The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: The Collector's Edition (CD Box Set)

This beautiful edition, made up of both the "Primary Phase" and "Secondary Phase" episodes, includes 2 additional discs of 'special features'.

Disc 1 is the VERY listenable "Guide to the Hitchhikers Guide" containing interviews with the author Douglas Adams, 3 members of the original radio cast and those who had a hand in bringing the Guide from concept to product. It is narrated/hosted by Peter Jones in a cleverly scripted psuedo-reprisal of his role as the book in the radio series!

Disc 2 contains a more formal interview with Douglas Adams, which we can only imagine was recorded around 1998 when the "Guide to the Hitchhikers Guide" was produced.

The sound quality is pristine and flawless, it doesn't appear to have been remastered in any way from the first cd release (the copy I owned I mean!), simply because it didn't require any technical upgrading. All 8 cd's are individually packaged in illustrated cardboard 'sleeves', with a total running time of 7 hours 40 minutes. The recording is in stereo.

Totally worth your money if you are browsing for an 'ultimate edition' of the first Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy BBC Production :D


It is wonderful to hear again.   September 21, 2004
Andreas Graham (Englishman in the USA)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful

I listend to this on the radio with my Father, when it first came out. It was also one first books I ever read. It was a wonderful program to have. I had the tapes and now i have it in this format. I bought this just after hearing the first episode New 3rd season. It is just as wonderful. The BBC have done it again and I was transproted back 25 years. The new season will be out at the end of this year and there ia fourth already inthe can. Buy it.


An Absolute Must!!!!!!!!!!!!   September 10, 2004
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I first had the pleasure of experiencing this incredible radio drama in 1991, on cassette tapes that I borrowed from a friend. I have looked off and on over the past few years for the CDs' in the U.S., and on the internet with no success. I read in several different reviews and websites where to get them - but still came up empty handed. I guess I just wasn't looking in the right place. Finally during one of my random searches I found this set here. I was unsure if this was indeed the same radio drama. The great reviews that were posted answered that question, and I ordered it without hesitation.

In reference to the content being separated into tracks, and some pauses in the playback during track switching, I have only noticed this on a couple of occasions, and I think that it is due more to the player being used - not the media. I have played it on several different players, and only one of them produces that result.

On the other hand I quite enjoy the media separated into tracks, as I can access any part of the story at any time. Having the material on digital media, with exceptional quality, clarity, and usability far overshadows the few little inconveniences found with this package.

It goes without saying that any HHGTTG fan, sci-fi fan, drama fan, etc. will more than enjoy this treat. Overall I am extremely pleased, and I would encourage anyone who has not had the opportunity to experience anything created by Douglas Adams to get this set. If you do not enjoy it perform a random act of kindness and give it to the first available fan, they will Love you for it.


Almost (but not quite) the best version of the radio series   December 12, 2003
91 out of 93 found this review helpful

The radio version of Douglas Adams superb Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy is arguably also the best incarnation of the series to date. The sheer breadth of Adams freewheeling imagination is exhilarating, yet the humour never feels particularly forced. There’s a lovely flow to the dialogue that belies the fact that the production was made in something of a panic as Adams fought to keep up with his writing deadlines.

This collector’s edition is probably the best release of the original radio series we are ever likely to see. It contains not only all 12 episodes but also an excellent and informative “making of” documentary and a full-length interview with Adams. These really reinforce what a loss his untimely death was.

The sound quality of this CD set is superb. Every bleep and blarp is clearly audible. Some people have noticed a slight pause between some of the tracks but I have listened to it several times and have never noticed any problems.

The one slight problem with the set is that due to rights clearance problems, a tiny section has been trimmed where Marvin hums like Pink Floyd. This has also been absent from every other release of the radio series and it is a situation that is unlikely to change any time soon. A shame but sadly unavoidable.

All in all, I cannot recommend this release highly enough.