"Thunderbirds" (1965) TV series 1965-1966

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Creators:

Gerry Anderson
Sylvia Anderson

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

15 September 1965 (Netherlands)

Genre:

Action | Family | Sci-Fi

Plot:

In the 21st century, the Tracy family operate a unique private mechanized emergency response service.

Plot Keywords:

Rescue | Futuristic | Rescue Team | Supermarionation | Disaster

Cast

Peter Dyneley	...	Jeff Tracy / ... (32 episodes, 1965-1966)
David Graham	...	Brains / ... (32 episodes, 1965-1966)
Shane Rimmer	...	Scott Tracy / ... (31 episodes, 1965-1966)
Ray Barrett	...	John Tracy / ... (30 episodes, 1965-1966)
Christine Finn	...	Tin-Tin Kyrano / ... (30 episodes, 1965-1966)
Matt Zimmerman	...	Alan Tracy / ... (28 episodes, 1965-1966)
David Holliday	...	Virgil Tracy / ... (26 episodes, 1965-1966)
Sylvia Anderson	...	Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward / ... (25 episodes, 1965-1966)

Also Known As:

"International Rescue" (UK) (working title)
"Tairnearan Tar As" (UK: Gaelic title)

Runtime:

50 min (32 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Videcolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:G | USA:TV-G | UK:U

Company:

AP Films (APF)

Trivia:

When the initial concept for "Thunderbirds" was drawn up, it was agreed that Kyrano's daughter Tin Tin should have a "romantic interest" in Thunderbird 3 astronaut, Alan Tracy.

Goofs:

Plot holes: There are some episodes in which civilian personnel who are being assisted by International Rescue refer to the Tracy brothers by name. How would they know their names? IR is a secret organization and it's highly unlikely they would give out their names.

Quotes:

Virgil Tracy: Thunderbird Two to Thunderbird One, do you read me?
[Thunderbird One does not answer]
John Tracy: He's got to have made it, he's GOT to.
Virgil Tracy: Thunderbird Two to Thunderbird One, do you read me?
[static]
Scott Tracy: Loud and clear.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Top Gear: (2007-12-23)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Dangerous Game

Immortal Sci-Fi Marionette Series

Thunderbirds is justly remembered as Gerry Anderson's best series, and its mixture of memorable characters, superb production values, strong scripts, and tense action remains enticing. The concept of a "free-lance" rescue organization using highly advanced machinery for rescues in exceptionally dangerous situations hits home immediately, and the characterization (enhanced by the show's one-hour format) adds enormously to the tension and sympathy within the show's 32 episodes.

Anderson recruited a superior voice cast in Peter Dyneley, Shane Rimmer, David Holliday (who regrettably left the show after its first season), Matt Zimmerman, veteran AP Film voices David Graham and Ray Barrett, Christine Finn, Gerry's then-wife Sylvia, and John Tate. Though some of the dialogue can be a bit cheesy, it still works, imbuing each character with sympathy and draw. It all enhances the enjoyably lavish sets, props, and special effects that create the intriuguing mixture of future with circa-1964 present. Adding a sweep and majesty to the procedings is the score of Barry Gray, using a large orchestra and displaying an often clever grasp of its strength, from the opening teaser and main march openings to each episode through the many incidental cues used, employing multiple instruments down to a solo by banjo or guitar to create the proper atmosphere.

When it all comes to conclusion, the show wins on almost every level, making for an immortal series.