StunnaKrypto
Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.
SnoReptilePlenty
Memorable, crazy movie
Protraph
Lack of good storyline.
richard.fuller1
One, I thought I already had a review of this program posted.Two, the episodes were all uploaded to youtube, last time I looked. Watched over them and enjoyed them again.Yes, they are rather dated.Did not know about the illness and loss of the female, Liana, but do recall she disappeared for several of the last episodes.This magnificent show aired during the summer and was spellbounding, truly captivating.Without a doubt, the best attraction for a kid was Ike Eisenmann, staple of many a after-school specials.I had seen the pilot movie with Ian McShane as a late movie about twenty years ago. Before that, I had not seen any of these shows or programs since back when they first aired.Did not recall Joan Collins appearance in one episode, but as I wouldn't have known who she was, no reason I would remember it.Nevertheless, they were an intriguing group, especially with the addition of McDowell (in essence, merely resembling Jonathan Harris as Dr. Smith on Lost In Space).But even without the female LIana, the foursome made for a pretty effective quartet, as I recall.Once more, in rewatching the episodes on youtube, I couldn't help but notice clearly there was a 'performance' sought with Carl Franklin, recollecting some bad childhood experience or something.Nevertheless, for that summer, this show ruled and was a masterpiece.Not enough stars to cover it.
kleypassparrow
I was enthralled with the programme with the first episode when they went into that strange storm. It was like a syndicated series, as each episode followed on from the one previous. I would love to see it again in repeat episodes either on telly, or on the internet like Google.It was a great programme for the 70's and I practically grew up watching Eisenman in everything he was in from a boy. I was a secret fan of his and wasn't one for fans clubs. I liked his character of Scott Jordon in the series. I was anxious for the next episode and they couldn't get around soon enough.Eisenman is and always will be my favourite actor, as I practically grew up with up, while watching him on screen. The other characters were great, too and the storyline was never the same week to week. Shame it had such a short run.
ShadeGrenade
'The Fantastic Journey' was one of several '70's American sci-fi shows that, although not particularly successful in its home country, proved enormously popular abroad, particularly in Britain. Others included 'Planet Of The Apes', 'Logan's Run', 'The Invisible Man' and 'Gemini Man'. They were slickly produced, boasting better special effects ( and lots of flashing lights! ) than our shows. Created by Bruce Lansbury, 'Journey' was based on a most captivating premise. A scientific expedition in the Atlantic Ocean headed by Dr.Paul Jordan ( Scott Thomas ) becomes lost in the legendary Bermuda Triangle, and washes up on an uncharted island. Here past, present and future co-exist, separated by invisible barriers. Most of the group mysteriously disappeared after the pilot episode, leaving trainee doctor Fred Walters ( Carl Franklin ) and Paul's genius son Scott ( Ike Eisenmann ) to team up with Varian ( Jared Martin ), a man from the 23rd century. He carried at all times a tuning fork-like device with a variety of functions. The first episode - 'Atlantium' - brought in the lovely Katie Saylor as Liana, half-human, half-alien, who had a telepathic bond with her cat Sil-L. 'Beyond The Mountain' saw the group completed with the arrival of 'Professor Jonathan Willaway' ( Roddy McDowall ) an eccentric scientist from the '60's, who put one in mind of Jonathan Harris's 'Dr.Zachary Smith' from 'Lost In Space'. Each week, the travellers entered a new zone, and sorted out a local difficulty before moving on, all the time searching for the doorway back to their own times, known as 'Evoland'. Script consultant D.C. Fontana was best known for her work on 'Star Trek'. Joan Collins, Ian McShane, Leif Erickson, Cheryl Ladd, John Saxon, Richard Jaeckel, and Nicholas Hammond all guested. The distinctive theme tune was by Robert Prince. Including the pilot, only ten instalments were made ( the 'Funhouse' episode was not screened by B.B.C. Wales as it was deemed too scary for a Sunday afternoon slot ). We never found out if the travellers made it home or not. Producer Leonard Katzman took the production team onto his next project - the television version of 'Logan's Run'. There were two screenings on the B.B.C. - one in 1977, the other a year later - and one on the 'Bravo' satellite channel in 1994.Hardly Hugo-award winning stuff perhaps, but 'Journey' was lively and entertaining and deserving of a much longer run. It is fondly remembered as a product of a television age when characters were more important than special effects.
arion1
This show has some striking similarities to other television shows, which did become successful series, Stargate SG-1 & Sliders. Moreover, the formats are quite similar as well: 1. The viewer "travels" with the hosts to different worlds.2. All involve scientific experiments which produce danger.3. Both Sliders and Fantastic Journey are about travel to parallel universes.4. All three involve different planets accessible only to a select team.5. Both Sliders and Fantastic Journey are about people trying to find their way home.6. Both Fantastic Journey & Stargate SG-1 have an alien in the cast.7. Both Fantastic Journey and Stargate SG-1 are scripted by Katharyn Powers.8. All three shows have a movie actor in the cast who played a supporting role in a big picture but was never an outright "star".So for those who would like to see Fantastic Journey on TV again, don't fret! Technically, it did come back, just in a different skin!
