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	...	Captain Ross
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 | female nudity | tragedy | tragic ending | accidental suicide | 

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Taglines:

You will meet yourself face-to-face when Earth meets its duplicate in outer space!

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Genres:

Drama | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 August 1969 (Italy)

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

Patrick Wymark's character complains of heart trouble early in the film. Ironically, Wymark really did have a bad heart and died the following year.

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Goofs

When in space there is still gravity, it is most evident when the astronauts are looking at photographs of the new planet.

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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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Alternate Versions

American television prints cut the close-up of the oral contraceptives case (including its label), meaning only people who knew what one looked like would understand the point.

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Connections

References Stingray (1964)

User Reviews

Sylvia and Gerry Anderson's best work

Undoubtedly the best movie Sylvia and Gerry Anderson ever made. While falling short of Stanley Kubrick's contemporaneous "2001: A Space Odyssey," "Journey to the Far Side of the Sun" has a strong, enigmatic plot and is plausible (apart from the novelty of its main premise) on both the human and technical levels.

I think that this movie succeeds most on the philosophical level, and it may be the only time that the Andersons have managed this in one of their movie-length productions (although there were certainly occasional glimpses of emotional and philosophical depth in their "UFO" and "Space:1999" serials).

I am glad that this movie was re-released on DVD as it will give me a chance to enjoy it all over again (for the first time in nearly 20 years).