Thunderbirds Are GO (1966)

Zero-X, a manned exploration mission crashes during lift-off on its maiden flight. Two years later an investigative committee finally concludes sabotage, and decides to call on the services... See full summary »

Director:

David Lane

Writers:

Gerry Anderson, Sylvia Anderson

Stars:

Sylvia Anderson, Ray Barrett, Alexander Davion

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Sylvia Anderson	...	Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward (voice)
Ray Barrett	...	John Tracy / The Hood (voice)
Alexander Davion	...	Space Captain Greg Martin (voice)
Peter Dyneley	...	Jeff Tracy (voice)
Christine Finn	...	Tin-Tin Kyrano (voice)
David Graham	...	Gordon Tracy / Brains / Parker (voice)
Paul Maxwell	...	Captain Paul Travers (voice)
Neil McCallum	...	Dr. Ray Pierce (voice)
Bob Monkhouse	...	Space Navigator Brad Newman / Swinging Star Compere (voice)
Shane Rimmer	...	Scott Tracy (voice)
Charles 'Bud' Tingwell	...	Dr. Tony Grant / Angry Young Man / Public Relations Officer (voice) (as Charles Tingwell)
Jeremy Wilkin	...	Virgil Tracy / Space Exploration Center President (voice)
Matt Zimmerman	...	Alan Tracy / Messenger (voice)

Storyline

Zero-X, a manned exploration mission crashes during lift-off on its maiden flight. Two years later an investigative committee finally concludes sabotage, and decides to call on the services of International Rescue to oversee security at the impending second launch. The second Zero-X successfully reaches its destination, but encounters unexpected hazards, ultimately leading to another call for assistance on its return to Earth. International Rescue respond, and once again Thunderbirds are GO!

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Plot Keywords:

marionette | supermarionation | marionettes with real hands | puppet | 

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Taglines:

See ... their fantastic battle with the sinister 'Rock Snakes' of Mars! - See ... the most exciting air rescue ever performed! - See ... the most advanced space-craft ever created! - Hear Cliff Richard and the Shadows sing "Shooting Star"

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Genres:

Action | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

G

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

July 1968 (USA)

Also Known As:

Feuervögel startbereit

Company Credits

Production Co:

Associated Television (Overseas) Limited, Century 21 Television

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although very distinctly different, the appearances of both Scott Tracy and Paul Travers were based on Sean Connery by their respective modellers.

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Goofs

The planet Mars has a largely red surface, yet here it is depicted with a fairly generic grayish appearance.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Glenn Field Controller: This is Assembly Control calling all Zero X units. Assembly Phase One - go!

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Crazy Credits

During the course of the end credits, the band (The Band of HM Royal Marines) form the phrase "THE END" by the end of the credits.

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Connections

Referenced in Atop the Fourth Wall: JoJo's Bizarre Adventures Episodes 1-4 (2017)

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Soundtracks

Zero X Theme
Written and Arranged by Barry Gray
Performed by The Shadows (Brian Bennett, John Rostill & Bruce Welch)

User Reviews

Not at all Bad

I remember back in the 1960s the family were out for a walk and we were passing a cinema. We had nothing else to do, so we went in to see this. I had never been particularly impressed with the TV version in black and white (at that time in Britain). But I was very impressed with the film. In full glorious colour, and the special effects looked highly realistic on the big screen - they really did.

It's kids' entertainment for children aged from 7 to 700. The fact it lasted longer than a TV episode doesn't matter.

You get a great exciting story, lots of journeys into space in a blistering adventure that'll steam up Brains's glasses and set his bow tie spinning.

Saw the film again recently, this time with the eyes of an adult. Saw the dream sequence set in the night club. I was amazed at the attention to detail with The Shadows. Not only was each puppet almost a perfect model of Hank, Bruce, John and Brian, but the little Burns guitars were perfect in every detail, right down to the trade mark scroll head. Beautifully done. The singer was Cliff Richard Junior. Oh, well, you can't get everything right!