Thunderbird 6: The Movie [DVD]

"Thunderbirds are Go" is the more serious of the two films, despite an ill-judged dream sequence, concentrating on the first manned flight to Mars. Presumably the first Mars probe project was scrapped after it fell off Arlington Bridge. Well paced and engrossing, this film probably shows Gerry Anderson's eagerness to move into live action films more than even the increased realism of his later marionette series.The, perhaps rather too long, assembly of the Zero X craft in the opening sequence is accompanied by Barry Gray's most regal and dignified composition, the wonderful Zero X theme.There are many standout moments, such as the beautiful point of view shot of the transit from atmosphere to outer space as Zero X embarks on it's mission, and Alan's desperate work upon it's return. Lady Penelope and Parker have one of their finest dry comic moments when they dispatch the Hood, closely followed by a magnificent view of the Zero X ascending.The Mars mission itself foreshadows the general theme of Captain Black's ill fated mission to that planet in Thunderbird's successor series. A near perfect (dream sequence lets it down) adaptation from TV to screen.The second movie is much lighter in tone, if not content. In "Thunderbird Six" four members of the team abandon their previously vital anonymity to take a holiday on the 21st century's least commercially viable aircraft, apparently designed to carry no more than a dozen passengers if the seating arrangements are anything to go by, before being on the receiving end of a rescue at the world's least effective early warning station; while Jeff Tracey goes through some sort of stress related crisis and obsesses over the need for a "Thunderbird Six", ignoring the fact that the multitudes of machines at their disposal have served International Rescue perfectly well through almost forty rescues. And it is a glorious finale to the Thunderbirds franchise. While aspects such as the high body count in a saga which had until this point placed high value on human life and the occasional moments of whimsy can jar, overall this is an enjoyable romp.The models are of course exceptional, the landscapes in particular are the most convincing of any Supermarionation production, with trees especially far more realistic than ever before, adding to the scale perfectly. Models and sets combine to make the intercut model and live shots of the Tiger Moth bi-plane virtually indistinguishable. Widescreen and a movie budget give the model makers, set designers and cinematographers scope to create some truly spectacular images, from the aerial view of Lady Penelope's convoy to the breathtaking high altitude vistas at the scene of the rescue. Images such as these would not have been out of place in blockbuster live action movies at the time and stand up today against the self indulgent CGI backdrops of recent years.As you would expect, the music is excellent although a few comic passages lessen the tension in the bi-plane escape scene. However this is easily forgiven as Barry Gray's main theme for the movie is just about the most infectiously bright and optimistic movie theme ever. Make a point of watching the photo gallery in the special features to hear the full piece.Even the glib denouement cannot detract from the pleasure of this film, which provides a colourful and captivating culmination to an iconic piece of popular culture.The special features are good without being overwhelming, informative and it's good to hear Sylvia Anderson's recollections. She hasn't tried to distance herself from these shows, like Gerry did in the seventies, and her likeable manner and obvious pride in the show shine out.This set is a must for any Thunderbirds fan and also as a unique and iconic part of modern entertainment history. And of course, both films have fantastic explosions.

Thunderbird Six has had a bad press in its time; certainly I was disappointed the first time I watched it. It's the sort of thing you need to watch more than once, because after a time it begins to grow on you. The modelwork is excellent - I like the Skyship, I don't think it's "visually unremarkable" as one viewer commented - and the action fine. The problem is that it was made a while after the TV series finished, and it shows. Because of that lapse of time those responsible for it were no longer in a "Thunderbirds" reality and something of the soul of the show was lost. I think the voice artistes had to some extent forgotten how to play the characters as they seem to have changed, not always for the best, from the original portrayals; particularly Jeff who always had a genial side to balance his gruffness, but here comes over as mean and hectoring in the way he treats Brains. Somehow Lady Penelope doesn't seem like Lady Penelope, either. There's also the fact that IR kill quite a few people, sometimes quite graphically. This is certainly against the spirit of Thunderbirds. They could have used stun guns instead, which would have been more in keeping with a humanitarian organisation. The destruction of the Black Phantom's base seems unnecessary given his plan has failed. With a bit of care and thought, which seems to have been lacking, some acceptable explanation for it could have been devised. And although it's not the Tracys' fault, someone did once tell me they found the scene with all those bodies being dumped in the water in succession "obscene".

I loved Thunderbirds when I was a child, all those BBC2 repeats were bliss. This is an obsession that has not paled with the passing of years.Recently I purchased the 9-disc Thunderbirds box set and discovered that these two films weren't included, so I decided I must have them.This is a 2 disc set - one film plus extras per disc.THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO An 89 minutes film based round the Zero X mission to Mars. Watch out for the appearance of Cliff Richards and the Shadows. audio commentary with Sylvia Anderson and David Lane (Director) 3 featurettes: history and appeal factory of dolls and rockets epics in minature 2 easter eggs theatrical trailer photo gallery quiz Regions playable - 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Subtitles - English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch and Greek Soundtrack languages - English, German, French, Italian and SpanishTHUNDERBIRD 6 Members of International Rescue are guests for the maiden flight of a new aircraft. An 86 minutes film. audio commentary with Sylvia Anderson and David Lane featurettes: Lady Penelope Building better puppets Tiger moth theatrical trailer quiz - craft mission photo gallery Subtitles - English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Sutch and Greek Soundtrack languages - English, German French and Spanish (no Italian)Thoroughly enjoyable and not featured on the 9 disc boxset -  Thunderbirds Complete Series Digistack--9-Disc Box Set [DVD ].