;If you were born after the 1960s, then culture-wise, you were shortchanged as you missed the very best TV series of that decade :THUNDERBIRDS. Set in the 2060’s this sci-fi drama concerned the exploits of International Rescue, a life-saving organisation with a secret base on an island in the Pacific Ocean. International Rescue operated a fleet of technologically advanced rescue vehicles, headed by five craft called the Thunderbird machines. The main characters was the leader of International Rescue, ex-astronaut Jeff Tracy, and his five adult sons, who piloted the Thunderbirds.
When it premiered in September 1965 on the ITV network in the UK, it was an immediate smash hit and and has since aired in at least 66 countries. Besides tie-in merchandise, it was followed by two feature films: Thunderbirds Are Go and Thunderbird 6, was adapted for radio in the 1990s and has influenced many TV programmes and other media. Its other adaptations include an anime reimagining (Thunderbirds 2086), a live-action film (Thunderbirds) and a part-CGI, part-live-action remake (Thunderbirds Are Go).
By the way, did we mention all the stars were PUPPETS? Well. actually, they were a form of electronic marionette puppetry that Gerry Anderson the creator called “Supermarionation” and he combined them with scale model special effects sequences. Whilst the series were beloved by chldren everywhere it also soon had a major cult following within the queer community, because frankly it was by far the campest TV show of its time . Looking back on clips like the one below, it almost seems that the show was made just for us gays.
Niow the really good news is that to mark the 60th Anniversary of Thunderbirds ther arew realeaed a cinematic double-bill brings together two of the most iconic episodes ever made: TRAPPED IN THE SKY and TERROR IN NEW YORK CITY. The double-bill will be in UK cinemas, in expertly restored stunning 4K UHD, from 20th September. Hopefully they will then roll them out in other countries
Making their worldwide debut in stunning 4K UHD, both episodes have been meticulously restored from the best surviving film elements in collaboration with award-winning restoration experts, Silver Salt. The result is the ultimate viewing experience—presented in glorious detail, including a brand new 5.1 surround sound mix for an appropriately epic cinema experience.
