Reviewed By: Jason LockardThe Man From Atlantis was first a series of TV movies, four to be exact! We reviewed the first one here on Blu-ray from the good folks at Warner Archive! The ratings success of these four movies lead NBC to green-light a TV series to further the adventures.
Patrick Duffy continues his role as an amnesiac man given the name of Mark Harris, believed to be the only surviving citizen of the lost civilization of Atlantis. He possesses exceptional abilities, including the ability to breathe underwater and withstand extreme depth pressures, and superhuman strength.
Following his discovery, he is recruited by the Foundation for Oceanic Research, a governmental agency that conducts top secret research and explores the depths of the ocean in a sophisticated submarine called the Cetacean.
After the success of the TV movies you would have thought the series would have been a rating success. But sadly the series would last one season and have only 13 episodes. Let's take a look at those episodes.
Our Rating System
**** = Don't Miss it!
***= Worth a look.
**= An OK way to spend an evening.
*=You haven't missed anything
Disc One:
1. Melt Down: Schubert threatens to cause worldwide flooding by using powerful microwaves to melt Earth's polar ice caps. ***
2. The Mudworm: When a multimillion-dollar underwater probe malfunctions and begins attacking any ship near it, Mark tries to convince it's highly advanced brain to stop. ***
3. The Hawk of Mu: A centuries-old hawk statue from the legendary civilization of Mu, when used properly, can remove the power from a large area. Schubert wants to use the power of the hawk statue and Mark must prevent him. **
Disc Two:
4. Giant: The oceans are leaking through a fissure in the ocean floor. A con-man named Muldoon agrees to guide Mark through the fissure to investigate. However, Mark is unaware either that giants inhabit the other side of the fissure or that Muldoon has already stolen gold from one of them. ***
5. Man O' War: Using his genetic scientists, Schubert produces a giant jellyfish which he intends to release unless his extortion demands are met. ***
6. Shoot-Out At Land's End: Mark is linked with a man named Billy, existing in a wild west town. Billy once had the same webbing as Mark, but also that he has had it removed. ***
7. Crystal Water, Sudden Death: Schubert attempts to make a satellite weapon to knock out Earth's communications. But he needs the energy crystals protected by a force field under the ocean. The force field protects an underwater city. **
Disc Three:
8. The Naked Montague: An underwater landslide transports Mark to Verona, Italy...in the days of Romeo and Juliet. ***
9. C. W. Hyde: C. W. develops a Jekyll-and-Hyde personality after swallowing a mysterious liquid. ***
10. Scavenger Hunt: Muldoon, Mark's nemesis from the episode "Giant," is back! He is using a sea monster to make island natives sacrifice young girls to him. **
11. Imp. An impish little man enters an underwater station and causes the crew to become irrational simply by touching them. **
Disc Four:
12. Siren: While investigating the mysterious loss of three ships in one part of the ocean, Mark and the crew of the Cetacean encounter a submarine operated by a modern-day pirate. ***
13. Deadly Carnival: Mark goes undercover to investigate members of a carnival planning to break into a museum. The only way to break into the museum is through an underwater tunnel, through which only Mark can swim. ***
This is an action packed little series! Maybe some of the tone that was set in the original was lost when it was brought to series! But personally I loved the TV movie and the series as well! I felt the acting and the writing was very well done! And the set design was so retro! Of course when this series was produced it wasn't retro! But it has that retro feel now!
As for the guest stars WOW! They included Victor Buono, returns in several episodes as the villainous Mr. Schubert; Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (basketball legend); Pernell Roberts (Bonanza); Rene Auberjonois (Benson) and Pat Morita (The Karate Kid).
The episodes found in this DVD set are are presented in their original full screen format and in Dolby digital mono audio. There are a couple of spots in the picture here and there but nothing that should take away from the enjoyment. I think it looks very good for an almost 41 year old show as of it's last airing.
As for the packaging the all four DVDs are made on demand and are housed in a very sturdy hard shell flipper case. Each disc has it's own hub. Not stacking, so no fears of scratching of the disc will be an issue with this release!
For fans of Patrick Duffy, Sci-Fi, or Classic / forgotten TV this is a really nice release filled with great stories and amazing acting. It is a must add for the fans collection. Head over to Amazon and pick up your copy today.
Audiences: Families
Objectionable Material: Mild violence, Action, peril
Length: 632 minutes
Genre: Drama
DVD Value Rating: A
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