Quantum Leap - Seasons 1 to 5: DVD Review

Quantum Leap - Seasons 1 to 5: DVD Review

Rating: PG- M
Released by Madman Home Entertainment

Seminal TV series Quantum Leap in from the early 90s pen of Donald P Bellisario and garnered a cult following.

It's the story of scientist Dr Sam Beckett (a wonderful Scott Bakula), who theorises that one man should be able to time travel within his own lifetime. Putting that theory to the test, the good doctor sets up a machine and ends up lost in time, bouncing from life to life and as the credits say, "Striving to put right what once went wrong".


He's aided in his time travels by cigar smoking womaniser Al Calavicci (an equally wonderful Dean Stockwell) - and the problem Sam finds himself in is that he jumps from body to body, and looking at a different mirror image each time, and having a new set of problems to solve.

The show still holds up well - it's a great mix of brilliant chemistry between the two actors, an iconic Mike Post soundtrack, some good stories and a case of real heart in every moment of the way. Of course along the way, Sam bumps into some historical figures - including Buddy Holly, Michael Jackson - and he even jumps into the body of Lee Harvey Oswald (a contentious storyline) in the 4th season opener.

The show was pegged as a cult sci fi show of its time, and while occasionally it shows signs of dating here and there, it's still a tremendous collection which mixes social commentary with bloody good cult TV.

While the lack of extras on the discs of the series other than the first series is a real shame (there's still no sign of a good documentary wrapping up the show and looking at its appeal / sci-fi legacy), its effect is eternal. It's family entertainment at its best - and I can't recommend it highly enough.

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