Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea Season 1 Vol. 1
DVD Review of a Classic Undersea Adventure Series
Aug 22, 2009
Legendary TV and film producer, Irwin Allen, began his sci-fi television legacy with Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea based on his1961 film of the same name. The man who would later bring viewers Lost in Space, The Time Tunnel and Land of the Giants first launched Voyage, with it’s gallant crew aboard the Seaview submarine, on the small screen in September of 1964.
Though its four year run the series was driven by the exploits of its two main characters, Admiral Nelson played by Richard Baseheart and Captain Crane portrayed by David Hedison. Both actors played their parts very straight. The primary charm of the show, then and now is its pure ambition.
Irwin Allen and the other creative forces behind the program never let limited resources prevent them from telling amazing stories. From plots to take over governments and nuclear threats to battles with gigantic sea monsters and alien invaders; there was almost nothing they wouldn’t try on this show.
Each season of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea on DVD is split into two volumes and all but the second half of Season Four has already been released. Year one of the show is in black and the others are in colour.
The sixteen episodes on three discs that make up Season One - Volume One are well varied in story matter. Here is a breakdown of a handful of the most notable adventures.
Eleven Days to Zero – Airdate: Sep. 14, 1964
This bombastic series pilot is a string of wild action sequences. A helicopter machine gunman fires on a speeding car, scuba divers battle a not so believable giant octopus and the Seaview gets attacked by an enemy submarine. More James bond like than the episodes to come this one’s cheesy but fun. An unaired alternate color version of this pilot can be viewed as one of the Special Features on disc three.
The Ghost of Moby Dick – Airdate: Dec. 14, 1964
Here’s a dramatically satisfying episode that features an enraged scientist attempting to use the Seaview to kill the giant sperm whale that injured him and killed his son. Actor Edward Binns, as the vengeful scientist, chews on the scenery but the quick pacing and the solid underwater scenes of the rampaging whale make this one of the best episodes of Season One.
The Blizzard Makers – Airdate: Dec. 7, 1964
The mind controlled assassin is a theme that was touched on often on Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. This episode features the introduction of that plot device as a renowned meteorologist is programmed to assassinate Admiral Nelson. The other so called threats in the show are unprecedented snowstorms in Florida. Slow moving and trite this is an episode that hasn’t aged well.
Submarine Sunk Here - Airdate: November 16, 1964
After the Seaview collides with submerged mines it becomes stranded on the ocean floor. A race against time ensues as Lieutenant Commander Chip Morton (Bob Dowdell) leads the efforts on the surface to rescue the crew before they run out of oxygen. This is another series entry with charming miniature model work but the story is more predictable than gripping.
The Price of Doom – Airdate: October 12, 1964
Here’s a fun filled monster run amok tale written by acclaimed sci-fi writer Harlan Ellisson. The Seaview becomes endangered by rapidly expanding plankton in the form of large inflatable objects covered with hundreds of spikes. This one also features an amusing femme fatale turn by actress Jill Ireland.
Get the goods on the rest of the first year by checking out this collection of episode reviews from Volume Two.
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