If you're familiar with Survivors, chances are it's the new series that's at the front of your mind, but the original should not be overlooked. Airing between 1975 and 1977, the hit show by Terry Nation followed the survivors of a worldwide viral outbreak that decimated the population. With modern technologies and comforts stripped from them, the random collection of humanity had to form some new community in order to keep living in the struggle against nature, and each other.
For more detail on the general scheme of what happens, visit my review of the new Survivors Seasons One and Two DVD here. The two series are fairly similar in basic outline, especially covering the first few episodes.
While the characters and plot events obviously match up pretty well, they are very different series. A legitimate and well-planned update, the new series moves along in a fashion more in keeping with the sensibilities of today's viewers. Things move along at a bit more of a clip, and we've moved up the action while toning down the chatting.
Of course, it's also a very different world, with new technologies lost, and a new slate in terms of the mindsets of potential survivors.
The original is simply a brilliant sort of 70's television, and once the initial shock and awe are over, there is a bit more of an almost EastEnders vibe to things, though that is probably not a statement to give the right impression.
It's a slower adventure, but for my money a better one, with a stronger cast and more realistic approach. That may sound odd to some who are in the know, but the original seems to take more time with its characters, and they are the heart of the matter.
All things villainous in the new series were a bit heavy-handed, despite Terry Nation's involvement in both, and it seemed that more of the focus was on dishing out the right sort of drama, a word which managed a rather different definition when the original was billed as such. Still a solid show, but I prefer the original.
There's enough drama in making good on the premise depending on your tastes, though many have said that somewhere in the middle of the second season things become a bit stale.
At this point infinitely watchable for its classic status, and early sci-fi success, the show also stands up well for those who can manage to focus on any show approaching its 40th anniversary. Though clearly dated in a great many ways, you can really get lost in this series, and even the sci-fi shy shouldn't have much reason to stay away.
The DVD set comes only with a BBC documentary - The Cult of Survivors, and photo galleries. The featurette is a retrospective focusing largely on the show's popularity and interviewing the cast on their experiences. It's a nice bonus, but not something that you'll feel adds a significant amount of value.
Nevertheless, this is a series that I recommend checking out, even to those least likely to gravitate toward such things. An interesting and engrossing meld of standard drama fare and "sci-fi" for purposes of the unique situation, the characters will get their hooks in you.
The series stars: Carolyn Seymour, Ian McCulloch, Lucy Fleming, Denis Lill, Celia Gregory, Lorna Lewis, John Abineri, and Anna Pitt.
Own it on DVD today!
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About Marc Eastman
Marc Eastman is the owner and operator of Are You Screening? and has been writing film reviews for over a decade, and several branches of the internet's film review world have seen his name. His reviews have brought him personal praise from the director of a major motion picture, and have been used as required reading in a course at a major University. These priceless rewards, along with just bags of cash, keep him from straying from freelance writing. He is also a member of The Broadcast Film Critics Association and The Broadcast Television Journalists Association.
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