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Life on Mars: The Official Companion #1
Life on Mars: The Official Guide to Series One
An alternative cover for this ISBN can be found here
This volume is the official companion to the television programme 'Life on Mars'. It is packed with interviews and insights into the making of the series, from what first inspired it to what might really be happening to Sam.
This volume is the official companion to the television programme 'Life on Mars'. It is packed with interviews and insights into the making of the series, from what first inspired it to what might really be happening to Sam.
Mass Market Paperback
First published November 20, 2006
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 5, 2013
A perfect companion to a perfect TV series. With lots of background information on characters, situations, how they created the sets, early drafts of scripts and countless other things. It's a must!
January 11, 2025
ok this is what i expect in a tv guide!!! it provided such a vivid insight in the production of lom
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Want to read
April 5, 2009I watched the TV series based off of this book and now I would like to read the book since the TV series ended.
It has been since the 1980s that a TV show has came on that I really really like, look forward to watching it, think about it the next day. “Life on Mars” was that new series that I really liked and got into like I did in the 80s with “Dallas”, “Knots Landing” and “Miami Vice” (that show was so cool… excellent music, Don Johnson was soooooo hot back in the day driving his black Ferrari [Mike says Don Johnson is one of his non-sexual man crushes:]).
“Life on Mars” is very nostalgic because it is set in 1973, even looks like it's in 1973…..the clothes, hairstyles, the music is from the 70s, vinyl records and even rotary telephones. I love retro!!! I was very disappointed that it ended; I was hoping it would continue thoughout the 70s, it was only 2 years away the disco years.
The show had a sci-fi like mystery to it too, the main character was from the present day, which in 2008 he was hit by a big dumb which for some mysterious reason, that he tried figure out throughout the series, why he was put back into 1973 and how to get back to the present.
Mike & I don’t watch much prime time because we go to bed at 7pm, but he records a few TV show on the VCR (“Desperate Housewives”, “The Simpsons”, “Dancing with the Stars”, during the summer we watch “So You Think You Can Dance” and once in awhile I will watch “CSI” that Mike records for himself). I watch those shows but don’t give them much after thought and don't look forward to watching them as much as I did "Life on Mars".
It has been since the 1980s that a TV show has came on that I really really like, look forward to watching it, think about it the next day. “Life on Mars” was that new series that I really liked and got into like I did in the 80s with “Dallas”, “Knots Landing” and “Miami Vice” (that show was so cool… excellent music, Don Johnson was soooooo hot back in the day driving his black Ferrari [Mike says Don Johnson is one of his non-sexual man crushes:]).
“Life on Mars” is very nostalgic because it is set in 1973, even looks like it's in 1973…..the clothes, hairstyles, the music is from the 70s, vinyl records and even rotary telephones. I love retro!!! I was very disappointed that it ended; I was hoping it would continue thoughout the 70s, it was only 2 years away the disco years.
The show had a sci-fi like mystery to it too, the main character was from the present day, which in 2008 he was hit by a big dumb which for some mysterious reason, that he tried figure out throughout the series, why he was put back into 1973 and how to get back to the present.
Mike & I don’t watch much prime time because we go to bed at 7pm, but he records a few TV show on the VCR (“Desperate Housewives”, “The Simpsons”, “Dancing with the Stars”, during the summer we watch “So You Think You Can Dance” and once in awhile I will watch “CSI” that Mike records for himself). I watch those shows but don’t give them much after thought and don't look forward to watching them as much as I did "Life on Mars".
August 17, 2010
Being a huge fan of the series, I was excited to read this "Official Companion". However, I'm always a bit weary of reading books which explain film/television theory, as this is what I graduated in last year.
In terms of an in-depth look into the storyline, there could be a lot more. 'Life On Mars' is a television programme with many layers, not just in terms of the physical filming of the show, but also in terms of the psychological models which it follows in order to tell the story of a main character who may be living inside his own head. This is what is lacking from the book. I would have loved to read about how Gene Hunt could be the representation of Sam's superego etc, but it's not to be here.
Another factor which lessens the quality of the book for me (and this one is my own fault) is that I've come to read it after seeing the finale of 'Ashes To Ashes', so I already know what the world they occupy is, and why they're there. This renders the "Clues" section of the book a little worthless.
From the standpoint of a casual fan who doesn't know much about film making, this book is fantastic. However, for me, it lacked the depth needed and relied too much on fun memories of the episodes rather than presenting you with something new.
In terms of an in-depth look into the storyline, there could be a lot more. 'Life On Mars' is a television programme with many layers, not just in terms of the physical filming of the show, but also in terms of the psychological models which it follows in order to tell the story of a main character who may be living inside his own head. This is what is lacking from the book. I would have loved to read about how Gene Hunt could be the representation of Sam's superego etc, but it's not to be here.
Another factor which lessens the quality of the book for me (and this one is my own fault) is that I've come to read it after seeing the finale of 'Ashes To Ashes', so I already know what the world they occupy is, and why they're there. This renders the "Clues" section of the book a little worthless.
From the standpoint of a casual fan who doesn't know much about film making, this book is fantastic. However, for me, it lacked the depth needed and relied too much on fun memories of the episodes rather than presenting you with something new.
June 29, 2010
I relished this greatly. Highly recommended for any fan of the series. Lots of great interviews, commentary on all aspects of the making of the series, plus some amusing "what if we were in Sam Tyler's universe" bits by the authors. Lots and lots of great photos. Also complete song listings for each episode. Interviews with all of the main actors. Yay.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews