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Roddenberry tried to launch his series “Genesis II”
with this sequel TV movie using an idea for one of the proposed
episodes for the series if it had been sold (which, in turn,
was an idea for “Star Trek” that had been rejected).Dylan
Hunt (this time played by actor John Saxon) awakens from
a suspended animation experiment to discover a post-apocalyptic
world very different from the one he left behind. In this
sequel Hunt is a member of PAX the organization founded
by scientists to help reunite and bring enlightenment to
the rest of Earth. ***
While on a routine mission Hunt and his team including
Isaiah (Ted Cassidy)are captured by members of a matriarchal
society that have put men into slavery. Hunt and his team
must break free and liberate this society. ***
Featuring once again a terrific supporting cast including
Roddenberry favorite Diana Muldaur (“McCloud”, “Star Trek:
The Next Generation” among others) among others, the cast
and veteran “Star Trek” director Marc Daniels tried their
best to sell this to the viewing public but the show didn’t
do well losing to the other networks in terms of its ratings.
The script written by TV veteran Juanita Bartlett (“The
Rockford Files”) just didn’t gel. ***
Curiously, Saxon would appear in ANOTHER variation on
“Planet Earth” that appeared the following year. “Strange
New World” (often confused with “Planet Earth”) featured
Saxon as Captain Anthony Vico the commanding officer of
a team of scientists awaken from hibernation and return
to Earth to discover a post apocalyptic world very different
from the one they left behind (sound familiar?). ***
“Strange New World” had an even stronger cast including
James Olson (“The Andromeda Strain”), “Martine Beswick (“Dr.
Jekyll and Sister Hyde”), Keene Curtis (Bill Bixby’s cult
series “The Magician”), “The Dukes of Hazzard” star Catherine
Bach in a bit role, Gerrit Graham (“Phantom of the Paradise”,
“Dallas”). Written by Walon Green (“Law and Order: Criminal
Intent”, director of “The Hellstrom Chronicles”) and Ranald
Graham (“Shanks”) along with Al Ramrus (“The Island of Dr.
Moreau” 1977 remake) I’m surprised that this film hasn’t
been included in this set although Roddenberry had no direct
connection it’s clear that Warner tried to exploit the two
previous pilot TV films for this third attempt to sell the
same concept. Roddenberry probably should have sued. ---
Image & Sound:
As with “Genesis II” “Planet Earth” looks pretty decent
considering its age (it was shot in 1974). Colors have faded
a bit and while flesh tones aren’t perfect they look fairly
decent. The TV film hasn’t been restored. The film is surprisingly
decent looking with little in the way of dirt or debris.
***
Audio sounds fine. Presented with its original mono
soundtrack focusing on dialogue “Planet Earth” sounds fine
if a bit “flat” at times. ---
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