Stars: Ed Bishop, George Sewell, Michael Billington, Peter Gordeno, Gabrielle Drake, Grant Taylor, Vladek Sheybal, Harry Baird, Suzan Farmer

Director: Kenneth Turner

Summary: This 1970s live-action Gerry Anderson sci-fi series is set in (the then-futuristic world of) 1980, a time when alien invaders have begun to kidnap humans for ghastly purposes. Earth's only hope is the secret SHADO (Supreme Headquarters Alien Defence Organisation), led by Commander Ed Straker (Ed Bishop). This collection features three episodes from the first season: Survival, Conflict, and The Dalotek Affair. These episodes are also available as part of a UFO box set.

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UFOwas Gerry Anderson's first live-action TV series after a decade of producing such children's animated classics as Stingray(1963) and Thunderbirds(1964). The premise of UFO, which ran for a single season of 26 episodes, was like a more serious version of Anderson's Captain Scarlet(1967)--in the near future of 1980 a hi-tech secret organisation, SHADO, waged covert war against mysterious alien attackers. Ed Bishop played the American head of SHADO--he had had previously featured in Captain Scarletand Anderson's Doppelganger(1969)--though in all other respects this was a thoroughly British production. As with all Anderson series UFOevidenced remarkable technological inventiveness and groundbreaking production values, coupled with startling lapses in fundamental logic too numerous to list.

Much more adult in story and content than earlier Anderson productions, and surprisingly dark with its pragmatic view of human nature and downbeat endings, the show now seems like a forerunner of The X Filesand the equally short-lived Dark Skies(1996). Barry Gray's memorable theme and atmospheric music greatly enhanced the overall impact. Stylishly made, though terribly sexist by current standards and featuring eye-catching costumes more fitted for a camp fancy dress party than the front line of a futuristic war, this cult classic eventually evolved into Space 1999(1975).

On the DVD:from the animated menus onwards these DVDs have been beautifully designed and produced. The mono sound is exceptionally strong and the restored and remastered picture is almost unbelievably good for a 1970 TV show. With barely a flaw anywhere the episodes look so clear, colourful and detailed that they could have been filmed last week. --Gary S Dalkin

Aspect Ratio:	4:3
Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Special Features:	Character Profile, Production Gallery, Deleted Scenes Gallery, Behind The Scenes Gallery
Year:	1970
Release Date:	March 18, 2002
Runtime:	150 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	37115 02433
Keywords:	Anderson, General, Series, Gerry, Volume, Ufo, Tv, Childrens, Episodes, Vol
Genre:	Childrens