The Planets

This is a more than an "Old Documentary". This was a monumental look into the universe in 1999. We haven't seen something on this scale since the Cosmos series was released back in 1980. The series takes you further and further from Earth. It's an educational experience for anyone who's never really considered what lies outside the Earths' atmosphere. This goes beyond any definition you'll find in any book. You have a front row seat to how and what we knew in 1999.

I have to disagree with those who say its outdated. I think it's more important to leave it untouched, a time capsule of sorts, preserved as a bookmark in time. It chronicles the technology we had up to 1999. Sure a lot has changed since then but how else can new generations have any understanding of how limited our knowledge of the universe really was in 1999.

If i had to point out something negative it would have to be the narration. The version i remember had an America voice resembling Mike Rowe. All i can find is the narration Sam West did.

The Planets is a view of our Solar System with the knowledge from 1999. With little tuning, it would be fine basis for ever evolving documentary, which would be updated when new data arrives. It still shines in many parts, because huge part of it is history of solar system exploration. There are lots of interviews from Voyager project, Russian scientists who worked with Soviet space program, Apollo project personnel, and many many other scientists.

Dated parts concern discoveries during the last two decades: All those Mars rovers, Cassini-Huygens has arrived and is ending it's mission in few weeks (sep 2017), Voyger 1 has left the Solar System, that "future" Pluto probe (New Horizons) was launched and already few by Pluto six months ago, and, most of all, about 99,9% of exoplanets have been discovered after the show. But basically "only" two things are very much dated: Mars exploration and exoplanets.

Even with all that, huge part of it is still valid and especially those interviews are still interesting. I haven't seen any better documentary about the subject.

As I watch this series in December of 2018 I'm reminded of just how wonderful it is. Samuel West's elegant and soothing narration takes us on a fascinating journey through the solar system and a level of grippingness that is yet unmatched. This is supported by an absolutely mesmerising score by Jim Meacock which is both atmospheric, sinister and wondrous - just like space itself.

The series is a shining example of quality over quantity as, at only six episodes, it frees itself from the pomp and bloat which utterly plagues American productions, and with that is not only satisfying, but it leaves you wanting a little more.

As 2019 approaches it would be wonderful to see the series revived for a 20 year anniversary follow up, becasue literally the only flaw with this show is its age. There has been so much discovered in the last two decades that a lot of the information here, although still interesting, is obsolete, and so to have a follow up would be wonderful.

However, it would HAVE to be Samuel West back to narrate and Jim Meacock scoring again as they were an integral part of the show's appeal. I can't believe the Americans had the gaul to re-dub the show using an American voice actor. Sheer xenophobia at work there and they should be ashamed of themselves.

Still, obsolete or not, this is still a a fascinating watch today and I highly recommend it.

I constantly come back to this series. It looks and sounds perfect with the score and narration. It impresses with the way it delves into extremely complex matters but you seem to understand them easily. It still looks modern now, nearly 20 years after release. It's quite simply one of the best TV documentaries that has been made. Personally, I think it holds its own against the outstanding BBC wildlife documentaries, such as Blue Planet and Planet Earth. Yes, they have the excitement of animals and the brilliance of non-generated shots but this makes Space interesting and paints a picture to inspire. If you haven't seen it, get the original UK version and binge, it's amazing.

This 8 "hour" series is a wonderful historical production about the history of space travel including both Russian and American perspectives. It focuses each episode on a topic like the sun, atmosphere, giants, moon etc... The film footage on both country's programs reaches from the Sun to Neptune and the moons in between. The real video and still photography is accompanied by realistic computer generated enhancements. This series is well worth the time of any astronomy buff and even those who just want to learn a lot more about our Solar System.