"Battlestar Galactica" (1978)TV series 1978-1979

Creator:

Glen A. Larson

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

17 September 1978 (USA)

Genre:

Sci-Fi | Action | Adventure

Plot:

The last major Colonial fighter carrier leads a makeshift fleet of human refugees on a desperate search for the legendary planet Earth.

Plot Keywords:

Robot | Spaceship Name In Title | Robot As Menace | Fugitive | Refugee

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Richard Hatch	...	Capt. Apollo / ... (21 episodes, 1978-1979)
Dirk Benedict	...	Lt. Starbuck / ... (21 episodes, 1978-1979)
Lorne Greene	...	Commander Adama / ... (21 episodes, 1978-1979)
Herb Jefferson Jr.	...	Lt. Boomer / ... (21 episodes, 1978-1979)
Laurette Spang	...	Cassiopeia / ... (21 episodes, 1978-1979)
Terry Carter	...	Col. Tigh / ... (21 episodes, 1978-1979)
John Colicos	...	Baltar (20 episodes, 1978-1979)
Tony Swartz	...	Flight Sgt. Jolly / ... (20 episodes, 1978-1979)
Maren Jensen	...	Athena (19 episodes, 1978-1979)
Noah Hathaway	...	Boxey (19 episodes, 1978-1979)
David Greenan	...	Omega / ... (18 episodes, 1978-1979)
Patrick Macnee	...	Opening Credit Announcer / ... (13 episodes, 1978-1979)
Anne Lockhart	...	Sheba (12 episodes, 1978-1979)
Sarah Rush	...	Flight Cpl. Rigel / ... (11 episodes, 1978-1979)
Felix Silla	...	Lucifer (10 episodes, 1978-1979)
Jonathan Harris	...	Lucifer (9 episodes, 1978-1979)

Runtime:

60 min (24 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:PG (TV rating) | Canada:G (Quebec) (VHS/DVD rating) | Australia:M (DVD rating) | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Red Rock Canyon State Park - Highway 14, Cantil, California, USA

Company:

Glen A. Larson Productions

Trivia:

Several character names are taken from Greek mythology, like Apollo and Athena. Starbuck and Boomer are characters from the book "Moby Dick": Starbuck is the first officer of the ship 'Pequod' while Boomer is a less important character, a captain from another ship. These names (Apollo, Athena, Starbuck and Boomer) are call signs for major character in the re-imagined "Battlestar Galactica" (2004).

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: In Mission Galactica:The Cylon Attack" (a VHS television movie comprised of parts of the "Living Legend I and II” episodes plus parts of the "Fire in Space" episode), Cain sends the Pegasus through a bright starfield after Baltar's Baseship. According to the dialogue, the Pegasus is traveling alone at this point. However, the exterior shots in this sequence show the Battlestar being followed by at least half a dozen other ships. (These shots are actually of the Galactica leading the fleet through the Nova of Madagon, from "Saga of a Star World"). In the "Living Legend" episodes original form (now available on DVD), the sequence is different and doesn't show this supposed goof.

Quotes:

Lieutenant Starbuck: You have no sense of values beyond your own survival?
Cy: I exist that the Cylon empire may grow and organize the universe.
Lieutenant Starbuck: Well, what are you going to do with the universe once you have it organized?
[the Cylon cannot answer]
Lieutenant Starbuck: Hello? I didn't hear an answer. What are you going to DO with the universe once you have it organized?
Cy: I don't recall anyone ever asking that question.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Dead End (1985)

Soundtrack:

It's Love, Love, Love

Flawed, but Fun.

Ah, GALACTICA. I had a party at my house on the night of the start of the series. A whole bunch of goofy high school juniors crowded into my living room watching the destruction of the human race by a bunch of evil robots ruled by a big lizard, hell-bent on galactic domination. An earlier poster made a comment about the show being interrupted by a news report(The Camp David Peace Agreements with Carter, Begin, and Sadat, signing the official accords)so while this was going on, we took a break for a bite. ABC, thoughtfully didn't rejoin the show in progress, but backed it up a few moments and started from there. Try THAT, today!

As the series commenced it was hard pressed to live up to, as Time magazine predicted, "block buster ratings". Re-used special effects, and a slow dive into "bad writing-ville", began after the first regular episode. And, as this was the first show in the ABC Sunday night line-up of shows, if football coverage went late, it was interrupted, and joined in progress. I remember being pretty unhappy when the cancellation of the series was announced, in early 1979.

Battlestar Galactica is pretty much cursed with a very dated "Disco-ish" look to it, with feathered hair, and '70-ish clothes. The reused SFX of Vipers banking away gets tired, too. A brave effort, but short lived.

Let's hope that the ever-planned update of the series stays true to the original concept. I'd happily watch Starbuck and Apollo fight Cylons, once again. Just pray that whom ever runs the show does not mess with the franchise.

And PLEASE have Maren Jensen in it, too!!!!