It's actually a two DVD set. The TV series, which is on the first DVD, is as near to a flawless reproduction as is currently possible. Watch it with the lights off to enjoy all the visuals and matte painting special effects that were available in 1981 with a shoestring budget. Additionally, this is a "must buy" just for the second DVD alone. Outtakes and deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes footage, The Making of The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, BBC Omnibus Tribute to Douglas Adams, and much more.

BBC Video has stepped up and hit a homerun with this DVD set. Be sure to watch it with and recommend it to your friends. "Share and enjoy!"

40 of 40 found the following review helpful:

As good as it gets  Feb 11, 2007
By Stephen Desalvo "Shakey"
These episodes are as close to the book as is possible, unlike the movie made in 2005. Being a latecomer to the Hitchhiker world, I wasn't sure what to expect from these 1981 renditions, but I was totally blown away by the "pureness" of the script and the graphics that they were able to make for the time. It's very well acted too, and the guy who played Arthur in the radio series also plays him on screen in these episodes. Douglas Adams also makes an on-screen appearance in a particular sequence, but I won't spoil the surprise.

They also include some documentaries done about 10 years later, which include interviews with the actors and Douglas Adams and a look at how they made the graphics.

The episodes cover most of the first novel, spend some time at the restaurant at the end of the universe and end at prehistoric earth.

32 of 32 found the following review helpful:

DON'T PANIC!! This is a great purchase!!  Apr 20, 1999

The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy is one of those books that you would think there is no way that it could be done right as a movie. Well guess what? IT HAS BE DONE!!!! This is a must have for EVERY "Hitchhiker's" fan. Even if you never heard of the book,radio series, etc, and are a fan of british humor in the vein of Monty Python's Flying Circus, you will love this. The movie isn't actually just based on the book, Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, but is based on the 1st 3 books; The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy,The Resturant At The End Of The Universe, and Life The Universe And Everything. Sure the effects are low budget as hell, but that is all part of it's charm.This is a comedy based on story not effects. I actually think that the effects add to the humor. This is a classic and will always be a permanent part of my movie collection.I just have one question, WHEN WILL THIS COME OUT ON DVD?!?!?

32 of 33 found the following review helpful:

The Answer Is...42!  Feb 22, 2004
By Robert I. Hedges
"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" started life as a radio series at the BBC, and quickly became a huge smash. Following that success, creator Douglas Adams found himself writing novel adaptations and the screenplay for this wonderful six part television show, which premiered in 1981. It was an instant success and has achieved a huge following worldwide. First seen in the mid 1980s on PBS in the US, its popularity grew greater still, and if any show ever called out for a DVD release this is it.

For those of you who aren't familiar with "Hitchhiker" it is the story of a human, Arthur Dent, and his extraterrestrial friend Ford Prefect who flee the Earth after it's destruction (to make way for a hyperspace bypass) and have mind-bending misadventures with compatriots Zaphod Beeblebrox and another human, the lovely Trillian. The series is filled with extremely quirky twists and turns throughout, and truly defies description. Suffice it to say that it is light years ahead of its time and never fails to provoke a laugh.

The good humor of the series is cemented by actor Simon Jones, playing Arthur, who tours the galaxy in his bathrobe (and always knows where his towel is.) Simon was one of the key cast members carried over from the radio show, and he truly is made for the part. Likewise David Dixon is perfect as the wild-eyed Ford.

Remember that this was a low budget production, so don't expect special effects to rival "Star Wars." Most of the effects are adequate, although I think the producers would have done well to dispense with the robotic second head of Zaphod found in the radio show and book, as the contraption that Mark Wing Davey has to wear is extremely lame, and really doesn't further the plot. His third arm, though, is surprisingly well done. Something to note in this show are what appear to be computer generated entries from the guide, which are actually amazing pieces of first rate animation.

The second DVD is a wonderful gift from BBC Video. It contains two documentaries on "Hitchhiker" one from 1992, and one made for this release, as well as outtakes, deleted scenes, behind the scenes footage, and production notes which can be superimposed throughout the entire presentation. It has a digitally remastered stereo soundtrack, but you can also select the original mono soundtrack which I generally prefer, as when the computer, Deep Thought, speaks there is too much reverb in the stereo version to understand it easily. It also contains a tribute to Douglas Adams who died suddenly at the age of 49 immediately before the release of the DVD set.

This is still the only science fiction comedy series that truly got it right, and this DVD is an absolute treasure to own and watch. By all means, check it out today, but don't let the Vogons read you any of their poetry!

19 of 19 found the following review helpful:

The Original BBC version  Feb 02, 2007
By A. Deacon "Zoinks"
I searched a while to find this original version , it is much more complete than the new movie , and while a low budget style production , the acting and writing are the real deal.

One for the collection if you go for this sort of thing !

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