Even if you’re not old enough to remember the thrill of Supermarionation the first time around, the chances are you grew up watching repeats of Captain Scarlet, Thunderbirds and Terrahawks.
Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s much-loved shows have been part of our collective childhoods seemingly forever. This September, Network are offering fans something very special: Supercar: The Complete Series on deluxe, limited edition Blu-ray.
Supercar was Anderson’s first full half-hour series but was rarely repeated once British terrestrial TV switched to colour in 1969. As part of the celebrations for the show’s 60th anniversary, all 39 episodes have been upgraded from the original 35 mm film elements, offering fans the chance to finally grab a slice of the magic.
Intrepid pilot Mike Mercury (Graydon Gould) takes to the skies in his fantastical, jet-powered Supercar. With Professor Popkiss (George Murcell) manning the console, and the eccentric Dr Beaker (David Graham) providing his customary blend of erudition and genius, the stage is set for a classic adventure series that blends action, humour, and charm in equal measure.
At the time, Supercar was both technically sophisticated and offered the sort of dramatic storylines that were in stark contrast to the wacky or educational shows usually aimed at children. The result was an international hit, which paved the way for the likes of Fireball XL-5 (1962) and Stingray (1963), which became the first British TV series to be made entirely in colour.
Today’s younger audiences may balk at the black and white visuals, and clunky puppetry, but let’s face it, you won’t be buying it for the kids. Top-notch nostalgia.