Battlestar Galactica
1978
Original language: English
- sci-fi & fantasy
- drama
The story
When the 12 Colonies of Man are wiped out by a cybernetic race called the Cylons, Commander Adama and the crew of the battlestar Galactica lead a ragtag fleet of human survivors in search of a "mythical planet" called Earth.
What it’s like
Bright, glossy 1970s network sci-fi: sunlit corridors of the Galactica lit flat and even, shiny white and chrome sets, starfields glittering on dark blue backdrops, and pulpy space-battle sequences full of lasers and rocking model ships. The palette leans on gold, silver and primary colour accents, the camera mostly holds on wide, eye-level compositions with plenty of standard coverage, and the effects carry an unmistakable analogue charm. Sound is a brassy, swelling orchestral score by Stu Phillips, punctuated by electronic bleeps, whooshes and the stirring pulse of dogfights, with the chirpy robot R2-style sidekick adding light comic colour. The vibe is nostalgic, earnest and adventurous, a Saturday-afternoon serial with a sense of wonder rather than dread. Episodes move briskly through planet-hopping escapades, with a sprawling cast of pilots and crew and a steady, friendly rhythm; the emotional register is hopeful and gently melodramatic, following a wise commander's stewardship and the rivalries and romances of young officers. Violence is present but bloodless: lasers and explosions, Cylon attacks and occasional peril, no gore, and little sexual content beyond flirtation. It suits a comfort rewatch, a lazy weekend, or a family evening, and suits viewers who love retro space opera and goofy, optimistic adventure.
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