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  The American Experience: The Satellite Sky

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Author Topic:   The American Experience: The Satellite Sky
Blackarrow
Member

Posts: 3118
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 06-21-2009 02:35 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Blackarrow     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have previously asked about this fine documentary which was, I think, broadcast in 1990 as a one-hour documentary in an American TV series called "The American Experience."

I have often tried to find a good-quality copy to replace my poor-quality VHS recording (I only had 35 minutes of tape left and had to make do with a low-quality setting to fit it on the tape). I think it was broadcast in the UK on Channel 4 around 1992.

The film is a quirky, fascinating take on the early years of the "space race" and ends with the Apollo landings, but it was the start which always captivated me, with a spectacular failed Atlas launch giving way to scenes from several well-known 50's sci-fi films.

I recently searched on eBay, with no luck. Amazon have a series of episodes from "The American Experience" released on DVD, but guess which episode isn't on the list...

Does anyone know whether "The Satellite Sky" has been issued on DVD anywhere else, or if there might be any plans to release it? For the record, this is one of my all-time favourite space-related documentaries. If anyone has a good DVD copy I would be most grateful if you would let me know. Any space collection would be enhanced with a copy of this film.

mjanovec
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Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005

posted 06-21-2009 03:16 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mjanovec   Click Here to Email mjanovec     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It looks like you can buy the program on DVD here.

Edit - I followed my own link and it appears it's not one of the programs offered on DVD. It might have been offered on DVD at one point or another, so it's perhaps worth continued looking on eBay for a used copy. Otherwise, it might be worth asking someone at WGBH if the program can be specially ordered.

ejectr
Member

Posts: 1751
From: Killingly, CT
Registered: Mar 2002

posted 06-21-2009 06:04 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for ejectr   Click Here to Email ejectr     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have a VHS copy of "The Satellite Sky" but parts of it are not too crisp as I had to record it over rabbit ears at the time.

It is watchable, though.

E2M Lem Man
Member

Posts: 846
From: Los Angeles CA. USA
Registered: Jan 2005

posted 06-23-2009 01:50 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for E2M Lem Man   Click Here to Email E2M Lem Man     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The American Experience "The Rocket Pilots" and "Satellite Sky" were incredible watching experiences and we need to see them again!

This is 50 years since the rocket pilots took to the skies in 1959 on the X-15, and let us know where we can find them, please!

Colin Anderton
Member

Posts: 151
From: Great Britain
Registered: Jan 2005

posted 06-24-2009 05:28 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Colin Anderton   Click Here to Email Colin Anderton     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I recorded this in 1992 here in Britain - and I was using high-band (S-VHS) by that time. So my copy is absolutely top quality.

I've since put it to DVD - so let me know if you want a copy.

prototype
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posted 09-04-2009 08:09 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for prototype   Click Here to Email prototype     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
If you are interested, through searching the net I discovered that Robert Stone is selling a limited edition DVD for $30 (US) by check-only as he isn't set up for credit cards. Click on the "Contact" link. The Satellite Sky was digitally re-mastered and enhanced with new graphics and effects and a new original score. The work was completed by Robert Stone Productions in October 2007.

I ordered one and expect to receive it next week.

Blackarrow
Member

Posts: 3118
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 02-12-2011 11:16 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Blackarrow     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The good news is that I have now obtained a copy of "The Satellite Sky" on DVD direct from Robert Stone Productions. Payment can be made by Paypal. The documentary has been digitally remastered and is excellent quality.

Now the bad news: for reasons best known to himself, Mr. Stone has tinkered with some of the early scenes and has replaced the original music with a new musical score. Bad move. One of the features of this documentary which immediately hooked me was the soundtrack, particularly the sinister drum-beats at the beginning and the dreamy, laid-back Hawaiian music which accompanies the failed Atlas launch (sounds like an odd mix, but it worked, and I very much miss it on the new version).

So, two cheers for Robert Stone, but why mess with the original soundtrack? If Mr Stone sees this, it would be great to see his comments.

ea757grrl
Member

Posts: 729
From: South Carolina
Registered: Jul 2006

posted 02-12-2011 11:16 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for ea757grrl   Click Here to Email ea757grrl     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It's probably due to rights and clearances issues; either unable to secure the rights to use it in the home video version, or the copyright holders wanted too much to clear it. The music over the failed Atlas launch was a 1959 song called "Sleep Walk" by Santo and Johnny, for instance, and that would have to be cleared before home video release. (Ask any fan of "WKRP in Cincinnati" about the heartbreak that can lead to.)

I'm sad to read that. The music was one of many things about that film that worked so well.

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