Red Dwarf-Series 7 (1997) |
BUY IT |
General | Extras | ||
Category | Comedy |
Main Menu Introduction Menu Animation & Audio Audio Commentary-Cast Alternative Version-3 Extended Episodes-Tikka To Ride, Ouroboros and Duct Soup Alternative Version-Tikka To Ride: Remastered Storyboards-Identity Within- The 'Lost' Episode Short Film-Fan Films Featurette-Documentary - Back From The Dead Featurette-Behind The Scenes-Robert Llewellyn Video Diary Featurette-Behind The Scenes-'How Do They Do That?' Featurette-Raw FX Footage Isolated Musical Score Audio-Only Track-Son Of Cliché (Radio Show) Featurette-"Technically Speaking" Music Featurette Deleted Scenes Outtakes Gallery-Photo Trailer-Trailer from 1997, Kryten Intros Booklet More…-DVD Credits, Weblinks, Easter Eggs |
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Rating | |||
Year Of Production | 1997 | ||
Running Time | 231:01 (Case: 495) | ||
RSDL / Flipper |
Dual Layered Multi Disc Set (3) |
Cast & Crew | |
Start Up | Menu | ||
Region Coding | 2,4 | Directed By | Ed Bye |
Studio
Distributor |
Roadshow Home Entertainment |
Starring |
Chris Barrie Craig Charles Danny John-Jules Robert Llewellyn Chloe Annett |
Case | Amaray-Transparent | ||
RPI | $49.95 | Music | Howard Goodall |
Video | Audio | ||
Pan & Scan/Full Frame | None |
English Dolby Digital 2.0 (192Kb/s) English Audio Commentary Dolby Digital 2.0 (192Kb/s) |
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Widescreen Aspect Ratio | 1.29:1 | ||
16x9 Enhancement | No | ||
Video Format | 576i (PAL) | ||
Original Aspect Ratio | 1.29:1 | Miscellaneous | |
Jacket Pictures | No | ||
Subtitles | English for the Hearing Impaired | Smoking | Yes |
Annoying Product Placement | No | ||
Action In or After Credits | No |
Cat : 'If I Was Dead, you most certainly could not swing me around in here'
The big question is...did Red Dwarf 'jump the shark' between Series VI and this series? The argument rages back and forth between fans of the show as this series is quite different to the preceding ones. The big differences are that there was a four year gap between series, instead of just one; one of the creators Rob Grant had a falling out with the other one, Doug Naylor and refused to be involved, resulting in new writers being needed; one of the main actors, Chris Barrie declared himself unavailable on a full time basis for this series resulting in him only being a full crew member in the first two episodes; this was the first series not recorded in front of a live audience and it was shot with one camera rather than multiple; a new main character is introduced to the crew (although she had appeared in previous series) played by a different actress, Chloe Annett. And if all of that wasn't enough, this series has eight episodes instead of six.
In this series the characters are still chasing their ship, Red Dwarf and are travelling in Starbug, a smaller support ship. The main characters are:
The eight episodes (spread over disc 1 and 2) included here are:
Beside all the other things I mentioned above, this series has more relationship drama/comedy to it rather than straight comedy. To my mind, this does not improve it compared to other seasons.
For what it's worth, although there are some wonderful moments here, I believe Red Dwarf did jump the shark between series VI and VII. Of all the changes mentioned above I think the departure of Rob Grant had the biggest negative effect. Many fans will agree with me and others will not. Still, better than a lot of other shows and this set is worth having if you are collecting all the series of the show, but it may not be the one you return to most often.
'Face it, we're deader that corduroy'
The video quality is in some ways better than the previous season and in others worse. Overall, it's still a bit average.
The feature is presented in a 1.29:1 aspect ratio non 16x9 enhanced which is the original aspect ratio. Strangely, the credit sequence is in widescreen (non 16x9 enhanced) on each episode.
The picture was reasonably clear and sharp throughout, a little better than the previous season, probably as it was made some years later. The sharpness was affected by colour bleeding and some light grain. There was no evidence of low level noise. The shadow detail was fine but not spectacular.
The colour was better than the previous season being less dull, however the colour bleeding, especially from lighter colours was still present. Cat's Orange suit was one of the worst offenders. There is also some chroma noise present on reds.
Artefacts is where this transfer goes backwards from the previous season as aliasing is much more prevalent such as on Kryten's neck every time he appears, the space suits which appear regularly and on some shutters and grilles. There is also quite a bit of edge enhancement.
There are subtitles in English for the hearing impaired which were clear, easy to read and summarised from the spoken word on occasion.
The layer change was not noticeable and probably occurred between episodes.
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Overall |
The audio quality is good with no major issues to report.
This DVD contains an English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo soundtrack encoded at 192 Kb/s.
Dialogue was reasonably clear and easy to understand, although sometimes mixed a little low and there was no problem with audio sync.
The score of this series by Howard Goodall including the great opening theme is a lot of fun and adds greatly to the amusing nature of the show.
The surround speakers and subwoofer were not used.
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Overall |
There are copious extras spread over the three discs.
The menu has a great Red Dwarf themed design including many of the props and scenes from the shows themselves.
An extensive 16 page booklet is included with features on all the episodes, background on the series as a whole, trivia and quotes. Excellent stuff.
The four main cast members get together to record a commentary track for all 8 episodes. They are also joined when appropriate by Chloe Annett & Norman Lovett. They are obviously greatly enjoying watching the episodes again and making fun of each other and the crew. They talk about sets and costumes, changes for this series, locations where the shooting took place and tell some funny stories. They also point out some jokes which they enjoy. Lots of fun and well worth a listen.
This version includes a new opening, more discussion about drinking a yard of vindaloo and a different and better ending where the Indian food is found. Overall, I preferred this version to the transmitted one, as it is funnier. Additionally, there is no laugh track. This version was released previously on video.
This version has new special effects which could not be done originally due to budget constraints. Well worth a look.
This is the extended version with new special effects.
This version contains the credits and some other minor extra dialogue scenes which were originally cut.
This is an extra episode which was written for this series but never actually produced. It is shown here by way of the conceptual drawings for the episode with a voiceover by Chris Barrie explaining what is going on and doing the dialogue. The episode involves Cat needing to have sex with a female cat or he will die. Unfortunately, although this seems like an interesting episode, the format becomes a little tedious.
Extended version of the episode including the credits, a scene about someone called Squeaky Gibson and some other bits of dialogue. Nothing too much extra really.
In response to a request from Doug Naylor for fans to send in film, these two were judged to be the best. Personally, I didn't find either of them overly interesting. They are The Movie: Yeah No, Yeah No (10:10) and Red Dwarf : Attack of the... (5:07) which was all done with finger puppets.
A new documentary which covers the reasons behind the changes including the departure of Rob Grant, the Chris Barrie issues, rewrites, the new style, effects issues, audience reaction and then a detailed section covering the making of each episode. Interviews are included with all of the major cast members; Doug Naylor, Ed Bye and other crew members including the new writers. Very worthwhile.
Three sets of raw FX footage which seem to go on forever. You can certainly have too much of this sort of stuff. One set is Model FX, one CGI done by the BBC and one CGI done by Chris Veale.
Approximately 50 small pieces of soundtrack music by Howard Goodall. Some were not used in the shows. They play over the menu so I cannot tell you how long they are.
Sketches from a Grant/Naylor radio show from 1984. There are two sketches included which will probably be of interest to fans but no-one else..
Snippets from the show with a pop song playing over them. Que?
Half assed video diary taken by Robert Llewellyn with some amusing behind the scenes stuff and a lot of silliness.
Extract from a BBC1 show on how they created the model shots for this series. Not bad.
Hordes of deleted scenes from all episodes which includes some boring stuff but also some funny stuff involving Cat and the full version of the Rimmer song from Blue. Good stuff.
A very funny selection of goofs and stuff-ups from the shooting of this series.
As shown on BBC to promote the upcoming series. Taken from the home video collection of a fan.
These are the intros used when the extended version was released on VHS and the ones from the Smeg-ups compilation. Why do we want them? Completists only.
A large collection of stills broken into 3 galleries of production shots, 2 of behind the scenes shots, one of Instant Designs and one of covers.
I found two Easter eggs on Disc 3 by (SPOILER ALERT: highlight with mouse to read) going left from Subtitles on the main menu then down to highlight the red ammo sign. Once you hit enter a blaster is shown which has two red buttons on the side. Each one reveals a different Easter egg. They are Chloe Annett's audition (2:44) and another trailer (1:25).
A link to the Red Dwarf site.
NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.
This set has been released in exactly the same configuration in Region 2 and I cannot find any evidence of it having been released in Region 1.May as well go for the local product.
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Review Equipment | |
DVD | Pioneer DV667A DVD-V DVD-A SACD, using Component output |
Display | Sony FD Trinitron Wega KV-AR34M36 80cm. Calibrated with Digital Video Essentials (PAL). This display device is 16x9 capable. This display device has a maximum native resolution of 576i (PAL)/480i (NTSC). |
Audio Decoder | Built in to amplifier/receiver. Calibrated with Video Essentials. |
Amplification | Pioneer VSX-511 |
Speakers | Bose 201 Direct Reflecting (Front), Phillips SB680V (Surround), Phillips MX731 (Center), Yamaha YST SW90 (Sub) |