We know that news of the DVD box sets has been eagerly awaited. BBC
Worldwide kindly allowed a special preview of selected highlights of
the DVD extras to the lucky attendees of the Destiny convention, held
over Easter 2003. However, despite the regularly changing projected
release dates, BBC Worldwide have still not set an official release
date for the Season 1 Box Set. At the moment, the projected date is
the end of September but this is looking unlikely too, and it's
more likely that the release will not be until at least the end of
October. However, the authoring house – The Dysfunction Group
– have been working hard and it is no exaggeration to say that
when these DVDs finally see the light of day they will have been well
worth the wait with stunning graphics and menu design, combined with
the delight of seeing the show again in all its remastered glory.

The extra features will be centred around a 4 part documentary, The
Making of Blake's 7, directed by Kevin Davies (well known for 30
Years in the TARDIS and his work on the TV series & DVDs of The Hitch-
Hikers Guide to the Galaxy.) Consultants on the project are Andrew
Pixley and Rob Emery. The DVD documentary will contain interviews and
features recorded at that time alongside new material. Some of the
cast & crew originally interviewed who will feature in this new
documentary were Jacqueline Pearce, Jan Chappell, Stephen Greif,
Brian Croucher, Peter Tuddenham, David Maloney, Vere Lorrimer, Chris
Boucher and Mat Irvine. Many of the cast and crew have already been
interviewed - Gareth Thomas, Sally Knyvette, Michael Keating, Jan
Chappell, Steven Pacey, David Jackson, Pennant Roberts, Roger Murray-
Leach, AJ 'Mitch' Mitchel, June Hudson, Sheelagh Wells and Stuart
Fell. Commentaries on the episodes have also been recorded with
Jacqueline Pearce, Sally Knyvette, Michael Keating, Jan Chappell,
Stephen Greif, Brian Croucher, David Maloney and Chris Boucher, with
more recordings planned. Although it isn't yet certain what other
extra features will make it onto the DVDs, it is hoped that they may
include some of the Blake's 7 items which featured in other shows,
such as 'Swap Shop' and 'Blue Peter' (how to make teleport bracelets
out of sticky-back plastic & drinks bottles!) as well as excerpts
from the famous 'Blooper Tape' edited by Sheila Tomlinson, and
previously unseen out-takes and scenes that ended up on the cutting
room floor.

The RRP of the Season 1 DVDs is listed as £49.99. Various online
shops have given prices below this but it is Horizon's intention to
offer at least as good a deal as the cheapest of these (ie. at least
£10 less than the RRP and hopefully more), with signed copies
available to anyone ordering in advance from the club. However, until
the 'projected dates' are actually confirmed by BBC Worldwide, it
isn't necessary to pre-order and pay this far in advance as if the
release date is delayed further, your money may be tied up
unnecessarily. However, it would be helpful for us to know how many
of you ARE planning to buy the Season 1 DVDs, so please send an email
to dvds@... as soon as possible, so we can gauge the
interest.

We've been told that the initial release via BBC Worldwide is for
Region 2 and Region 4 (ie. UK, Europe, Australasia) We've been asked
if the 'Making of Blake's 7' documentary and other special features
will be available in a Region 1 format. At this time, our
understanding is that all extra value content is being produced with
the international market in mind, however the final elements still
need to be cleared for international sales, which can only be done
once the exact content is known.

So, start saving up your credits - the DVDs are going to be
brilliant - and once there's more definite news, we'll let you know.
And in the meantime...

VIDEO NEWS: To coincide with the 25th Anniversary year, Fabulous
Films are re-releasing the VHS tapes with the new 25th Anniversary
DVD packaging. The tapes will hold 4 RE-MASTERED episodes each. They
are planning on releasing the first at the end of September, then one
each month at a RRP of £12.99.

Fabulous Films are also producing four VERY limited edition boxed
sets – only 1,000 of each set (although they will not be
numbered.) These will be released every 2 months. The box is hard
card with dividers and will take 4 cassettes though they won't
have amaray covers. The packaging is looking great though! RRP on
these is likely to be around £39.99.

Anyone interested in buying these special Box Sets should email
videos@... or send an SAE to Diane Gies, 37 Linton Avenue,
BOREHAMWOOD, Hertfordshire, WD6 4RB [please note new address].