The Official Gerry Anderson Facebook page has announced that the team behind the critically acclaimed Filmed in Supermarionation documentary is to produce three new episodes of Classic Thunderbirds to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the franchise.
The Facebook post reveals that the new episodes will be made using the classic Supermarionation techniques and will incorporate the soundtracks from three Thunderbirds audio episodes from 1966, featuring the show’s original voice cast.
Sylvia Anderson, co-creator of the classic series says: “Recreating the 1960s version of Thunderbirds like this is a great idea. What better way to celebrate half a century? I know that Stephen and his team will produce an episode that will look like something we would have made. FAB!”
Jamie Anderson, son of Gerry Anderson says: “Generations of kids and adults have enjoyed Thunderbirds since it first aired 50 years ago. The magic formula of models, practical effects and puppets is very special, and I’m absolutely certain that Stephen and his team will recreate that magic.”
Director Stephen La Rivière says: “For Filmed In Supermarionation, we shot new sequences with the puppets using the old fashioned techniques. Whilst many of the methods used seem a little archaic and time-consuming by today’s standards, we thought that it would be very special to do a one-off project bringing Thunderbirds back to life 1960s style. Sadly, many of the original voice cast have passed away since 1965. However, thanks to these original audio recordings, we have new, authentic stories that have never been adapted for screen. This means that these old-new episodes should be the most authentic recreation of the 1960s experience as it’s possible to get.”
A Kickstarter will launch this Thursday (July 9th) in order to help raise financing for the project, with rewards set to include the likes of a DVD / blu-ray of the finished production, a special commemorative photo magazine featuring rare and previously unpublished stills, and a once in a lifetime ‘Thunderbirds Experience’ – join the crew down at their studio at witnessing an old-style episode of Thunderbirds being made.
For more information, visit www.thunderbirds1965.co.uk.
https://youtu.be/IWWtOQOZSTI?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng
Originally published July 7, 2015. Updated April 15, 2018.
