Paula Hammond - Features EditorWhether you remember it as Journey To The Far Side Of The Sun or Doppelgänger, Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s first major live-action film, is now regarded as something of a cult classic. And it’s easy to see why.
Made in 1969, Journey To The Far Side Of The Sun is a film that many sci-fi fans remember for its wonderfully eerie atmosphere and its is-it-isn’t-it storyline. It boasts a stellar cast, including Roy Thinnes (The Invaders), Herbert Lom (Pink Panther) and Ian Hendry (Get Carter). The effects—as you would expect from the team who brought you Stingray and Thunderbirds—hold up well. And, while it’s not hard to guess what plot twists lie ahead, getting there is still an enjoyable journey.
However, if you only know Journey as a film that occasionally surfaces in the post-pub TV dead-zone, then you may be surprised discover that there’s more there is to this budget gem, than at first meets the eyes. Bubbling under the surface, there’s a certain cinematographic ambition here, with some lyrical camera-work, beautifully framed set-pieces, and a colour-palette that harks right back to 2001. Robert Parrish, is no Kubrick, but the Oscar-nominated director and film editor, is very good at what he does.
It’s 2069, and two astronauts are sent to uncover the secrets of a ‘duplicate’ Earth on the far side of the Sun. When they crash land three weeks earlier than they had planned, they must embark on a life-or-death mission to determine whether they have arrived back home or on the strange mirror-world.
Fabulous Films are quickly building a reputation as the go-to company for all those rare and hard-to-find TV and film releases—and aficionados will be delighted to discover that their Far Side Of The Sun re-issue will be available in both DVD and blu-ray.
New artwork by Graham Humphreys appears on the reversible sleeve. Humphreys is responsible for some of the best film posters of the 1980s including UK posters for the theatrical releases of The Evil Dead and A Nightmare On Elm Street.
Extras: Double Sided Sleeve with all new artwork by Graham Humphreys; Theatrical Trailer.
