The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005)
Low level violence
It's been a radio series, a book, a computer game and a TV series. Now Douglas Adams' enormously popular sci-fi comedy, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a movie.
Londoner, Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman, who played Tim in TV’s The Office) is having a very bad – if not downright strange – day. His house is about to be bulldozed, he discovers his best friend, Ford Prefect (Mos Def) is actually an alien from the planet, Betelgeuse as well as the writer of the aforementioned Guide – and Earth is about to be demolished to make way for an intergalactic expressway! News of Arthur's soon-to-be bulldozed home pales in comparison with that last piece of information.
Saved by his friend before the world explodes, Arthur hitches a ride on a passing spacecraft and sets out on a journey across the galaxy in which nothing is what it seems. Among those he encounters are the President of the Galaxy, the two-headed Zaphod Beeblebrox (Sam Rockwell); Slartibartfast (Bill Nighy); Trillian (Zooey Deschanel); Marvin the Paranoid Android (Warwick Davis and the voice of Alan Rickman), Questular Rontock (Anna Chancellor) and a religious cult leader named Humma Kavula (John Malkovich) – created especially for the movie.
Arthur learns that a towel is the most useful thing in the universe, finds the meaning of life and discovers that everything he needs to know can be found in one book: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
| Status: | QuickPick |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 109mins |
| Origin: | UNITED KINGDOM |
| Aspect Ratio: |
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Member Reviews (101)
101 Member
Reviews
Vanessa
says
I liked this take on HHGTTG. I had never been interested in the Douglas Adams series, but this movie held my attention, made me laugh, and made me reconsider reading the book. Great film
Marceline
says
sort of loved it. had awesome stars and some good lines, but was a bit dull...
Peter W
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The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy ground to a halt at 20 minutes through it's travel and cleaning the playing surface with detergent had no effect at all!
once again we may have more success with a replacement.
pietam6
says
this was a cult movie and franchise...why? The author and director obviously had a good time, and must have been stoned. Highly disorganised and not very imaginative...very disappointed.
CL-D
says
Doesn't measure up to the books or TV series, which was a long time ago now. It's been said before but there is just something missing in this rendition. I think there are too many "good" bits competing with a lot of "bad bits". Lacks cohesion, but a good try at a hard to do movie.
Sleepy_Shark
says
Wasn't that great, but made me really want to read the books. Ive started, and now understand what an impossible job they had to do to make it measure up. I saw this because Martin Freeman was in it. Sorry, cant say a word against him, but its not a film i want to watch again.
Michael
says
Despite it's production quality and some of the stars, this movie lacked both depth and climaxes, falling far short of it's potential. There was no visible character chemistry, nor adequate time for this to develop. Instead if was merely a string of gags and somewhat comedic moments - unfortunately this movie is not worth the sum of it's parts.
I am glad I didnt see this at the cinema. While not worth buying, it might be worth renting (or getting someone else to rent it). Better read, just read the book ;)
Colin D.
says
Found it really good, but you probably need to read the book first for a good understanding of the plot.
Adele P.
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I didn't think much the first time i sore it but i have since seen it 5 more times and have come to love it! I love the british humor and say, give it a second chance.
Patricia
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I think it Was a bit much for me. But great special effects and I loved zooey deschanel and sam Rockwell. And the guy who player Arthur suited perfectly. That's about it.
Kerrin D.
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The worst movie EVER. Seriously do not waste your time!
Olivia Z.
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The film is a little disappointing if you have read the book. But then again which movie isn't. I found it quite funny and entertaining. Great movie for a lazy afternoon, when it's more about entertainment then deep thoughts.
Hollie M.
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Brilliant movie, was a litte worried about watch because i loved the book so so much but it was a brilliant adaption.
i could seriously watch this over and over again!!!
Osti
says
This film was a terrible disappointment, familiar as I was with the BBC TV series. The acting was hamfisted, and the story far too truncated, with much footage wasted on fancy effects that could have been used for making the story line coherent.
I imagine there was a battle between Douglas Adams and the producer. The producer won.
Peter U.
says
I actually think this one improves with a later viewing. I am a convert. I initially was disappointed and how could I not be? I saw the TV series and heard some of the radio series. BUT, and as you see it is a big but, this is actually a pretty good filmic interpretation of what is a great novel. It misses the original robot I think - although he makes an appearance as does the original Arthur Dent. The latest version of Zaphod Beeblebrox is truly inspired and benefits from better visual technology.
Peter U.
says
I actually think this one improves with a later viewing. I am a convert. I initially was disappointed and how could I not be? I saw the TV series and heard some of the radio series. BUT, and as you see it is a big but, this is actually a pretty good filmic interpretation of what is a great novel. It misses the original robot I think - although he makes an appearance as does the original Arthur Dent. The latest version of Zaphod Beeblebrox is truly inspired and benefits from better visual technology.
Kevin M.
says
An interesting look at the galaxy and had some ood laughs in it
Donna M.
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I watched this the week after watching the original BBC series. Go watch that instead. This new version is ridiculously lame - I don't know how they managed to make it so dull.
Benita W.
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Greg D.
says
Nup, no good. As a fan of the books and the excellent BBC series, I watched this out of curiosity even though I had heard it was terrible. Half way through I realised I hadn't laughed even once. Maybe I knew the story too well, but it seemed a bit forced to me.
Ralph L.
says
very good, excellent imagination, loved every minute of it
Michael M.
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I loved the books but I don't think the movie is funny. Somehow it doesn't work. A pity.
Daniela A.
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Tech Doctor
says
It was good fun viewing, a decent modern remake of a classic radio play/book/TV series.
David T.
says
Film is faithfull to the book, but TV series was better.
Reuben R.
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Nigel W.
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A terrible movie adaptation that manages to make what was fresh and witty into something that is dull and boring. Read the book, listen the radio broadcast or watch the TV series. Avoid at all costs.
Mark F.
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Having never read the book, seen the series, etc. etc., I really enjoyed this movie. I expected it to be a bit "left field" and was not disappointed.
Richard M.
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Daen H.
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Malcolm E.
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everybody says what a shame. lets hope somebody with talent does it again one day.
Deb C.
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Very disappointing for someone who enjoyed the books.
I found it pedestrian, limited, and almost boring.
Sigh.
John F.
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Wierd......
David L.
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Raymond N.
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Richard L.
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Was ok. Kitsch camp 70s sci fi is always a little odd.
Flloyd K.
says
A worthy exercise, but a great disappointment. It simply charts the journey of Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect through some of their adventures without building a sense of pace or direction. Possibly it would be worth watching for those who are not familiar with the books or the radio or tv series.
Stephen W.
says
If you still happen to be breathing, :-) I think death itself would be better than having to ever watch that one again. O' my god what was i thinking!
Neville A.
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My 10 year old and 8 year old really enjoyed it a lot. Worth seeing i did not have the time.
Drue T.
says
Was a typical english attempt at world-class comedy. Some may like this but i wouldn't see it twice.
Paul R.
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Mel C.
says
Not very well put together but just enough quirky funny bits to keep it entertaining.
Mel C.
says
Martin Freeman is lovely.
Paul D.
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I'm a fan of Douglas Adams' books and whilst this movie is light entertainment it may confuse the hell out of people that haven't read any of his books. Get the book it's much better.
Tim D.
says
If you loved the TV series and the books, keep your fond memories intact and avoid this stinker like the pest. The kindest thing I can possibly say is 'mostly harmless', and the only thing that got it the second star is the fabulous title song "So long and thanks for all the fish", which is a real hoot.
Yvette V.
says
hmmmmmmm you definately have to be british to appreciate this... the book is better
Cathy A.
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Penella W.
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Troy
says
This is the biggest load of C**P I have ever seen.
Alistair L.
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woosie
says
It is an interesting, funny, cleaver and weird science fiction movie. I haven?t read the book, but we had quite a lot laughs. The extras are worthy to look at too. It is a movie for both young and old. Highly recommend.
Kerrie F.
says
Fantastic, very out there and totally different!
David M.
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Janet B.
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This DVD stopped and would not continue. I reported the fault.which was acknowleged.Icannot make a true opinion of the moviebut it was not looking like the sort I enjoy.I feel most people younger than me may like itI liked the books but was not so keen on the scens in the movie
Mark H.
says
ok
Dylan F.
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Terence B.
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Enjoyable fantasy
Terry C.
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Not for me. It just was not a very good story
Eloise C.
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This is well made but unfortunately only half the story. The original book has so much more to it.
Matt C.
says
After reading all the books, listening to the radio series, and seeing the BBC series I was not expecting much from this movie. I did not get much either. Huge amount of money and time put into special effects and those witty english gags that Douglas Adams was famous for were skimmed over dryly as though none of it really mattered.
Matthew R.
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This is pretty bad stuff - even the special effects are poor. Was a good TV series and this just blots a good memory - in fact back to the special effects, they were better in the TV series!!
David C.
says
a different kind of movie
Suzanne G.
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Kimberley B.
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I love the book, the movie was a little disapointing but still worth watching if you're a hitchhikers fan. I really like Zaphod he was hilarious!
Paul G.
says
Wow what a load of rubbish, this made no sense and was just one big pile of movie crud.
NE
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rks
says
Its not as bad as the reviews made out. It is still funny in parts, and definitely superior to the TV series. The script is changed somewhat from the book, so purist may not like it.
Daphne C.
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Jim T.
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DJ.
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Troy L.
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Suzanne B.
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Erin H.
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Wade P.
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Geoff E.
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good uk humour. if you like series you'll love this
Peter W.
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Tanya M.
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Really enjoyed watching this one! I remembered just enough of the original not to spoil this one.
Brenda B.
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Chris D.
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I watched this expecting to be disappointed, and was surprised when I wasnt. It was wonderful seeing Simon Jones (the original Arther Dent in radio, record, tv and pc game versions) in a gleeful cameo, and that the original tv Marvin got a showing was smile worthy too. Nothing after the radio show has followed the original plot, not even the book, so to complain that this film is not the same is missing the point. It had a number of seriously excellent spots, fully in keeping with the spirit of what had gone before. Strangely Alan Rickman, who doesnt do bad work as far as I am concerned, really wasnt the right man to be Marvin. For me the high spot was watching a man filling up the ocean with a firehose; that is the mark of a Douglas Adams fan if ever I saw one.
Steven F.
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4th
says
Bill Bailey's rendition of a whale free falling without a parachute is an award winning piece, also the rest of the film is just as ridiculous but amazing at the same time capturing some fragment of my childhood imagination. So if you can take light hearted 'out there' adventure this is one for you.
Peter L.
says
Where did it al go wrong. It started when they made the movie.
Dianne A.
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Suitably silly to be satisfying
Ross J.
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If you like any of the past incarnations of the "Guide", give this a watch, you will want to anyway. I am sad to say that it didn't live up to my expectations.
R M.
says
Totally lost the plot with this movie... deviated so much from the book that it hardly resembles the original story. If you are a true Hitchhiker's fan you will be sorely diappointed, if you know nothing of the books then you may enjoy it.
lakme
says
Funny, bizarre and fast paced. About as true to the books as you can be in such a limited amount of time. A lot is missing but then, something had to give. Altogether, not a bad effort.
Michael O.
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Extremely enjoyable!
Peta M.
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remained fairly faithful to the original and book
Andreas K.
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Peter C.
says
If you miss this one you will regret it! The originals on ABC were difficult to keep up with but this movie version has maintained the escence of the original and improved on what was very entertaining. No Brain strain just dam good viewing from start to end. As the thrd most intelligent creatures on this planet we really do need to watch and learn.
Will P.
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Sadly this bears no comparison to the original TV version. The clever story line was mangled into a tawdry romance. Reasonable special effects but overall very disappointing.
Carrie M.
says
Started out with promise but by the end I was reaching for the book and even pining for the tv series. It's a shame that a generation will see this movie and think 'Is that it?' when they should really read the extraordinary book instead. Still, there were classic moments in it, but the obligatory love story and poor ending let it down.
David D.
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Lisa D
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Didn't expect much-had a lot to live up to, and was pleasantly surprised. My 7 year old son loved it.
Amanda B.
says
This is a bad attempt to squeeze a tv series into a movie. If you haven't seen the series you probably wont understand some of it. The highlight of the movie was seeing the original marvin and arthur dent appear. Very disappointing if you love the tv series.
Greg T.
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Karl B.
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LT
says
How can sci fi and british humour fizzle like this one did? Didn't hit the right balance for me, zooey deschenal was bland o rama and only Alan Rickmans depressed robot kept the laughs coming.
Paula B.
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I must be stupid cos I didn't get most of it. Great first few scenes and I thought it was going to be entertaning but turned out to be rubbish!
Phill D.
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