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"V": The original mini-series


Reviewed by: John Kavanagh
Genre: Sci-fi
Video: Widescreen 1.85:1, Color
Audio: Dolby Digital Surround
Language: English and French
Subtitle: English, French and Spanish
Length: 196 mins
Rating: NR
Release Date: July 3, 2001
Studio: Warner Bros.
Commentary: Yes, writer/director Kenneth Johnson
Documentaries: None
Featurettes: Yes, 25 min. look behind the scenes
Filmography/Biography: None
Interviews: 3 interviews in the featurette
Trailers/TV Spots: None
Alternate/Deleted Scenes: None
Music Video: None
Other: None
Cast and Crew: Jane Badler, Faye Grant, David Packer, Neva Patterson, Marc Singer, Blair Tefkin, Micheal Wright, Andrew Prine, Jason Bernard, Robert 'Freddy Kruger' Englund, and a score of many other fine actors!
Screenplay by: Kenneth Johnson
Produced by: Chuck Bowman
Directed By: Kenneth Johnson
Music: Joe Harnell
The Review: A good 15 years before films like Independence Day, Mars Attacks, and the like…there was the far superior 'V'. All are about the invasion of earth from alien forces, but while films like the otherwise mentioned use story and characters as just a tool to connect many spectacular action and FX sequences, 'V' in some crazy, lunatic, risky way decided rather to rely on it's characters and story…Oh, no! Where do the filmmakers get off on doing this!? What were they thinking!?*L* …well honestly, this is a concept I wish filmmakers would get back too…anyways, where was I? Oh, right! 'V'…far superior! The film starts with the typical 'arrival', which the aliens come to us and quite literally declare: "We come in peace." This film knows exactly what it is. Homage to old invasion films of the 50's. But it is also much more than this. After watching as the aliens infest our planet and quickly but stealthily rise up to be our superiors we learn they also quite literally have a different face. The film is about the rise of fascism. It's about power and the people. Who has it, who want it, and who will fight against it (as the writer puts it). There are many obvious visual and psychological elements and thematic references to Nazi Germany and their anti-Semitism, propaganda controlled media, etc. Filled with good action, acting and quite honestly, some of the best filmmaking I've seen for a television production…well, except for some of the 'then' top-notch FX shots that are just laughable today. (However, I must say some of the FX shots I believe still hold up damn well…the fighter chase over the trees for example). This is a film that does hold up well on it's own, but leaves many loose ends. 'V' is thankfully is followed by a terrific 6 hour mini-series subtitled 'The final battle' (oh if only it was the final battle…this was subsequently followed by the terrible short lived weekly television show). In the commentary, Johnson only touches lightly upon the intent for 'V' at that time. The original mini-series may have been followed by a weekly show, maybe another mini-series or maybe a whole series of mini-series to air every year or so. He talks about how he supervised the writing of a follow-up mini-series and left because of budget and production reasons, but he was unclear as to weather that story he supervised was the eventually made 'Final Battle'. 'V' is very epic in scope. It's one of the few mini-series that embraces the fact that it's a mini-series…like a good epic novel; the story here moves fast but does not rush. It allows itself to take a breather every once in awhile. It allows itself the freedom to richly explore the characters, their relationships and the sub-plots. All of which gives this movie a large advantage over other movies and really drags the viewers in!
Image and Sound The Image and sound of this disc could almost be special features in themselves. Actually, the disc cover boasts of the sound in the special feature box…stating 'First time ever in Dolby surround stereo'. Until now the film was only presented in hi-fi stereo…I'm happy already. Also, the picture is for the first time given a 1.85:1 aspect ratio and is even enhanced for 16x9 TV's. Although it is a television film meant to be shown in 1.33:1, and also that it is a 'matted' widescreen format which struggles against some of the intended composition, I believe this new scope works quite nicely with the 'epic' story, 'large' cast of characters and 'too big for TV' jobs that director Johnson and cinematographer John McPherson did. The picture itself is great! Colour is beautiful. Lines are clear and precise. I never have seen it look so good.
The Extras This disc is lacking in the extra's category. But such is to be expected for a TV movie. Before I get around to the real extra's I just want to point out that although some websites advertise this disc as having a Gag reel and trailer among the extra features, they are not to be found. Unless these are Easter eggs. Something I very much doubt considering I've looked at every page and tried every option to find them. Okay…now I'll start off small. There is a cast listing of all major actors and the names of their characters…nothing special, I know. But it is listed on the special features page. Secondly, the main menu page will give you little samples of 2 or 3 pieces of Joe Harnell's great score. Even the length of the movie can be mentioned as special. Along with the VHS release, this disc offers a longer run of the film that has not been seen since the original television broadcast…in the many encore broadcasts up to 15 minutes have been cut out that make a return in this home video. There are a few extra scenes and scene extensions that many fans of the film may be able to pick up on right away and say: "Hey, this is new!"…And of course there is the commentary that I will talk about in the next section, which now leaves me to tell you about the 25-minute featurette. Okay, this is one of the most boring behind the scenes looks I've ever watched. All it truly is, is footage watching director Kenneth Johnson at work on a few scenes. If you are interested in being a director you MAY find it interesting. Otherwise, you may find the piece running way too long…The behind the scenes footage was broken up by three interviews. The first one with production designer Charles R. Davis, which was mildly interesting. The second interview was an interesting one with Marc Singer about his involvement, the story and themes. And the third interview with Faye Grant would have been interesting had we not already heard her points earlier from Singer. Well, this really wasn't a bad featurette. The worst thing about it was that it was about 15 minutes too long.
Commentary I gotta hand it to Kenneth Johnson. He takes on this very, very long commentary himself and NEVER lags into anything remotely boring. I found his commentary to be quick and full of energy! He was on top of everything here! The shots, the locations, the behind the scenes stories, etc. I wonder if he prepared for the commentary by watching the film once or twice just to make notes for when he was to be recorded. I was very interested in hearing about some hidden messages in the movie. For example, Johnson touches on the main theme and how the music is really just repeating Morse code for the letter 'V'. So many little touches like this coupled with his high energy and obvious love for the piece help to keep your interest for the 3 hours and 15 odd minutes. Johnson also touches upon many directing techniques he employed while filming…The man sure knows how to tell a story as well as tell that story with a camera! Such will give some good insight to any fans out there who want to learn about the craft of filmmaking. Many times he will connect his story with real historical events…some are quite obvious while others are not so obvious and still very interesting. I believe it was Sodenburg who said that one of the best tools for aspiring filmmakers to learn about the craft is the advent of filmmaker commentaries on DVD's. Well, I believe this is one of them. Something else here that I found quite charming was Johnson's unfailing compliments to those involved with making the film. As talented as he obviously is, he knows no one man can do such great things alone.
Final Words: 'V' was a staple in my little world of entertainment back when I was 8 or 9…the film enthralled me then and still does. A terrific film, a great disc, and a fantastic price! The only thing that can complete such joy of owning this disc is owning it's second half on DVD as well…something I hope Warner Bros. will soon get around to releasing.


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 July 20, 2001