Babylon 5: In the Beginning (1998) (TV)

Director:

Michael Vejar

Writers:

J. Michael Straczynski (creator)
J. Michael Straczynski (written by)

Release Date:

4 January 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Sci-Fi

Plot:

The background for the TV series, "Babylon 5," including the Earth-Minbari war, as told by Londo Mollari.

Plot Keywords:

Alien | Space Station | Space | Alien Invasion | Genocide

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Bruce Boxleitner	...	John J. Sheridan
Mira Furlan	...	Delenn
Richard Biggs	...	Stephen Franklin, M.D.
Andreas Katsulas	...	G'Kar
Peter Jurasik	...	Londo Mollari
Theodore Bikel	...	Lenonn
Reiner Schöne	...	Dukhat (as Reiner Schone)
Michael O'Hare	...	Lt. Cmdr. Jeffrey Sinclair
Robin Atkin Downes	...	Morann
J. Patrick McCormack	...	General Lefcourt
Tricia O'Neil	...	Earth Alliance President
Robin Sachs	...	Coplann
James Patrick Stuart	...	Presidential Aide
Jason Ross-Azikiwe	...	Captain Sterns (as Jason Azikiwe)
Yasemin Baytok	...	Centauri Woman

Also Known As:

Babylon 5: Last of the Fallen (USA) (working title)
In the Beginning

Runtime:

USA:94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Netherlands:6 | Australia:PG | Finland:K-12 | Germany:6 | Iceland:LH | UK:PG | USA:Unrated

Company:

Babylonian Productions

Trivia:

In this TV-movie, Robin Sachs plays Coplann, a member of the Minbari Grey Council. In an episode of "Star Trek: Voyager" (1995), Sachs plays an alien named Valen. In B5, Valen is the name of the Minbari holy figure who originally formed the Council.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the "ambush" scene, a Star Fury and a Dreadnaught suddenly disappear as the jump point opens on a heavy cruiser

Quotes:

[first lines]
Delenn: It is said that in every age, there is one singular event that forever changes the world around us. A nexus, if you will.
G'Kar: It is said that the future is always born in pain. The history of war is the history of pain. If we are wise what is born of that pain matures into the promise of a better world. Because we learn that we can no longer afford the mistakes of the past.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Troldspejlet: (#22.5)" (1999)

Essential viewing for fans of the TV series, but still enjoyable for those who haven't seen Babylon 5 before.

All stories have a beginning. The five year TV tale of Babylon 5 did not however begin with the first episode. This story told in semi-autobiographical form by one of the TV series' main characters sets the scene for what would become the TV series storyline. Babylon 5 has consistently shown what can be done in the science-fiction area with intelligent writing, a good cast, and a decent budget for special effects. This is no exception, the acting is its usual standard - with particular mention to Peter Jurasik, always excellent entertainment in the form of Londo Mollari. The effects are of the same standard as the TV series, still the benchmark of computer animation for the small screen.

Most of the principals of the TV series are there - although some are reduced to almost cameos. The plot line is somewhat disjointed, but that's offset by the way it is told by Jurasik's Londo Mollari. The individual scenes are just long enough in most cases to carry the plot and allow the actors scope, while still making sure that those who watched the series find out the pasts of all the characters, although Garibaldi is conspicous by his absense.

For those who want a rollicking good tale of heroism, triumph, tragedy, humour and big explosions, then this is a movie for you.