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The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy

  • TV Series
  • 1981
  • PG
  • 2h 32m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
12K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,146
679
The Hitch Hiker'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
ParodySatireAdventureComedySci-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.

  • Stars
    • Simon Jones
    • David Dixon
    • Peter Jones
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.0/10
    12K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    4,146
    679
    • Stars
      • Simon Jones
      • David Dixon
      • Peter Jones
    • 88User reviews
    • 17Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 3 BAFTA Awards
      • 5 wins total

    Episodes6

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated1 Season1981

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:28
    Watch Trailer

    Photos118

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

    Top cast66

    Edit
    Simon Jones
    Simon Jones
    • Arthur Dent
    David Dixon
    • Ford Prefect
    Peter Jones
    Peter Jones
    • The Book
    Sandra Dickinson
    Sandra Dickinson
    • Trillian
    Mark Wing-Davey
    Mark Wing-Davey
    • Zaphod Beeblebrox
    Stephen Moore
    Stephen Moore
    • Marvin…
    David Learner
    • Marvin
    David Tate
    • Eddie…
    Martin Benson
    Martin Benson
    • Vogon Captain
    Richard Vernon
    Richard Vernon
    • Slartibartfast
    Rayner Bourton
    Rayner Bourton
    • Newscaster
    Joe Melia
    Joe Melia
    • Mr. Prosser
    Jack May
    Jack May
    • Garkbit (Head Waiter)
    Steve Conway
    • Barman
    Aubrey Morris
    Aubrey Morris
    • Captain
    Colin Jeavons
    Colin Jeavons
    • Max Quordlepleen
    Antony Carrick
    Antony Carrick
    • Lunkwill
    Cleo Rocos
    • Alien
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more 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 gown had been purchased for Arthur, and the line had been discontinued by the manufacturer. The cast and crew were then ordered to be particularly gentle with the dressing gown for the remainder of production. Towards the end of the series, it was rumoured that a second series would be made, and when shooting wrapped the dressing gown 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 reviews88

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    My most favorite mini-series!
    I absolutely love "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"! This is one of the funniest, most satirical, and most memorable mini-series I've ever seen! I've listened to the BBC radio broadcast, read all of the books, and now I've seen the TV series! It's awesome, and a very involving story with realistic and believable characters! The satire lies in how the aliens in the Universe perceive the planet Earth, which was destroyed to make way for a hyperspace bypass. It reflects our bureaucracy, and how the people of our world live in it. People wonder what there role in existence really is. "The Hitchhiker's Guide" doesn't give the answer, but it does show people who are searching for it. This could've been made into a theatrical production, although it probably would have been far too long. I love the characters, because their presence just makes fun of everything in their pathway. Much of the purpose of the character's existence, I think, is to make fun of the other characters they will meet later in the story. I love the talking electronic book, which narrates the story and gives a sort of "average person's" answer to everything. Simon Jones, who played Arthur Dent in the BBC audio broadcast, reprises his role with the same confused, yet humanistic personification. Mark Wing-Davey also reprises his role as the conceited Zaphod Beeblebrox. Peter Jones is back too, as the electronic book, as is David Tate as the annoying, overly eccentric computer. What effect will this have on someone's life? Only that it reflects the insecurity of much of our population, and how insignificant it all is compared to the rest of the universe. We already know this, but we never take it into mind. This also satirizes our modern world, without making any direct references to the people it's poking fun at. This is a great story which should be read, listened to, and likewise, seen with this miniseries. This isn't just pure entertainment, satire, and comedy. This is something that will make you think about the world you live in, and what your existence in life means to the universe itself!
    helpful•26
    5
    • andy-227
    • Jun 3, 1999

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    FAQ18

    • How many seasons does The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy have?Powered by Alexa
    • How were the computer graphics created?
    • What is a telephone sanitiser?
    • Who was also in the radio series?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 5, 1981 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Official site
      • The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (web project by Douglas Adams)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
    • Filming locations
      • St Austell, Cornwall, England, UK(Clay Pits for planet Magrathea)
    • 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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