Captain Scarlet vs the Mysterons
Encyclopedia
Captain Scarlet vs the Mysterons is a 1980 television film based on the 1967 British Supermarionation
television series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons
. It is a compilation film incorporating re-edited footage from the series episodes "The Mysterons
", "Winged Assassin
", "Seek and Destroy" and "Attack on Cloudbase
". A second compilation film, Revenge of the Mysterons from Mars
, was completed in 1981.
and Mars
after a manned mission to the Red Planet
results in an attack on the city of the Mysteron
s. The World President
is threatened with assassination but ultimately saved from a Mysteron reconstruction of Spectrum's top agent, Captain Scarlet
, which is released from Mysteron control and re-enters Earth's service ("The Mysterons
"). However, the Mysterons successfully assassinate the Director General of the United Asian Republic ("Winged Assassin
").
Captains Scarlet and Blue
and Destiny Angel come under attack from a squadron of reconstructed Angel fighter jets, but the other Spectrum Angels come to the rescue ("Seek and Destroy"). A later assault on Cloudbase
results in the total destruction of the Spectrum headquarters, but the Mysterons use their extraordinary abilities to rewind time
, leaving the base intact ("Attack on Cloudbase
").
's New York
offices, Captain Scarlet vs the Mysterons was one of several of Gerry Anderson
presentations made to encourage new syndication sales of his series to American television network
s. These films were promoted as "Super Space Theater" during the sales process. Alterations to the source footage for Captain Scarlet vs the Mysterons included an animated title sequence
, updated special effect
s, new synthesised
music and extra Mysteron
voices provided by an American-accented actor.
, who was not consulted on the new production. The fan response was also negative, although the film receives a rating of three-and-a-half stars out of four in the Video Movie Guide 1996.
Changes to the material from "Attack on Cloudbase
" were widely criticised: following the destruction of Cloudbase
from the 1968 episode, the Mysterons use their powers to reverse time
, leaving Cloudbase intact and stating that on this occasion they will spare the human race in a voice-over
accompanied by the image of a CGI
pyramid. The implication that the attack was real, while it was only dreamt by Symphony Angel in the 1968 episode, confused fans.
In his tie-in Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons programme guide, John Peel
suggests that the ending of the episode was altered to lend the film a sense of conclusion to improve on the 1960s television series, whose final episode provides no closure in terms of Earth
's war with Mars
. His final verdict on the film is negative: "The grafting of the new ending isn't too well done, and the whole thing looks totally faked."
in 1986 to successful sales figures.
Supermarionation
Supermarionation is a puppetry technique devised in the 1960s by British production company AP Films. It was used extensively in the company's numerous Gerry and Sylvia Anderson-produced action-adventure series, the most famous of which was Thunderbirds...
television series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons
Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons
Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons, often referred to as Captain Scarlet, is a 1960s British science-fiction television series produced by the Century 21 Productions company of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, John Read and Reg Hill...
. It is a compilation film incorporating re-edited footage from the series episodes "The Mysterons
The Mysterons (Captain Scarlet episode)
"The Mysterons" is the first episode of the 1960s Supermarionation television series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons. It was first officially broadcast in the UK on ATV Midlands on , although it had been granted an unscheduled test transmission for the London area on...
", "Winged Assassin
Winged Assassin
"Winged Assassin" is the second episode of the Supermarionation television series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons. It was first broadcast in the UK on on ATV Midlands. It was written by Tony Barwick and directed by David Lane...
", "Seek and Destroy" and "Attack on Cloudbase
Attack on Cloudbase
"Attack on Cloudbase" is the 31st episode of the 1960s Supermarionation television series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons. The penultimate instalment of the series, it first aired in the United Kingdom on ATV Midlands on 7 May 1968...
". A second compilation film, Revenge of the Mysterons from Mars
Revenge of the Mysterons from Mars
Revenge of the Mysterons from Mars is a 1981 television film incorporating re-edited footage from the 1967 British Supermarionation television series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons. Created by ITC Entertainment's New York offices, the film is a compilation of the original episodes "Shadow of...
, was completed in 1981.
Plot
War erupts between EarthEarth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
and Mars
Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...
after a manned mission to the Red Planet
Manned mission to Mars
A manned mission to Mars has been the subject of science fiction, engineering, and scientific proposals throughout the 20th century and into the 21st century...
results in an attack on the city of the Mysteron
Mysteron
The Mysterons are a fictional race of extraterrestrials, native to the planet Mars, which appear in the British science fiction Supermarionation television series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons and Gerry Anderson's New Captain Scarlet, symbolised by ubiquitous projected green rings and the deep...
s. The World President
World government in science fiction
In both science fiction and utopian/dystopian fiction, authors have made frequent use of the age-old idea of a global state and, accordingly, of world government.- Overview :...
is threatened with assassination but ultimately saved from a Mysteron reconstruction of Spectrum's top agent, Captain Scarlet
Captain Scarlet (character)
Captain Scarlet is the fictional main character in Gerry Anderson's British Supermarionation science fiction television series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons and its CGI remake Gerry Anderson's New Captain Scarlet....
, which is released from Mysteron control and re-enters Earth's service ("The Mysterons
The Mysterons (Captain Scarlet episode)
"The Mysterons" is the first episode of the 1960s Supermarionation television series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons. It was first officially broadcast in the UK on ATV Midlands on , although it had been granted an unscheduled test transmission for the London area on...
"). However, the Mysterons successfully assassinate the Director General of the United Asian Republic ("Winged Assassin
Winged Assassin
"Winged Assassin" is the second episode of the Supermarionation television series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons. It was first broadcast in the UK on on ATV Midlands. It was written by Tony Barwick and directed by David Lane...
").
Captains Scarlet and Blue
Captain Blue (Captain Scarlet)
Captain Blue is a character in the 1967 Supermarionation television series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons. He is a senior officer of the Spectrum organisation and a close friend of Captain Scarlet....
and Destiny Angel come under attack from a squadron of reconstructed Angel fighter jets, but the other Spectrum Angels come to the rescue ("Seek and Destroy"). A later assault on Cloudbase
Cloudbase
Cloudbase is the fictional skyborne headquarters of international security organisation Spectrum, from Gerry Anderson's science fiction television series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons .-Appearance in Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons:...
results in the total destruction of the Spectrum headquarters, but the Mysterons use their extraordinary abilities to rewind time
Time reversal
Time reversal may refer to:* In physics, T-symmetry - the study of thermodynamics and the symmetry of certain physical laws where the concept of time is reversed — ie...
, leaving the base intact ("Attack on Cloudbase
Attack on Cloudbase
"Attack on Cloudbase" is the 31st episode of the 1960s Supermarionation television series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons. The penultimate instalment of the series, it first aired in the United Kingdom on ATV Midlands on 7 May 1968...
").
Production
Created by ITC EntertainmentITC Entertainment
The Incorporated Television Company was a British television company largely involved in production and distribution. It was founded by Lew Grade.-History:...
's New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
offices, Captain Scarlet vs the Mysterons was one of several of Gerry Anderson
Gerry Anderson
Gerry Anderson MBE is a British publisher, producer, director and writer, famous for his futuristic television programmes, particularly those involving specially modified marionettes, a process called "Supermarionation"....
presentations made to encourage new syndication sales of his series to American television network
Television network
A television network is a telecommunications network for distribution of television program content, whereby a central operation provides programming to many television stations or pay TV providers. Until the mid-1980s, television programming in most countries of the world was dominated by a small...
s. These films were promoted as "Super Space Theater" during the sales process. Alterations to the source footage for Captain Scarlet vs the Mysterons included an animated title sequence
Title sequence
A Title Sequence is the method by which cinematic films or television programs present their title, key production and cast members, or both, utilizing conceptual visuals and sound...
, updated special effect
Special effect
The illusions used in the film, television, theatre, or entertainment industries to simulate the imagined events in a story are traditionally called special effects ....
s, new synthesised
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
music and extra Mysteron
Mysteron
The Mysterons are a fictional race of extraterrestrials, native to the planet Mars, which appear in the British science fiction Supermarionation television series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons and Gerry Anderson's New Captain Scarlet, symbolised by ubiquitous projected green rings and the deep...
voices provided by an American-accented actor.
Reception
The film was neither a critical nor commercial success. It was also disliked by Gerry AndersonGerry Anderson
Gerry Anderson MBE is a British publisher, producer, director and writer, famous for his futuristic television programmes, particularly those involving specially modified marionettes, a process called "Supermarionation"....
, who was not consulted on the new production. The fan response was also negative, although the film receives a rating of three-and-a-half stars out of four in the Video Movie Guide 1996.
Changes to the material from "Attack on Cloudbase
Attack on Cloudbase
"Attack on Cloudbase" is the 31st episode of the 1960s Supermarionation television series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons. The penultimate instalment of the series, it first aired in the United Kingdom on ATV Midlands on 7 May 1968...
" were widely criticised: following the destruction of Cloudbase
Cloudbase
Cloudbase is the fictional skyborne headquarters of international security organisation Spectrum, from Gerry Anderson's science fiction television series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons .-Appearance in Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons:...
from the 1968 episode, the Mysterons use their powers to reverse time
Time reversal
Time reversal may refer to:* In physics, T-symmetry - the study of thermodynamics and the symmetry of certain physical laws where the concept of time is reversed — ie...
, leaving Cloudbase intact and stating that on this occasion they will spare the human race in a voice-over
Voice-over
Voice-over is a production technique where a voice which is not part of the narrative is used in a radio, television production, filmmaking, theatre, or other presentations...
accompanied by the image of a CGI
Computer-generated imagery
Computer-generated imagery is the application of the field of computer graphics or, more specifically, 3D computer graphics to special effects in art, video games, films, television programs, commercials, simulators and simulation generally, and printed media...
pyramid. The implication that the attack was real, while it was only dreamt by Symphony Angel in the 1968 episode, confused fans.
In his tie-in Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons programme guide, John Peel
John Peel (writer)
John Peel is a British writer, best known for his books connected to several television series. He has written under several pseudonyms, including John Vincent and Nicholas Adams. He lives in Long Island, New York and his wife is a U.S...
suggests that the ending of the episode was altered to lend the film a sense of conclusion to improve on the 1960s television series, whose final episode provides no closure in terms of Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
's war with Mars
Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...
. His final verdict on the film is negative: "The grafting of the new ending isn't too well done, and the whole thing looks totally faked."
Video releases
In the UK, Channel 5 Video released the film on VHSVHS
The Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
in 1986 to successful sales figures.