Sylvia Anderson
Director
Thunderbirds (1965)
Specials
Thunderbirds is a 1960s British science-fiction television series which was produced using a mixed method of marionette puppetry and scale-model special effects termed "Supermarionation". The series is set in the 21st century and follows the exploits of International Rescue, a secret organization formed to save people in mortal danger with the help of technologically advanced land, sea, air and space vehicles and equipment, launched from a hidden base on Tracy Island in the South Pacific Ocean.
Released Sept. 30, 1965
Episode 50 min
7+
Genres: Action, Adventure, Animation, Family, Science Fiction
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Watch Providers: Amazon Prime Video, Tubi TV, The Roku Channel, fuboTV, Pluto TV + 8 more, Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus, Shout! Factory TV, Plex, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads, Plex Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Production Companies: Century 21 Television, ITC Entertainment, AP Films
Network: Associated Television
Country: United Kingdom
Languages:
English
S0E1 - The Beginning
S0E2 - The Machines
Extract from 'The Brains Behind Thunderbirds'.
S0E3 - The Tracy Family
Extract from 'The Brains Behind Thunderbirds'.
S0E4 - Lady Penelope and Parker
Extract from 'The Brains Behind Thunderbirds'.
S0E6 - The Making of Thunderbirds
S0E5 - The Secrets
Extract from 'The Brains Behind Thunderbirds'.
S0E7 - LyonsMaid Commercial
S0E8 - Kellogg's Sugar Smacks Commercial
S0E9 - The Brains Behind Thunderbirds
In the course of the hour-long documentary, the viewer is introduced to each of International Rescue's gadget-tastic vehicles. There's the 15,000 mph Thunderbird 1 rocket piloted by Scott Tracy; the freight-carrying Thunderbird 2 with its six different rescue machine pods piloted by brother Virgil; the space rocket Thunderbird 3 with Alan Tracy at the helm; sub-aquatic Thunderbird 4 with Gordon Tracy aboard; and the orbiting space station Thunderbird 5 overseen by a rather solitary John Tracy. Brains then introduces us properly to each of the brothers, their father Jeff, gorgeous London agent Lady Penelope and her butler Parker, and even warns us about their deadly enemy, The Hood.
Sept. 11, 1999, midnight
S0E10 - Thunderbirds are GO
Zero-X, a manned exploration mission crashes during lift-off on its maiden flight. Two years later an investigative committee finally concludes sabotage, and decides to call on the services of International Rescue to oversee security at the impending second launch. The second Zero-X successfully reaches its destination, but encounters unexpected hazards, ultimately leading to another call for assistance on its return to Earth. International Rescue respond, and once again Thunderbirds are GO!
Dec. 15, 1966, midnight
S0E11 - Thunderbird 6
The International Rescue team is faced with one of its toughest challenges yet, as the revolutionary lighter-than-air craft Skyship One is hijacked while on her maiden voyage around the world. Against backdrops including the Statue of Liberty and the Sphinx, Lady Penelope, Parker, Alan and Tin-Tin fight the hijackers from on-board, while the rest of the team tries to stop the airship crashing.
Nov. 20, 1968, midnight
S0E12 - Thunderbirds
Dangerous missions are the bread and butter of the Thunderbirds, a high-tech secret force employed by the government. Led by Jeff Tracy (Bill Paxton), the Thunderbirds are at the top of their game, but their nemesis, The Hood (Ben Kingsley), has landed on their island and is attempting a coup by using the team's rescue vehicles. He'll soon discover that the Thunderbirds won't go down.
July 23, 2004, midnight
S0E13 - Introducing Thunderbirds
In this story set before the first episode of the television series, Lady Penelope and Parker head to Tracy Island in order to discover more about International Rescue. There, they witness the Thunderbird craft in action for the first time.
S0E14 - The Abominable Snowman
When reports come in from the Himalayas of kidnappings by the Abominable Snowman, International Rescue sends Lady Penelope to investigate. She soon finds herself a prisoner of The Hood. Can International Rescue save Penelope in time?
S0E15 - The Stately Homes Robberies
Stately homes across England are being targeted for their precious jewel collections. The villains will stop at nothing to complete their task. Their next victim? Lady Penelope. Can she and Parker thwart their diabolical plan?
S0E16 - Thunderbirds 1965 (50th Anniversary Episodes Documentary)
Behind the scenes of the production of three new episodes of the classic television show Thunderbirds - exactly the way it was done in the 60s! The team behind the Thunderbirds 50th Anniversary episodes have now produced their own show. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson's classic Thunderbirds, the team from Century 21 Films produced three brand new episodes of the series using all the classic techniques. The special episodes – Introducing Thunderbirds, The Abominable Snowman, The Stately Homes Robberies – were based upon three original 1960s voice recordings and produced in association with copyright holders ITV. Their task was to build sets, puppets, and models matching the originals and to marry them with those adapted voice recordings. The final effect should make the audience feel that they're watching three long-lost episodes. The series premiered at the BFI in August 2016, and has enjoyed subsequent screenings at Vue Cinemas and now on Britbox UK.
March 5, 2016, midnight
S0E17 - Introducing Thunderbirds
Lady Penelope and Parker head to the elusive Tracy Island in order to discover more about International Rescue. There, they witness the Thunderbird craft in action for the very first time.
March 9, 2016, midnight
S0E18 - Launching Thunderbirds
Archival interviews with Gerry Anderson and others on the production of the show
June 9, 2015, midnight
S0E46 - Before Thunderbirds Were Go: A Profile Of Gerry Anderson
History of the Thunderbirds narrated by creator Gerry Anderson.
Sept. 1, 1965, midnight
S0E47 - Interview With Gerry Anderson (Play All)
Full interview of Gerry Anderson.
Sept. 1, 1965, midnight
S0E48 - Interview With Gerry Anderson (On His Creative Philosophy)
Interview with Gerry Anderson about his creative philosophy.
Sept. 1, 1965, midnight
S0E49 - Interview With Gerry Anderson (On Compelling TV)
Interview with Gerry Anderson about compelling TV.
Sept. 1, 1965, midnight
S0E50 - Interview With Gerry Anderson (On Cold War Storylines)
Interview with Gerry Anderson about his Cold War story lines.
Sept. 1, 1965, midnight
S0E51 - Interview With Gerry Anderson (On His Toughest Obstacle)
Interview with Gerry Anderson about his toughest obstacles.
Sept. 1, 1965, midnight
S0E52 - Interview With Gerry Anderson (On DVD Technology)
Interview with Gerry Anderson about DVD technology.
Sept. 1, 1965, midnight
S0E53 - Interview With Gerry Anderson (On Stanley Kubrick)
Interview with Gerry Anderson about Stanley Kubrick.
Sept. 1, 1965, midnight
S0E54 - Interview With Gerry Anderson (A Message To His American Fans)
Interview with Gerry Anderson and his message to his American fans.
Sept. 1, 1965, midnight
S0E55 - The Thunderbirds Companion
Expanding on 'The Brains Behind Thunderbirds', this version adds additional extended footage and interviews with Gerry Anderson, David Graham, Bob Bell, John Blundall, Mary Turner and Alan Pattillo.
July 19, 2004, midnight
Network: Associated Television
Episode Runtime: 50 min.
Season Runtime: 1600 min.
Released: Sept. 30, 1965
Last Air Date: Dec. 25, 1966, midnight
Status: Ended
Certification: TV-Y7 / 7+
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