Roger Corman's Cult Classics: Battle Beyond the Stars [Blu-ray]

Director: Jimmy T. Murakami Jimmy T. Murakami

Overview

Produced by Roger Corman and scripted by John Sayles, Battle Beyond the Stars is a cheerfully blatant imitation of The Seven Samurai (or at least the American remake The Magnificent Seven). A peaceloving planet is attacked by malevolent aliens. The powers-that-be hire a group of mercenaries, headed by George Peppard, to protect the planet from harm. Peppard's contingent includes squeaky-clean Richard Thomas Jr. and statuesque Sybil Danning. John Saxon goes through his usual paces as the villain, while the supporting players include such dependables as Sam Jaffe, Jeff Corey, and, from Magnificent Seven itself, Robert Vaughn. Keep an eye out for Julia Duffy as "Mol." A deft blend of standard sci-fi action and knowing "inside" humor, Battle Beyond the Stars was one of Corman's biggest hits of the 1980s-not to mention an endless supply of stock footage for future New World Productions.

Product Details

Release Date:	07/12/2011
UPC:	0826663116618
Original Release:	1980
Rating:	PG
Source:	Shout Factory
Language:	English
Time:	1:44:00
Sales rank:	18,716

Special Features

Commentary By Writer John Sayles and Roger Corman; ; Commentary By Production Manager Gale Anne Hurd; ; The Man Who Would Be Shad - New Interview with Actor Richard Thomas; Space Opera On A Shoestring - A Comprehensive Look At The Technical Challenges And Postproduction Of The Film With Aaron Lipstadt, Alec Gillis, Alex Hajdu, Allan Holzman, R.J. Kizer, Robert & Dennis Skotak, Thom Shouse And Tony Randel; ; Trailer, TV And Radio Spots

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Richard Thomas	Shad
Robert Vaughn	Gelt
John Saxon	Sador
Darlanne Fluegel	Nanelia
George Peppard	Cowboy
Sybil Danning	Saint-Exmin
Sam Jaffe	Dr. Hephaestus
Morgan Woodward	Cayman
Steve Davis	Quopeg
John McGowans	Nestor
Lynn Carlin	Nell,Pez,Wok
Jeff Corey	Zed
Julia Duffy	Mol
Eric Morris	Feh
Marta Kristen	Lux
Doug Carleson	Pok
Ron Ross	Dab
Terrence McNally	Gar,Gar
Don Thompson	Cush,Actor
Earl Boen	Nestor No. I
Whitney Rydbeck	Actor
Dallas Clarke	Actor
Dan Vincent	Actor
Rick Davidson	Actor
Tom Henschel	Actor
Brian Coventry	Actor
Kerry Frank	Actor
Larry Broyles	Actor
Dick Davalos	Actor
Lara Cody	Kelvin
John Gowans	Actor
Larry Meyers	Kelvin,Actor
Rob Reece	Actor
Gary D. Robbins	Actor
Steve Says	Actor
Kimberly Sommer	Actor
Dick Carlos	Actor
Doug Carlsson	Actor
James Horner	Composer

Technical Credits

John Sayles

Ed Carlin	Producer
Chuck Comisky	Special Effects
Roger Corman	Executive Producer,Producer
Ken Jones	Special Effects
Jimmy T. Murakami	Director
John Sayles	Screenwriter
Kenneth V. Jones	Special Effects

Editorial Reviews

Here's a little test. If you know who Tom Savini is but have never heard of Krzysztof Kieslowski, then this delightfully naked rip-off of Star Wars (1977) from Roger Corman -- that master of cheesy, no-budget "filmmaking" (a term that can only be carefully, loosely applied to his darkly lit, stiffly performed oeuvre) -- is a treasure-trove of delights for you, a discerning appreciator of Z-grade entertainment. Here are the top ten aspects of this 1980 relic that you may savor on repeated viewings: (1) Whip smart despite his drive-in sensibilities, Corman decides not to directly rip off Star Wars -- which is, of course, precisely his intention -- but to rip off an example of classic Japanese cinema from the 1950s, The Seven Samurai (1954), in much the same way that Star Wars rips off an example of classic Japanese cinema from the 1950s, The Hidden Fortress (1958). How many of Corman's typical ticket buyers got the joke back then? Probably not many, which makes it even funnier. (2) The utterly perplexed, slightly crushed, and disappointed performance of "John-Boy" himself, Richard Thomas, clearly wondering how whiny no-name whelp Mark Hamill was cast as Luke Skywalker instead of him. A good question, Richard. A good question. (3) That space ship that looks like it was cast directly from a mold of a Victoria's Secret catalogue model's torso? Designed by James Cameron. Hmmmm. He does write strong female roles...(4) John Saxon, typically chewing up the scenery and spitting it back out as venomous darts in the role of the villain. Ah, Saxon. Where is the next generation's Saxon? It could've been Michael Ironside, but his energy seemed to dissipate at the same time as his ER guest-starring role. (5) The hilariously disturbing thought that Mel Brooks' Spaceballs (1987), which is intended as a wicked spoof of George Lucas' fantasy universe, is eerily similar in both tone and content to this film. (6) The realization, when seen in the reflected glory that is George Peppard's train-wreck of a performance as a space cowboy, of how extremely good an actor Harrison Ford really is. (7) Although you won't be able to detect his artistic fingerprints much except in the credits, the simple, pleasurable thrill of knowing that John Sayles wrote this screenplay. And that the money he made -- as well as checks for penning dual Jaws (1977) rip-offs Piranha (1978) and Alligator (1980) -- probably funded the production of Return of the Secaucus Seven (1980), itself to be ripped off later as The Big Chill (1983). Somehow, this has all got to be related to Kevin Bacon. (8) Robert Vaughn plays the same character here he portrayed in The Magnificent Seven (also a rip-off -- er, homage -- to The Seven Samurai), and even his dialogue is essentially the same. Possibly the man's easiest payday ever. (9) Budget for hair? $0.00. (10) Sybil Danning, in an era before silicone or saline, ushering nearly as many young boys to the cusp of manhood as did Tina Louise in Gilligan's Island.

All Movie Guide - Karl Williams