Written by: Ashtyn at 3:38 pm
Before there was Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea on television, there was the movie. A few years later, the television show began. This show took the television world by storm for the few years it was on. This brainchild of Irwin Allen was something that was not common when it was released. Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea was a show that existed on four main characters and some guest stars. However, by the time this season came into play there were less guest stars frequenting the show. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it is worth mentioning because if you are familiar with the previous seasons, this is a rather big change.
Admittedly, I have never seen any of the Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea episodes before picking up this box set to review. However, I could describe this set in two words: guilty pleasure. However, before I get into why it’s a guilty pleasure I should explain more of the show to you, in case you are not familiar with the plot.
The plot for this and all seasons of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea revolves around the SSRN Seaview, the world’s first privately owned nuclear submarine. The Seaview was created as a tool for oceanographic research to be used by the Nelson Institute of Marine Research and was designed by Admiral Harriman Nelson (Richard Basehart).
In the beginning seasons, Voyage did an excellent job at mirroring some of the big political and current events of the time. However, as season three rolled around things got a little less serious as more monsters and werewolves came out to play on the ship. With such fanciful fair, more of the serious episodes left as a result.
The cast worked well together which was obvious by the fact that the same four men reprise their characters throughout the entire season, with the exception of Del Monroe, who played Kowalski. Interestingly enough, Monroe was the only one of the actors to have played in both the movie and television versions of Voyage.
When you look at the social issues that were discussed you would think this series could occur in today’s world. Many people have said this was way before it’s time, but in truth what you have is a low budget, Sci-Fi production with an amazing plot. However, be prepared for your share of humor because this drama goes to extremes in the third season and it’s hard to watch some of it with a straight face.
You will need to be prepared for the worst because these submarine bound men are going to go through everything to defend themselves and the planet. The will battle ghosts, clowns, toys, werewolves, sea creatures, and nuclear threats. You will be sure to see a random yet crazed genius bent on world domination too. After all, every good Sci-Fi series has one or two of those.
The video quality on this box set is excellent. It does not appear to have been retouched extensively, but it comes through with the crisp, clarity that DVDs provide. However, it is obvious the show is older. The low budget shines through and through with the poor and yet adorable special effects. The reason they are adorable is because, low budget or not, they show us how far the film industry really has come. Like the video, the sound quality is impeccable. If all you received were the 13 episodes on this three disc set it would be worth the money you pay for them, but you actually end up getting quite a few special features, too.
Special features include still galleries and publicity photos, comic book stills and photos from various episodes, fan letters, and an interview with David Hedison. The special features will be treasured by older fans and appreciated by new fans of the series that are not as familiar with the series before this box set.
All in all, as stated above, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea is one of those guilty pleasures that everyone deserves to indulge in from time to time. While the show is older and the budget was low, the content was unique, the acting was good, and you will be sure to get a giggle of all these creatures they find floating in the depths of the sea.
Technorati Tags: Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Season Three, Volume One, DVD Box Set, TV Show, Review
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Written by Ashtyn - Visit Website
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Ashtyn Evans is a writer, advocate, free thinker, and all around cynical person. Always quick to find the negative in anything pop culture, she loves being a part of that which she despises. Ashtyn and Dominick own numerous blogs together, as well as a full-time writing business. In her spare time she is a full-time college student studying History and Psychology. She plans to one day give up her freelance career and be a full-time blogger, novelist, and domestic goddess. She can be contacted for writing projects, fan mail, or just to say hi. She really is friendlier than we make her look.
