A for Andromeda facts for kids
A for Andromeda is a science fiction story that started as a TV show. It was created by Fred Hoyle and John Elliott for the BBC. This exciting drama has appeared in several forms over the years:
- A for Andromeda: This was the first BBC TV series in 1961.
- The Andromeda Breakthrough: A sequel to the original series, made by the BBC in 1962.
- A come Andromeda: An Italian TV film based on the story, released in 1971.
- A for Andromeda: A newer film made for BBC Four in 2006, which was a remake of the 1961 TV series.
You can also find book versions of these stories in English.
The Story of Andromeda
The main story is about a radio astronomer, a scientist who studies radio waves from space. He receives strange signals from the direction of the Andromeda galaxy. He figures out that these signals are instructions to build a very advanced computer.
Once the computer is built, it gives even more instructions. This time, it tells the scientists how to create a living person! They follow the instructions and create a woman they call Andromeda. In the first BBC TV show, the famous actress Julie Christie played Andromeda. The lead scientist in the story becomes worried. He fears that Andromeda's real purpose might be to control or even enslave all of humanity.
About the TV Shows
Many of the original BBC TV episodes from the 1960s were unfortunately lost or destroyed over time. This means it's hard to watch them all today.
When the BBC wanted to make the sequel, The Andromeda Breakthrough, they hoped Julie Christie would play Andromeda again. However, by that time, she had become a very popular and expensive actress. The BBC couldn't afford to hire her for the sequel.
Back then, the idea of "property rights" for TV shows and movies wasn't as clear as it is today. Think of property rights as owning an idea or a creation, like a song, a book, or a TV show. Just like you can own a house, creators can own their creative works through something called copyright. This means they control how their work is used and who gets paid for it. Today, these rights are a very important part of how TV shows and movies are made and shared around the world.
Images for kids
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Julie Christie as Andromeda and Peter Halliday as Fleming in a scene from "The Face of the Tiger", episode six of A for Andromeda (1961).
