The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy

TV Series
1981
TV-PG
2h 32m

IMDb RATING

8.0/10

12K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

Play trailer1:28

Parody Satire Adventure Comedy Sci-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

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.0/10

12K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

4,656

450

Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 3 BAFTA Awards
- 5 wins total

Episodes6

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TopTop-rated 1 Season 1981

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Storyline

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Did you know

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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

Featured review

Sophisticated Scifi Humor for Intelligent People

Imagine, if you will, Doctor Who, Babylon 5, Galactica and Star Trek compacted into a compost heap and recycled by the hands of the Monty Python troupe. Now you're getting the idea.

Douglas Adams (a co-writer for "Monty Python and the Holy Grail", among other things) takes us on a hilarious romp through the universe and the space-time continuum with wimpy nebbish Arthur Dent, intergalactic field researcher Ford Prefect, a beautiful (hyper-intelligent) earth girl, a two headed drunken ex-galactic-president, and a paranoid android.

With clever asides and witty dialog, the mismatched team discovers the origins of the universe, witnesses the end of same (over cocktails and the dish of the day), and scours the universe for a decent cup of tea. Particularly funny are Adams' (through the voice of the narrator) wry observations on humanity and the oddball track that we supposedly-intelligent lifeforms have taken in the grand scheme of things.

All in all, a most satisfying bit of comedy for people who love to think.