Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a unique science fiction franchise. It starts with the Earth’s destruction without it being a major plot twist. The story follows Arthur Dent as he navigates the galaxy after Earth is demolished to make way for an interstellar highway.
If you’re new to the series, there are several ways to experience it. The 2005 film is a decent adaptation, but it deviates from the source material in the second half. A better option is the 1981 BBC miniseries, adapted by Adams himself. It’s a funny, old-school sci-fi show.
What Does the 1981 Hitchhiker’s Guide Series Cover?
The 1981 Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy miniseries covers the first two novels: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and The Restaurant at the End of the Universe. The TV show’s scripts were adapted from Adams’ 70s radio drama. This means it’s the only filmed version that Adams directly worked on.
Covering two books is a plus. The first book’s climax, revealing that we’re living in a simulation involving super-intelligent mice, happens in Episode 3.
Why the 1981 Series is the Best Hitchhiker’s Guide Adaptation
The 2005 film’s high production values can be a drawback. A slick Hitchhiker’s Guide isn’t ideal. The grainy, low-budget feel of the 1981 series gives it a timeless quality. The humor is rooted in 1980s British wit, which is intentional. Trying to make Hitchhiker’s Guide look too polished or funny outside of its cultural context misses the point.
The performances in the series are hilarious. Simon Jones and David Dixon, as Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect, deliver their lines with a deadpan humor that mirrors the books. Their performances are reminiscent of guest stars on Fawlty Towers, which is a great compliment.
Jones and Dixon aren’t overly famous for other roles, allowing viewers to fully believe they are the characters. This is impressive, considering how absurd they are on paper.
Hitchhiker’s Guide and Doctor Who: A Shared Universe?
Douglas Adams worked as a script editor for Doctor Who while developing Hitchhiker’s Guide. He even wrote some scripts for the second radio series version of Hitchhiker’s Guide while working on Doctor Who. The Tom Baker era of Doctor Who shares a similar tone and could fit within the same universe as the Vogons and Zaphod Beeblebrox. The David Tennant era of Doctor Who includes references to Hitchhiker’s, such as the 10th Doctor wearing a bathrobe in his first episode, similar to Arthur Dent.
The 1981 series has the same lighthearted tone as the Tom Baker era of Doctor Who, but with a faster pace. Despite its low budget, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is perfectly paced. It’s a binge-worthy miniseries that can be watched in a few days, leaving you feeling smarter, happier, and less panicked.
So, is The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy on Amazon Prime? Yes! You can stream The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy on Amazon Prime right now.
