Disc Reviews

Filmed In Supermarionation Review

• 15th Oct 2014

Standing the test of time for over 50 years now – Gerry Anderson’s tremendous work from the 60’s is showcased here in a documentary directed by Stephen La Riviere’s adapted from his own book.

Parker and Lady Penelope host the framework of the documentary – basically asking the questions and consulting a book, occasionally calling in a favour from brains (Brains Explains) to go into further detail about production specifics.

There is a host of interviewees from the production team from Anderson all the way down as they chart the beginnings of the likes of Four feather Falls and Supercar to the in colour Stingray, the heights of Thunderbirds (Including two theatrical enterprises), the continued success with the much darker Captain Scarlet, and then the slow decline with Joe 90 and eventually The Secret Service.

Aspects of creating the puppets, improving their functionality over the years including getting the electric lip syncing right

No stone seems to be left unturned from the process of creating the puppets and improving them over the years (down to the detail of lip-syncing the electronics), shooting underwater, rolling sky and ground backgrounds and Derek Meddings fantastic model work are all covered, as is Barry Gray’s monumental music themes.

In the end it all seems like it is being rushed over – even for a documentary that is almost two hours in length.

The is also a boxset featuring the revamped book, art cards and a Blu-ray set of selected episodes from all series available.

Steven Hurst

FILMED IN SUPERMARIONATION  is available on DVD, Blu-ray and Limited Edition Box Set 20 October