Torchwood - Children of Earth

( 29 )

Overview

1965: Twelve children are gathered together on a deserted hilltop, before being surrounded by a harsh, bright light... and then they are gone! Today: All over Earth, children stop moving. Stop playing. Stop laughing. Stop everything. Then, as one, they begin to speak with the same voice, announcing to the governments of the world the imminent arrival of a new alien threat. "We Are Coming, We Are Coming..." As the British Government closes ranks, it issues a death warrant against Captain Jack (John Barrowman) and ...
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More About This Product

Overview

1965: Twelve children are gathered together on a deserted hilltop, before being surrounded by a harsh, bright light... and then they are gone! Today: All over Earth, children stop moving. Stop playing. Stop laughing. Stop everything. Then, as one, they begin to speak with the same voice, announcing to the governments of the world the imminent arrival of a new alien threat. "We Are Coming, We Are Coming..." As the British Government closes ranks, it issues a death warrant against Captain Jack (John Barrowman) and the Torchwood team of Ianto (Gareth David-Lloyd) and Gwen (Eve Myles). Now forced to flee for their lives, it becomes clear to the Torchwood team that this isn't the aliens' first visit to Earth, and a terrible price is going to be paid for sins of the past. The five-part miniseries Children of Earth aired on BBC1 in the UK from July 6-10 and on BBC America in the US from July 20-24, in 2009.
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Special Features

Torchwood Declassified: An exclusive look behind the scenes featuring cast and crew
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Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - Christina Urban
"This series of Torchwood is bigger, and darker, and bolder." That Russell T. Davies quote, taken from the making-of featurette included in this set, isn't hyperbole. Seasons 1 and 2 of Torchwood, about a covert team preventing aliens and their technology from straying too close to humans, was sometimes campy, definitely clever, and always lots of fun. The five-episode miniseries Children of Earth, however, presents us with a very grown-up Torchwood. In 1965 an alien threat known as the 456 lands on Earth, and demands 12 children in return for a cure for a rare strain of flu. The British government agrees, and they decide to keep the handover secret. In 2009, a mysterious force has taken control of the Earth's children, putting them into a trance-like state and causing them to speak in unison. The 456 have returned -- only this time they want 10 percent of the planet's children. Surprisingly, the British and American governments agree to the terms, and this is where Children of Earth takes a sinister turn. Of course, the Torchwood team of Capt. Jack Harkness (John Barrowman), Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles), and Ianto Jones (Gareth David-Lloyd) are determined to fight the 456 at any cost. As plots and storytelling go, Children of Earth is magnificent. It's really the pinnacle of what the Torchwood writers could accomplish, highlighted by fantastic acting. That being said, it is also frightening, disturbing, and absolutely not for children under the age of 15. Children of Earth aired on BBC1 in the U.K. from July 6-10, 2009 and on BBC America from July 20-24.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 7/28/2009
  • UPC: 883929079797
  • Original Release: 2009

    • Rating:

  • Source: Bbc Warner
  • Presentation: Wide Screen / Digi-Pak
  • Sound: Dolby AC-3 Surround Sound
  • Time: 4:53:00
  • Format: Blu-ray
  • Sales rank: 21,966

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
John Barrowman Capt. Jack Harkness
Gareth David-Lloyd Ianto Jones
Eve Myles Gwen Cooper
Kai Owen Rhys Wiliams
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4
( 29 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(18)

4 Star

(4)

3 Star

(2)

2 Star

(2)

1 Star

(3)

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 29 Customer Reviews

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    Not Really for Fans of Past Seasons

    Taken on its own or as a definitive ending to the Torchwood series, Children of Earth is an impressive drama, but for many of us who has long been fans of Torchwood, many of the elements that made us love the original two seasons are either ignored in this shortened third series, or destroyed by its end. No one who likes Torchwood for its mix of dark humor, action, and romance or its interesting characters would not be well served to watch Children of Earth. There is little humor or hope here once things are set in motion and one of the primary romantic relationships of the series does not survive (which has apparently enraged many a Torchwood fan both in the USA and the UK). The action sequences are the finest yet, but largely seem to be covering major plot holes that make the series more difficult to enjoy on second viewing. It seems that Children of Earth was a way for its creator to be done with the series, but with its massive ratings success in the UK and an almost certain fourth season, many of the program's fans are left asking what is left of Torchwood to continue with.

    5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    It's heart breaking Jack torture

    I'm not sure why TPTB decided that this season was written to break Jack into little pieces and destroy his life. Why does a dark adult drama have to equal tragedy? Was no thought given to the fans who got the show to BBC1?

    You wouldn't consider breaking the set up, B&N, would you? I'll take Days 1,2 and 3 and you can keep Day 4 and 5. I'll pay you to keep them. OTH, maybe I will break them into little pieces and send them to RTD?

    2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Is It the End?

    This mini-series was unlike any other episode of Torchwood. For those new to Torchwood it, perhaps, would not have the impact of the fans who have followed it since its inception. I sat and cried at the end for fear that this would be the last of it. My own little pathetic world would not be the same without Captain Jack. Mind you, I am not a young sprout. I am 70 years old.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    The long-awaited third season of Torchwood...

    While visually stunning and flawlessly acted, this abreviated 'season' of science fiction drama Torchwood ultimately snuffed out my love for the show. With plot holes big enough to fill a TARDIS, the storyline will leave you bitter and angry. Even the irrepresible Captain Jack Harkness seems at a loss for where to go, what to do, and ultimately surrenders his humanity in the face of the alien threat.

    This story brings out the worst in everyone, especially the writers. A textbook case of destroying a fantastic television show.

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    Heart Wrenching

    As a fan of Torchwood from the beginning, I was more than a little apprehensive about this mini-series, and, as it turns out, with good reason. Oh, don't get me wrong, I loved Children of Earth, it was more than I could ever have imagined. The action was mind-blowing, right from the start, the interactions between all the major players were spot on; I felt as if the break between seasons had never happened. They even pulled an old Doctor Who trick and brought on absolutely brilliant new characters, that made me either love or hate them with such passion, that I could hardly believe that I had never met them before. All-in-all, a risk proved worthy by Russell T. Davies. However, I said that my apprehension proved accurate. In grand Whoverse fashion, Children of Earth broke my heart. And, ultimately, I wouldn't have it any other way. This is my whole-hearted recommendation, to anyone who needs a little wonder in your life. Torchwood is worth it.

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    I Also Recommend:

    Torchwood: The House That Jack Built
    Torchwood: In the Shadows: A Torchwood Audio Original Narrated by Eve Myles
    Torchwood: Skypoint
    Torchwood: The Radio Adventures
    Torchwood: Consequences

    Great show and a great mini series

    This is such an exciting show. The bonus is that this is suitable for younger fans of Captain Jack Harkness. Children of the Earth fills in the gaps between episodes of Doctor Who. Ianto, Gwen, Captain Jack, and Rhys are all that stand between aliens and the human race. Even the British government is part of the problem. There is plenty of action, excitement, joking around and emotional ups and downs.
    The show begins in 1965 Scotland, where orphans have been told they are going to new homes. But one child escapes and years later he may be the answer to the present day problems.
    Children around the world are chanting in unison, and all in english. What does this mean? What is the "549"? Why does the government want Torchwood out of the picture? The answers are in this DVD set.
    Any Doctor Who/Torchwood collecter would be happy with this DVD set in their collection.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    Fantastic

    We love all Torchwood and hope BBC America makes more. John Barrowman is just terrific. What a great and engaging actor he is. Quite funny, too.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    Rental Only

    Very interesting story line and the reviews are correct in that it's more than a little disturbing. I generally liked the spin-off's from Dr. Who but I didnt care for the character development in this particular episode. I think it was a little too drawn out and too dark for a TV show. And captain Jack is too effeminant than the character he's supposed to be portraying...the whole show wasn't their best...but thats just my opinion. Alot of "devotees" really loved this episode.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    Riveting!

    What do you do after two seasons and killing off two of your main characters? You up the ante!

    "Children of Earth" is Torchwood on steroids. It has a big, world-changing feel. The series has always pushed the envelope, but this goes over the top. It will make some folks queasy, but we learn more about the pain of being Captain Jack. I look forward to see where the creators go from here.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Glad to see the series back,

    Well done use of the characters to cover-up the loss of old characters.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    Doctor Who: The Complete Fourth Series
    Torchwood - Season 1
    Torchwood - Season 2

    Worth Watching, But...

    Sorry, spoilerish review...
    I have to say that I agree with most of the reviews posted thus far. CoE has plot holes Ianto drove a forklift through, the action is equal to many high budget american action movies of the last 10 years, and is equally silly. The first two and a half episodes are fun, and agonising in the best way. The second half... I didn't cry, quite. It would have been better if I had. The tragedy doesn't quite work in a fundamental way. I think the main point of CoE was to point out that Jack is not - in fact - the Doctor. And that politicians are scum, but we knew that. Still, I laughed a lot during the first couple episodes, and enjoyed them greatly.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted August 28, 2009

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    Posted September 19, 2009

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    Posted September 20, 2009

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    Posted January 3, 2012

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    Posted February 7, 2010

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    Posted December 30, 2009

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    Posted December 8, 2009

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    Posted September 19, 2009

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    Posted February 13, 2010

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 29 Customer Reviews