V (1983) (TV)

Director:

Kenneth Johnson

Writer:

Kenneth Johnson (written by)

Release Date:

30 July 1984 (UK)

Genre:

Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Humankind's last stand.

Plot:

When aliens come to Earth to ask for our help, a few suspicious humans discover their horrific true intentions and prepare to resist.

Plot Keywords:

Alien | Resistance | Spacecraft | Reptilian | War Correspondent

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 2 nominations

Cast

Jane Badler	...	Diana
Michael Durrell	...	Robert Maxwell
Faye Grant	...	Juliet Parrish
Peter Nelson	...	Brian
David Packer	...	Daniel Bernstein
Neva Patterson	...	Eleanor Dupres
Tommy Petersen	...	Josh Brooks (as Tommy Peterson)
Marc Singer	...	Mike Donovan
Blair Tefkin	...	Robin Maxwell
Michael Wright	...	Elias Taylor
Bonnie Bartlett	...	Lynn Bernstein
Leonardo Cimino	...	Abraham Bernstein
Richard Herd	...	John
Evan C. Kim	...	Tony Wah Chong Leonetti (as Evan Kim)
Richard Lawson	...	Dr. Ben Taylor

Also Known As:

Storm Warnings (USA) (original script title)
V: The Original Mini Series (USA) (DVD title)

Runtime:

197 min | Finland:189 min (DVD)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Norway:15 (video premiere) | Iceland:16 | Australia:PG (DVD rating) | Argentina:13 | UK:12 (DVD rating) | UK:15 (VHS version) | USA:TV-14 | USA:Unrated | West Germany:16 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Anheuser-Busch Brewery - 15800 Roscoe Boulevard, Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Kenneth Johnson Productions

Trivia:

In a massive media campaign before the series aired, posters with the line "The Visitors Are Our Friends" appeared in subways around the United States - just as they did in the first part of the mini-series. Days before the first episode aired, each poster was spray-painted with a bright red "V" exactly as was done in the show.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: In the shuttle right after Mike escapes with Robin from the mothership, Mike loops the shuttle, and there is shot of them upside-down. Robin raises her arms, apparently to keep from falling out of her seat, but the entire time her hair rests on her shoulders as if right-side up.

Quotes:

John: We have come in peace, to all mankind. Our planet is the 4th in distance from the star you call Sirius, some 8.7 light years from Earth. This is the first time we have left our system, and you the first intelligent life we've encountered. We're pleased to meet you.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Jay Leno Show: (#1.40)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

Theme

Classic Science Fiction Television

Considered by many to be one of the best in the genre, V is a television classic.

Airing during 'May Sweeps' on NBC over two nights, the mini-series was a surprise ratings smash. Critically praised for it's introspective tale with strong themes, the special effects were top-notch, particularly for television of the time.

NBC had taken a gamble with this cutting-edge, creative, and creepy alien-invasion story that pays off in some memorable performances from members of the large cast.

Twenty-plus years later, Kenneth Johnson's epic V holds up extremely well, it's message of resistance and sacrifice being ever more relevant in this Post- 9/11 world.