5 Star

Extra-Supermarionation

What a treat for Gerry Anderson (Stingray, Thunderbirds, Space: 1999, Joe 90, UFO, Fireball XL5) fans. Network brings us six classic episodes of his early black and white shows, episodes taken from Four Feather Falls, Supercar and Fireball XL 5. They have been digitally restored and coloured, using colour photos from behind-the-scenes, press shots etc. Now sit back and enjoy these great episodes in 1080p Blu-ray. The first disc features the episodes and on disc 2, there is even more of a treat as there are two, almost two hour specials; You’ve Never Seen These, and Space City Specials. This release is a must own for any Gerry Anderson fan, or a great way to start a collection.

Four Feather Falls,

This was a treat for me, I have never seen this show, as it was shown in 1960, and this is episode 31 ‘First Train Through’. We see our hero Sheriff Tex Tucker (Nicholas Parsons, Doctor Who, The Eric Barker Half-Hour) investigating strange events occurring around the new railroad coming to town. The four feathers on Tex’s hat are magical, and they allow his dog Dusty, and his horse Rocky (Kenneth Connor, Carry on Cleo, ‘Allo ‘Allo) to talk, never mind that it allows his two six-guns to fire on their own. There are some dodgy dealings going on in Four Feather Falls. Can Tex save the day? Well, with his guns and his friends and a song on his lips (Michael Holliday, Quatermass and the Pit, Sex Lives of the Potato Men), Tex will find a way.

Supercar. “Pirate Plunder” (episode 16), Supercar “Take One” (episode 26)

The Supercar team, Mike Mercury (Graydon Gould, Graydon Gould, Graydon Gould), Dr. Horatio Beaker (David Graham, Stingray: The Reunion Party, This Is Supermarionation), and Professor Rudolph Popkiss (George Murcell, Hell Drivers, Danger Man) get involved in a sting operation to attempt to capture a pirate – Black Morgan, operating in the Pacific Ocean. The team get the co-operation of a millionaire pearl fisherman to create a bait tempting enough for Morgan to act. Danger on the high seas, with deadly guided torpedoes, and a supercar that can go anywhere.

“Take One”

Dr Beaker decides to make a movie about Supercar, however when they watch the developed film, they discover information that could put the future of the United States in danger. This is the last hooray for Supercar, as they realize that they have influenced many world events in their past.

Fireball XL5 : “The Sun Temple” (episode 6), “The Granatoid Tanks” (episode 26),
“A Day in the Life of a Space General” (episode 30)

Fireball XL5. This was my first encounter with the masters of Supermarionation Gerry Anderson and Sylvia Anderson, and we are treated to three colorised episode of the galaxy roving World Space Patrol (W.S.P.). Where they encounter alien races both friendly and violent, against their own subjects and humans. Enjoy the exploits of Lieutenant Ninety, Colonel Steve Zodiac (Paul Maxwell, Man in the Middle), Commander Wilbur Zero (John Bluthal, The Fifth Element), and Doctor Venus (Sylvia Anderson, Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons).

What more could you want on Xmas morning, than opening this great delve into the history books of Supermarionation. To watch over and over again.

Presented in SuperColorisation is available on Blu-ray from Network

You’ve Never Seen These! And Space City Specials – the acclaimed online showcases for these brand-new colourisations [] Exclusive 16-page SuperColorising Book!