"Otherworld" (1985) TV series

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

26 January 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Sci-Fi

Plot:

Thrown into another dimension, a family must keep ahead of a tyrannical state's hunters while searching for a way home.

Plot Keywords:

Pyramid | Cult Favorite | Alternative Reality | Family Relationships | Fugitive

Cast

Sam Groom	...	Hal Sterling (8 episodes, 1985)
Gretchen Corbett	...	June Sterling (8 episodes, 1985)
Tony O'Dell	...	Trace Sterling (8 episodes, 1985)
Jonna Lee	...	Gina Sterling (8 episodes, 1985)
Jonathan Banks	...	Kommander Nuveen Kroll (8 episodes, 1985)
Roderick Taylor	...	Narrator (8 episodes, 1985)
Chris Hebert	...	Smith Sterling (6 episodes, 1985)
Wayne Alexander	...	Lieutenant (4 episodes, 1985)

(more)

Series Directed by
Thomas J. Wright		(2 episodes, 1985)

Series Writing credits
Roderick Taylor		(8 episodes, 1985)
Bruce A. Taylor		(7 episodes, 1985)
Coleman Luck		(3 episodes, 1985)

Series Produced by
Alan Barnette	....	associate producer (unknown episodes)
Alex Beaton	....	supervising producer (unknown episodes)
Lew Hunter	....	producer (unknown episodes)
Bruce A. Taylor	....	associate producer (unknown episodes)
Roderick Taylor	....	executive producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Sylvester Levay		(unknown episodes)
Jim Roberts		(unknown episodes)

Series Cinematography by
Bradford May		(unknown episodes)

Series Film Editing by
David Blum		(unknown episodes)
Diane Rothberg		(unknown episodes)

Series Casting by
Donald Paul Pemrick		(4 episodes, 1985)

Series Production Design by
Richard B. Lewis		(unknown episodes)

Series Art Direction by
Richard B. Lewis		(3 episodes, 1985)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Ed Milkovich	....	first assistant director (1 episode, 1985)
Gary M. Strangis	....	second assistant director (1 episode, 1985)

Series Art Department
Ed Keyes	....	property master: second unit (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Barney Cabral	....	adr editor (unknown episodes)

Series Special Effects by
Greg C. Jensen	....	special effects on set supervisor (unknown episodes)

Series Visual Effects by
Charles Gibson	....	visual effects (8 episodes, 1985)
Jim Michaels	....	visual effects producer (8 episodes, 1985)

Series Stunts
Sandra Lee Gimpel	....	stunt coordinator (unknown episodes)
David LeBell	....	stunt double (unknown episodes)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Gregory B. Peña	....	daily set costumer (unknown episodes)

Series Music Department
Sylvester Levay	....	composer: theme music (8 episodes, 1985)

Series Other crew
Philip DeGuere	....	creative consultant (unknown episodes)
Coleman Luck	....	executive story consultant (unknown episodes)
Thomas Wright	....	supervising consultant (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Universal TV

Distributors

• Americana Entertainment
• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)
• Studios USA Television

Runtime:

60 min (8 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Universal TV

Trivia:

There are five episodes of this series that have never been aired (13 were made, in total, but only eight were ever shown).

Quotes:

Man: I couldn't lie even if I wanted to.
Kommander Nuveen Kroll: Well, have you ever tried?
Man: No.
Kommander Nuveen Kroll: That, in itself, is a lie.

80's strangeness at its best.

Of all the shows to come and go during the 80's, Otherworld established itself as a series that needed better. Perhaps time and the powers that be could'nt save this show, but it definately had a storyline that could have really been spectacular. Filled with alternate universe strangeness, tinges of cultural mirroring and a 80's futuristic feel and look that permeates it right down to the pseudo Tangerine Dream soundwork of Sylvester Levay, the series progressivly reached highs and lows with some of its stories, however that was not totally unexpected. Audiences back then were not very tollerant of sci-fi programming like they are now, and the world created by Mr. Taylor was definately in need of more time and a better litmus test before it could fully become a hit. At last, it was not to be, but it still lives in the hearts and minds as one of the more interesting series to come about during the rocky road of sci-fi programming.

For those unfamiliar with the series, it was the on-going saga of the Sterling family who find themselves trapped in a alternate universe during a visit to Egypt during a planetary conjunction. The world they now wander has many provinces each with their own unique twist. Sarlax: with its population completely comprised of androids. Adore: where society is based upon female control or Metraplex: A society controlled the MacroElite with MicroWorkers being the underclass. Futuristic sights and sounds pervade this strange world as they seek the province of Imar and a way to get back to Earth but its not an easy task as every place they go has an unexpected danger, as well, hot on their heels is a commander in this worlds armed forces known as Zone Troopers who will stop at nothing to capture the Sterlings and restore his honor that they took from him.

The series is currently owned by SciFi/USA networks so it will undoubtedly show up from time to time on possibly both channels. If you are fortunate to catch it, view with an open mind and an unassuming heart and you might just be surprised.