THE BEGINNING | VHS Cuts | Blake's 7

The very first home video release of the popular BBC sci-fi drama Blake's 7 originally hit UK shops in September 1985. "The Beginning" presented the first four episodes of the first series as a heavily edited two-hour compilation. The video above examines the 1990 VHS re-release, exhaustively detailing all 74 cuts which account for approximately 40% of the original material. The three subsequent compilations - Duel, Orac and Aftermath - will be examined at a later date. Once I've had a lie down. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Intro 00:36 Episode 1: The Way Back 04:30 Episode 2: Space Fall 09:35 Episode 3: Cygnus Alpha 16:29 Episode 4: Time Squad 26:13 Outro TIMELINE: September 1985 - "The Beginning" is released on VHS (BBCV2000) and Betamax (BBCB2000) formats featuring cover art by Tony Geddes. October 1986 - The compilation appears on Laserdisc format exclusively in Japan, published by the Pony Canyon label. April 1990 - "The Beginning" is re-released on VHS (BBCV4236) with PG certification now included on the video sleeve. BBC Video would commit to releasing all 52 episodes of Blake's 7 (virtually) complete and unedited on VHS the following year. ********************* DISCLAIMER: The footage in this video is the copyright of the BBC and I do not claim ownership. Only limited clips have been used in accordance with fair dealing as allowed by UK law for the purposes of review, research and education. Blake's 7 is available to buy on DVD.