DVD Region 1: pub: Daniel R. Christopher Productions. 67 minute film. Price: $ 15.95 + $3.00 (p&p world wide) (US).

check out website: www.sagaofacrew.com

With my previous reviewer happy to put his neck on his mousetrap than compare the version he reviewed of 'Saga A Crew' to a special edition where the sound is supposed to have been improved, it's time for me to step in and see if I can survive the experience.

Even producer/director Dan Christopher admits this mixture of 80s film footage and more recent video footage to fill the gaps on a low budget was more an incentive to get it out rather than let it languish in his basement. Whether that's a good sign or not is debatable. I'm sure there must be someone spinning badges out saying, 'I survived Saga Of A Crew' out there.



If this was a written story, I would say too much padding, weak plot, wooden dialogue and an inappropriate title. The same applies to the film which as far as I can work out deals with a trip from a star fleet to a planet, a little fighting and stranding and back again. One of these crew gets off on eating a tomato even if such vulgarity is shown on screen.

Interestingly, some of the special effects with the spacecraft flying is on par with 70s film 'Starcrash' although spoilt with one brief scene has two of the crew turned into plastic soldiers when falling out of a spaceship. The spaceship lander isn't actually that bad looking although the later versions show wear and tear and its paper-like origins and probably later footage.

One use I can see this film being used for is at conventions in the early morning hours, turning the sound down and letting members of the audience supply the dialogue although you would need to watch it once first of all just so you could remember the order of events. Then again, adding some musical numbers like the film within a film in 'Singin' In The Rain' might also be considered an option or would that make the film too interactive?

For those taking the route of making your own film, learn the lessons well. Have a decent plot, decide upon or change the title later (didn't hurt 'Blue Harvest' after all) and work on the dialogue both in writing and how it is said. Don't take it too seriously. At least that way then production and viewers are in sympathy with each other. Anything else can actually be forgiven. With solid state recording possible today, the cost of film stock in no longer a problem so you can learn from this film.

GF Willmetts