The only problem with a reboot would be it wouldn’t get the justice it deserved B7E tried it as audio and it was awful. I know that wobbly sets and models are dated but some of the acting was excellent especially Paul Darrow and later on Steven Pacey. Although for me the writing after season A went down hill especially the final, thats not to say they were all bad. I feel that the System should have come back more as Redemption was the best out of all episodes.
Oh my. I knew even then that compressing 200 minutes of original episodes down to 120 for the video release meant quite a lot of material got hacked out, but it's still kind of stunning to see just how much. I remember seeing "The Way Back" on DVD when those first came out and OY. What a difference, but I didn't realise so much was cut from "Cygnus Alpha" as well.
The VHS version was the only version I knew for many years, and to be honest, I dont think it loses much with the cuts. When there's a cold day in hell and we get the Blu-rays, I hope they include this cut.
“Ouch” indeed, huge cuts. Wonderfully presented analysis. It’s a curiosity of the time that companies thought that this compilation video approach was better than simply giving viewers the complete original episodes that they had loved. At least there was the awareness that the first four episodes have a natural flow as a foundation for the series.
Hi Pip, just watched The Beginning as well as Duel and Orac. They are a nice reminder of just how exciting Blake's 7 really is and how strong the story arcs were for the time it was made. The adult content of the first two episodes is toned down and sub plots not focused on the regulars are removed. I think you've inspired me now, so I will write an article on this topic to add to my final volume of the Blake's 7 viewer's guide books. Thanks again!
Nice compilation. I have this and Duel on Japanese Laserdisc of all things! I've always never to get the VHS tapes of the other omnibus compilation releases.
Thanks for putting thisI together. I had the original compilation tapes and they worked well, particularly the Orac one as a mini movie and for getting across the main plots. It was only when we got the unedited versions you realised how much was cut out.
Excellent! Thanks for doing this. I had the Orac tape & Aftermath before BBC video started to release the unedited episodes, two per tape. I still have all of those! 👍
Thanks for making this, I have the VHS, the unedited VHS and the DVD and have always meant to go and check and list the cuts. I didn't realise how much more vibrant the colours were on Spacefall on the VHS
@@PipMadeley I honestly wonder if it was deliberate in the first couple of episodes or if for the VHS release they boosted the colours, as they are pretty high at times. I know my home recordings of Attack of the Cybermen from the 80's are almost black and white at times, and it was a revelation on the VHS when it *wasn't* washed out.
Better than expected. They say it's not what you leave out, it's what you leave in and I didn't feel like a great deal was lost. Some edits were pretty effective and improved what was there (tightening the pace, fixing mis-cues etc). Was quite shocked to discover how much of The Way Back was discarded.
Always nice to see Blake's 7 getting some attention, the series really deserves a revival or reboot.
The only problem with a reboot would be it wouldn’t get the justice it deserved B7E tried it as audio and it was awful. I know that wobbly sets and models are dated but some of the acting was excellent especially Paul Darrow and later on Steven Pacey. Although for me the writing after season A went down hill especially the final, thats not to say they were all bad. I feel that the System should have come back more as Redemption was the best out of all episodes.
Oh my. I knew even then that compressing 200 minutes of original episodes down to 120 for the video release meant quite a lot of material got hacked out, but it's still kind of stunning to see just how much. I remember seeing "The Way Back" on DVD when those first came out and OY. What a difference, but I didn't realise so much was cut from "Cygnus Alpha" as well.
The VHS version was the only version I knew for many years, and to be honest, I dont think it loses much with the cuts.
When there's a cold day in hell and we get the Blu-rays, I hope they include this cut.
“Ouch” indeed, huge cuts. Wonderfully presented analysis. It’s a curiosity of the time that companies thought that this compilation video approach was better than simply giving viewers the complete original episodes that they had loved. At least there was the awareness that the first four episodes have a natural flow as a foundation for the series.
Hi Pip, just watched The Beginning as well as Duel and Orac. They are a nice reminder of just how exciting Blake's 7 really is and how strong the story arcs were for the time it was made. The adult content of the first two episodes is toned down and sub plots not focused on the regulars are removed. I think you've inspired me now, so I will write an article on this topic to add to my final volume of the Blake's 7 viewer's guide books. Thanks again!
A fabulous rundown of the edits. Lets hope the movie versions appear on any blu-ray releases.
Nice compilation. I have this and Duel on Japanese Laserdisc of all things! I've always never to get the VHS tapes of the other omnibus compilation releases.
Blimey! I never knew my old VHS had so much missing…
Huh. I swear blind the armoury scene was in there when I watched it. Guess not. Another great video, Pip.
Thanks for putting thisI together. I had the original compilation tapes and they worked well, particularly the Orac one as a mini movie and for getting across the main plots. It was only when we got the unedited versions you realised how much was cut out.
Excellent! Thanks for doing this. I had the Orac tape & Aftermath before BBC video started to release the unedited episodes, two per tape. I still have all of those! 👍
Thanks for making this, I have the VHS, the unedited VHS and the DVD and have always meant to go and check and list the cuts. I didn't realise how much more vibrant the colours were on Spacefall on the VHS
Thanks! Yes, the colours on DVD are noticeably cooler. Blake looks positively anemic at times!
Yes I’m surprised with the colour too
Time for a Blu-ray release
@@PipMadeley I honestly wonder if it was deliberate in the first couple of episodes or if for the VHS release they boosted the colours, as they are pretty high at times.
I know my home recordings of Attack of the Cybermen from the 80's are almost black and white at times, and it was a revelation on the VHS when it *wasn't* washed out.
I remember my mum saying back in the 90s that she liked these better, as she always found Blake's 7 a bit too slow. I can't believe we're related.
Excellent video! I wondered if you'd do the Blake's 7 compilations! Well done there Pip 😊
Fascinating
I had Blake's 7: The Beginning on VHS once.
These were originally screen on TV as a TV movie, I cant remember when but I have feeling It was Easter weekend.
I wish the DVD version was as colourful as the VHS version… I wonder why it is so washed out. Did they turn the colour up for the VHS?
More likely the DVD has been toned down to suit the dystopian theme.
Is the colour in the vhs true colour or was it enhanced for release?
This compilation was produced in 1985, so almost certainly reflects how it looked on original broadcast.
Like to ask, what did you think of it as a edited together feature ?
Better than expected. They say it's not what you leave out, it's what you leave in and I didn't feel like a great deal was lost. Some edits were pretty effective and improved what was there (tightening the pace, fixing mis-cues etc). Was quite shocked to discover how much of The Way Back was discarded.
Played the betamax tape to death.
It had the opening BBC Video logo with diamond star and the electronic music which famously appeared on the Fawlty Towers tapes, yes?