Babylon 5: The Lost Tales - Voices in the Dark (2007) (V)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Directors:

J. Michael Straczynski
Sara Barnes

Writers:

J. Michael Straczynski (creator)
J. Michael Straczynski (written by)

Release Date:

31 July 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Sci-Fi

Plot:

It's the tenth anniversary of the Interstellar Alliance, and President Sheridan is on his way to Babylon 5 for the celebration. |

Plot Keywords:

Cult Favorite | Babylon Babylonia | Number In Title

Cast

Bruce Boxleitner	...	John Sheridan
Tracy Scoggins	...	Colonel Elizabeth Lochley
Peter Woodward	...	Galen
Alan Scarfe	...	Father Cassidy
Bruce Ramsay	...	Simon Burke
Teryl Rothery	...	ISN reporter Ms. Chambers
Keegan MacIntosh	...	Prince Regent Dius Vintari
Craig Veroni	...	Guard
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Richard Biggs	...	Stephen Franklin (archive footage)
Peter Jurasik	...	Londo Mollari (archive footage)
Andreas Katsulas	...	G'Kar (archive footage)

Also Known As:

Babylon 5: The Lost Tales (USA) (short title)

Runtime:

USA:75 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Finland:K-11 | Ireland:12 | UK:12 | Germany:12 | USA:Not Rated | Australia:PG | Singapore:PG | Netherlands:6

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Lost Tales Films

Trivia:

When Sheridan's ship drops out of quantumspace to pick up Prince Vintari, the nebula visible in the background appears identical to, and is probably intended to be, the Ring Nebula, which is visible from Earth in the constellation Lyra. Technically, the vivid colors, which are taken from widely available images of the nebula, are false-color renderings designed to differentiate the different elements in the nebula, and the nebula is not actually bright blue and orange to the naked eye as it is in this scene.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Colonel Lochley is talking about Simon Burke she says he is a part of security. Later, the computer lists him as being a part of maintenance.

Quotes:

[first lines]
G'Kar: [voiceover] I believe that when we leave a place, part of it goes with us, and part of us remains. Go anywhere in the station when it is quiet and just listen. After a while, you will hear the echoes of all our conversations, every thought and word we've exchanged. Long after we have gone, our voices will linger in these walls.
Simon Burke: Get out of my head. No!

Movie Connections:

Follows Babylon 5: Thirdspace (1998) (TV)

Minimalist, but provoking

The new Babylon 5 'movie' was long publicised as separate but related episodes, so I knew what I was getting in for. I had little idea of what to expect of the story lines, and was pleasantly surprised to hear that Straczynski had included his trademark discussion of religious possibilities and ethical dilemmas. His understanding of spiritual matters is incredibly deep for a professed agnostic with atheist tendencies. Moreover, his dissection of moral possibilities leaves one thinking long after viewing. With revised CGI and full use of digital backgrounds, the presentation is generally quite impressive, although it is obviously still a developing area. The script writing, like the sets design, is generally minimalist - partly through cost restriction, but also well placed in the storyline (many scenes put me in mind of Intersections in Real Time). The Lost Tales was not disappointing, and makes for quality viewing. Although more could definitely have been achieved with more budgetary and casting freedom, but Straczynski has made an enjoyable time's viewing. The stories do not contribute largely to the expansion of the B5 universe, but do give tantalising hints of the post-series state of the universe.