Journey to the Far Side of the Sun (1969)

The European Space Exploration Council sends two astronauts to explore a planet similar to the Earth but located on the opposite side of the sun.

Director:

Robert Parrish

Writers:

Gerry Anderson (story), Sylvia Anderson (story)

Stars:

Roy Thinnes, Ian Hendry, Patrick Wymark

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Roy Thinnes	...	Colonel Glenn Ross
Ian Hendry	...	John Kane
Patrick Wymark	...	Jason Webb
Lynn Loring	...	Sharon Ross
Loni von Friedl	...	Lisa Hartmann
Franco De Rosa	...	Paulo Landi (as Franco Derosa)
George Sewell	...	Mark Neuman
Ed Bishop	...	David Poulson (as Edward Bishop)
Philip Madoc	...	Dr. Pontini
Vladek Sheybal	...	Psychiatrist
George Mikell
Herbert Lom	...	Doctor Hassler

Storyline

A planet is discovered in the same orbit as Earth's but is located on the exact opposite side of the sun, making it not visible from Earth. The European Space Exploration Council decide to send American astronaut Glenn Ross and British scientist John Kane via spaceship to explore the other planet. After a disastrous crash-landing Ross awakes to learn that Kane lies near death and that they apparently have returned to Earth, as evidenced by the presence of the Council director and his staff. Released to the custody of his wife, he soon learns things are not as they seem.

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Plot Keywords:

2060s | planet | sun | astronaut | reading writing in mirror | 

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Taglines:

Man has conquered the moon with the epic Apollo 11 flight! Now take another momentous journey!

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Genres:

Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 November 1969 (USA)

Also Known As:

Journey to the Far Side of the Sun

Filming Locations:

Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal

Company Credits

Production Co:

Century 21 Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Phoenix spacecraft's power reactor is depicted as having been manufactured by Rolls Royce.

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Goofs

When placing the astronauts in the capsule, we see Roy Thinnes facing us on the left-hand side and Ian Hendry on the right-hand side of the capsule. A few seconds later, the positions are reversed and remain so throughout the scenes involving the capsule.

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Quotes

Jason Webb: I've been thinking John, about the second astronaut to accompany Ross.
John Kane: Well Bogemann is the obvious choice, or Mitchell.
Jason Webb: If we want just an astronaut, I agree.
John Kane: But?
Jason Webb: It occurs to me, that we need someone more flexible.
John Kane: Well they're trained to be-
Jason Webb: I mean, in terms of knowledge. Someone who could take full advantage of any findings on the new planet, no matter how bizarre or unusual they happen to be.
John Kane: You mean an astrophysicist. (a beat) Me?
Jason Webb: The idea doesn't appeal to you?
John Kane: You must be joking!
[...]

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Connections

Remade as The Stranger (1973)

User Reviews

A favorite of mine from my teenage years

I never claimed this film to be a masterwork. But, when I was a teenage boy, growing up during the Apollo project and the original Star Trek years, I found this film to be imaginative and thought provoking. The music score was especially to my liking - I didn't realize why at the time, but later in my career I came to understand what a fine composer Barry Gray was (I'm a school band director). The criticism offered in many reviews is unjustified. I recently purchased the DVD edition to add to my collection of 1950-77 sci-fi films (the "pre Star Wars" era). I always have held the film as one of the best of the era, largely because of its appeal to the emotions of "awe" and the film's visual and musical effects. Well worth owning, and far better than most of the junk produced during this era (with exceptions such as George Pal films, and of course, the entire Star Trek franchise).