Search - Steven Spielberg Presents Taken on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Movie Release: 2002 DVD Release: 10/21/2003 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned Edition: Dual Layered,Television Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English, French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 6 Number of Discs: 6 Run Time: 14 hrs 45 mins Studio: DreamWorks Members Wishing: 30 Genres: Science Fiction, Melodrama, Alien Film, Psychological Sci-Fi

Executive-produced by Steven Spielberg, the ten-episode, 20-hour miniseries Taken was one of the most ambitious projects undertaken by cable TV's Sci-Fi Network, ultimately costing 40 million dollars -- a price that proved well worth it, inasmuch as the series posted the network's highest-ever ratings. Covering a period from 1947 to the present, the story focused on three different families, each of whom was profoundly affected by extraterrestrial visitation. The Keys family was headed by WWII bomber pilot Russell Keys (Steve Burton), who spent virtually his entire adult life haunted by his "close encounter" with aliens. The Clarkes were originally represented by lonely Texas waitress Sally Clarke (Catherine Dent), who was impregnated by a charming stranger (Eric Close) who turned out to be an alien survivor of the Roswell crash. And the lives of the Crawfords were dictated by ruthless Army officer Owen Crawford (Joel Gretsch), who was determined to prove that the government had covered up the truth about Roswell by dedicating his life to tracking down all space aliens and their half-human descendants. The story was narrated by Allie Keys (Dakota Fanning), a "hybrid" child of the present day, whose story determined the outcome of the final episodes. Boasting impressive computer-generated special effects and eye-popping facial makeup, Taken was seen over a two-week period, beginning December 2, 2002, and ending on December 13. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Dakota Fanning - Allie Keys
Alonso Oyarzun - Keel
Julie Benz - Kate Keys
Steve Burton - Russell Keys
Julie Ann Emery - Amelia Keys

Produced by Steven Spielberg, the Sci-Fi Channel epic miniseries Taken comes to DVD from DreamWorks Video. This six-disc boxed set contains all 20 hours of the series, originally aired in ten parts in December of 2002. Each episode is presented with a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the intended aspect ratio. The Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround soundtrack comes in English and French. Subtitles are available in English, French, and Spanish. Special features start off with production interviews with the cast and the directors. The featurettes include "Inside Taken," "The Cast of Taken," A New Reality: The Visual Effects Team," and "Time Warp." This is an excellent DVD presentation of an ambitious television miniseries. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide