Sci-Fi series "Blake's 7," a British classic, to receive long-awaited high-definition Blu-ray release.
Blake's 7, a revolutionary sci-fi gem, is the epitome of British TV's rebellious spirit, dripping with a subversive charm that's hard to find elsewhere. Created by the mighty Terry Nation, who had previously sent the nation into a Dalek-induced frenzy, this 1978 show was light-years ahead of its time, its bold ideas only slightly outshined by its threadbare budget. Imagine a more ballsy version of old-school Doctor Who and you'll get a taste of what Blake's 7 is all about at its finest moments. At last, this beloved series is receiving the home release treatment it deserves, courtesy of the BBC.
The BBC has unveiled an enticing Blu-ray remaster, christened Blake's 7: The Collection. Inspired by the extravagant Blu-ray remasters of classic Doctor Who seasons, the first series of Blake's 7 will hit the shelves later this year. This bundled release features a brand-new remaster of the series, now available in high-definition for the first time since its shaky VHS and DVD days. The package will also boast all new practical model work for the show's VFX sequences, contributing to an enhanced visual experience.
The premiere volume of Blake's 7: The Collection includes all 13 episodes from series one, as well as exclusive interviews with surviving cast and crew members. Additionally, a previously unreleased documentary meant for the show's DVD release, The Making of Blake's 7, will be unveiled as well.
Set in a future ruled by Earth's oppressive Federation, Blake's 7 chronicles the journey of Gareth Thomas' Roj Blake, a notorious resistance fighter who is captured, brainwashed, and forced to work for the Federation until his suppressed memories resurface. This happens after he witnesses a Federation security detail brutally killing protestors. A sham trial follows, and Blake is exiled to a remote prison planet where he meets a motley crew of felons and misfits, with whom he orchestrates an escape and resumes his fight against the Federation. Led by the cunning architect and the ultimate fashion plate, Supreme Commander Servalan, played by the unforgettable Jacqueline Pearce, the Federation proves to be a formidable adversary.
The series only gets better as it progresses, with Thomas' exit leading to the promotion of Blake's second-in-command, Avon, portrayed by Paul Darrow. The show reaches a dramatic and bleak climax, but it remains an exceptional example of science fiction pushing boundaries and delivering a raw, emotional punch. Though U.S. release details are yet to be confirmed, given the BBC's transatlantic rollout of Doctor Who: The Collection, it's plausible that Blake's 7 might make its way across the pond too – providing a fantastic opportunity for new audiences to uncover this unheralded masterpiece.
The UK will get its hands on Blake's 7: The Collection – Series 1 on November 11.
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- Technology from the past decades is being resurrected in the form of a high-definition Blu-ray remaster, as the BBC releases the first series of Blake's 7 as part of Blake's 7: The Collection.
- With Blake's television journey starting on a BBC screen in 1978, it's a fitting tale that his remastered adventures in Blake's 7: The Collection will air on the same channel, over four decades later.
- In the future world imagined by the creators of Blake's 7, the line between good and evil is blurred, much like tech-savvy antagonist Supreme Commander Servalan, played by the captivating Jacqueline Pearce.
- Just as the memorable television series Blake's 7 remastered and re-released, it will continue to inspire a new generation of TV creators and tech enthusiasts in the realms of Star Wars, Star Trek, Marvel, and Doctor Who.
