Alternative 3 (TV 1977)

World ecological collapse; the next ice-age has already begun! Lucky for us, governments know what to do. Unfortunately it's a conspiracy to end all conspiracies. Vanishing scientists, ... See full summary »

Director:

Christopher Miles

Writers:

David Ambrose, David Ambrose (deviser),

Stars:

Tim Brinton, Gregory Munroe, Carol Hazell

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tim Brinton	...	Himself
Gregory Munroe	...	Colin Benson
Carol Hazell	...	Katherine White
Shane Rimmer	...	Bob Grodin
Richard Marner	...	Dr. Carl Gerstein
David Baxt	...	Harry
Alec Linstead	...	Professor Broadbent
Norman Chancer	...	Charles Welbourne
Anthony Roye	...	Robert Hendry
Patsy Trench	...	Dr. Ann Clarke
Phoebe Nicholls	...	Harry's Girlfriend
Ivor Roberts	...	George Pendlebury
Linda Cunningham	...	Annie
Nancy Adams	...	Doreen Patterson
Jonathan Hieatt-Smith	...	Young Man in Laboratory

Storyline

World ecological collapse; the next ice-age has already begun! Lucky for us, governments know what to do. Unfortunately it's a conspiracy to end all conspiracies. Vanishing scientists, dubious space missions, and a freak accident which kills the courier of a tape containing a secret radio message from an unmanned Mars probe - holds the key. Ruthless investigative reporters uncover the ominous master plan.

---

Plot Keywords:

conspiracy | scientist | mocumentary | soviet union | docu fiction | 

---

Genres:

Mystery | Sci-Fi

---

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 June 1977 (UK)

Also Known As:

Science Report

Company Credits

Production Co:

Anglia Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

56 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

As it was produced like a documentary and meant to be shown an episode of the series "Science Report", many people still believe Alternative 3 was based on a true story. The fact it has never been repeated on British TV has given ammunition to conspiracy theorists who believe Alternative 3 was meant to blow the whistle on an actual government project and alien threat. The film was originally intended to be broadcast on April Fools' Day as a hoax, but it was delayed until June by industrial action.

---

Connections

Referenced in Slacker (1991)

User Reviews

Alternative 3 - my experiences !

I well remember the alleged 'Science Report' of June 1977 about disappearing scientists and secret bases on the Moon.

At a UFO conference in a London hotel August 1979 (I met and had a chat with J.Allen Hynek) someone told me that the people who made that episode - Alternative 3 had a lot of trouble now finding work. Almost 'Black Listed' ?

Then a friend who's father was a senior engineer for the Royal Navy was asked by my friend about 'Alternative 3' - I was reading the Granada paperback at the time(sadly poorly written).

My friend's father hit the ceiling ! And shouted,"It's not that number anyway!"

Back in the early 1980's when 'La Thatcher' was in charge there was a girl in my local pub who bore a marked resemblance to 'Lady T'. I used to pull her leg about it as she pulled the pints. Chatting to her one day it transpired that she worked in a Financial Library in her day-time job. She was complaining about the snooty attitude of the highly qualified degree people who worked there. Anyway we somehow got chatting about 'Alternative 3' (too much beer on my part).

She said,"Alternative 3 sent a shudder right around the Financial Community. Whilst it was not completely true it closely paralleled the real thing. I shouldn't be telling you this because I have signed secrecy papers."

Interesting ?