARSHIP TROOPERS in the interactions of the crew and the uniforms.

This was still an enjoyable film, but I can't see where it could have succeeded without some really creative writing going forward into a series.

Krel · Guest

Bud Brewster · Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2018 3:50 pm Post subject:

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Here's a bit more evidence that the ships in this film were inspired by John Berkey's designs. Compare the screen shot below to the Berkey paintings.

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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

Gord Green · Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2018 6:36 pm Post subject:

I always liked John Berkey's "Outboard motor" designs.

The influence was also noted in THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK rebel capital ships.

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There comes a time, thief, when gold loses its lustre, and the gems cease to sparkle, and the throne room becomes a prison; and all that is left is a father's love for his child.