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IMDbPro

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

  • TV Series
  • 19811981
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 2h 32m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
11K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,037
359
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1981)
Arthur Dent and his friend Ford Prefect escape the destruction of Earth only to face incredible trials, tribulations and adventures in space and time.
Play trailer1:28
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Adventure
  • Comedy
  • Sci-Fi
Arthur Dent and his friend Ford Prefect escape the destruction of Earth only to face incredible trials, tribulations and adventures in space and time.Arthur Dent and his friend Ford Prefect escape the destruction of Earth only to face incredible trials, tribulations and adventures in space and time.Arthur Dent and his friend Ford Prefect escape the destruction of Earth only to face incredible trials, tribulations and adventures in space and time.
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
11K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,037
359
  • Stars
    • Simon Jones
    • David Dixon
    • Peter Jones
Top credits
  • Stars
    • Simon Jones
    • David Dixon
    • Peter Jones
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 85User reviews
    • 17Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 3 BAFTA Awards
      • 5 wins total

    Episodes6

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated
    1 Season
    1981

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:28
    Trailer

    Photos118

    Simon Jones and Joe Melia in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1981)
    Simon Jones and Richard Vernon in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1981)
    David Dixon and Mark Wing-Davey in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1981)
    David Dixon and Simon Jones in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1981)
    Sandra Dickinson, David Dixon, Simon Jones, and Mark Wing-Davey in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1981)
    Sandra Dickinson, David Dixon, Simon Jones, Jack May, and Mark Wing-Davey in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1981)
    The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1981)
    David Dixon and Simon Jones in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1981)
    The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1981)
    The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1981)
    The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1981)
    The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1981)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Simon Jones
    Simon Jones
    • Arthur Dent
    6 episodes6 eps • 1981
    David Dixon
    • Ford Prefect
    6 episodes6 eps • 1981
    Peter Jones
    Peter Jones
    • The Book
    6 episodes6 eps • 1981
    Sandra Dickinson
    Sandra Dickinson
    • Trillian
    5 episodes5 eps • 1981
    Mark Wing-Davey
    Mark Wing-Davey
    • Zaphod Beeblebrox
    5 episodes5 eps • 1981
    Stephen Moore
    Stephen Moore
    • Marvin…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1981
    David Learner
    • Marvin
    4 episodes4 eps • 1981
    David Tate
    • Eddie…
    3 episodes3 eps • 1981
    Martin Benson
    Martin Benson
    • Vogon Captain
    2 episodes2 eps • 1981
    Richard Vernon
    Richard Vernon
    • Slartibartfast
    2 episodes2 eps • 1981
    Rayner Bourton
    Rayner Bourton
    • Newscaster
    2 episodes2 eps • 1981
    Joe Melia
    Joe Melia
    • Mr. Prosser
    1 episode1 ep • 1981
    Jack May
    Jack May
    • Garkbit (Head Waiter)
    1 episode1 ep • 1981
    Steve Conway
    • Barman
    1 episode1 ep • 1981
    Aubrey Morris
    Aubrey Morris
    • Captain
    1 episode1 ep • 1981
    Colin Jeavons
    Colin Jeavons
    • Max Quordlepleen
    1 episode1 ep • 1981
    Antony Carrick
    Antony Carrick
    • Lunkwill
    1 episode1 ep • 1981
    Cleo Rocos
    • Alien
    1 episode1 ep • 1981
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The wardrobe crew were shocked to discover, halfway through filming, that only one dressing robe had been purchased for Arthur, and the line had been discontinued by the manufacturer. The cast & crew were then ordered to be particularly gentle with the robe for the remainder of production. Towards the end of the series, it was rumored that a second series would be made, and when shooting wrapped the robe was locked away to preserve it in case it would be needed again.
    • Goofs
      The person operating Zaphod's third arm can be seen on multiple occasions.
    • Quotes

      Arthur Dent: You know, I've always had this feeling there was some greater purpose.

      Slartibartfast: No, that's just ordinary paranoia. Everybody in the Universe has that.

      Arthur Dent: Well if everyone has it, then perhaps it means something...

    • Crazy credits
      Animator Kevin Davies, credited from episodes four to six, receives a different, humorous title each time. The job titles are: Mouse Trainer, Milliways Catering and Bath Superintendent.
    • Alternate versions
      At the time of filming, BBC policy was that all comedy shows should have a laugh track. The first two episodes were played to an audience of 100 people to record the laugh track, but it was never broadcast in this form.
    • Connections
      Featured in Did You See..?: Episode #1.9 (1981)
    • Soundtracks
      Journey of the Sorcerer
      (title music)

      Written by Bernie Leadon

      Arranged by Tim Souster

    User reviews85

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Don't Panic, it's really quite good
    In this 6-part Mini based on the Douglas Adam's radio scripts, Ford Perfect (David Dixon) saves his friend Arthur Dent (Simon Jones, whom made not one, but two of the best mini's of the '80's, this and Brideshead Revisted, both in 1981 mind you. I'm inclined to think that Simon got a hold of the Infinite Improbability Drive) from the annihilation of Earth to pave the way for an intergalactic hyperspatial express route . Ford, unbeknowst to Arthur is an alien and whisks him away on a comical adventure that includes, but not limited to, everything. The humor is delightfully British,most of the characters dead-on (a given, since a lot of the cast were holdover's from the radio play). The effects may be a tad dated (an understatement if I ever heard one), however I feel that it adds to the charm of the show rather than detracts. All in all a marvelous adaption.

    My Grade: A
    helpful•24
    3
    • movieman_kev
    • May 15, 2005

    FAQ3

    • How were the computer graphics created?
    • What is a telephone sanitiser?
    • Who was also in the radio series?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 30, 1982 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Official site
      • The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (web project by Douglas Adams)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Per Anhalter durch die Galaxis
    • Filming locations
      • St Austell, Cornwall, England, UK
    • Production company
      • British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 32 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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