Product Details
- Starring: Peter Dyneley, David Graham, Shane Rimmer, Ray Barrett, Christine Finn
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- Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
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- Binding: VHS Tape
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- EAN: 9780767032766
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- Format: Animated, Box set, Color, NTSC
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- ISBN: 0767032764
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- Label: A&E Home Video
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- Manufacturer: A&E Home Video
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- Number of Items: 3
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- Product Group: Video
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- Publisher: A&E Home Video
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- Release Date: 2001-02-27
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- Studio: A&E Home Video
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- Title: Thunderbirds - Set 1
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- UPC: 733961179903
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Avg Customer Rating: 
Product Description: "Filmed in VIDECOLOR [explosions, drum roll, music builds to a climax] and SUPERMARIONATION"! The opening sequence of Thunderbirds is itself a master class in Gerry Anderson's marionette hyperbole: who else would dare to make a virtue out of the fact that (a) the show is in color and (b) it's got puppets in it? But everything about this series really is epic: Thunderbirds is action on the grandest scale, predating such high-concept Hollywood vehicles as Armageddon by 30 years and more (the acting is better, too), and fetishizing gadgets in a way that even the most excessive Bond movies could never hope to rival. Unsurprisingly, it transpires that the visual effects are by Derek Meddings, whose later contributions to Bond movies like The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker echo his pioneering model work here. As for the characters, the clean-cut Tracey boys take second place in the audiences' affections to their cool machines--the real stars of the show--while comic relief is to be found in the charming company of Lady Penelope and her pink Rolls (license plate FAB1), driven by lugubrious chauffeur Parker, whose "Yes, milady" catchphrase resonated around school playgrounds for decades. (Spare a thought for poor old John Tracey, stuck up in space on Thunderbird 5 with only the radio for company.) The puppet stunt work is breathtakingly audacious, and every week's death-defying escapade is nail-bitingly choreographed in the very best tradition of disaster movies. First shown in 1964 and now digitally remastered, Thunderbirds is children's TV that still looks and sounds like big-budget Hollywood. On this set: International Rescue's very first adventure provides a template for all the rest: in "Trapped in the Sky," an experimental new aircraft becomes the target of an evil Bond-style megalomaniac who wants to get his hands on all the neat gear operated by the Tracey siblings. The show introduces, in fetishistic detail, the recurring set-pieces: Thunderbird 1 taking off from the roll-back swimming pool, the question of which pod Thunderbird 2 will use this week--the mole, or the submarine, perhaps?--and so on. Nostalgia fans will be pleased to learn that despite digital remastering the puppet strings are still in evidence, and no amount of high-tech restoration could remove the clunky expository dialogue: Stewardess: "It's the maiden flight of the new atomic-powered Fireflash."
Passenger: "Isn't that the new aircraft that flies six times the speed of sound?"
Stewardess: "That's right, but don't worry: it's perfectly safe."
[Cut to: interior, Fireflash landing gear, a device clearly labeled "Auto-Bomb Detonator Unit"]
Sinister bad guy (talking to himself for no readily apparent reason): "Perfect. Enough explosives to smash the Atomic Reactor."
In the second episode, "Pit of Peril," an absurdly impractical U.S. Army vehicle falls into the eponymous pit, necessitating use of pod 5, the mole. Joy! Also included: "City of Fire." --Mark Walker
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Customer Reviews
Very original.
This series bring back memories of my childhood, an epoch that lives in the past never to resurface again, an epoch of mindless fun, carelessness and true feelings and emotions. An era of innocence and purity. Sigh.... Sigh....
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no-stalgia
When I was a kid I remember sitting in front of the television eagerly waiting for the Thunderbirds to come on. But that was then. There weren't that many shows for young audiences and 24-hours-a-day cartoon channels didn't yet exist...
As much as I played up the Thunderbirds to my six year old son,
and as excited as he was when I first popped in the VHS, the story did not hold his attention for more than ten minutes and after a good half hour of fidgeting, he finally admitted that he was bored. Maybe for older children?
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A Blast From The Past
This is truly a great adventure series. I am from New Zealand and grew up with the Tracy family and their Thunderbirds aircraft and International Rescue outfit. Considering that it is nearly 35 years old the spacial effects are still impressive. I recently purchased the set 1 and 2 for my 6yr old son as a nostalga trip to my childhood so as to share some of my past with him. He is now hooked on the series and loves it.For Christmas I purchased the Thunderbird aircraft (made by matchbox) thru E-Bay and he was thrilled.
I am sure that this will appeal to any young child. Good always gets the upper hand over evil and the plots are easy to follow but to a young person still have plenty of action and adventure. The puppetry is great and every now and then you can spot the strings which adds to the nostalga without detracting from the appeal. In a world that is crying out for heros who selflessly seek to help others I feel this is a great example.
Alltogether a good program for both children and even enjoyed by many adults, especially myself.
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A sure hit
My husband watched this when he was a child and loved it so we bought it for our five year old. He absolutely loves it. We also have the toy vehicles. Every boy who sees the toys and movies are mesmerized. They all love them. It captures their imagination and takes them on a rescue adventure. I would recomend these movies to any boy - child or adult!
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I loved it when I was six and now my six year old loves it
Whenever my kids ( 8 and 6 years old) and their friends want to watch a movie I recommend the Thunderbirds. You can't loose, it's a puppet show, so there is no expectations. But without fail these kids react just as I did when I first watched it when I was their age. Fascination. I loved it and the children today do also. It just a simple, very fun action packed show. You can't go wrong.
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