UFO (1970–1973)

In the year 1980 the Earth is threatened by an alien race who kidnap and kill humans and use them for body parts. A highly secret military organization is set up in the hope of defending ... See full summary »

Creators:

Gerry Anderson, Sylvia Anderson

Stars:

Ed Bishop, Dolores Mantez, Michael Billington

Cast

Series cast summary:
Ed Bishop	...	Cmdr. Ed Straker (26 episodes, 1969-1973)
Dolores Mantez	...	Nina Barry (23 episodes, 1969-1971)
Michael Billington	...	Col. Paul Foster (21 episodes, 1969-1973)
Ayshea Brough	...	SHADO Operative (18 episodes, 1969-1971)
George Sewell	...	Col. Alec Freeman (17 episodes, 1969-1971)
Keith Alexander	...	Lt. Keith Ford (15 episodes, 1969-1971)
Antonia Ellis	...	Joan Harrington (13 episodes, 1969-1971)

Storyline

In the year 1980 the Earth is threatened by an alien race who kidnap and kill humans and use them for body parts. A highly secret military organization is set up in the hope of defending the Earth from this alien threat. This organization is named SHADO (Supreme Headquarters Alien Defence Organization) and operates from a secret location beneath a film studio. They also operate a fleet of submarines and have a base on the moon as well as an early warning satellite that detects inbound UFOs. UFOs can be destroyed in space by Interceptors which are launched from Moonbase. If one gets through it can be attacked in the Earth's atmosphere by a high altitude aircraft launched from one of the submarines. If a UFO also avoids this and manages to land it can be tracked and destroyed by a number of Mobiles (armored vehicles) which are deployed throughout the world.

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Plot Keywords:

ufo | 1980s | female astronaut | flying saucer | sexy suit | 

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Genres:

Action | Sci-Fi

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 September 1970 (UK)

Also Known As:

Alerte dans l'espace

Filming Locations:

MGM British Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Century 21 Television, Incorporated Television Company (ITC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

45 min 45 min (26 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Gerry Anderson's first live-action TV series, after a number of shows produced in the "Supermarionation" process. Star Ed Bishop provided voices for one of these shows, _Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons (1967)_

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Goofs

When the alien is being taken down the corridor to the operating room, his eyes are open. Then, while on the operating table, the doctor removes the white plastic protective shells covering them.

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Quotes

Col. Paul Foster: What about our evidence? They've got to take notice of that.
Ed Straker: Evidence. What's it going to look like when Henderson claims that we manufactured it, just to get a space clearance program?
Col. Paul Foster: But we are *right*!
Ed Straker: Sometimes, Colonel, that's not quite enough.

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Crazy Credits

During the opening theme, the show's title "UFO" is flashed on the screen for only a fraction of a second. It appears "officially" on screen at the end of the teaser sequence.

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Connections

Featured in All About 'Thunderbirds' (2008)

User Reviews

Ambitious sci-fi series

I watched this show as a child in Canada, and I remember it fondly. It was very ambitious in its reach - the anti-alien organization had at its disposal a moon base, space craft, special land mobiles and a submarine that could also launch a manned aircraft! This involved lots of models and special effects, and was very exciting at the time. I also enjoyed the personal life conflicts of the characters in the series; the show was not just an endless series of explosions and chases, it tried for a more serious, complex approach. It's funny now to look at the odd clothes worn and bizarre hairdos (including purple wigs as part of the uniform of the female personnel on the moon base!) but the show was meant to be taking place 10 years in the future, so it is possible that the unusual costuming was meant to add an exotic, futuristic atmosphere.