Monday, December  9, 2024
You are here: Isle of Man > Information > Economy > Manx Films
Space Island One

Film Stats Locations Reviews
Reviews
Set in the "near future", this series looked at the lives of seven people cooped up together in a space station as they tried to deal with personal issues, challanges that came in from space as well as up from Earth and a money hungry corporation that just happened to be in charge of their lives.
"Space Island One" (known as "Raumstation Unity" in Germany) was produced as a cooperation between British and German production companies and featured a mix of British, German and Canadian actors playing the international crew of Space Station Unity. The show looked at such concepts as the first child born in space, rogue satellites, the problems with corporations controlling scientific advancement and the dangers of getting involved with your workmates when you are stuck in space with them for months on end.
The show had its moments, but was uneaven in places. Many ideas were good and the set was reasonably believable as a piece of technology set in a time when artificial gravity was possible but people still had to operate most things by hand, but the writing would often ask the characters to change their personality from show to show, or act in an immature manner for no apparent reason. One episode would be really striking and present an idea equal to the better episodes of Blakes Seven or Dr Who, while another would be poorly realised and leave you confused or unsatisfied. It was never entirely clear whether the show was aimed at young viewers or a more general audience, and I think this lack of a definite target audience also hindered the story-telling process.
A similar programme has been produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, with a younger cast and a better realised target audience. "Silversun" (2004) is also set in the near future and also deals with a small group of people working together in space and the problems that can arise from their relationships, but it has squarely set its eyes on an audience in its early teens and has so far worked to ensure the characters stay consistent. If "Space Island One" had managed to do this, it may have lasted a few more seasons.
Many thanks to Sharon for this detailed submission.



Submit Your Review

If you have seen this film and wish to write a review of it, please make use of the form below.

When entering your name, please be aware that it will appear on this page along with your posted review, so you should only use a name or a nickname that you would be happy to have displayed.

Your e-mail address will never be publicly displayed; we only require this so we are able to track who is sending reviews to us.

Please note that all reviews will be checked by an administrator prior to appearing on this page.

NAME :
E-MAIL :
FILM REVIEW :

Other Guides by Maxima Systems Ltd: Disney World