Babylon 5: In the Beginning (TV 1998)

Emperor Londo Mollari tells the story of the Earth-Minbari war that almost destroyed Humanity and later inspired its last best hope for peace.

Director:

Michael Vejar

Writers:

J. Michael Straczynski (creator), J. Michael Straczynski

Stars:

Bruce Boxleitner, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bruce Boxleitner	...	John J. Sheridan
Mira Furlan	...	Delenn
Richard Biggs	...	Stephen Franklin, M.D.
Andreas Katsulas	...	G'Kar
Peter Jurasik	...	Londo Mollari
Theodore Bikel	...	Lenonn
Reiner Schöne	...	Dukhat (as Reiner Schone)
Michael O'Hare	...	Lt. Cmdr. Jeffrey Sinclair (archive footage)
Robin Atkin Downes	...	Morann
J. Patrick McCormack	...	General Lefcourt
Tricia O'Neil	...	Earth Alliance President
Robin Sachs	...	Coplann
James Patrick Stuart	...	Presidential Aide
Jason Ross-Azikiwe	...	Captain Sterns (as Jason Azikiwe)
Yasemin Baytok	...	Centauri Woman

Storyline

The Earth military encounters an alien race called the Minbari. Through a series of accidents and misunderstandings, a war breaks out that nearly results in the death of every human on Earth. The war and its aftermath provide the background for the TV series "Babylon 5," especially its first season.

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Plot Keywords:

alien | future | sequel | 23rd century | alien invasion | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros.

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 January 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Babylon 5: Last of the Fallen

Company Credits

Production Co:

Babylonian Productions, Turner Network Television (TNT)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The backstory on the Centauri woman is that her name is Senna. She is Emperor Mollari's ward. Her father was Lord Refa, whom Mollari had killed.

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Goofs

During the "ambush" scene, a Star Fury and a Dreadnaught suddenly disappear as the jump point opens on a heavy cruiser

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Quotes

[first lines]
Delenn: It is said that in every age, there is one singular event that forever changes the world around us. A nexus, if you will.
G'Kar: It is said that the future is always born in pain. The history of war is the history of pain. If we are wise what is born of that pain matures into the promise of a better world. Because we learn that we can no longer afford the mistakes of the past.

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Connections

Featured in Troldspejlet: Episode #22.5 (1999)

User Reviews

Essential viewing for fans of the TV series, but still enjoyable for those who haven't seen Babylon 5 before.

All stories have a beginning. The five year TV tale of Babylon 5 did not however begin with the first episode. This story told in semi-autobiographical form by one of the TV series' main characters sets the scene for what would become the TV series storyline. Babylon 5 has consistently shown what can be done in the science-fiction area with intelligent writing, a good cast, and a decent budget for special effects. This is no exception, the acting is its usual standard - with particular mention to Peter Jurasik, always excellent entertainment in the form of Londo Mollari. The effects are of the same standard as the TV series, still the benchmark of computer animation for the small screen.

Most of the principals of the TV series are there - although some are reduced to almost cameos. The plot line is somewhat disjointed, but that's offset by the way it is told by Jurasik's Londo Mollari. The individual scenes are just long enough in most cases to carry the plot and allow the actors scope, while still making sure that those who watched the series find out the pasts of all the characters, although Garibaldi is conspicous by his absense.

For those who want a rollicking good tale of heroism, triumph, tragedy, humour and big explosions, then this is a movie for you.