Search - TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection: Science Fiction (2001 A Space Odyssey / Soylent Green / Forbidden Planet / The Time Machine 1960) on DVD

Wonderful Collection Presented in Widescreen

Derek Dean | Monterey, CA | 09/09/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was a bit hesitant to buy this collection because it was listed as having an aspect ratio of 1.33:1. However, it was also listed as being Widescreen..... so I took a chance and ordered it.

When it arrived I was happy to find that all 4 movies are presented in what appears to be their original theatrical widescreen aspect ratios, although the actual numbers aren't listed on the DVDs or the box.

What it does say on the back of the box is that both The Time Machine and 2001 are presented in the widescreen format preserving the original theatrical aspect ratio..... enhanced for widescreen TVs.

The transfers look clean and the audio is crystal clear (listed as Dolby 5.1). As has been noted these are pretty much bare bones presentations, but you get 4 excellent movies on 2 double sided DVDs for a good price. Works for me."

Terrific collection , what do you have to lose ?

B. Lafave | lakeland , fl | 11/10/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"as noted elsewhere , these films are presented in their proper aspect ratios and are all fun classics . with todays' heavy reliance on CGI in sci-fi filmaking , these films are more than desirable , they're essential . all films have english subtitles ."

WARNER sci-fi quad-pack

Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 05/16/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Warner's TCM GREATEST CLASSIC FILMS COLLECTION is a series of over two dozen twin packs. The four titles in each set are dubbed one per side on two flip discs. Only some movies include bonus features. Transfer quality of these well-preserved ever-popular films is top-notch.

The four in this pack are any Boomer's delight, from our childhood friend Robbie the Robot ("Forbidden Planet"), to a primetime NBC-TV fave ("Time Machine"), to trippy late 60s Drive-In movie fare ("2001"), to a more sobering experience ("Soylent Green"). For any who missed these in first run, they remain prime examples of superior vintage science fiction-- deftly combining fine casts, nicely-crafted scripts, skilled cinematography and quirky (by today's standards) yet often engaging special effects.


SYNOPSES--

FORBIDDEN PLANET
An Earth colony on a planet 17 light years from home is nearly wiped out, so an expedition is sent to investigate. Curiously, the only two survivors don't seem to want any help from Commander Abrams and his men, but Abrahms won't leave until he gets some answers.

SOYLENT GREEN
In the (now not too) distant future, an overpopulated Earth broils from the greenhouse effect. Many plants and animals are extinct, so the hungry billions are nourished with color-coded foodstuffs from the Soylent company. There's yellow and red, but their very best is Soylent Green. When the company's president is murdered, a detective's investigation uncovers a horrible secret.

TIME MACHINE
Directed by pioneer special effects wizard George Pal, this adaptation makes author H.G. Wells the main character. After watching the rapid forward passage of time via changing fashions in a nearby ladies dress shop window, Wells rides his machine to a distant future where society is divided into meek surface dwellers and underground cannibals who prey on them.

2001
Episodic, gently paced story encompasses the cosmically assisted rise of humankind from hairy cave dweller to space-traveling modern man to our ultimate pre-planned destiny. Along the way we thrice encounter a mysterious ebony-hued monolith, experience artificial gravity, grapple with a powerful cyber-mechanism gone haywire and watch a man in his prime age, die and undergo embyronic transformation (perhaps into a higher life form?).


Also recommended:
Warner's TCM HORROR set includes "Freaks" (1932), "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (1941), "House of Wax" (1953) and "The Haunting" (1963).


Parenthetical numbers preceding titles are 1 to 10 viewer poll ratings found at a film resource website.

(7.8) Forbidden Planet (1956) - Walter Pidgeon/Anne Francis/Leslie Nielsen/Warren Stevens/Jack Kelly/Richard Anderson/James Drury

(7.0) Soylent Green (1973) - Charlton Heston/Leigh Taylor-Young/Chuck Connors/Joseph Cotten/Brock Peters/Edward G. Robinson/Dick Van Patten

(7.6) The Time Machine (1960) - Rod Taylor/Alan Young/Yvette Mimieux/Sebastian Cabot/Whit Bissell

(8.4) 2001: A Space Odyssey (UK/USA-1968) - Keir Dullea/Gary Lockwood/William Sylvester/Douglas Rain"

Sci-fi classics

Cynthia A. Staggs | 11/14/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Received the item on time and was happy to see the quality of the DVD's. There are 2 DVDs with 2 movies each. Read side A as side B has no titles. I thought I would get 4 DVDs but after reading side A I was happy to be able to save storage space by having them this way. I am very happy with the movies and service! It is wonderful being able to buy my favorites like this and have ordered more classics as well. If you like older movies and want to get good quality and save money then these are the packages for you!"