The Earth 3rd Expeditionary Fleet in search of new resources suffers a mishap and the Commanding Admiral must dispatch a hastily assembled 3 man team on a desperate mission to an uncharted r... Read allThe Earth 3rd Expeditionary Fleet in search of new resources suffers a mishap and the Commanding Admiral must dispatch a hastily assembled 3 man team on a desperate mission to an uncharted region of space to obtain a vitally needed material for the ship's generators. The 3 man cr... Read allThe Earth 3rd Expeditionary Fleet in search of new resources suffers a mishap and the Commanding Admiral must dispatch a hastily assembled 3 man team on a desperate mission to an uncharted region of space to obtain a vitally needed material for the ship's generators. The 3 man crew aboard 2 spacecraft crash land on a desolate planet, where they struggle to repair the ... Read all
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- TriviaThe 1980s footage was filmed during November of 1983 at an undisclosed location on the Massachusetts coastline (US Govt Property). The location was in close proximity to a small public airfield. Light aircraft were in the vicinity frequently which prompted pauses in the filming because of engine sound. During one occasion, jokingly, Director Producer Daniel R. Christopher, despite words of caution from the Actors, waved his hands at an aircraft about 1/2 mile distant. The full size Sparrow Spacecraft prop was in full view, and apparently was being observed from the air because the aircraft overhead banked sharply and made a low pass over the film location to check out what appeared to be a downed advanced aircraft of some sort. Also apparently, word of this sighting spread as other aircraft soon buzzed the local, however the Government Agency (which requested to be uncredited in the film credits) whom had granted license for the filming was already aware of the 'unique nature' of the filming activities underway and rumors were quickly subdued.
- GoofsDuring the frantic C-20 cockpit scenes building up to the eventual crash, the set was being shaken by external wooden supports (as designed) to simulate the turbulence. During a take the console in front of Actor Paul D'Amico began to loosen and fell on his knee. If one listens very carefully he can be heard murmuring "ahh it's coming off". As this set piece was light weight Paul was unharmed however the Director, Daniel Christopher, was quick to improvise. With the next shot being that of a closeup of the Actor grasping his knee and screaming in agony, the set failure goof turned out to be a very effective sequence.
One example of this was in regard to soundtrack quality of the 2006 limited release version where a reviewer stated he "could not understand what the hell anyone was saying." The reviewer, obviously angry to be subjected to a Film released with audio issues makes a generalized statement which is false and might deter persons that might enjoy the Film. It's like condemning an early 1930s film print for 'bad sound' or 'Nosferatu' for a 'scratchy picture' when in fact it is simply the nature of the beast! Lets not forget that Saga of a Crew consists mainly of archival footage. Besides, the 2008 Special Edition version has improved sound quality resolving previous issues.
Another example regarding a reviewers responsibility to be reasonably observant was where a reviewer seemed to have difficulties following the plot and questioned the premise of the plot. Well, that's what an opening title narrative is for. Did he read it? In any case the storyline of Saga of a Crew is quite simplistic. A space fleet from Earth searching for resources suffers a mishap and dispatches 3 men to obtain a vitally needed substance. (an all to familiar and obvious theme in science fiction) After becoming stranded they struggle against time and their failing mental faculties to escape before the fleet goes out of range. Along with a subplot involving the elderly Engineers Daughter mounting a forbidden rescue attempt that is pretty much the story. Pretty simple, yet one reviewer trying to describe the plot starts out with 'as far as I can tell', and suggests the Film's title be changed!
I suppose the Film's producer/director must take some of the blame for bad press. One reviewer when in communication with the Producer prior to the submission of the review copy stated "you must be a sucker for punishment" seemingly referring to another negative review by one of his associated writers. After receiving a comment containing such predetermination how did this Filmmaker dare to think he could expect anything like an independent objective fresh review from a second reviewer at the same website. Well like Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott once said "fool me once shame on you - fool me twice shame on me!" or perhaps even better from Citizen Kane, boss Jim Getty's comment to Kane; "Only you're going to need more than one lesson. And your going to get more than one lesson!" In other words until Saga of a Crew is reviewed by a lover of low budget B-movies (I know they're out there - just look at the 1000s of b-movies in distribution) we'll continue reading such dribble from reviewers whom hold Saga of a Crew to big box office technical standards and who's minds are in the clouds with vision blurred from so much CGI and Science Fiction Book reading that they have just forgotten how to have fun with a Film like Saga of a Crew. To potential reviewers everywhere, no more freebie copies, you'll have to order and PAY for your Saga of a Crew DVD like everyone else.
Sorry, after all this was supposed to be a Film Review, not a "Review of the Reviewers" I'll get on with that!
Touted as "the lost 1980s Science Fiction Classic" the Film certainly does show an audience bored with remakes and re-runs something brand new from the 1980s, an original copy of a rough edited feature Film project which if it were not for the determination of its Producer, might have remained in an unfinished state. The discovery of this Film by lovers of classic low budget science fiction is akin to opening a time capsule and finding a never before released feature. That is LITERALLY IT! The story of the unfinished Film's resurrection and unusual post production is probably already well known by most persons already familiar with the feature. New scenes were produced to replace some missing plot elements which complete the Film as originally intended. The Film features Actors of varying abilities, is well written despite the limited budget (the Film is perhaps infamous for the 'cheeesyness' of some of the sets), and features viable spacecraft concepts and good traditional 80's era effects. Enjoy the discovery.
- danandjudy
- Dec 29, 2011
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $13,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 9 minutes