LAND OF THE GIANTS (PG): The Complete First Season (M)
★★★
During a routine flight, a spaceship ends up crashing on a planet that's similar to Earth, except that everything is 12 times the size. Can the crew and passengers evade capture by the giants, repair the ship, and return home?
This 1968 Irwin Allen TV series was very expensive at the time and it's not hard to see where the money went. There are plenty of oversized sets and props (many looking familiar as the series goes on) and some still frequently impressive optical work.
In what seems a shameless attempt to imitate Allen's earlier Lost in Space, the Earthlings include a roguish coward (Kurt Kasznar) who forms a bond with a young boy (Stefan Arngrim), but this show isn't about deep characterisation, it's about spectacle and somewhat slow-paced action - fun if you're in the mood.
Too many of the episodes follow the same formula - giants, who funnily enough all speak English, capture one or more little people and the rest have to come to the rescue - but there are some interesting storylines that depart from this, as when the Earthlings decide to help save a giant tramp from being framed for murder.
Extras include an alternate version of the pilot, special effects shots, and more.
