[Rasczak]

The excellent Zetaminor Incoming website has details of an upcoming DVD re-release of 80s BBC SciFi series The Tripods. Season 1 of this series was released by Second Sight way back in 2001 but Season 2 fell into copyright hell.

The new entry on Zetaminor suggests that the new boxset will be released by 2Entertain and will include Seasons 1 and 2. Anyone have any more info?

[AndyCob]

The two series dvd set is up for preorder on amazon for a september release if I remember so I will fianlly be able to bin my vhs of sereis two for a dvd. I ordered the 2001 release of series one and two, they were both put out for pre-order for simultaneuous release but two never happened. Made me mad as I wouldn't have ordered series one without two but both were supposed to be released. Maybe it will finally happen.

[Battlestar]

Its a shame they never made a third season as the second series ended on kind of a cliff hanger that was never resolved

[raigraphixs]

I still have not watched the first series of tripods dvd, so this is good news part 2 maybe released, now just have to find where part 1 has been put.

[Rasczak]

Couldn't see another thread on this so thought I would flag up the fact that, after several years of delays, the complete The Tripods has now finally made it out on DVD

Well worth picking up if you are a fan of BBC Sci-Fi. The new DVD release has the complete series 1 and 2 as well as a summary booklet for the (never made) third series. I have to admit I always thought Series 2 ended as it did because they knew that the third was never going to be made - not so according to the booklet - the intention was for Will and Beanpole to return to England and find the new hideout of the Freemen Other than that it seems it was planned to be fairly faithful to the book.

[krish]

Thanks for that

Looks like it was released on 23rd March
- online prices: Find-DVD: Tripods - The Complete Series 1 & 2 DVD

I remember discussing with you on another thread that I thought a third and final series (to make up the trilogy) was intended and then it was cancelled by some nob at the beeb (Grade?).

[Rasczak]

Originally Posted by krish

I remember discussing with you on another thread that I thought a third and final series (to make up the trilogy) was intended and then it was cancelled by some nob at the beeb (Grade?).

It seems like the third series had some comprehensive preparation - the music for the third series is included in the DVD release and the booklet outlines the planned story for each episode.

It seems after the first series, the decision to make the third was stalled until the viewing figures of the second series could be assessed. Unfortunately it didn't get the figures - according to a memo quoted in the booklet whilst the series was "well and interesting made...we [the BBC] do not consider Tripods successful enough to commit further resources to the production of a third series".

Interestingly The Tripods was cancelled because 6 million viewers was not regarded as enough - I wonder how that would be regarded in this day and age?

[domtheone]

Recently got the Rental DVD's of The Tripods from Tesco Rental.

Now half way through Season 2 and just waiting for the last disc to arrive.

I kept thinking about the Trilogy and that I could only remember 2 seasons

Reading this thread confirms now that there won't be complete closure come the ending of S2

It's good stuff. Terribly dated though and some of the acting makes me cringe.

Love to see a remake though

[Rasczak]

Originally Posted by domtheone

Reading this thread confirms now that there won't be complete closure come the ending of S2

There is closure! If it wasn't for the books and the fact we know there should have been three seasons, you would never know from the TV series that it finished early.

[brian s]

Originally Posted by Rasczak

Interestingly The Tripods was cancelled because 6 million viewers was not regarded as enough - I wonder how that would be regarded in this day and age?

Back then 6m wouldn't have been as impressive as it would be today. Also the figures back then didn't take video viewings into account. It was still fairly early days for VCR but the extra figures may have made a difference. Dr Who was taken off in 1989 after the figures fell to 3m but it was up against Coronation St and video views were not taken into account.

Regards
Bri

[krish]

Originally Posted by Rasczak

There is closure! If it wasn't for the books and the fact we know there should have been three seasons, you would never know from the TV series that it finished early.

I also remember during the final ep's end credits that the announcer said ... and Tripods returns next year for a new series - so I was really looking forward to it

- you tend not hear that sort of announcement much these days
Bri was pretty disappointed when there was no such announcement on the last episode of Bonekickers

[brian s]

Originally Posted by krish

you tend not hear that sort of announcement much these days
Bri was pretty disappointed when there was no such announcement on the last episode of Bonekickers

It was like the life had been kicked out of me. Such a great show to die so soon. An artifact before it's time.

No Blu-Ray?


Bri

[soundstory]

Originally Posted by krish

I also remember during the final ep's end credits that the announcer said ... and Tripods returns next year for a new series - so I was really looking forward to it

- you tend not hear that sort of announcement much these days
Bri was pretty disappointed when there was no such announcement on the last episode of Bonekickers

LOL

[Wild Weasel]

I read the books, but I just remember the TV series as utter crap. Dreadful early video special effects and embarrassingly wooden stage school acting.

[domtheone]

Originally Posted by Wild Weasel

Dreadful early video special effects and embarrassingly wooden stage school acting.

That's pretty much it

Still worth a watch though

Just finished S2 on DVD. A shame no 3rd season was made as it was left on knife edge