Production Year: 1988 - Comedy - Director: Ed Bye - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Chris Barrie, Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules, Norman Lovett, Clare Grogan more
The sci-fi spoof RED DWARF finds chicken-soup-machine repairman Dave Lister (Craig Charles) as the last human being in the universe on a spaceship 3,000,000 years in the future.... more
Grant's comedy SF seriesRed Dwarfwas sketched on the back of a beer mat. When it finally appeared on our television screens in 1988 the show had clearly stayed true t...
Grant's comedy SF seriesRed Dwarfwas sketched on the back of a beer mat. When it finally appeared on our television screens in 1988 the show had clearly stayed true t...
The only survivor was Dave Lister the chicken soup machine repairman. He spends his time on the ship with a holographic projection of Arnold Rimmer (his dead bunk...
Red Dwarf - Series 1
A radiation leak wipes out the crew of the mining ship Red Dwarf leaving one survivor - ... more
chicken soup machine repairman Dave Lister. After three million years in suspended animation, Lister emerges to find he is the last human being in the universe. But he is not alone.The EndFuture EchoesBalancing of PowerWaiting for GodConfidence & ParanoiaMe2
Comedy - Director: John Howard-Davies, Bob Spiers - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Connie Booth, Andrew Sachs, Prunella Scales, John Cleese
Comedy - Director: Blake Edwards - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Capucine, David Niven, Herbert Lom, Peter Sellers
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
A review by KTDouthwaite on Red Dwarf - Series 1 (DVD) April 6th, 2005
Author's product rating:
Did you enjoy it?
Loved it
Story
Good
Characters / Performances
Good
Special Effects
Good
How does it compare to similar films?
Not applicable
Advantages:
Classic British Comedy
Disadvantages:
Although a good starting point, series 1 is by no means the best
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
For those of you expecting one of my regular reviews (i.e. one where I babble on about myself!), I’m afraid that this one is more about the product this time (but there is a short summary for you at the end, so you can pretend you didn’t skim it!). For those of you who usually avoid my reviews BECAUSE I babble on about myself: this one’s for you!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Red Dwarf Series 1 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Cast:
ARNOLD J RIMMER played by CHRIS BARRIE (Brittas Empire, Chris Barrie’s Massive Machines) DAVE LISTER played by CRAIG CHARLES (Robot Wars, The Games) THE CAT played by DANNY JOHN-JULES (Blade 2, The Storymakers) HOLLY played by NORMAN LOVETT (stand-up comedian)
Written by ROB GRANT and DOUG NAYLOR Produced and Directed by ED BYE Executive Producer: PAUL JACKSON
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Scenario -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The lowest ranking member of the 21st century deep-space mining ship Red Dwarf, third technician Dave Lister (Craig Charles), the chicken-soup machine repair man, is placed in suspended animation for 18 months as punishment for smuggling aboard his pregnant cat Frankenstein, thus breaching quarantine laws.
During this time, there is a radiation leak, which wipes out all of the other crew members. Lister is kept in stasis for three million years by the ship’s on-board computer Holly (Norman Lovett), until the radiation has reached a safe level. Holly, who provides voice-over satirical comments in a dry manner, is portrayed on screen as just the head of the actor pictured on a display screen. The character shows signs of senility as a result of being alone for three million years, and, although he claims to have an ever-increasing IQ of thousands throughout the series, comes across as being, well, dopey.
Coming out of stasis, Dave Lister is united with his unexpected company – Second Technician Arnold J Rimmer, a hologram of Lister’s former (slight) superior workmate. Pompous, whiny, cowardly, self-centred… and yet Rimmer is by far my favourite character. Don’t know if that says something about me (hope not!). Grant and Naylor recruited Chris Barrie for the part, although Norman Lovett originally auditioned for it.
Also on board is The Cat – a vain yet hilarious “feline-sapien”, who over the three million years had evolved from Lister’s pregnant cat. Played by Danny John-Jules, he spends much of this first series being more ‘feline’ than ‘sapien’, although this does change dramatically throughout the total eight series.
Our “heroes” travel through deep space, generally bumming around, and unwittingly encountering adventure as they go. Well, I say adventure, the concepts are so bizarrely comical that one week the crew do battle with one of Lister’s socks that has escaped and taken on a life of its own!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Background -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It all started with a show on Radio 4, written by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor called “Son of Cliché”, which contained a recurring skit about “Dave Hollins – Space Cadet”. This was back in 1983, and as that was my year of birth, obviously I didn’t witness its broadcast first-hand. However, my research has told me that the premise of this skit was that Dave Hollins was the last man left in the universe, whose only companion was Hab, his computer (voiced by Chris Barrie).
When later Grant and Naylor were devising Red Dwarf, they built upon the character of Dave Hollins, creating Dave Lister. It is rumoured that the outline for Red Dwarf was written on the back of a beermat!
Series One was first aired on BBC2 from February 1988. The pilot episode, ironically entitled “The End”, set up the story for the rest of the series. This is where all of the main characters (of which there are just four) are introduced, and the scene set.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The DVD Release -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So, that’s the scene setting, now to the DVD. So far, BBC Worldwide have released Series 1 to 6 on DVD and video, with only two more series to go. This op concentrates purely on the Series One 2 disc set, originally released November 2002. It is rated as suitable for persons 12 and up, although really in my opinion, it shouldn’t be classified as more than a PG. The first disc contains all six episodes of the series, with commentary from the cast on all episodes, plus an additional commentary on episode one by the writers and producer. The second disc contains all the “extras”:
A 25-minute documentary called “Launching Red Dwarf” (about the show’s origins and creation) Deleted Scenes Out-takes (known as “Smeg-ups”) Original Trailer “Drunk” featurette The first episode (“The End”), in full again, but this time the Japanese version Special effects raw isolated footage (one for the anoraks, I feel) Isolated music cues (as above) Talking book chapters (read by Chris Barrie) Photo Gallery Weblink Plus Hidden Easter Eggs and Collector’s Booklet
The picture is only 4:3, but the Dolby stereo sounds good enough. The effects have (thankfully) been digitally remastered, making it far more professional looking (as opposed to Blue Peter created!)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Episodes (WITHOUT spoilers. Don’t you just hate it when people ruin it for you?!) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The End: The pilot episode. A radiation leak wipes out the crew of Red Dwarf, and we are introduced to the survivors. Watch out for Holly telling Lister the situation: “Everybody’s dead, Dave!”
Future Echoes: Although this was the fourth episode to be recorded, it was shown as the second in the series. When mining ship Red Dwarf breaks the speed of light, the crew begin to see visions of their futures as time dilates. Apparently, this was so complex, that the writers had to draw diagrams!
Balance of Power: Lister is taking the chef’s exam in an attempt to out-rank Rimmer, and therefore replace his hologram with one of Christine Kochanski, a former crew member that Lister often fantasises about. How low will Rimmer stoop to ensure that Lister fails?!
Waiting For God: This satirical episode looks at the relationship people have to religion (in the most comical way, of course). Oh, and Lister discovers he is a God. I think this is my favourite episode of the series, for its originality and hilarious twist.
Confidence and Paranoia: Lister contracts a mutated pneumonia virus, which causes the hallucinations of his fevered mind to take on solid form. This was originally planned to be the closing episode of the series, but some script changes made it inappropriate.
Me²: Rimmer creates a duplicate of himself, but soon the conflict becomes so much, that only one of the can survive. Will the original Rimmer survive? This episode was written to the actors’ various strengths, and so shows them performing at their best.
There were 8 series’ in all, and this is by no means the best. However, if you’re unfamiliar with Red Dwarf, it is obviously the best place to start. The DVD can be purchased at all the usual places including HMV, Virgin Megastores, Tesco (and other supermarkets), Woolworths, amazon.co.uk, and play.com.
I personally think that Red Dwarf is one of the classic British comedy programmes, and there are conventions, fan clubs and the like, which show I’m not the only one!
For more information about the show, the (apparently) forth-coming movies, the cast and so on, check out www.reddwarf.co.uk or www.bbc.co.uk and follow their links for Red Dwarf.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- And for the skimmers, here’s the abridged version: -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The first series of Red Dwarf (a low-budget BBC comedy about the last human left alive, a hologram, and a man who evolved from a cat who travel through space in the 23rd century) has been released by BBC Worldwide as a two-disc DVD set, with an abundance of extras. It can be bought for as little as £12 (RRP £19.99), and I am highly recommending it.
Advantages: brilliant sci-fi humour and cracking comical characters Disadvantages: none for me
...** WHAT IS RED DWARF THEN..?
Red Dwarf is a mining ship about the size of a small village which is manned by several hundred crew members. Unfortunately, due to a mistake by some over enthusiastic member of the maintenance department, the Red Dwarf mining ship takes a serious fall in personnel, leaving only a crew member and a couple of oddities to run the ship under the guidance of a rather strange computerized head. **CHARACTERS…
... ...Red Dwarf is a liverpudlian with a very snobbish attitude. He loves his currys, especially a good Chicken vindaloo, although most of it ends up on his shirt rather than in his mouth.
He comes across as hating Rimmer, his superior officer, but deep down there is a little bit of respect for the arrogant man with an H attached to his forehead.
Arnold J. Rimmer, Bsc, Ssc (Chris Barrie), - the J stands for Judas, the Bsc and Ssc stand for bronze ...
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Advantages: Very funny, great extras and cast commentary Disadvantages: Only if you hate Red Dwarf
Red Dwarf: Series 1
Red Dwarf was first aired on the BBC in the late Eighties. Riding a wave of new British comedy, think The Young Ones and Saturday Night Live, it brought a new take on the sitcom. Although the 'odd couple' dynamics of the show is a well worn comedy path the scripts and plot lines were refreshing and new.
Just in case you're not familiar with the premise of the show, here is a brief summary:
Dave Lister and Arnold Rimmer are ... ...Red Dwarf. Out of a crew of several hundred Lister is the lowest ranked member of the crew and Rimmer is his immediate superior. Returning from planet leave Lister smuggles aboard a pregnant cat, breaching ships quarantine laws. When the captain demands the cat be given up Lister refuses and is placed in stasis as punishment. While Lister is in stasis Rimmer incorrectly replaces a drive plate and a radiation leak kills all aboard except for the cat ...
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Advantages: Start of a classic comedy Disadvantages: Grey, grey, grey and a little more grey...
Red Dwarf is a 'Sci-fi Sitcom' set onboard the JMC Mining Ship 'Red Dwarf'. Written by Doug Naylor and Rob Grant, (often known under the pseudonym Grant Naylor), it follows our hero, Dave Lister (Craig Charles) who finds himself three million years into deep space after an accident onboard ship wiped out the entire crew whilst he was safely sealed inside Stasis. Once released, Lister's only company onboard ship are his dead bunkmate and superior ... ...its first airing in 1988, Red Dwarf has gone on to become known across the world, has seen various games and merchandise sold in its name and has even helped raise money for charity through special shows for Red Nose Day and Children In Need. The aptly named, "Series One" is where it all started.
Although perhaps not as polished as later series, Series One easily stands up on its own, with many of its own 'classic' moments, such as Cat's first appearance, ...
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Advantages: It's Red Dwarf!!!! Disadvantages: There are only 8 Series - and no Blockbuster Film (YET)
OK, so it Red Dwarf. So what. Well for those of you who have never seen Red Dwarf, it is not just a Sci Fi comedy. In fact Red Dwarf also looks at human behaviour (all be it with a very "interesting" group of people). It strikes just the right balance between comedy and sci fi. In fact the sci fi part seems incidental at times. Red Dwarf is the late 80's answer to Doctor Who and comedies like Yes Minister. In fact, this can be seen as a meeting of ... ...add to the charm of Red Dwarf, and the way in which characters grow is wonderful to watch.
It has to be said that this becomes a classic comedy. Although the edges are a little rough, the script is brilliant. For most episodes Red Dwarf only used 4-6 characters (with 4 being the core in most episodes). Listed below are some thoughts (but nor spoilers) on the episodes in Season One:
1. THE END
Laying down the major plot points for the entire series. ...
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Advantages: The start of a great show Disadvantages: Episoded not so good as coming years
...two disk DVD set of Red Dwarf series one.
This is the region 2 format
Rated 12 years and over
Dolby Digital sound
4.3 format
This TV space comedy was overlooked for three years, after the scripts made by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor kept getting rejected by the BBC as the BBC didn't think this kind of programme would work or be very popular.
Red Dwarf started off as a series of sketches from Rob Grant and Doug Naylors radio sketch show "Son of ... ...sci-fi show about an old red spaceship 3 million years marooned in the future with one human survivor.
The pilot script for Red Dwarf was written in Doug Naylors fathers old cottage in Wales where it was then passed on to producer Paul Jackson who saw the potential in this series. The script was passed around to a lot of companies. Film four wanted to take them up on the offer but the writers refused as they wanted the show to go out on the BBC. ...
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...RedDwarfseries1 - 3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~Starring~
Dave Lister.
(Craig Charles).
Begins his journey as a tone deaf, idle, useless, curry loving, carefree or should that be careless, scruffy slob.
But his character develops
Arnold J Rimmer.
(Chris Barrie)
Arnie is the most cowardly, back stabbing, regimented, and pathetic life form to ever call itself human. But Arnie, or big man to his friends, has the biggest transformation of them all because he ends up becoming Ace Rimmer the multiverses greatest hero, what a guy!
Cat.
(Danny John-Jules)
The offspring of an idiot and a cripple, he is the most vain creature in all of the multiverses.
His character never really changes.
Dwayne Dibbley.
Cats alter ego, the geakiest, (if there is such a word) squarest being to ever exist. With Zero fashion sense and teeth...
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...RedDwarfseries1 - 4
~Starring~
Dave Lister.
(Craig Charles).
Begins his journey as a tone deaf, idle, useless, curry loving, carefree or should that be careless, scruffy slob.
But his character develops
Arnold J Rimmer.
(Chris Barrie)
Arnie is the most cowardly, back stabbing, regimented, and pathetic life form to ever call itself human. But Arnie, or big man to his friends, has the biggest transformation of them all because he ends up becoming Ace Rimmer the multiverses greatest hero, what a guy!
Cat.
(Danny John-Jules)
The offspring of an idiot and a cripple, he is the most vain creature in all of the multiverses.
His character never really changes.
Dwayne Dibbley.
Cats alter ego, the geakiest, (if there is such a word) squarest being to ever exist. With Zero fashion sense...
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Advantages: All the shows, some are true classics, none are stinkers... Disadvantages: ... Red Dwarf can be a bit of an acquired taste, I suppose...
...Orange Alert! Orange Alert! - long review ahead.
If like me you find the "Bonus" material on DVD packages to be, by and large, a total waste of time, you may well find the release of RedDwarf "Just The Shows" to be a real tonic. For the price of about two of the individual episode bundles, you get all the episodes from the first four series. You get no bonus material whatsoever - it is, as it says, just the shows. Hurrah!
The packaging is minimalist but stylish, with a four-way folding DVD holder in a compact box. The DVD menus are there to give you what you want with the minimum of fuss - access to each episode and a "Play All2 function. What more could you possibly want?!?
Overview
On board the mining ship RedDwarf are two highly trained technicians? well, soup machine attendants really. After ending up in stasis...
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Plot: The complete first series of the popular television comedy sci-fi series. 'The End' sees a radiation leak wipe out the crew of Red Dwarf leaving only one survivor - Dave Lister. In 'Future Echoes' Red Dwarf breaks the speed of light leaving the crew experiencing visions of their own futures. 'Balance Of Power' sees Lister about to take his chef's exam and if he passes he will be able to have Rimmer replaced as the ship's hologram... In 'Confidence And Paranoia' Lister gets a mutated virus which makes his hallucinations come to life leaving the ship beset by herring rain amongst other things... 'Waiting For God' sees the ship's computer, Holly, find a pod floating about in deep space and Lister pleased to learn that he is a god. In 'ME2' Rimmer creates a duplicate of himself, all seems perfect until they both find themselves in a conflict that only one can win...
Release details
DVD Region: DVD
Studio(s): 2 ENTERTAIN VIDEO; SONY DADC
Release date: 04/11/2002
No of Discs: 2
Catalogue No: BBCDVD 1117
Barcode: 5014503111724
DVD Description
The sci-fi spoof RED DWARF finds chicken-soup-machine repairman Dave Lister (Craig Charles) as the last human being in the universe on a spaceship 3,000,000 years in the future. Along with the holographic image of his deceased bunkmate, Rimmer (Chris Barrie), and other odd characters, Lister navigates the stars on increasingly bizarre adventures. This collection includes the first six episodes of the series: "The End," "Future Echoes," "Balance of Power," "Waiting for God," "Confidence and Paranoia," and "ME2."
Languages
Main Language: English
Subtitle Language: English
Hearing Impaired Language: English
Technical information
Special Features: Cast Commentary, Writers And Director Commentary For Episode 1, Deleted Scenes, Smeg Ups, Original Trailer, Launching Red Dwarf Documentary, Drunk Featurette, Japanese Version Of The End, Special Effects Raw Footage, Isolated Music Cues, Talking Book Chapters, Photo Gallery, Weblink, Hidden Easter Eggs
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 Full Frame
Sound: Dolby Digital Stereo
Dubbing Sound: Dolby Digital Stereo English
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22.04.2005
