The Merchandise GuideDVD: UK
Compiled by Martin Willey
The Merchandise Guide|
UK 2001. Individual volumes deleted September 2004. Box sets deleted 7th Feb 2005. The Carlton DVDs were part of a broad release of many ITC titles, including Gerry Anderson's Thunderbirds. The titles cost £15.99 individually; or in box sets. The first three volumes were released in a box set (with space for 3 more) for £44.99; after the rest of year 1 was released, the year 1 box set was revised to contain all six volumes for £76. The year 2 box set also contained six volumes. There were four episodes per disc. The DVDs were UK only (PAL region 2 coded). The American A&E DVDs and the Carlton DVDs were released at approximately the same time. The picture quality was in most cases equal or superior to the A&E and Japanese discs. Unfortunately, there were some obvious flaws, including colour problems in Dragon's Domain (also seen on the A&E version) and sound problems in Testament Of Arkadia. The A&E Year 2 episodes are newer prints, and are generally superior to the Carlton versions. Unlike the A&E, there are many more "extras" attached to the discs (although A&E caught up on later releases). There is an opening sequence animation (in CGI) showing an Eagle landing on Moonbase Alpha with the Barry Gray theme. The scene access menu is shown animated in a stylised communications post. Stills and text in the extras are framed in the Main Mission big screen; year 1 volumes have titles in the familiar "Countdown" font seen within Moonbase Alpha. The covers feature the familiar sloping logo in silver chrome, an Eagle hit by lightning, and character shots. Like the A&E covers, fluorescent colours are featured. The second season covers are very similar in design, with the logo in yellow chrome and a ringed planet beyond. Although there are familiar Landau/Bain poses on volumes 1, 6 and 7, other covers feature supporting cast such as Zienia Merton (volume 3), Nick Tate (volume 4), and Prentis Hancock (volume 5). On the Year 1 box set insert, Roy Dotrice and Clifton Jones appear on the spines of volumes 5 and 6. Volumes 1-3 were released on April 30th 2001 (originally scheduled for April 11th); volumes 4-6 on June 11th; and volumes 7-12 on November 12th. Carlton created an official Space 1999 website (now defunct) to accompany the release, as they did with Thunderbirds.
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 Box Cover
49cm x 34cm poster for Year 2 release 
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Below: The cards released with the Year 1 boxset.
Copyright Martin Willey ;
packaging and screen images copyright Carlton Video
