Space: 1999 (1975–1977)

The crew of Moonbase Alpha must struggle to survive when a massive explosion throws the Moon from orbit into deep space.

Creators:

Gerry Anderson, Sylvia Anderson

Stars:

Martin Landau, Barbara Bain, Nick Tate

Cast

Series cast summary:
Martin Landau	...	Commander John Koenig (48 episodes, 1975-1977)
Barbara Bain	...	Dr. Helena Russell (47 episodes, 1975-1977)
Nick Tate	...	Alan Carter (42 episodes, 1975-1977)
Zienia Merton	...	Sandra Benes (35 episodes, 1975-1977)
Catherine Schell	...	Maya (25 episodes, 1975-1977)
Barry Morse	...	Prof. Victor Bergman (24 episodes, 1975-1976)
Tony Anholt	...	Tony Verdeschi (23 episodes, 1976-1977)
Prentis Hancock	...	Paul Morrow (23 episodes, 1975-1976)
Clifton Jones	...	David Kano (23 episodes, 1975-1976)
Anton Phillips	...	Dr. Mathias (23 episodes, 1975-1976)

Storyline

In 1999, Moonbase Alpha, nestled in the Lunar crater Plato, is a scientific research colony and watchdog over silos of atomic waste from Earth stored on the Moon's far side. On September 13, 1999, magnetic energy builds to cause an explosive chain-reaction of the waste, blasting the Moon out of Earth orbit and off the plane of the ecliptic, out of the Solar System. The inhabitants of Moonbase Alpha are unable to return to Earth and must survive on their wandering Moon as it is displaced further into unknown space by freak space warps. Along the way, they are joined by an alien woman with the ability to change herself into any living creature at will.

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Plot Keywords:

moon | space | alpha | explosion | moon base | 

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Taglines:

An Adventure As Big As The Universe!

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Sci-Fi

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Details

Official Sites:

Carlton Video Ltd

Country:

UK Italy

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 September 1975 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cosmos 1999

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Group 3, Incorporated Television Company (ITC), Radiotelevisione Italiana

Technical Specs

Runtime:

50 min 50 min (48 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono Dolby Digital (DVD Release)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the time, this was the most expensive series ever produced for British TV or for syndication.

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Goofs

Eagle numbers on doors in cockpits not always what the pilots call in and the numbers don't always match with each other.

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Quotes

Sandra Benes: Why has all of this happened to us, Professor?
Prof. Victor Bergman: The gods using us for their sport, perhaps?

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Crazy Credits

During the first season, excerpts for each week's episode were incorporated into the opening credits, which was something of a Gerry Anderson trademark.

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theatre 3000: Humanoid Woman (1989)

User Reviews

Best Sci-Fi series ever (1st season)

I have been a huge fan of Space:1999 since I was about 5 years old (yes, really) But whereas at that age it was mostly the special effects, and the Eagles that grabbed my attention, as time went by; I started to realize that most of the first season episodes were imbued with a metaphysical element that had totally escaped me before. I think this is by far the most well-conceived science-fiction series ever, and that the cast was not only diverse and representative but also acted very well. In some important ways Space; 1999 (having caught me at a most impressionable age) helped shape many of my thoughts on the future of humanity - and on the relevancy of Science-Fiction to our increasingly globalized culture - an absolute novelty back in 1975. My last words on this wonderful series: Please don't miss it!