The Legend of Prince Valiant + Defenders of the
Earth (Animated TV/Mill Creek DVD
Sets)
Picture:
C Sound: C+ Extras: C Episodes: C
Having
previously been released by BCI/Eclipse and subsequently having gone out of
print when the company went under, both Prince
Valiant and Defenders of the Earth
are now available through Mill Creek Entertainment. The series are direct transfers of the
previously released volumized sets, which had been reviewed in depth on this
site. The only difference in these sets
seems to be the lack of extras and the difference in the packaging (now in a
single hardcase).
The
series are both the same brand of obnoxious, but concurrently have the same
amount of fun and heart.
In quick
summation, Prince Valiant is a series
that ran from 1991-1994 based on a Hal Foster comic strip series that still
runs to this day. The story centers on
Prince Valiant setting out to be one of Arthur’s Knights of the Round Table. Valiant and his family have recently been
ousted from their kingdom (Thule)
by the conqueror Cynan; leaving Valiant saddened and vengeful. Inspired by a faithful dream Valiant sets out
to be a knight, along the way meeting two peasants who join his cause and share
in his adventure. All in all an epic
tale that just at times seems somewhat hoakey and dully animated.
Like Prince Valiant, Defenders of the Earth is an earlier series (1986) by the same
studio that starts with Flash Gordon and his son escaping Ming the Merciless. Ming has exhausted the resources of his
planet and sets out for a new home (earth) in the process killing Gordon’s
wife. The series sets out on a journey
of a band of superheroes versus Ming as he expands on his merciless exploits.
The
series are fun and definitely worth owning if you don’t already own the
previously released volumes. The
previous volumes had many more extras (plus some flashy cards and other
inserts), but this set is condensed and has the same picture and sound
presentation.
Extras
that are present include the following:
Prince Valiant
Interview:
Noelle North Actress as ‘Rowanne’
Interview:
Judith and Garfield
Reeves-Stevens
4
Episodes with Commentary by creator/producer David J. Corbett, writer Brook
Wachtel, & voice artist Noelle North
Defenders of the Earth
Commentary
from the producer and creators on the episode ‘Escape from Mongo’
All in
all both are great sets; I just wish there were more extras. I am personally ‘upgrading to these sets’
just to save on room.
For more
on both series please follow the links below.
Defenders of the Earth: Volume 1
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/4460/Defenders+Of+The+Earth
Defenders of the Earth: Volume 2
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/5274/Defenders+Of+The+Earth
Prince Valiant: Volume 1
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/4311/The+Legend+Of+Prince+Valiant:+The
Prince Valiant: Volume 2
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/5009/The+Legend+Of+Prince+Valiant+%E2
- Michael P. Dougherty II