Unlike the recent Movie, this mini-series is mostly good, and does an excellent job of capturing the quirky spirit of the radio original.Probably the biggest reason why this adaptation works well is that the marvelous dialogue of the radio version has not been messed up. There are changes (as there have been in every medium the guide has been adapted into), but unlike the film version, the best and most memorable parts haven't been tampered with – See the memorable quotes section for examples of this. The biggest difference between this version and the film may be that Douglas Adams was directly involved with the production of the Television version, but sadly was not around to oversee the film version, for which the loss is evident.The special effects aren't great (think Doctor Who, circa 1980), but the performances are enough fun that it doesn't matter all that much. Many of the cast members are the originals from the radio series, and even those that aren't originals mostly do a good job with their characters. The one exception is Sandra Dickinson, who just isn't convincing as Trillian – She's supposed to a very bright astrophysicist, but comes across as a bimbo/airhead. Still, the rest of the casting is excellent, so this one lapse can be forgiven.The best part of the whole series is the visuals for the actual Guide. These are extraordinarily detailed animations, buttressing Peter Jones' voice-over from the radio original with lots of extra visual jokes and humor. One of the best parts about being able to watch this on DVD is the ability to freeze-frame some of the more interesting bits to be able to better appreciate all of the funny stuff contained within. These visuals were actually accomplished using a painstaking manual animation technique to simulate the computer displays, as 1980-era computers just weren't up to the job of doing things like this. Ironically, the simulated computer animations are a lot funnier than the actual computer animations (with 25 years worth of improved technology) in the film version.In sum, given the choice between this and the film version, I would take this any time. The DVD version also includes lots of extra material – production notes, making-of documentaries, and a tribute to the late Douglas Adams.

As a series of TV episodes, Hitchhikers Guide is close to unwatchable. The laughably elementary special effects take away from the book--in which everything is left to your imagination--and from the original radio programs (if you're lucky enough to have heard them) which left ALMOST everything to your imagination. Three of us watched this DVD together. One fell asleep. One quit after a bit. The third stayed awake but didn't like it much either. Among the problems with watching it on a TV screen is the fact that the sections dealing with the content of the Hitchhikers Guide itself are spelled out in text that is extremely difficult to read, detracting from one of the funniest parts of the book. Only the opening episode leading up to the eradication of the earth for an interstellar bypass is at all funny. The remainder of the episodes on the DVD are progressively boring and repetitious. If the original radio series is available anywhere at all, find that instead of watching this.

This is great... I'ts a bit low budget. But thats great!... I don't know if like the old ford best or the new one... They're both great. The only reason i didn't give this series full stars, is that the last episode made me a little sad... however, this peace is very old and actually follows the book very good. I love old movie styles! they don't use as much computer as now. Zaphod Beeblebrox's 2nd head is very very poor made... He is a genetic engineering between a man and a puppet! but i think it gives you some kind of nostalgic comfort. a lot of the old movies use puppets... and i intend to get them all!! I really liked this series and I think Ill go watching it again now...

The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1981) was a mini-series adaptation of Douglas Adams' first three novels. I saw this B.B.C. mini-series on videotape about ten years ago. I was pleased with the show. Despite a small budget, the actors and the writing was enough to make this one a winner. It was cheesy enough to please me and the film makers captured the atmosphere of the novels. Too bad they never made a follow up to the series like the novels in the series. I was a little leery about watching this but after seeing the first episode I was fairly impressed.If you enjoyed the books then by all means watch this near perfect adaptation of Douglas Adams' Hitch Hiker's Guide series. The creator has a cameo appearance in the beginning. David Prowse (Darth Vader) has a guest spot as an enormous bar bouncer. Shot on video and 16 mm film. The ending is unforgettable.Highly recommended.