Voyagers! - The Complete Series
List Price:
Our Price: $17.67
You Save: $9.31 (35%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $13.85 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Jon-Erik Hexum, Meeno PeluceBrand: NBC Universal
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); English (Original Language)
Format: Box set, Color, Dolby, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC, Subtitled
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 972 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-07-17
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Universal Studios
Movie Reviews of Voyagers! - The Complete Series
Movie Review: Voyagers!: The Timeless Adventures of Phineas Bogg and Jeffrey Jones
Summary: 5 Stars
Just imagine a sci-fi fantasy television series geared towards children that would introduce them to extraordinary individuals and monumental events throughout world history. Yet, something is wrong - history isn't following its intended course, as, for instance, the Germans are winning World War I handily because they invented the airplane first (after the Wright Brothers had broken up in Dayton, OH, before completing their famous collaboration at Kitty Hawk, NC). Enter the Voyagers: time travelers crossing back and forth the space-time continuum righting historical inaccuracies and ensuring that history unfolds as truly intended.
In late 1982, Universal Studios and Scholastic Books produced this inventive, albeit short-lived Sunday night adventure featuring the late Jon-Erik Hexum as the swashbuckling, impetuous Phineas Bogg and Meeno Peluce as his young sidekick, Jeffrey Jones (a historical whiz). Thrown together by a freak accident at Jeffrey's home in 1982, Bogg, whose brash courage often overrides his lack of historical knowledge, must now rely on an 11-year old orphan to keep his job as a time-traveling Voyager (or "field worker," as Bogg initially describes himself). Utilizing his gold plated Omni (similar to a pocket watch), Bogg and Jeffrey would zip back and forth through time for 20 episodes typically correcting wrongs in two different time periods per episode.
Overall, this exuberant series still performs exceptionally well after nearly thirty years. Despite being a 25-year old rookie actor, Hexum gave an excellent performance as the heroic lead next to the scene-stealing Peluce(a TV veteran at his young age). Their on-screen chemistry, I think, remains the program's strongest asset, in addition to its adherence to generally accurate portrayals of major historical figures ranging from Thomas Edison to Cleopatra to Babe Ruth to Abraham Lincoln, among numerous others. For instance, how many television programs can coherently juggle infant Moses, the Wright Brothers, the Red Baron, and Hollywood actress Mary Pickford in its pilot episode alone? "Voyagers!" managed to do it for one season in an era in which children's programming was most uncommon for prime time television.
What I really believe endures about "Voyagers!" is the maturing father-son relationship Bogg and Jeffrey develop in several episodes, as Bogg (despite his dislike of children) begrudgingly accepts Jeffrey's wish for a surrogate father. Evidence of this poignant sub-plot is readily seen in the poignant Christmas episode entitled "Merry Christmas, Bogg," where Bogg tries to leave a disgruntled Jeffrey with his early 20th Century ancestors thinking the boy is ultimately better off with family than time-traveling without a home. Further evidence of their growing friendship appears in "The Trial of Phineas Bogg," as Bogg's superiors put him on trial for committing multiple offenses against the strict Voyager Code. As hints of Jeffrey's possible destiny are revealed, the episode (definitely, one of the series' best) would have worked quite well as the series finale. Instead, a sequel of sorts to this episode featuring Jack the Ripper (entitled "Jack's Back") is the final one, which originally aired in mid-1983.
For what it is worth, I highly recommend purchasing "Voyagers! The Complete Series" as a terrific means of introducing your young children to the (pardon the expression) timeless magic and wonders of history, let alone other fascinating books they may yet find at the local library.
It's an excellent investment for ages 8 and up.
Rating: 10/10.
P.S. You can also find for a low cost on Amazon.com the long out-of-print written adaptation by Joe Claro of the series' premiere episode. I certainly recommend it for second graders and up.
Summary of Voyagers! - The Complete Series
Journey back in time with all 20 episodes of Voyagers! The Complete Series. Join former pirate Phineas Bogg (Jon-Erik Hexum) and 12-year-old orphan Jeffrey Jones (Meeno Peluce) on their amazing, action-packed adventures through history, guided by the mysterious Omni device. From rescuing Cleopatra to saving the Founding Fathers and joining Robin Hood's merry men, these intrepid travelers do whatever it takes to make sure past events happen the way they're supposed to. Popping up throughout their adventures are such timeless guest stars as Ed Begley Jr., Miguel Sandoval, Shannen Doherty, Mako and more. Starring: Ed Begley, Jr., Gregory Itzen, Miguel Sandoval, Shannen Doherty, Mako, Jonathan Frakes, Dana Elcar