V: The History..

V originally aired as a four – hour television mini – series on NBC in May of 1983.. Inspired by Sinclair Lewis’ 1935 novel It Can’t Happen Here, which told of a fascist takeover of America, creator Kenneth Johnson crafted a similar tale around the framework of an otherworldly invasion..

In V, an armada of alien motherships takes position over major population centers of our world.. Although the Visitors appear to be little more than a race of benevolent humans professing ” universal friendship,” a small number of Earthlings discover that both their motives and appearance are decidedly sinister.. Parallels to the rise of Nazi Germany abound, including a ” Holocaust “ targeting scientists as scapegoats.. By the film’s end, a full – scale human Resistance has built up against the Visitors, secretly abetted by a ” Fifth Column “ within the invaders’ own ranks..

V: The Original Mini – Series was an enormous ratings success, prompting NBC to commission a six – hour follow – up, despite Johnson’s desire to continue the story as an occasional series of two – hour TV movies.. The existence of at least two V scripts written for an hour – long format hints that a weekly series may have also been under consideration at that point..

Johnson eventually left the sequel over ” creative differences,” and the script he supervised was extensively rewritten by the new production team..

V: The Final Battle was rushed into production, and aired in May of 1984.. Despite the re – writes, it was still a rousing adventure which touched on social issues such as abortion rights and the threat of nuclear annihilation.. Although V:The Final Battle brought the war against the Visitors to a conclusion, the program was again a ratings success, and NBC ordered a weekly series to premiere in October of 1984..

V: The Series, chronicled the Visitors’ return to Earth, but without Johnson’s involvement it quickly degenerated into a soap – opera format.. Spectacular special effects were promised, but the show relied heavily on stock footage from the two miniseries ( And even, in one instance, from the 1953 film War of the Worlds ).. Midway through the season, several cast members were written out of the series, including the popular Michael Ironside.. The final first – run episode, ” The Return,” aired in March of 1985..

A twentieth episode, entitled ” The Attack,” was scripted but never filmed.. It would have concluded the finale’s cliffhanger and sent the series off in a new direction..

The V sets were kept in storage for some time following the cancellation, in hopes of bringing the series to some kind of closure.. Among the options discussed was a final mini – series, but it never materialized..

One scenario would’ve taken viewers to the Visitor homeworld, as Philip, Willie and the Resistance would’ve attempted to stop Diana from overthrowing the Leader.. A second idea would’ve presented the aftermath of the Leader’s peace treaty, with the Visitor fleet withdrawn and a relatively small number of aliens choosing to remain on Earth.. In that version, Donovan’s Resistance would’ve allied with the remaining Visitors to revolt against a hardline United States regime ( Aided by Ham Tyler ) which had imposed Apartheid – like conditions on the peaceful aliens..

Years later, J. Michael Straczynski ( Creator of TV’s Babylon 5 ) was commissioned by Warner Bros. to write a script for V: The Next Chapter, a first – run syndication version of the series, but it was deemed too expensive to be profitable..

Kenneth Johnson subsequently produced a TV series entitled Alien Nation ( Based on the theatrical feature of the same name ) for the Fox network.. While not specifically a follow – up to V, it frequently dealt with the clash of cultures involved in assimilating a race of non – human aliens into our society.. Although cancelled after one season, it resurfaced as a series of two – hour TV movies ( Much like Johnson’s original plans for V )..

In a commentary track on the DVD release of the first mini – series, Johnson reveals that V was originally intended as a straightforward political thriller, charting the rise of a fascist movement in the United States.. However, NBC wanted a sci – fi hit, to capitalize on the success of films like Star Wars and Star Trek..

The story is very much a Nazi allegory, right down to the Swastika – like emblem used by the Visitors.. The Visitors even have a youth auxiliary group called the ” Friends of the Visitors “ or ” Visitors Youth Group “ with obvious similarities to the Hitler Youth.. The Visitor broadcasts even mimic Nazi era propaganda.. How Kenneth Johnson wrote the portrayal of human interaction with the Visitors bears a striking resemblance to stories from Occupied Europe during the World War II of some citizens choosing collaboration while others chose to join underground resistance movements..

In Germany, the Nazis primarily persecuted Jews while the Visitors were depicted persecuting scientists, their families, and anyone associating with them.. The Visitors also distributed propaganda in an effort to hide their true identity and mission.. Some of the central characters in the initial series were from a Jewish family.. The family’s grandfather, a Holocaust survivor, frequently commented on the events of the past again unfolding.. The Visitors declared martial law to control the scientists as well.. In addition, direct figure analogies are used, such as the senior Visitor scientist, Diana, who is a direct analogue of Dr. Josef Mengele..

In October 2007, Tor Books published Johnson’s original novel, V: The Second Generation.. It will be set approximately twenty years after the events of the initial miniseries.. Johnson hoped that it will form the basis for a new television mini – series.. But Warner Bros. stepped forward and stopped these plans.. Warner Bros. owns the rights to the television series, while Kenneth Johnson has the rights to the motion picture..

Johnson’s prime desire is to bring big – screen production values to the new V movie while carefully protecting the timeless story, the characters, quality, integrity and substance that make his original
V such a favorite of worldwide audiences and  a critically acclaimed, international landmark.. Efforts by Kenneth and his producing partners to make the right deal continue on a daily basis..

Warner Bros. Television along with ABC and HD Films have team together for the upcoming V: The New Series, which is scheduled to start screening in January 2010.. Executive producer Scott Peters, Emmy – nominated creator of The 4400, brings us a bold re – imagining / remake of the sci – fi classic.. Let the inVasion begin..

V: The New Series is produced by HD Films in association with Warner Bros. Television.. Scott Peters is executive producer / writer and Steve Pearlman and Jace Hall are executive producers.. ABC has announced that V: The New Series is planned for four parts, with each consisting of anywhere from 13 to 22 episodes.. Steve McPherson, network president, wants to craft a whole series, saying it will have a beginning, middle and end..

Suggested Additional Reading and Viewing..

If you enjoy V you maybe interested in the following:

* It Can’t Happen Here ( Novel, 1935 ) by Sinclair Lewis.. This was the inspiration for Kenneth Johnson in creating V..

* War of the Worlds ( Novel, 1898 ) by Herbert George Wells.. Wells’ swipe at British colonialism is a seminal alien invasion story.. Adapted countless times in a variety of media, most prominently in Orson Welles’ Halloween 1938 radio broadcast and in the 1953 feature film..

* To Serve Man ( Short story, 1950 ) by Damon Knight.. The ” Kanamits “ of this classic have something in common with the Visitors.. Also adapted into an episode of the original Twilight Zone TV series..

* Childhood’s End ( Novel, 1953 ) by Arthur C. Clarke.. Also involves a fleet of motherships hovering over major urban areas, as well as aliens with a secret agenda..

* Earth vs. the Flying Saucers ( Movie, 1956 ).. Ray Harryhausen’s stop – motion animation effects and a landmark – destroying aerial battle over Washington, D.C. highlight this B – movie treatment..

* The Mysterians ( Movie, 1957 ).. Japanese epic in which a doomed alien race ( Who want our women ) unleash a giant robot and a fleet of flying saucers upon Mankind..

* Footfall ( Novel, 1985 ) by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle.. Another humans Vs. aliens tale.. Goes to great lengths to provide a convincing reason for an interplanetary invasion.. At one point, it takes a subtle jab at the premise of V, though the show is not mentioned by name.. ( Check out page 390 of the paperback edition )..

* Worldwar ( Series of novels ) by Harry Turtledove.. This ” alternate history “ series explores an Earth in which the rival powers of World War II put aside their differences to unite against reptilian alien armies.. The first four novels are In the Balance, Tilting the Balance, Upsetting the Balance and Striking the Balance.. A follow – up trilogy called Colonization includes Second Contact, Down to Earth and Aftershocks..

* Independence Day ( Movie, 1996 ) Fifteen – mile – wide alien saucers position themselves over Earth’s cities in preparation for a devastating all – out assault, and a desperate band of freedom fighters employs a modern style of ” germ warfare “ to save the planet..

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