Thunderbirds Are Go facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thunderbirds Are Go |
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UK film poster
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| Directed by | David Lane |
| Produced by | Sylvia Anderson |
| Screenplay by | Gerry and Sylvia Anderson |
| Starring |
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| Music by | Barry Gray Songs:
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| Editing by | Len Walter |
| Studio | Century 21 Cinema Productions Associated Television |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
| Release date(s) | 12 December 1966 |
| Running time | 93 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Budget | £250,000 |
Thunderbirds Are Go is a 1966 British science-fiction puppet film. It is based on the popular Thunderbirds TV series. This show used special puppets called Supermarionation. The film was created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson and their company, Century 21 Productions.
The story is about a spacecraft called Zero-X and its journey to Mars. When Zero-X has problems returning to Earth, the amazing rescue team, International Rescue, must act fast. They use their high-tech Thunderbird vehicles to save the crew before the spacecraft crashes.
The movie was filmed from March to June 1966. It was one of the first films to use a special video system called "Add-a-Vision." The special effects were directed by Derek Meddings and took six months to make. Even though early reviews liked the film, it did not do well at the box office. Later, people criticized it for having too many long effects scenes and a strange dream sequence. Because the film did not do as well as hoped, the distributors ordered a sequel, Thunderbird 6.
Contents
Story of the Mission
The First Zero-X Launch
In the year 2065, the first mission to Mars begins with the launch of the Zero-X spacecraft. But a bad guy named the Hood secretly sneaks onto the ship. He wants to take pictures of its special wing parts.
During the launch, the Hood accidentally gets his foot caught in the ship's moving parts. This causes the Zero-X to go out of control. The astronauts quickly use their escape pod to get out safely. The Hood also escapes by parachute just before the Zero-X crashes into the ocean and explodes.
The Second Mission to Mars
Two years later, in 2067, a new Zero-X is built. Another mission to Mars is planned. The amazing team of International Rescue agrees to protect the launch. They want to prevent any more sabotage.
Jeff Tracy, the head of International Rescue, sends Scott in Thunderbird 1 to watch things on the ground. Virgil and Alan fly Thunderbird 2 and Thunderbird 3 to escort Zero-X into space.
Catching the Hood
Lady Penelope pretends to be a reporter at a press conference before the launch. She gives each crew member a special brooch with a hidden homing device. This device helps track them.
On launch day, Dr. Grant's device is not working, even though he is supposed to be on board. Scott realizes that "Grant" is actually the Hood in disguise! The Hood tries to escape in a car, but Penelope and Parker chase him in their cool car, FAB 1. The Hood then tries to get away in a speedboat and a helicopter. Parker uses FAB 1's machine gun to shoot down the helicopter.
Meanwhile, the real Dr. Grant is found and returned to Zero-X. The spacecraft then launches safely.
Alan's Dream
After the mission, Penelope invites Scott and Virgil to a fun nightclub called The Swinging Star. Back on Tracy Island, Alan feels a bit left out because he has to stay at base.
That night, Alan has a very strange dream. In his dream, he and Penelope go to another Swinging Star nightclub, but this one is in space! Famous singers Cliff Richard Jr and The Shadows perform songs there. Alan's dream ends when he falls out of the space nightclub and wakes up. He realizes he just fell out of his own bed!
Return from Mars
After a six-week flight, Zero-X reaches Mars on July 22. The astronauts land on the planet in their special vehicle, the Martian Excursion Vehicle (MEV). They find strange, coil-like rock shapes. When they destroy one, the other shapes come alive! They are one-eyed rock snakes that shoot fireballs. The astronauts quickly fly back to orbit and head for Earth.
The Final Rescue
On September 2, as Zero-X comes back into Earth's atmosphere, a part of the ship breaks off. This damages the flight controls and the escape pod system. The astronauts are trapped, and Zero-X is going to crash into Craigsville, Florida.
Jeff Tracy sends Scott and Brains in Thunderbird 1, and Virgil, Alan, and Gordon in Thunderbird 2. Craigsville is quickly evacuated. Alan is lifted into the damaged Zero-X. With Brains' help, he fixes the escape system. Just seconds before impact, Alan finishes the repair and jumps out as the astronauts safely eject. The empty Zero-X crashes.
Penelope and Parker pick up Alan in FAB 1. They drive him to the real Swinging Star nightclub. There, Penelope, the Tracy family, Brains, and Tin-Tin celebrate Alan as a true hero!
More Adventures and Media
Books and Comics
A book version of the film was released in 1966 by Angus P. Allan. Also, a comic book called TV Century 21 printed a four-part story of the film. After that, TV Century 21 continued with Zero-X comic strips until 1969. These comics showed new adventures of the astronauts as they explored space.
The comics also connected to another show called Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons. In some issues, a trip to Mars led by Captain Black goes wrong. Captain Black falls under the control of the evil Mysterons. The Zero-X returns to Earth, and the possessed Captain Black escapes.
Home Video Releases
Thunderbirds Are Go was first released on DVD in 2001. Later, in 2004, a special "International Rescue Edition" was released. In 2014, the film was released on Blu-ray as part of a set with Thunderbird 6.
Images for kids
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UK film poster
See also
In Spanish: Thunderbirds Are GO para niños
