The Complete UFO Megaset (1970)

UFO was 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 in 1970, was like a more serious version of Anderson's Captain Scarlet (1967): in the near future of 1980, a high-tech secret organization, SHADO, waged covert war against mysterious alien attackers. Ed Bishop played the American head of SHADO--he had been previously featured in Captain Scarlet and Anderson's Doppelganger (1969)--though in all other respects this was a thoroughly British production. As with all Anderson series, UFO evidenced 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-Files and 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 campy dress party than the front line of a futuristic war, this cult classic eventually evolved into Space: 1999 (1975).

The UFO 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, colorful, and detailed that they could have been filmed last week. This eight-disc megaset features all 26 episodes. --Gary S. Dalkin Amazon.com

Great 60s Scifi

This old 60s show is pretty chessey, even for the time, but it was very popular in my area. As young kids we loved the action, and as teenagers we loved the Moon girls! How nice to revisit the show after all these years. The DVD set is pretty basic, extas are pretty sparse since it is such an old show, but the transfers look great. November 25, 2008

what a memory

After all these years i finally bought this recently on DVD i haven't seen it since the 1970's .seeing some of the episodes reminds me when i watched it on Saturdays back in the 70s , I love the cast and crew in this Gerry Anderson masterpiece , the props and the costumes , music etc. fit it perfect . i always thought there was an episode where a guy gets turned into an alien ?? anyone know of this ??? November 23, 2008

UFO, a future past

The television series UFO was set in the then future year 1980, but even today it seems like a foggy glimpse of the future. Although some of the technological predictions were less than accurate, however, the subject matter prefigures such works as Men in Black, X-files, and Torchwood.
The best way to describe the premise is as an alternative X-files where the `cigarette smoking man ` is the hero. Ed Straker has two goals. The first is to defend the Earth against attacks by UFO's. He does this with a secret organization called SHADO, which has at its disposal a fully staffed Lunar Base, Moon launched interceptors, and a submersible aircraft carrier. He also has to keep the general public from finding out about this interplanetary war. To do this he uses a movie studio as a cover for his operation, with an efficient receptionist played by the late Lois Maxwell, who is well versed in putting the 'secret' in 'secretary', having also played the efficient receptionist Moneypenny in the James Bond movies. He also employs an amnesia drug on those people who have either seen a UFO or anything else to do with his operation. Think of the MIB's neuralyzer or Torchwood's Retcon.
The writing is uneven, but in the episode `Destruction' ,Anderson borrows from an interesting source. In the episode, the aliens have a human operative who is coerced into sending them the data they need by beaming it through a telescope. Arthur C. Clarke used the same technique in his novel EarthlightTorchwood - The Complete Second SeasonSpace 1999 - 30th Anniversary Edition Megaset (17DVD)The X-Files: The Complete Collector's EditionEarthlight November 4, 2008

Money poorly spent

As a child of the 60's, I thought UFO was pretty cool. Now, as an adult, I can realize just how poorly put together this show was. Bad acting, bad wardrobe, bad sets. Star Trek was shot along the same time this was and they had a lot better scripts, sets, wardrobe, actors, props. $80 down the drain. September 13, 2008

Commendable resurrection of old series

It has been two decades since last seeing this show on TV.It features a truly futuristic style and interersting plots.Special effects are great.Acting is excellent August 30, 2008

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