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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2050 in DVD
• Released on: 2009-03-23
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 4
• Running time: 622 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Science fiction fans viewing British television in the 1980s had much to contend with. Limited budgets and unconvincing special effects often required a leap of faith of such size as to put people off. But, in the midst of this, emerged The Tripods, a fondly-remembered sci-fi hit of the time, of which both series are present on this DVD set.

Adapted from the books by John Christopher, The Tripods is set late in the 21st century, with humanity living in peaceful servitude, albeit under the eye of huge alien machines. These machines--The Tripods--fit the young with special headgear that will ensure future humans are similarly subservient to the alien invaders, and it’s when two teenagers, Will and Henry, look to evade such treatment that the adventure begins.

Hearing stories of other ‘uncapped’ humans in the south, they set off on a journey to find them, while being pursued by The Tripods, who naturally aren’t best happy.

There are many pleasant surprises to The Tripods, even rewatching it today, and the programme has stood up really very well to the rigours of time. The limited budget means that the deployment of the Tripods themselves is kept for carefully chosen moments, and they’re convincing, at time intimidating invaders. But it’s the storytelling that’s key here, and it’s that which should ensure this DVD release earns The Tripods a new collection of fans. Well worth picking up. --Jon Foster

Synopsis
First broadcast in 1984, post-apocalyptic adventure The Tripods remains one of the UK’s best-loved science-fiction series. This DVD set contains both series of The Tripods as well as fascinating extra material.

The year is 2089. An alien race stalks the land in towering machines known as Tripods. They have taken over the earth and enslaved mankind with a mind-controlling device, ceremoniously implanted at adolescence.

Will Parker, desperate to escape this ritual, leaves the village with his cousin, Henry and attempts to link up with the human resistance movement. On the run, their life is fraught with danger as they try to elude the giant machines and the Black Guard, the alien’s human servants. On a thrilling journey, their adventures take them to the ruins of Paris and on through Europe until, eventually, Will infiltrates Tripod City itself – a perilous world of Masters and Cognoscs…

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Customer Reviews

Great to have it all in one beautiful box!
I never bought the original series 1 on DVD, I just had the old VHS tapes. Considering the fact that both series were now released in one box set, I'm glad I didn't.

The Tripods is my all-time favourite TV show. It's an excellent story combined with great special effects, considering it's mid-eighties sci-fi drama. Ofcourse the fact that the BBC pulled the plug on series 3 is a shame, but you will find the booklet (devoted to the unmade third series) being a big bonus.

The extras aren't that special, although having the "Cult of" show on DVD is pretty cool. The soundtrack by Ken Freeman for the unmade third series is also nice, although it could have been on a separate disc in CD format.

All in all it's definitely worth buying, for fans old and new!

We thank the Tripods!!

Marvellous and annoying
I watched some of this series on BBC in the 1980s. In the 1990s, I saw some episodes of the series on German, Swiss and Hong Kong television but I have never seen the entire series (one and two that is).
I have now watched both series on this DVD-set and I must say what a great story.

Earth is occupied by the Tripods with humanity existing in middle-age-type farming communities. Nobody rebels against this because humanity is mind-controlled via a cap which becomes compulsory from the age of 16. Will and his cousin Henry are not so keen on being capped and run away to the White Mountains to join the free people. On the way, they are joined by a French chap called Beanpole. The first series deals with the three friends making their way to the White Mountains to join the uncapped (and free) people.

In Series Two, Will via a process which is not dissimilar from the Olympic Games is picked to enter the Tripod City. Serving his Tripod master in his free time he discovers a lot about the Tripod's plans for Earth. Will manages to kill his Master - although in a court of law he could probably claim self-defence - and with the help of another infiltrator manages to leave the Tripod City. He then meets Beanpole and they make their way back to the White Mountains, where they find that the Tripods have destroyed the free men's camp. This is where Series Two ends.

As I said earlier, it is a marvellous story and I really enjoyed watching it. What I find annoying is that Series Two ends in the middle of nowhere. In the last sequence, Will says: "has it all been for nothing" and I wondered if that is indeed the case. With the `beancounters' in the BBC refusing to produce the third series the whole project has been decapitated. The Producer quoted in the `The Cult of the Tripods - a BBC Four Documentary' - one of the extras on this DVD - gives you a good idea what he thought about what happened to Series Three. Whether a movie will be made in 2012 as is indicated on IMdB we will have to wait and see.

So here it is. Series One and Two is a solid 5 stars (and the BBC is a solid zero).

Finally Series Two now released on DVD!
I understand that since the 1st series was released on DVD some years ago Fans of the series have campaigned for Series Two to materialise on DVD format. Well it has finally arrived.

Without going into the storyline I will only review the DVD set itself.

Firstly the DVD case comes with an outer cardboard cover of the sleeve of the casing inside.

There are four basic extras:

The Cult of the Tripods - A BBC four Documentary
Tripods Pool of Fire Suite - New audio soundtrack inspired by the unmade third series.
Animated Photogallery
Series 1 Recap

The Cult of The Tripods & Series 1 Recap are on Disc 3 (Series 2 episode 1-6)
Tripods: Pool of Fire Suite & Animated Photogallery on Disc 4 (Series 2 episode 7-12)

The Cult of The Tripods documentary gives some real insights to the developement of the Origins, with only Jim Baker (Henry) the only actor available who gives great imput to this documentary as well as the author and producer amongst. Mat Irvine (Classic Dr Who special effect) also gives interesting thoughts to the series.

The animated photogallery could have included more extensive photos as well as memorabilia. Instead it's a small collection.

The music suite is interesting, though only speculative to the unmade third series.

The picture quality is outstanding compared to the original Series One release DVD. It Slightly sharper and clearer, with less grain. I compared both old disc and this new release, and the difference is obvious.

There are animated menus on all four discs and it's all colourised in shades of green.

The small booklet that accompany this DVD set feature insights on what the unmade third series might have been like. The booklet has only 6 basic pages, with a small amount of pictures in it.

My final thought on this DVD set, is both 1st and 2nd series Picture and Sound quality I rate 10/10.

When you consider other BBC DVD releases by 2Entertainment e.g. Dr Who DVDs the extras on this Tripods Set is relatively small; they could have included more extensive photos, the original opening/close themes, Blue Peter interview on 3 main cast members + features, memorabilia, audio commentary, continuity trailers, PDF material including Radiotimes, articles etc.

But I guess despite lack of extras, fans will welcome the release of the long awaited Series Two NOW available on DVD!