V: The Original Miniseries: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

58%

Tomatometer

26 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

A race of aliens arrives on Earth appearing as human but requiring special glasses to protect their eyes; a few suspicious humans discover their true intentions and prepare to resist. Read More Read Less

V: The Original Miniseries — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Kenneth Johnson's ambitious and expensive science-fiction epic delivers more spectacle than television usually accommodates, although its lofty political allegory mostly falls flat.

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Critics Reviews

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V: The Original Miniseries: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (1)

Barbara Hooks

The Age (Australia)

If American network television confined itself to producing escapist entertainment, which it does well, instead of morality drama, which it does appallingly, V could have been gripping stuff.

Jun 23, 2022

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V: The Original Miniseries: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (2)

John Carman

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

V flips back and forth between being a clumsy allegory about the Nazi persecution of the Jews and a poor man's Star Wars, complete with zap guns and spaceship dogfights.

Jun 23, 2022

Full Review

V: The Original Miniseries: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (3)

Jack Thomas

Boston Globe

V is reliable entertainment, a Gothic melodrama that for television is a fresh blend of proven ingredients and spectacular scenes cleverly contrived and in one or two cases so horribly-well-told that your scalp will tingle and your blood turn to ice.

Jun 23, 2022

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V: The Original Miniseries: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (4)

David Bianculli

Akron Beacon Journal

Compared to "alien visitation" films such as Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T., though, it doesn't even rate. But for four hours' worth of diversion, it qualifies as fun trash.

Jun 23, 2022

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V: The Original Miniseries: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (5)

Bill Hayden

Gannett News Service

An ambitious and compelling variation of the visitors-from-outer-space theme that will hold an audiences attention and satisfy its dramatic appetite.

Jun 23, 2022

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V: The Original Miniseries: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (6)

Mark Wolf

Charlotte Observer

Producer Kenneth Johnson has set out to make V an allegory for the rise of Nazism, and this aspect lifts the show out of the realm of ordinary television and propels it past its generally overwrought manner.

Jun 23, 2022

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Audience Reviews

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Paul H I was 13 when this series landed from outer space, it was genuinely shocking then and rewatching it's still a great sci-fi series from the mid 80s. The advertising campaign for this series is still one of the best ever. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/14/24 Full Review Virus S It's a decent story, and this entry in the series is perhaps the strongest. Yes, the effects are dated, and some of the acting delivery isn't strong. The appeal of this show is definitely in its broader themes of oppression, and resistance. Rated 2.5/5 Stars • Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/03/24 Full Review Robert T A sci-fi television event from the early eighties, V is superbly written and directed. The mini-series thoughtfully portrays how rising authoritarianism can disrupt and destroy families and friendships. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/05/24 Full Review Read all reviews

V: The Original Miniseries — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

Marc Singer Mike Donovan Faye Grant Juliet Parrish Jane Badler Diana Michael Durrell Robert Maxwell Peter Nelson Brian David Packer Daniel Bernstein

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired May 1, 1983 A race of aliens arrives on Earth; suspicious humans uncover their intentions and prepare to resist. Details Episode 2 Aired May 2, 1983 Humans continue to oppose the alien invaders. Details

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V: The Original Miniseries — Season 1

V: The Original Miniseries

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Director: Kenneth Johnson
Screenwriter: Kenneth Johnson
Network: NBC
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date: May 1, 1983