Series VI DVD review

Written by Blake Neale
Posted on 20th February 2005 @ 9:33 PM

Ahead of its general release tomorrow, I present to you my review of Red Dwarf VI on shiny disc.

Cover art & disc art

Although the Last Chance Saloon background image looked impressive when it was first shown on the official site, I didn't like the look of it as part of the cover design. To me, it just made the cover look bland, possessing an almost dirty quality. But as with the cover art to Series V, the design looks far better in print with the accompanying foil logo.

In fact, the reason I disliked the design at first has now become the reason I favour it over the others; it is the easiest on the eye - the brown colouring makes the previous covers seem loud. It also presents a sense of modesty to a series that went on the win the International Emmy Award.

My only criticism of the cover is the Rimmer 'cut-out' image on the front, as it doesn't look as sharp as the one of Lister next to/behind it. The eyeline doesn't match either, but neither of these are major let downs by any means. As for the spines, you may need to adjust the positioning of the sleeves to have it appear more or less in line - even then it's still out by a tad. But the fast growing image of the logo is the most important detail, and it now reads: "RED DWAR". Only two series to go, then.

The cases are the same as those used for the Series V DVDs - the first disc is housed in a hinged flap with the second disc hiding underneath.

The picture discs feature Lister (as Brett Riverboat) and Rimmer (as 'Dangerous' Dan McGrew) on discs one and two respectively.

Collector's Booklet

As always the Collector's Booklet is excellently written, complete with behind-the-scenes anecdotes and trivia. Be sure to read the Predictive Airlock section of page ten for an amusing suggestion as to why the door slides open in Emohawk before Ace even presses the button...

Animated menus

The opening sequence to both discs is a series of Starbug fly-bys, ending with a crash landing which cuts to the CG Starbug, through the airlock and into the mid-section.

The menus are simply beautiful - full of detail and set to some great scores, particularly the Bonus Material menu of disc two.

Episodes

Where Series V managed so perfectly to blend science fiction theory with action, Series VI tends to lean slightly more towards the latter. This is not a hindrance to the series, as the comedy can not be faulted and there is more than enough science fiction in the mix.

Highlights (not that there's ever a dull moment) include the brief 'return' of Kochanski in Psirens, the light switch gag in Legion, the Vindaloovian Empire in Gunmen of the Apocalypse, and the incredibly dramatic ending to Out of Time.

Cast Commentary

As you've come to expect, Chris Barrie, Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules and Robert Llewellyn colloquially offer their highly amusing accounts of all aspects of production.

Fan Commentary

Winners of a competition ran by the official site got the chance to talk about Gunmen of the Apocalypse in a special 'Fan Commentary' track.

Given the fans' lack of participation with the actual filming of the series, it was always going to be difficult sharing something new. But it is an enjoyable experience hearing like-minded people talking about something they love.

The Starbuggers - Series VI

This original documentary and the deleted scenes are undoubtedly the best special features of the DVD. Running for an hour and fourteen minutes, get excited (and you will) by talking heads, rushes and episode excerpts.

"One minute I'm kissing a beautiful blonde, and the next minute it's a spermicidal fluid-dripping dung beetle." - Craig Charles

In addition to the more factual pieces of information, listen as Robert Llewellyn tells of Craig Charles' duty-free cigarettes, Chris Barrie trying to be polite, and Craig Charles further explaining the "no fear" horse incident touched upon in Smeg Outs.

Excellent stuff - The Starbuggers really does the series proud.

Deleted scenes

Over forty-three minutes of them on this occasion and every one of them is a delight. Here we finally get to hear Duane Dibbley's 'yo-yo' speech, witness the crew's cockpit celebration, and observe with awe the original-original ending to Out of Time that wasn't shown in entirety on the Smeg Ups tape.

Smeg Ups

Despite being seen before on many an occasion, this compilation of outtakes and fluffs will continue to entertain for years to come.

Howard Goodall: Settling The Score

I don't know much about music, but Howard Goodall knows exactly what he's talking about. Here, the charismatic composer talks us through the inside story of Red Dwarf's music.

Sick featurette

Set to Mama Told Me Not To Come by Tom Jones and the Stereophonics, the ending to this montage featurette is somewhat anticlimactic. But unlike most of the previous musical featurettes, I am quite fond of this one. Though I can't quite put my finger on why.

Return to Laredo featurette

Robert Llewellyn returns to the one and only true Western town in the UK, Laredo, where the filming of Gunmen of Apocalypse took place ten years previously.

If you've seen Robert in Scrapheap Challenge (aka Junkyard Wars), you'll be aware of his knack for presenting. There's nothing groundbreaking here, but it is a nostalgic featurette. And without Laredo, there probably would've been no Gunmen. Suck on that, Janet Street Porter.

Behind the Scenes footage

Here are some lovely rushes from the set of Psirens before a 'Making of' project was dropped.

Interview with Andy de Emmony

"Donated to the awards archive when Gunmen of the Apocalypse won the International Emmy." - says the official site. This interview does exactly what it says on the tin.

8mm Model-Maker footage

This six or so minutes of silent footage from the model department is sort of a behind-the-scenes look at the raw FX shoots. It makes very interesting viewing - watch this then the raw FX footage to see things fall into place.

Trailers

Three trailers recovered from fans' home VHS collections. The first promotes the start of the (then new) series on BBC2 through the use of a lone clip from the 'recap' scene in Psirens.

The second starts similarly, but then cuts to clips from across the series. And the third looks to advertise Legion a week into the run.

Raw FX footage

Excellent. My opinions (as with a lot of the other features of this release) match what I said for the Series V review here.

Isolated music cues

Ditto. Although it's a shame I have to fire up my computer or leave my tele on to hear these masterpieces. Why not release a soundtrack CD or something? Ahem.

Dave Hollins radio sketch

A welcome addition, if only to see where the original concept of Red Dwarf started.

Photo gallery

Lots of these lovely piccys have been seen before, most notably in The Making of Red Dwarf book. But it's good having them on the disc to browse at leisure.

My only criticism is the size of the photographs, which could've easily been made a wee bit bigger.

Weblink

Just like this, only you don't have to open your DVD-ROM drive and double click the file.

Subtitles

In English and all tickety boo from what I've seen.

Easter Eggs

Compared to the Series V easter eggs, these were ridiculously easy to find. Highlight the 'blank' area below for instructions:

Select the red button on the door as you FIRST enter the mid-section of disc one. (I.e. After the introductory fly-bys of Starbug, a door opens and another door can be seen. Press the red button on the panel to the right.)

This loads a 'map' of planets. Select "SVC01" for footage displayed on the monitors in Starbug.
Select "SVC02" from the same map menu for another piece of footage displayed on the monitors in Starbug.
Select "YOU ARE HERE" from the same map menu for a rare example of the Red Dwarf set being shot on film.
On the main/mid-section menu of disc one, select ">>>" underneath "AIRLOCK" (to the left of the options). Then enter the Space Corps Directive number that states: "No member of the Corps should ever report for active duty in a ginger toupee." (It's "1742" if you're going to be lazy about it.)

This plays footage of Danny John-Jules: The Memory Man from the recording of the Series V DVD documentary.
To play the animated interview, go to the Select episode menu on disc one and select the sheriff badge on the Gunmen sub-menu.

As of yet I've not found any easter eggs on disc two. But if I do find any, I'll add them to this article as soon as.

Conclusions

Grant Naylor Productions have yet again magically presented us with a release that goes far beyond the episodes themselves. This DVD is nothing short of perfect, and it really does Red Dwarf VI the justice it rightly deserves.

Order yours here from Red Dwarf Shop UK.