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| The Starlost - Complete Series | 
 enlarge | Directors: Joseph L Scanlon, Ed Richardson, Harvey Hart, George Mccowan, Leo Orenstein
Actors: Keir Dullea, Gay Rowan, Robin Ward, William Osler
Studio: VCI Entertainment
Category: DVD
List Price: $49.99
Buy New: $24.80
You Save: $25.19 (50%)
New (33) Used (5) Collectible (1) from $24.80
Avg. Customer Rating:  12 reviews
Sales Rank: 13798
Format: Color, Digital Sound, Full Screen, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 4
Running Time: 800
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: UTED8540D
UPC: 089859854026
EAN: 0089859854026
ASIN: B001DW2BG0
Theatrical Release Date: 1976
Release Date: September 30, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Five Star Seller!!! New, factory sealed US Region 1 DVD. Item is 100% guaranteed not to be a bootleg or import. Item is shipped directly from our warehouse. Easy exchange if item defective or damaged in shipped.
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Product Description
Studio: Video Communications Inc. Release Date: 11/04/2008 Run time: 800 minutes Rating: Nr
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| Customer Reviews: Read 7 more reviews...
 Another look after all those years December 21, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Well I just watched all 16 episodes for the first time after seeing them in their original run in the mid-70's. I bought the DVD fueled by nostalgia, remembering the poor production values, but hoping time had been merciful. The verdict? If you never saw The Starlost don't bother unless you adore B-science fiction for its camp, and even then you'll find the shows more boring than the usual B flicks. If you did see the originals and are considering buying this DVD for nostalgia like I did, my memories proved fairly accurate about what I liked (the great premise, the cheesy but sometimes-clever sets) but things proved much more slow-paced and boring than I had remembered. All in all, I scratched an itch that wasn't worth it.
the worst television sci fi series ever November 29, 2008
2 out of 6 found this review helpful
The characters: an overweight Eddie Money look-alike tough guy who never does anything tough, carries a crossbow in some shots, not in all shots, and NEVER fires it. A John Holmes look-alike that is an expert on computers, nuclear reactors, and biotechnology even though he grew up an AMISH FARMER? He is comatose mellow, but has hyper acting outbursts for no apparent reason or motivation. A Homely Girl who's only dialog is "we have to help them." John Holmes and Homely Girl are supposed to be in love, yet they show no physical or visible signs of affection toward each other. When Homely Girl gets captured, John Holmes could care less, flippantly stating, "Oh she'll turn up". Ain't that love? John Holmes looks like a true goof in a ten sizes too big space helment. All are on an ark of biospheres, but in 16 episodes only actually visit 4 biospheres, because most encounters occur in the same hallway set, and wind up in the same control room with the same sets, props, triangle doors, same sequence of blinking lights, and that same damned star map, where they meet different characters with wearing the same costumes. The horrible chroma key effects make people way bigger and out of proportion to the background. This also prevent the actors from interacting with the monsters, all they can do is stare and look scared. Every time an alarm goes off, the warning is repeated twice "explosion in 60 seconds, repeat explosion in 60 seconds." This gets really annoying real fast. The show looks like a bad Dr. Who episode, without the humor and with no drama or pace at all. I Give it 2 stars because I liked seeing John Collicos, Barry Morse, Sterling Haden, Simon Oakland, and other character actors who are wasted doing this horrendous drek. This series, along with Logans Run, and Planet of the Apes demonstrate the dismal state Sci Fi was in the year "STAR WARS" came on the scene and truly revolutionized the genre. The impact is obvious and was long overdue.
 Starlost series on DVD at last November 29, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I waited a long time for this one to appear on DVD, just because I never saw the entire series when it was on TV back in the seveties. Missed the VHS release several years ago, but didn't want to pay exhorbitant price to a reseller. You resellers need to re-evaluate what you think the break-point price is for your items sometimes. Things you think people would pay a premium for, that haven't moved for some time, probably are overpriced, don't ya' think?
Anyway, the acting was just as bad as I remember, not so much the fault of the actors but moreso the directors. Sets were good for the time it was produced, but hopelessly outdated now. I bought the book (Phoenix Without Ashes - Edward Bryant-Harlan Ellison) before the series launched and enjoyed it much more than the series. The biggest thrill for me then was just getting to see ANY sci-fi ANYWHERE. Buy it for nostalgia at least.
 Did "The Starlost" influence "STAR WARS" and other "quest/journey" sci-fi shows?!? November 23, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
THE STARLOST is a neat little show. The production values are nowhere near a prime-time level, being roughly on par with mid-70's Saturday Morning Live Action shows. The low (VERY LOW!) production values no doubt account for its reputation as the "worst sci-fi show of all-time". THE STARLOST is definitely NOT the worst sci-fi show of all time (that dubious honor belongs to SCI-FI Channel's "Flash Gordon" series, but that's another story....). It's interesting to note that the "quest/journey" format of THE STARLOST was later utilized by PLANET OF THE APES: The Series (1974), ARK II (1976), LOGAN'S RUN: The Series (1977-78), THE FANTASTIC JOURNEY (1977), OTHERWORLD (1985) and SLIDERS (1995-2000). I'm also convinced that THE STARLOST *may* have had some (albeit minor) influence on the creation of the first STAR WARS film...consider, young Devon--an innocent farmer--is living peacefully in his farming community when he discovers the "larger world" (The Ark). He leaves his peaceful, farming life behind to find his "destiny" (searching for a way to control the Ark and prevent it from falling into a distant sun). Also--is it my imagination or are Devon and Rachel's "farm-costumes" extremely similar to Luke Skywalker's "farmboy" outfit in STAR WARS?!? There are minor differences to be sure, but the costume design is very similar! Heck, Devon and Luke Skywalker even have similar haircuts! Also, what about Garth, Devon's "macho" (Han Solo-like?) friend and partner WHO CARRIES A CROSSBOW(!!!)--just like Chewbacca in STAR WARS! To my knowledge, Garth in THE STARLOST was the first-ever character in a Science Fiction/Futuristic drama to wield an "ancient" weapon like the crossbow--and he did it 4 years before Chewbacca in STAR WARS. Even the clumsily executed Love Triangle between Devon, Rachel and Garth is somewhat reminiscent of the Luke/Leia/Han relationship in STAR WARS. If you're a fan of classic Saturday morning shows like ARK II, JASON OF STAR COMMAND and SPACE ACADEMY, I heartily recommend THE STARLOST. I watched all 16 episodes over several days and wasn't bored for a second...Don't hesitate to add THE STARLOST to your DVD collection!!!
The TV On DVD Fad Has A Useful Purpose After All November 8, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
And rest assured, while awkwardly executed & downright creepy, "The Starlost" is not as bad as urban legend might suggest. I'll let others describe the series, the box set rules (though for a retail cost of $50 VCI should have given us an actual box & some more extensive supplemental materials) with every one of the 16 episodes produced included. One of the creepiest things about the show is that like "Gilligan's Island" they're still out there, you know. The series never had a resolution episode that brought it all together, so Devon, Garth, Rachel and all the rest are still wandering the universe, trying to figure out how to avert disaster & find a new home. In a conceptual sense, at least.
One unmentioned useful function of this show is for curing hangovers, by the way. There is something about it's plodding, hesitant nature crossed with the funky retro SF production design that works with your brain's receptors to induce a sort of waking coma state that makes the ill effects of excessive alcohol consumption less uncomfortable, especially when watched on a glum rainy Saturday afternoon in one's slippers. Bake up a tray of chicken tenders & open a bottle of Powerade, at 800 minutes total length it's going to be a long day. Ohh, my aching head ...
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