"Harsh Realm" (1999) TV series 1999-2000

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Creator:

Chris Carter

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

8 October 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama | Sci-Fi

Plot:

Lt. Hobbes is sent into a VR wargame simulation where he is to terminate a renegade General who has taken control of the program.

Plot Keywords:

Virtual Reality | Short Lived | Cyberpunk | Television Flop | Based On Comic

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Scott Bairstow	...	Lt. Thomas Hobbes (9 episodes, 1999-2000)
D.B. Sweeney	...	Mike Pinnochio (9 episodes, 1999-2000)
Terry O'Quinn	...	General Omar Santiago (9 episodes, 1999-2000)
Rachel Hayward	...	Florence (7 episodes, 1999-2000)
Max Martini	...	Waters (5 episodes, 1999-2000)
Vinnie	...	Dexter the Dog (5 episodes, 1999-2000)
Samantha Mathis	...	Sophie Green (4 episodes, 1999-2000)
Sarah-Jane Redmond	...	Inga Fossa (4 episodes, 1999-2000)

Runtime:

45 min (9 episodes)

Country:

Canada | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

UK:15 (DVD release) | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

20th Century Fox Television

Trivia:

Unlike the comic book which is set in a high fantasy world, the TV series is set in a post apocalyptic wasteland.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the title sequence, Hobbes's military ID card lists his rank and military pay grade as "LT/03". Hobbes is Army, and that rank/pay grade is consistent for the Navy.

Quotes:

Lt. Mel Waters: Can you remind me what we're doing here?
Lt. Thomas Hobbes: Peacekeeping.
Lt. Mel Waters: We're doing a helluva job.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Inside 'Harsh Realm' (2004) (V)

A modern Boys Own

In the early twentieth century they read Boys Own, in the late twentieth century we watched Harsh Realm, its a fair exchange. The three stars - Scott Bairstow, DB Sweeney and Terry O'Quinn - are superb and are given brilliant support by the Ten Thirteen Repertory Company. The beautifully spooky Sarah-Jane Redmond is wonderful as Inga Foss and Rachel Hayward gives a dignity and depth to Florence that most actresses would not even realise was there. Samantha Mathis does a good job at portraying Sophie Green's distress and confusion without laying it on too thick. It still seems incredible that Harsh Realm was cancelled so quickly and brutally. Whereas Millennium and the Lone Gunmen were both brought to a conclusion, Harsh Realm was left in an ugly limbo. A great series that was drowned at birth.