"UFO" (1970) TV series 1970-1971

Creators:

Gerry Anderson
Sylvia Anderson

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

16 September 1970 (UK)

Genre:

Sci-Fi

Plot:

In the year 1980 the Earth is threatened by an alien race who kidnap and kill humans and use them for body parts...

Plot Keywords:

Alien Attack | Acronym In Title

Cast

Ed Bishop	...	Cmdr. Ed Straker (26 episodes, 1970-1973)
Mel Oxley	...	Space Intruder Detector SID (25 episodes, 1970-1973)
Dolores Mantez	...	Nina Barry (23 episodes, 1970-1973)
Michael Billington	...	Col. Paul Foster (21 episodes, 1970-1973)
George Sewell	...	Col. Alec Freeman (17 episodes, 1970-1973)
Ayshea Brough	...	SHADO Operative (16 episodes, 1970-1973)
Keith Alexander	...	Lt. Keith Ford (15 episodes, 1970-1973)
Antonia Ellis	...	Joan Harrington (14 episodes, 1970-1973)
Gabrielle Drake	...	Lt. Gay Ellis / ... (12 episodes, 1970-1973)

Also Known As:

Gerry Anderson's UFO (Australia)

Runtime:

45 min (26 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

MGM British Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Century 21 Television

Trivia:

In this series, the term "U.F.O." is usually not "spelled out". Most often, it is pronounced as a word: "you-foh." Only automated systems like the voice of the computer on the interlink satellite pronounce it "you-eff-oh".

Goofs:

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: Although set (and filmed) in England, all the futuristic cars are left-hand drive, and everyone drives on the right-hand side of the road. Several other series by the Andersons featured the same driving system, presumably because England was predicted to switch over sometime before the future events depicted. Flashback scenes showed the "normal" English driving arrangement.

Quotes:

Col. Paul Foster: We can't just sit around!
Ed Straker: I've solved quite a few problems by just "sitting around", as you call it, Colonel. You should try it yourself sometime.

Movie Connections:

Featured in All About 'Thunderbirds' (2008) (TV)

Ambitious sci-fi series

I watched this show as a child in Canada, and I remember it fondly. It was very ambitious in its reach - the anti-alien organization had at its disposal a moon base, space craft, special land mobiles and a submarine that could also launch a manned aircraft! This involved lots of models and special effects, and was very exciting at the time. I also enjoyed the personal life conflicts of the characters in the series; the show was not just an endless series of explosions and chases, it tried for a more serious, complex approach. It's funny now to look at the odd clothes worn and bizarre hairdos (including purple wigs as part of the uniform of the female personnel on the moon base!) but the show was meant to be taking place 10 years in the future, so it is possible that the unusual costuming was meant to add an exotic, futuristic atmosphere.