The Martian Chronicles Blu-ray Review

The AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation of The Martian Chronicles offers a modest visual experience, bringing both the strengths and weaknesses of this classic series to the forefront. Detail levels are acceptable, spotlighting the texture in Martian environments, make-up work, and costumes. The differentiation between flowing Martian robes and rigid NASA uniforms is well maintained. However, the high-definition transfer calls attention to the production's special effects seams, making models, wires, and shifting mattes noticeably apparent. While images are on the softer side, the depth in location shots is commendable.

Color presentation remains average, with a predominance of flatter hues and occasional livelier outfits showing more vibrancy. Skin tones are presented naturally, and the distinctive gold Martian eyes do have a notable sparkle, adding some allure to character moments. Despite these highlights, some frames exhibit noticeable instability with occurrences of hair and debris detracting from the overall clean viewing experience. The original broadcast format’s ton of grain is evident, even in scenes where one might not typically expect it, affecting the visual tidiness but perhaps adding a nostalgic feel for some viewers. Overall, while not transformative, this Blu-ray presentation remains a solid effort to bring The Martian Chronicles into the modern viewing sphere.

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix for "The Martian Chronicles" capably reflects the scope of its TV movie origins. Dialogue clarity is consistently maintained, with no distortion even as scenes intensify. The Martian conversations, though softer, remain intelligible, contributing to an immersive auditory experience. The scoring, featuring funky disco rhythms and synthetic passages, is securely presented and adds an engaging layer to the narrative.

The atmospheric elements of this DTS-HD MA track are satisfactory, effectively conveying the enigmatic allure and vastness of the Martian landscape. While hiss is present, it remains unobtrusive and does not detract from the overall audio quality. Additionally, the broadcast stereo in DTS format succeeds in capturing the often jarring dialogue and distinctive, albeit dated, musical score, enhancing the authenticity of the viewing experience for this classic adaptation.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Martian Chronicles" offer a compelling dive into the nuances of its production, led predominantly by actor James Faulkner's candid reflections. The content is both informative and entertaining, providing valuable insights into the filmmaking process. Faulkner's discussion of his role as a Martian sheds light on the intricacies of performance preparation, including a detailed account of the challenges he faced with special effects makeup. Additionally, he shares anecdotes about co-star Rock Hudson's on-set activities, adding an engaging layer of behind-the-scenes trivia. These extras effectively combine personal anecdotes with professional evaluations, making them an essential addition for fans and film scholars alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• Interview: A concise conversation with James Faulkner about his role and on-set experiences.
• My favorite Martian: A more extensive interview where Faulkner reflects on the production.
• Kino Film Trailers: A collection of five additional film trailers from Kino.

"The Martian Chronicles" miniseries, adapted from Ray Bradbury’s 1950 anthology, aired on NBC in 1980. While it attempts to retain Bradbury's profound exploration of human themes, screenwriter Richard Matheson’s effort is burdened by the source material's fragmented nature. The three-episode structure disperses focus, resulting in numerous subplots that lack coherence and dramatic consistency. Despite Matheson’s endeavor to inject narrative coherence, the production emerges more as a sampler of Bradbury’s speculative visions rather than a tightly knit story.

Rock Hudson leads as a NASA official overseeing the colonization of Mars, navigating a fraught landscape teeming with both curiosity and hostility from an ancient Martian civilization. Unfortunately, expectations of drama and science fiction grandeur are dampened by subpar special effects, substandard editing, and a meandering script overly fixated on procedural details. The depiction of Mars resorts to unconvincing models and earthly locales, relying heavily on the cast to transcend the visual shortcomings. Meanwhile, the narrative oscillates between exploring deep human emotions and blandly executing science fiction tropes.

Each episode presents unique encounters—human colonists grapple with Martian enigmas and personal strife amid looming existential threats. The finale, where Earth is destructed but continuity falters, epitomizes the miniseries’ struggle to maintain narrative logic. Despite these hiccups, “The Martian Chronicles” aims to preserve Bradbury’s critique of human nature, though it often stumbles, detracting from the original work’s philosophical depth and coherence. Overall, it is an ambitious yet flawed attempt, notable more for its exploratory efforts than its execution.

The Martian Chronicles Blu-ray release of the classic 1980 miniseries serves as both a nostalgic trip and a stark reminder of television’s evolution. Starring a talented ensemble cast that includes Rock Hudson, the series attempts to bring Ray Bradbury’s visionary work to life. While the adaptation retains the core elements of telepathic Martian invasions and human exploration, the execution leaves much to be desired. The actors strive to instill vigor into a narrative often hindered by the sluggish pacing and uninspired scene craftsmanship, juxtaposed with occasional noteworthy design efforts quintessential to the era.

From a technical perspective, the Blu-ray quality offers a significant improvement over previous releases, showcasing enhanced visuals and audio clarity that respect the original material's integrity. However, do not expect state-of-the-art remastering; the production’s inherent limitations, such as eclectic special effects and set designs firmly rooted in 70s aesthetics, remain visibly evident. Archival charm notwithstanding, the presentation struggles to engage contemporary viewers accustomed to more sophisticated storytelling and production values.

The Martian Chronicles gathers a professional, talented cast to sell the strangeness of the Martian colonization, which details a telepathic invasion and dashed dreams of rebirth. However, the cast is fighting the inertia of the show over the three episodes, trying to bring some life to scenes that, more often than not, lay flat instead of come alive. There are cheesy design achievements to enjoy, and Bradbury's admirers are sure to find plenty here to savor, but the average viewer coming to The Martian Chronicles expecting a more potent examination of planetary discovery and alien connection might feel underwhelmed with the B-movie production strategy.

Ultimately, The Martian Chronicles stands as a testament to past television efforts—a nadir from which modern TV has impressively ascended. Its primary appeal lies with hardcore Ray Bradbury enthusiasts or those curious about historical television production standards. Most viewers today may find its approach quaintly outdated, thus limiting its appeal to a niche audience.