What's UFO's Secret To Success?

First broadcast in the UK in 1970, UFO is one of the quieter Gerry Anderson shows. Leading on from his hugely successful slew of children’s television including Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet, UFO built upon ideas from the shows and incorporated lessons learnt from Anderson’s earlier attempt at live action with his movie, Doppelgänger.

In hindsight, the series combines charming model work, advanced special effects and pyrotechnics but is wrapped in a charming 70s aesthetic, a future where humanity has an advanced base on the moon along with rampant sexism, excessive smoking and huge rolls of tape.

We’ve covered the special effects in UFO before, the models are fantastic and scream the detail and attention Anderson dedicated to the show.

By far the most iconic model from UFO, The interceptor. Care was taken to ensure the craft is at least scientifically plausible. Armed with a nuclear missile (see front of craft) to defend the earth, these had to track and try to stop UFOs moving at speeds faster than light.

Coming straight off the back of several children’s shows, UFO tackled dark themes and morally grey areas. Every episode handled issues more complicated than the average science fiction show, but the stand outs have to be between A Question of Priorities & Mindbender. Without spoiling either, both deal with Straker’s family, difficult decisions and then the consequences. One’s also got an excellent premise far beyond it’s time!

But in contrast, the show has its shares of dubious acting, ridiculous close ups and the straight up bizarre. Instead of telling you, the video below should fully explain what we’re talking about!

UFO is currently broadcast at 10pm every Saturday and Sunday night on Forces TV. Available on Sky 264, Virgin 277, Freesat 165 & Freeview 96