UFO 

The missions of the Supreme Headquarters Alien Defence Organization, which defends Earth from extra-terrestrial threats.

Creators:

Gerry Anderson, Sylvia Anderson

Stars:

Ed Bishop, Dolores Mantez, Michael Billington

Cast

Series cast summary:
Ed Bishop	...	Cmdr. Ed Straker / ... 26 episodes, 1970-1973
Dolores Mantez	...	Nina Barry 23 episodes, 1970-1971
Michael Billington	...	Col. Paul Foster / ... 21 episodes, 1970-1973
Ayshea Brough	...	SHADO Operative / ... 19 episodes, 1970-1971
George Sewell	...	Col. Freeman / ... 17 episodes, 1970-1971
Keith Alexander	...	Shado Radio Operator / ... 15 episodes, 1970-1971
Antonia Ellis	...	Joan Harrington 13 episodes, 1970-1971

Storyline

In 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 | submarine | satellite | 1980s | moon base | 

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Genres:

Action | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

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 (26 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The running order listed here is not necessarily the right order,being a syndicated program on ITV,several regions did not show the series as was intended. In fact some regions did not show the entire run of 26 episodes until the late 1970's early 1980's. E.G. The official running order on the DVD releases and from the Fanderson website state that "Exposed" should be episode 4 not 2

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Goofs

The exterior shots of the moonbase interceptors clearly show the cockpit canopies extend for another foot or so behind the pilot, yet in the interior shots of the ships, there are switches and dials overhead.

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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

The closing credits of the episode "Square Triangle" play over the final scene of the episode, rather than over shots of outer space as per usual.

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Alternate Versions

Footage from five episodes was edited together to create the made-for-syndication TV movie 'Invasion: UFO'.

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Connections

Edited into UFO: Distruggete base Luna! (1974)

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.