Watch Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy Special Edition

1981
1 Season

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a British science fiction comedy television series that is based on the novel of the same name by Douglas Adams. The show first aired in 1981 and was a massive success, becoming a cult classic in both the UK and the US. The show is set in a fictional universe that follows the adventures of an unwitting human protagonist named Arthur Dent and his friend Ford Prefect, an alien from a planet called Betelgeuse. Together, they travel through space and time using the "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," a device that answers all the questions in the universe.

The BBC2 special edition of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a remastered version of the original 1981 series, featuring new and updated graphics and sound effects. The special edition includes six episodes that follow the same storyline as the original, but with an updated look and feel that stays true to the original series.

The show features a diverse cast of characters, including Marvin the Paranoid Android, an intelligent robot that is clinically depressed; Zaphod Beeblebrox, the two-headed, three-armed president of the galaxy; and Slartibartfast, an elderly alien that is responsible for the creation of Earth.

The show's witty and humorous writing, combined with its clever use of science fiction concepts, makes it a timeless classic that continues to captivate audiences decades after its original release. The show's themes of the absurdity of existence, the search for meaning in life, and the futility of human endeavors, all resonate with viewers of all ages and backgrounds.

The special edition of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a must-watch for fans of science fiction, comedy, and those looking for a unique and thought-provoking viewing experience. Its clever writing, memorable characters, and timeless themes will leave a lasting impression on anyone who watches it.

Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy Special Edition is a series that ran for 1 seasons (21 episodes) between February 9, 1981 and on BBC2

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Seasons

101. Don't Panic

February 9, 1981

Contributions from the author, cast and crew of TV series Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Clips and interviews including an amateur video from Slartibartday '81 - a convention for the fans on 8th August 1981, London.

102. Making of Documentary

February 9, 1981

A documentary looking at the making of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1981), including interviews with leading members of the cast and production team, behind-the-scenes footage and out-takes.

104. Peter Jones Audience Warm Up

February 9, 1981

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy televised pre-launch hosted by its narrator Peter Jones who provides an irreverent account of how he was chosen to unravel the mysteries of Douglas Adams's surreal epic, supplying reassuring explanations of the bizarre.

107. Behind the Scenes of Episode 2

February 9, 1981

Behind the Scenes of Episode 2

108. Communicate!

February 9, 1981

Studio footage and filming of a rehearsal of the BBC radio series Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy with various cast, engineers, producer, Geoffrey Perkins and author, Douglas Adams.

110. Pebble Mill at One

February 9, 1981

An appearance by animator Rod Lord and producer/director Alan J W Bell on the January 23, 1981 edition of Pebble Mill at One, talking about Hitchhiker's with Donny McLoud.

112. Out-takes

February 9, 1981

Numerous outtakes from TV series Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy revealing the scope of effort required to perfect the final piece.

114. Open Door: The Sound of Love

February 9, 1981

A candid interview with The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy creator, Douglas Adams. Looking at his perspective on life from childhood through to adulthood.

115. Paperbacks

February 9, 1981

Robert Kee interviews Douglas Adams on BBC's weekly review programme, Paperbacks, discussing his career in radio, book and television. The approach to creating The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is compared with that of The Restaurant at the End of the Universe.

116. Mostly Hand-drawn

February 9, 1981

A compilation of graphics used in the TV series Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. The hand animated "computer graphics" of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy have won multiple awards including a BAFTA, Design and Art Direction Silver award, several British Academy Television Awards and a London Film Festival award.

117. From the Studios and In Rehearsal

February 9, 1981

Behind the scene recordings of rehearsals and footage from the 'Hitchhiker' TV series, recorded at the end of the Universe...

121. Staturday Review

February 9, 1981

Saturday Review host, Russell Davies reflects on the rising popularity of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and its crossover into computer gaming, merchandise, conventions and even subject matter in school examinations. Introduced are presenter, Minette Marrin and Douglas Adams who explore the author's involvement in computer gaming.

122. Tertiary Phase Trailer

February 9, 1981

Online trailer to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Tertiary Phase. A six-part dramatisation of Douglas Adams' third book, Life, the Universe and Everything. Reuniting much of the cast of the original BBC Radio 4 series. Simon Jones as Arthur Dent, Geoffrey McGivern as Ford Prefect, Susan Sheridan as Trillian, Mark Wing-Davey as Zaphod Beeblebrox and Stephen Moore as Marvin the Paranoid Android. Also featuring Joanna Lumley.

123. 10 Short Films for Hitchon

February 9, 1981

Ten short films originally made for Penguin Books upon the 2009 publication of the official 6th 'Hitchhiker' novel, 'And Another Thing' by Eoin Colfer. Based on an interview with Douglas Adams. 1 Towels. 2 Radio Origins. 3 ICA Stage Show. First staged performance of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in May 1979. 4 Rainbow Theatre. Considered the most spectacular 'Hitchhiker' stage show directed by Ken Campbell at London's Rainbow Theatre in July 1980. 5 BBC TV Series. In 1980 Douglas adapted 'Hitchhiker' for TV but believed radio to be the superior medium. 6 TV Guide Graphics. Douglas Adams with animator Kevin Davies. 7 Promos & Porsches. Celebration of Douglas' success. 8 The Movie. Douglas had always planned to make a film of 'Hitchhiker', but sadly did not live to see this come to fruition. His family however, attended the World Premier in April 2005 screened at the Empire in Leicester Square. 9 Premier Party. TV crews from across the world see the arrival of attendees. The venue, Freemasons' Hall, appeared in the movie as Humma Kavula's temple. 10 This Never Happened. In 1981, a novel idea by Mark Wing-Davey, who played Zaphod, to do a simultaneous radio broadcast for two separate versions of 'Hitchhiker' failed to materialise, despite Douglas' enthusiasm.

124. Writing Hitchhiker's

February 9, 1981

Nick Webb, Douglas Adams' official biographer and commissioning editor of the first 'Hitchhiker' novel, reflects anecdotally on the author's life and work. Joining him are Douglas' half-brother, James Thrift and Geoffrey Perkins, producer of BBC Radio episodes.

126. BBC Micro Live - Douglas Adams

February 9, 1981

BBC Micro Live presenter, Connor 'Freff' Cochran, talks to Douglas Adams about The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy computing game and future software plans.

127. Life, The Universive, and Clapperboards

February 9, 1981

Film extracts, deleted scenes and behind the scene captioned descriptions of the use of props, sets, special effects and technology.

129. The Sound of Sypher

February 9, 1981

A look at the sound processes used in 'Hitchhiker' using BBC sound dubbing suite 'Sypher 2', which at the time was considered state-of-the-art driven by a 28-channel, 16-group Neve desk largely aided by a computer. Sound Supervisor Mike McCarthy won a BAFTA for this TV series. Michael Rodd narrates.

130. Marvin and Zem

February 9, 1981

Dirk Maggs, adapter, director and co-producer gives a breakdown of the technical treatment used to create Marvin the Paranoid Android's voice and the sounds of Zem, the mattress. With various contributions including Stephen Moore and Andy Taylor, the voices of Marvin and Zem.

131. Q-Phases Trailer

February 9, 1981

The 2005 online trailer to Quandary and Quintessential Phases; the fourth and fifth The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy radio series. Adaptations of Douglas Adams' books 'So Long, and Thanks For All the Fish' and 'Mostly Harmless'.

132. Simon Jones for Breakfast

February 9, 1981

BBC Presenters Charlie Stayt and Louise Minchin are joined on the couch by Simon Jones, best known for his multiple portrayals of Arthur Dent, protagonist of Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

Description

Where to Watch Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy Special Edition

Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy Special Edition is available for streaming on the BBC2 website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy Special Edition on demand at Amazon.