V: The Original TV Miniseries

I know, I know, I know, this movie is campy, it’s cheesy, it’s even silly at times, right? However, having said that, let’s consider some things about “V” that may change your minds. This show first aired in 1983 as a two-part television miniseries which was advertised as must see T.V. It didn’t disappoint! I watched it with my wife and we were glued to the tube for two nights. We thoroughly enjoyed it! Viewed today, I’m sure that there will be those who criticize the special effects, and other aspects, but remember this was 1983; 34 years ago! But, the storyline is very relevant even today. Perhaps, even more relevant today considering the numerous U.F.O. scenarios and subsequent reports generated world wide in newspapers and television programs. Not to mention, our global political turmoil and dangerous military saber rattling and our sobering environmental issues and health problems, all of which threaten humankind with escalating and relentless pace. So, who knows, perhaps Alien intervention may be next on the horizon, which (thankfully) brings me back to “V”. The movie begins with the sudden appearance of gigantic, saucer like space craft around the world. Fifty of these city-sized ships arrive simultaneously and hover silently over major cities across the globe. Eventually, contact is made by these visitors (as they come to be known) when they make a global simulcast in whatever languages necessary, announcing that they come in peace. The astounding, yet relieving message further invites the Secretary General of the U.N. to meet with their emissary on the rooftop of the U.N. building. The unprecedented meeting reveals to the anxious world that the galactic travelers are surprisingly humanlike in appearance, and have come seeking our aid. We learn that their invironment is in dire straights and that their very survival depends on certain chemicals and minerals found in abundance on the earth. In exchange for our assistance the visitors are willing to share advanced scientific, medical and technological knowledge which would benefit humandkind tremendously. Earth accepts their bountiful offer but it is soon revealed that our new interstellar friends are much more than they appear, and that we are getting much more (or less) than we bargained for! For one thing, it becomes increasingly obvious that they are a militaristic/totalitarian society which through propaganda and other means, quickly insinuates itself throughout our society on a global level. Their structure and tactics are strikingly similar to those of Nazi Germany from their singlilng out and subsequent persecution of scientist to their establishment of Visitor Youth Groups and media campaigns. Even their uniforms are reminiscent of Nazi uniforms right down to their “Jackboots”! The two night series is really a Nazi allegory portrayed in a science fiction format which I found both clever and thought provoking. And, BY NO MEANS do I suggest that there was anything intertaining about the Holocaust! I’m speaking relative to the premise and film style of this particular television show. And there are further even more sinister, shocking and frightening revelations about this race discovered by prominent and suspicious photo journalist Mike Donovan (Mark Singer) who manages to sneak aboard the gigantic mothership hovering over Los Angeles. There, Donovan manages to surreptitiously
film a few of the visitors and captures their TRUE nature in a startling scene which left me (and viewers) stunned and talking about the show around the water cooler the next few days! But that’s just the beginning as Donovan, once again on board the mothership, learns the REAL reason for the vistor’s arrival in a mind bending scene that leaves him reeling from shock, both visually and intellectually as his mind slowly absorbs what he sees and the unearthly insideous and horrifying plot becomes clear! A plan so vile, and vast in its scope and ambition that it even surpasses what happened in Nazi Germany, and makes abundantly clear the depth of humankind’s peril as a consequence of intering into this unholy alliance with a superior extraterrestrial race.
Our leaders have signed our death warrants and it’s up to Donovan and a ragtag resistance force led by a bright young med student/biologist named Julie Parrish played by the lovely Faye Grant (who I met and teased about her diminutive stature and tiny feet while doing security at a summer theater festival in the Berkshires) to stop these interstellar fascists who have infiltrated the highest levels of global governments down to the local levels of law enforcement. And, remember, the special effects as well as the miniseries itself, helped to inspire the blockbuster film “Independence Day” and many of the current Sci Fi television shows of today. So I give “V” a strong recommendation and hope you enjoy it too.

I was just a kid when “V” hit the airwaves in 1983. I was far too young to appreciate it back then. I finally decided to buy the DVD and give it a proper viewing now, as an adult. I enjoyed it quite a bit. It’s not perfect, and parts of it haven’t necessarily aged well, but you have to keep in mind the era in which it was made. The writing might not be as sophisticated (or subtle) as some of today’s more polished TV shows, but “V” was competing with the likes of Battlestar Galactica (1978) and Buck Rogers (1979). By comparison, “V” is vastly superior (in terms of action, adventure and intellect). It’s like combining the intelligence of Star Trek with the fun and excitement of Star Wars. I highly recommend it, along with the sequel miniseries “V: The Final Battle.”