Filmed in Supermarionation (PG)
Featuring: Gerry Anderson, Sylvia Anderson, Jamie Anderson, Lady Penelope and Parker
Directed by: Stephen La Rivière
A major new film on the work of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, Filmed In Supermarionation is the definitive documentary about the culturally iconic puppet series which they developed to great success throughout the 1960s. This includes Stingray, Captain Scarlet and, most famously, Thunderbirds – programmes five decades old that still resonate with young and older viewers alike, and which continue to find new audiences to this day.
Directed and produced by Stephen La Rivière, Filmed In Supermarionation is a screen adaptation of his critically acclaimed book, telling the story of the Anderson’s productions using a wealth of previously unseen archive footage, new interviews with those involved, and clips from the shows themselves.
This Blu-ray set also includes This is Supermarionation – key episodes in stunning High Definition, most of them for the very first time. Transferred in their original full-screen aspect ratio from the 35mm film materials, the new transfers maximise available picture area and visible detail, presenting the episodes as you’ve never seen them before – offering a taste of what the 21st century has in store for all Gerry Anderson fans!
The definitive documentary about the iconic puppetry technique developed by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, Supermarionation was used in all their programmes throughout the 1960s including Stingray, Captain Scarlet and Thunderbirds.
There isn’t a big kid over the age of 25 that hasn’t heard of Thunderbirds, FAB, Stingray or Captain Scarlet. What they may never have paid much attention to was the “Filmed in Supermarionation” that was emblazoned in the opening titles. Supermarionation was the process developed by Gerry Anderson to make those wonderful television programmes.
With never before seen photographs, rare out-takes and interviews with original cast and crew members, Filmed in Supermarionation starts right at the beginning of Gerry Anderson’s television puppetry career.
Like most documentaries, it’s filled with wonderful interviews, crystal clear (in most cases black and white) photographs and filming processes used in the very early days of the late 1950s. It’s great that the viewer is taken on an adventure from how the puppets first started out and then the progression right though to Joe 90 and the much maligned The Secret Service.
Each television show is given its own segment and yes some segments are larger than others, The Thunderbirds one being the largest of course, though sadly Captain Scarlet (my own personal favourite out of all of Gerry Anderson’s productions) is given very little screen time. That said, there is a wonderful retro 50s/60s style animation to accompany the television show as the cast and crew talk about how the shows came together.
Added to these behind the scenes films and interviews (past and present), the viewer is also taken to the studios were they were actually made. Sadly the studios have been turned into various other businesses, but the production crew has assembled the typical rigging and sets that the original crew might have used, sheer brilliance!
Perhaps the most fun gleamed from this experience is hearing the original actors perform the voices once again from these classic characters. It’s virtually impossible not to smile upon hearing Lady Penelope and Parker once more talking directly to the viewer.
It’s very easy to enjoy this two hour documentary on the making and sadly too the demise of the television puppetry icons of the 50s & 60s, and yet the viewer gets the feeling that there is very little bitterness about the memories. Indeed, all of the cast and crew say it was like working with a large family, and seeing that they created family entertainment, this is a very fitting tribute. A must buy for anyone who had a favourite Thunderbird, WASP character, or wanted to be a Captain Scarlet, Captain Black or a Mysteron!
FILMED IN SUPERMARIONATION is available on DVD, Blu-ray and Limited Edition Box Set 20 October
A F.A.B. 5 out of 5 Nerds
WE HAVE X2 COPIES OF FILMED IN SUPERMARIONATION ON DVD UP FOR GRABS!
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Special features:
Deleted Scenes Package
A selection of material that was unused in the final documentary.
Filming in Supermarionation
A 3 minute short about filming the puppets and effects for the documentary.
Special Effects Reel
A reel of the special effects shot for the documentary.
Gerry and Sylvia in America
Colour footage shot by Barry Gray of Gerry and Sylvia at the World’s Fair in New York. This has been synced to a music track.
Tomorrow’s World
Behind the scenes at Century 21 looking at their video assist system.
Something for the Children
Interview with Sylvia Anderson for the BBC.
Parade Behind the Scenes (with sound synced up)
Colour behind the scenes film.
Irwin Fletcher
I'm an LA journalist who really lives for his profession. I have also published work as Jane Doe in various mags and newspapers across the globe. I normally write articles that can cause trouble but now I write for FTN because Nerds are never angry, so I feel safe.
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