After an Earth-destroying threat endangers the planet, Mankind builds a gigantic Earthship Ark spacecraft to save the last of humanity. After an accident takes place and kills the crew, the airlocks connecting the ship's d... more »omes are sealed. Cut off from the outside world, many communities simply forgot that they were on a spacecraft. As the centuries pass, each culture evolves in an enclosed society, each a world unto itself that is fifty miles in diameter. Unbeknownst to the ARK s inhabitants, they are drifting through deep space on a collision course with a sun. In 2790 A.D., a young man named Devon (Keir Dullea from 2001: A Space Odyssey ), a resident of a biosphere called Cypress Corners, discovers that his world is much larger than he was taught to believe and uncovers the Ark s fate. Devon and friends Rachel (Gay Rowan) and Garth (Robin Ward) must learn all they can about the Ark if they are to save it and the colonists aboard. The Starlost was a Canadian-produced science fiction television series that broadcasted in 1973 on CTV in Canada and on NBC in the United States. Now for the first time all 16 episodes are available in this collection. Some of these episodes have not been seen since their original airdates. Bonus Features: Scene Selection, Trailers Product Specs: 4-DVD9s; Dolby Digital; 800 min.; Color; 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio; MPAA NR; Year 1976; SRP - $49.99« less
Part of the legacy of Harlan Ellison, who passed away a couple days ago at the age of 84. Canadian produced on a shoestring budget. Stars Keir Dullea of 2001: A Space Odyssey fame. If you can get past the special effects, the stories are actually quite good. An Amish colony on a space ark? Bit of a radical concept. And now they must save Humanity! Unfortunately, subsequently, Harlan didn't want his name involved with this production and ended up using one of his pseudonyms. It's still a fun jaunt. I'd recommend experiencing this at least once.
Rob M. from STATEN ISLAND, NY Reviewed on 7/7/2011...
I've seen some call this a cult classic. It deserves neither title. Based on an excellent story by Harlan Ellison (who uses his nom de plume, Cordwainer Bird) this is a show that had, like the original Battlestar Galactica, a brilliant concept that was, very sadly, badly produced. The SFX in this, to begin, are about as good as the average SFC's production. The acting is at best amatuerish, at worst, garbage. As I said, sadly this is a brilliant concept; Earth has been destroyed by the sun going super nova. So an Ark, capable of carrying survivors (that alone, the selection process, would make a fine season, let alone an episode or two) is built and sent on its way. Along the way to a new world, there is an accident, and the crew (a bit implausible I admit) is wiped out, the bridge ruined. Three people from an Amish-like society, go against the teaching and set out to save the survivors of earth. Too bad the 12$ an episode budget and badly written episode (there were rumors that the producers had High School students writing the scripts). So it's worth a view, but it certainly isn't a fond childhood memory or a cult classic.
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Movie Reviews
At Last!! Another cult classic filnally comes to DVD!!!
John Gerard Lawton | Sterling Heights, Michigan USA | 08/09/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"At long last this forgotten cult scifi classic comes to dvd! Many who remember this show have panned it for being stiff, with wooden acting and cheap sfx. Most of the sfx was done with the croma key effect. You have to remember that this show was made in the early 70s, on a very tight budget. The show was also abandoned by it's creator. While the show has it's flaws, as most shows do, it also has a charm the can only be found in an early low budget tv production. Fans of Doctor Who will appreciate the low budget effects and storylines.
All in all, this dvd release has been a long time coming and I cannot wait for my set.
Have an open mind, and give the show a chance before bowing to the critics who will pan the show, you may be pleasantly surprised!
My rating is on the content which hopefully will be matched by a superb quality dvd release!"
A personal cult object
Phillip M. Zampino | New York City, NY | 08/09/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I watched this show when it was originally produced, and was absolutely enthralled by it - for me it sat alongside Star Trek, Space 1999, UFO, &c. As the years went on I forgot about it, until about 15 years ago when I recalled the show (which nobody else seemed to remember), started a search and found the series, quite truncated, on VHS. While it's true that the acting is stiff and the series is not-so-special-effected (though not always, and generally fueled with good ideas) for me it held up and still contained a lot of the wonder from my original watching. With Walter Koenig, John Colicos, and Barry Morse appearing in various episodes it certainly holds its place as classic 70s sci-fi. I just pre-ordered, and I'm thrilled at the prospect of finally seeing the complete series!
"
Yes, I Own The DVD Set And Watched It!!!!
Zoot Zoot | Myrtle Beach, SC | 11/07/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Unlike most all the previous reviews, I have received my copy of The Starlost and am very impressed with the quality of the dvd. It's a 4 dvd set and contains all the 16 episodes that were filmed and finished. They have been remastered and have a good quality to them. If you've been used to watching these episodes on a grainy youtube video you will be pleasantly surprised on the quality. No, it's not like today's sci fi quality but for the early 70's it's fantastic. There are scenes I have watched on youtube but on dvd it's much clearer and you see everything. It's funny, this is the first time I have seen a clear picture of the show in color. In 1973 I was a kid and we didn't own a color tv then. If you are a fan it's a must have. Bless you VCI. If you'd like to know more about The Starlost check out this fan site at [...]
Now go out and buy it!"
So Bad It's Wierdly Good
J. Penrose | Kelfour's Landing | 08/16/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This series should be used as a teaching aid for prospective screenwriters to show them what happens when the "suits" get involved in the creative process.
Originally, this series had the involvement of SF great Harlan Ellison, but after everyone from studio execs to apparently the photocopier repair guy got to have their "input", the series was so gutted and emasculated that Mr. Ellison removed his name from the production completely and substituted his WGA alias (Cordwainer Bird) as allowed when someone is so disgusted with what they have done to the writer's material.
There are faint glimmers of genius still left in the twitching corpse the stories became and some intruiging plot lines that never got resolved (There appears to be evidence that there may have been a mutiny as well as other problems among the crew running the generation ship..many critical log entries have been erased it appears.)
Some of the plots are hokey to the point of beggaring belief: Giant bees (badly back projected) threaten our heroes in one area, in another, they must make repairs to a circuit board by being shrunk down to the size of transistors...apparently the ship lacks magnifying glasses, tweezers and soldering irons.
If you've never seen the show, rent it first. Some of us will buy it simply because of what it could have been.
Either way, pick up Phoenix Without Ashes to see what Ellison really intended."
Cult TV classic finally on DVD and a great remastering too.
Brian W. Boskind | 02/20/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Kudos to VCI for the great job they did on bringing this neglected TV series to DVD. The problems that plagued this series are very well known but this IS NOT AS BAD AS LEGEND HAS IT. Go into it knowing it is shot on video (having the look of the 70s Dr. Who episodes) but like that series, the basic story idea for the series keeps your interest. The budget was slashed drastically right before filming of the show and while the execution may show the budget slashing sometimes, the actual production design is pretty good. The gigantic Ark ship is pretty cool and many of the other set pieces like the imposing corridor-bounce tubes, abandoned bridge, shuttle craft, the various graphics for the different ARK departments and personal, could have had the polished look of Space:1999 if it would have been put on film. Harlan Ellison disowned the series but the fascinating core of his story still holds true. The three leads are likable and begin to develop chemistry through the course of the short series. You might even be surprised at who shows up as a guest star. Watch it knowing it had survived many troubles behind the scenes- you will still see something interesting and different. You may even lament the fact that the Starlost was not allowed to find it's way and develop! You can see a terrific website on the genesis and creation of the show with lots of information and photos at http://www.snowcrest.net/fox/star.html"