User reviews

Probably another chapter might have been needed for The Martian Chronicles mini-series to have gotten in all of what Ray Bradbury had to say in his epic science fiction work about first contact. It certainly wasn't like Star Trek's First Contact to say the least.

After a couple of failed expeditions that did not return to Earth from Mars in what was projected in 1980 to be the last dozen years or so right now, Rock Hudson the head of NASA heads the third expedition himself. He finds a presumably dead planet, but are these Martians really dead?

The 'Martians' we do meet seem to be at all levels of human development and way in advance of us on Earth. I can see where Gene Roddenberry got his ideas for the Talosian characters who can change appearance and for the incorporeal Organians for Star Trek. We'll meet both kinds in The Martian Chronicles.

Two characters really stand out for me. First is Fritz Weaver as Father Peregrine who together with Roddy McDowall has come to bring Christianity to Mars. But how do you explain religion to beings way in advance of your development. In fact though it's the Christian religion that is used here, all religions on Earth don't take into account other beings on other worlds. Every founder of every religion only had a view of the world he was on. When 'Jesus' played by Jon Finch appears to Fritz Weaver the Martians can't even grasp the nature of Weaver's conception of him. Makes for a very interesting scene.

Secondly Bernie Casey does in the old English colonial term, 'goes native' on Rock Hudson, he so identifies with the Martians as a race potentially to be exploited just as folks originating in his part of Earth were. Casey raises some interesting questions about the morality of what the Earth people are doing. There is war threatening on Earth to annihilate mankind. How many science fiction movies have as their premise a dying race coming to Earth to take it over and enslave mankind? Food for thought.

There's still enough of Ray Bradbury's ideas in this mini-series to make The Martian Chronicles good viewing. One thing I would like to say, as advanced as the Martians are, you would think that what killed them is something they would have taken measure to prevent a long time ago.

I saw "The Martian Chronicles" as a child during its first UK transmissions between 1980 and 1984 then didn't see it for many years but so many moments from it stuck with me.

Now I've just had my video tapes of it out and watched it again for the first time in 8 years or so. The series looks very dated now in terms of special effects, photography, costumes and even in the acting - typical of late seventies US television rather than what we see today. The dates of man's arrival of Mars are now known to be rather ambitious and of course the whole "cold war" idea is something that film & television has moved on from nowadays.

Despite these faults, I still found the three episodes to be highly enjoyable. Its certainly not Star Wars or even 2001, but The Martian Chronicles gives us a refreshingly different kind of science fiction. The series is not so much about martians as about humans and many human feelings are explored - loneliness, bereavement, faith, nostalgia, vanity, greed...

What I really liked was the realization of the martian landscapes - even watching it now there's a real feeling of it being an alien planet and the strange stone monoliths and spheres linger in the memory.

Rock Hudson I found okay as the lead. Some say he's too bland but he's not meant to be a big hero or even a particularly dominant character. It's a relaxed performance that allows the story lines, rather than Mr Hudson himself, to come to the fore.

Although each episode lasts 90 minutes, they're broken up into shorter stories which are more easily digestible, although a couple of sequences are played out a little too long. The direction is functional for the most part but there are some nice touches along the way - for instance when the second expedition lands and the fog slowly clears to reveal the ship to be in what appears to an American town is very well done, and then there's a very Prisoner-esque shot early in episode three when Rock Hudson opens the double-doors of the base back on Earth and finds it deserted.

The music's quite good too!

I just re-watched this series after not having seen it for nearly 40 years and found the fond memories of it from my youth were not entirely displaced. It has some very good moments, the music is superb, the Martians look (and come across as) suitably alien without the need for elaborate make-up and the Martian city is very evocative. For all that the terrible science and awful 80's production values weigh it down so much. I really find it hard to take seriously a sci-fi series where people jet back and forth between Earth and Mars like there's an interplanetary bus service, alight on an unexplored planet wearing uniforms instead of space suits, or worse apparently making the interplanetary journey neatly dressed in the best of California casual. The Martian settlements look cheap and awful (would they really let towns on Mars look like particularly dicey truck stops?). Yet in between its cornier moment there are some really good things to like. Rock Hudson and Darren McGavin as the main recurring characters do a good job with a pretty hokey script, some of the scenes featuring the Martians are beautifully filmed and suitably evocative (Hudson's final dialogue with the ghost Martian is a highlight), and the whole "lets not mess up Mars like we did Earth" thing, which could have been corny, is handled well. There's enough here to keep you interested, even if you do want to bury your head sometimes at the awfulness of the special effects, I'm glad to see at least some of my youthful enthusiasm was not misplaced.

At some point prior to the original broadcast of this mini-series, Ray Bradbury was interviewed and asked how it was. His reply was that it was boring. He was right. I read this book when I was in junior high school for the first time and reread it many times after that. The book is great. This mini-series is boring. I gave it a six out of 10 more for the source material than this actual mini-series. A couple of my favorites are in here, Rock Hudson, Chris Connolly, Roddy McDowell, and Darren McGavin. Several other actors who were staples of 1970s television are also included. The problem is the screenplay. The Martian Chronicles are a series of short stories about the colonization of Mars and all connected with the constant threads of Wilder and NASA running through them. If the screenwriter had simply taken the book and wrote the screenplay directly from it, the mini-series would have been great. Instead it is more like a documentary with a narrator explaining what everyone is thinking or feeling, and a lot of just driving around what is supposed to be the Martian landscape by Wilder. I see a lot in the other reviews about the special effects. That's not really an issue for me as they are not a large part of the series. If you have no problems watching Star Trek TOS or Space 1999, the special effects here will not bother you. If you are expecting the latest from Disney, well you will be disappointed. The space craft in this series is reminiscent of what was available in the 90s and they were of course guessing what they would look like in the future. I think they did okay in that respect. If you like the premise of the series, then by all means visit your local library and check out a copy of the book. The book is great. You will see a few differences. The Bernadette Peters character was nothing like was portrayed in the mini-series for one. I would love to see Hollywood redo this but stick to the book this time. For those younger viewers who watched it and were surprised that we were colonizing Mars at the start of the 21st century, when I was in elementary school in the '60s, we were told we would have George Jetson cars and robot maids by the year 2000. We haven't come as far as we thought we would.

Anyone coming to this 1980 adaptation of "The Martian Chronicles" for the first time will undoubtedly be put off immediately by the special effects, which were so-so even then, and the slower, more cerebral pace of the narrative. And that would be a shame, because the heart & soul of Bradbury's book is alive & well here, and still both thought-provoking & emotionally satisfying.

Of course, it was never hard science to begin with, so complaining about the unscientific depiction of Mars & the behavior of the Earthmen is utterly beside the point. This is as much fable, parable, allegory as it is anything else: a study of the human propensity to opt for the crass over the sublime, the material over the spiritual, ugliness & power over beauty & harmony. It is, in fact, a sometimes scathing, sometimes sorrowful exploration of the human condition, and particularly human weakness.

And yet, both in the idealized Martians, and in the few humans who respond to the wonder of the Martian landscape & philosophy, we're shown what we could be, if only we could transcend our own pettiness, greed, and driving fears. This is shown to especially good effect in the slow growth of Colonel Wilder (a quietly effective Rock Hudson), whose initial misgivings about what Earth will do to Mars leads to his own eventual transformation. And in the final two stories - "Night Meeting" & "The Million-Year Picnic" - this is depicted in scenes that have stayed with me for close to 4 decades now, for their sheer beauty & wisdom.

Again, not everyone will be able or willing to make the leap & overlook the flawed surface of this mini-series. But if they can, then they'll experience science-fiction at its best: not CGI explosions & battles & endless action, but the interplay of ideas & emotions, inviting the viewers to look at their own lives, and to think about what they really want from the gift of existing, however briefly, in this miracle of the Universe.

The Martian Chronicles (both the book and the miniseries) is not science fiction. I am surprised almost nobody picked this up. It is a tale about human nature, and how it is thrown in sharp contrast when facing something as viscerally non-human as an alien culture on a new distant world. So forget about Star Wars, and forget about fact accuracy about Mars: this is just a tale.

I suppose you need to have seen this miniseries as a child in order to like it. Short of that, its shortcomings must really seem unforgivable for a late 70's production. And yet there are so many aspects that make this show highly enjoyable. And first and foremost its lessons: colonization is not all good; in the process of wiping out the strange and the unknown in order to make room for the newcomers and allow them to settle in comfortably, a lot of interesting and possibly life-changing ideas are lost.

As for the cold war and the message from the Chronicles being outdated, surely the world is no better today place than it was 40 years ago...

To me, visually outdated as it is, the Chronicles still retain the charm of a frontier tale about how important it is to open up when traveling to new strange shores, as opposed to taking your whole world with you ( a theme brilliantly exploited in The Beach for instance). I told you, this is no Sci-Fi !!!

I remember seeing this series when it was first shown circa 1980 in the UK, and could not wait till the next part was shown.

Of course the special effects weren't that special then - but I really don't think this takes much away from it. The sequences I like the most are the lights that appear to the monks, and save one when he tests them by throwing himself off a cliff on Mars. Very spiritual overtones here - makes me shiver now just to think of it.

Also, I love the way the Martians dress - the loose-fitting robes, and those masks - excellent. Their lack of cranial hair and gold eyes, also make for a very other-worldy effect.

I borrowed the video tape "version" of this film, but was dismayed to find that about 20 minutes had been cut out - beware! I read the superb Ray Bradbury novel this was based on (originally entitled The Silver Locusts) after I saw the series, and was suitably impressed. A great atmosphere in both, but much more in the novel, I think.

Based on Ray Bradbury's short story collection "The Martian Chronicles", this British Mini-Series tells the story of the colonization on Mars by earthlings through three episodes ("The Expeditions", "The Settlers" and "The Martians"). The production is cheese; the travel from Earth to Mars is short and a simple settler is capable to see what is happening on Earth using a telescope; the earthlings are capable to breathe the air in Mars and are not affected by gravity; and there is no explanation of how the settlers have power, fuel and supplies. The best segment is the one relative to the second expedition that seems to be an episode of Rod Serling's "The Twilight Zone". However, the plot of "The Martian Chronicles" along six hours and three DVDs is confused and is not clear the motivations of the Martians and their powers. But this dated Mini- Series is cult for many viewers that worship it. My vote is five.

Title (Brazil):"Planeta Vermelho" ("Red Planet")

I was 11 years old when this mini-series came on TV. It was futuristic and it gave the world hope, as well as a warning about our race to space. I have to admit that it's not as exciting when I get the DVD's out and re-watch it. But it's even more relevant as we send rovers to mars and talk about colonizing the planet. We've done such a poor job caring for our own planet, should we really be branching out and taking our way of life to other planets. It's a good watch. And, as with most of Ray Bradbury's work, it makes you think.

It's weird that with the caliber of on screen talent they hired, it still has the production values of contemporary Doctor Who.

Choosing better actors over better FX can be a good choice, but only if you have a great script, and this doesn't. It's very boring and gives these actors very little to work with.

It's unrealistic to compare this to Star Wars with its feature film budget, but the FX are notably worse than Space: 1999, and even the original Star Trek.

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The first episode is definitely the best. The Martians are sentient and aware of the threat of humans arriving. They are able to trick the humans with telepathic delusions, and the scene where the astronaut learns his brother is not his brother, and that his dinner wasn't what he thought he was eating, is very nicely done. The brother/Martian actor does a great job as he's 'unmasked'. That was one of those scenes that stuck in my head for 35+ years.

The ruins of the Martian city are fantastic. Sure seems like they could have spent a lot more time there.

The series gets duller and duller.

The third chapter, with the dude wandering around the deserted human settlement- who cares?? The third chapter does feature the always excellent Barry Morse, but all I ever think is why wasn't he in an earlier chapter?

Probably, this entire production would have been far more successful if the total running time were trimmed by 1/3 to 1/2.

I almost wonder if 2001: A Space Odyssey had a negative impact on this era by too many filmmakers thinking if you make it really slow and vague, you're doing Kubrick. Space:1999 (season 1) seemed to have that impression. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way.

I saw this in 79-80, when I was 8 years old. It was shown quite late once a week on the BBC. Due to its late showing and married with my tender age, I was the only person out of all my peers who watched it. It left a big impression on me and I can still remember some of the scenes over twenty years on.....The thing is I have asked scores of people over these years to see if anyone remembered it. As the years passed and not one person said they had, I was beginning to wonder if it was a product of my fertile imagination - especially with its dreamy tone. Here we are on IMDB (one of my very favourite web sites) and you have proved to me that I am not totally mad. I hope it will be available in the UK one day so I can see just why it left this mark on me. I won't place a review though as it would be unfair after so long. LONG LIVE IMDB!!!

I remember this one when I was 11. Not bad, they never explain how Mars becomes livable. I like the only 2 people left part. The part where the aliens use mind type thingies. Is it been on TV lately? I wonder how well it aged? A little too long if I remember right. They use too make better science fiction. Too PC now days. I hate the modern Star Treck plots. Not enough escapism. I believe there was a novel of the book. My teacher read of parts of the book. Would like to see it again. 6 out of 10. Not too many mini series like this one. Big budget. I can not remember if they explain what happen to the Martins? I bet the movie will be on the Space Network.

This is a British production, made in 1979. The same time as UK's Dr. Who. The production values are almost identical. Of course, there was whimsy in Dr. Who, that made the cheesy effects campy. But still, there they were.

As for the implausibility of a Martian atmosphere and climate like earth's, Bradbury wrote these stories before 1950, when such was considered possible. The producers made a creative choice to retain the conceit that Mars was like Nevada, so the characters wouldn't have to wear space suits all the time.

Those who trash this miniseries because of its production values miss its point. What the Martian Chronicles have going for them are terrific story lines, which the technical problems unfortunately obscure. I can't help thinking Rod Serling took a page from them when he came up with Twilight Zone, with its emphasis on people rather than the technology.

Also fascinating is how the near future is projected. As in 2001: A Space Odyssey, our advancement into space was wildly optimistic, not because it wasn't possible, but because in reality we've lacked the character to see it through. The fact that we should have settlements on Mars by now, if not manned missions to Jupiter, but don't, speaks to how contemptible we are, in choosing rather to pursue personal gratification, while accommodating the barbarous primitives among us. At the end of the Martian Chronicles is an affirmation of what we could yet be, if only we'd decide to stop wallowing in the gutter and once more reach for the stars. Too bad this message is lost on today's fatuous audience.

Okay, but disappointing adaptation of Ray Bradbury classic tale of humans colonizing mars, form early exploration to settlement to an eventual... well, I won't spoil anything. The disappointment is that this epic length story was weirdly episodic and was essentially several completely disconnected stories that shared the same setting. Sure this was based on a series of short stories, so I suppose it was true to the source material in that sense, but for a mini-series I want a little continuity. With a solid cast that included Rock Hudson, I was hoping "The Martian Chronicles" was going to be "Giant" in space. Behind the camera, the miniseries was directed by Michael Anderson ("Logan's Run," "Millennium," "Operation Crossbow," etc.) and written by Richard Matheson ("I Am Legend," "The Twilight Zone," "Duel," etc.), which added even more to my high hopes that this would be a sci-fi classic. I haven't read Bradbury's original short stories, but this adaptation was too disjointed to be considered a whole story. The episodes should have more neatly connected up or built on one another, but they really didn't and the series suffers for it. However, the film does have a nicely retro 70s sci-fi look to it's production design that I enjoyed and the familiar cast (Hudson, Darren McGavin, Bernadette Peters, Roddy McDowall, Fritz Weaver, Barry Morse, and Maria Schell) carry the mini-series, making it worth watching, even if it should have been better considering the talent involved.

This mini series was great. Comparing it to big budget features like Star Wars is unfair.Its much more intelligent than Star Wars. Star Wars is also not real Science Fiction its Fantasy. Well, enough about Star Wars. If you like the Twilight zone or Star Trek, I believe you'll love this program. Yes its dated, but the genius of Ray Bradbury shines through. I found the film to be better than the Illustrated man or Fareheight 451. There's not a lot of Action, but its not suppose to be an action film. Its very methodical and will leave you thinking at the end.The acting isn't great, but its good to see Roddy MacDowell again. Hes an Icon like Peter Cushing or Pam Grier. All together its a classic!

Back when it debuted on TV, I watched and enjoyed "The Martian Chronicles". Now, a bazillion years later (or so my daughters say), I decided to try watching it again for old time sake. Well, if you've heard the expression 'you can't go back', that pretty sums up what it was like watching the film. It just didn't age well and I found myself a lot more critical this go around. The main problem was the cheapness of the film. Even by 1979-80 standards, it was pretty poor and doesn't come close to the qualities of other sci-fi of the time. Poor matte paintings, crappy sets (such as how one colonist home on Mars looks just like any old home you'd see on TV--including the same crappy wallpaper--even though they JUST had started colonizing the place!) and shabby props do little to create the ambiance of Mars. Additionally, the story was VERY inconsistent--and I don't blame this on the Ray Bradbury short stories on which it was based. Some tales are haunting--others (such as the one with Joyce Van Patten and Darren McGavin) are just embarrassingly poor. What we need is a remake--a newer and better produced one. Overall, a very sad viewing experience, as I really, really wanted to like it.

'The Martian Chronicles' came out when U.S. T.V. sci-fi was reaping the 'Star Wars' dividend with 'Battlestar Galactica' and 'Buck Rogers'. Based on the Ray Bradbury novel, it took a completely different tack, telling of the exploration and colonisation of Mars. Much of the book's poetry was lost in Richard Matheson's clumsy adaptation, but enough remained to make it rather more interesting than the latest skirmish with the Cylons or Draconians. In fact its almost on a par with the original 'Outer Limits'. Rock Hudson starred as 'Colonel John Wilder', and his permanent look of horror as American culture swamped the planet was the best thing about his performance. 'Chronicles' shouldn't be judged on the basis of its special effects, which is just as well, seeing as they're mostly terrible. However, the 'David Lustig' sequence in Part Two, the hilarious Christopher Connelly segment and moving performance by Barry Morse in Part Three, make this an above average sci-fi series. Great music too!