Thunderbirds are Go!
Original title
Thunderbirds
Released
9/30/1965
Origin country
GB
Genre
Action & Adventure, Animation, Family, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Production companies
ITC Entertainment, Century 21 Television, AP Films
Status
Ended
Number of seasons
2
Number of episodes
32
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.
Special installments of the series.
A short compilation film produced by Carlton International as an introduction to the vehicles and craft of International Rescue, hosted by Brains.
A short compilation film produced by Carlton International as an introduction to the characters in Thunderbirds, hosted by Brains.
A short special produced by Carlton International as an introduction to the key characters, Lady Penelope and Parker, hosted by Brains.
Extract from 'The Brains Behind Thunderbirds'.
A short documentary filmed in the mid-1960s offering a behind-the-scenes look at the series’ production. Includes black and white behind-the-scenes shots from the original production.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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?
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.
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.
Archival interviews with Gerry Anderson and others on the production of the show
History of the Thunderbirds narrated by creator Gerry Anderson.
Full interview of Gerry Anderson.
Interview with Gerry Anderson about his creative philosophy.
Interview with Gerry Anderson about compelling TV.
Interview with Gerry Anderson about his Cold War story lines.
Interview with Gerry Anderson about his toughest obstacles.
Interview with Gerry Anderson about DVD technology.
Interview with Gerry Anderson about Stanley Kubrick.
Interview with Gerry Anderson and his message to his American fans.
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.
An all-new mini Supermarionation adventure featuring Lady Penelope and Parker
A brand-new documentary exploring the many reboot attempts across different formats and generations.
An exclusive new HD remaster of the classic fan tribute comedy short now with newly recorded dialogue from David Graham.
A brand-new feature documentary celebrating the legacy and global impact of Thunderbirds featuring interviews with actors, filmmakers and fans.
A 1995 compilation tape celebrating the 30th anniversary of Thunderbirds showcasing International Rescue’s most challenging disasters. Featuring new technical data and narration by co-creator Gerry Anderson.
A second 1995 compilation celebrating the 30th anniversary of Thunderbirds highlighting International Rescue’s most daring missions. Featuring new technical data and narration by co-creator Gerry Anderson.
A collection of archive interviews with crew from the original show focusing on their respective departments and giving a glimpse behind the scenes of the production.
A 2008 behind-the-scenes documentary that explores the creation, legacy and impact of the classic Supermarionation series. Aired as part of BBC Four’s Thunderbirds Night, it was directed and narrated by Jack Davenport, and features interviews, rare footage and insights from creator Gerry Anderson.
A collection of Thunderbirds music as composed by Barry Gray and played by a full orchestra. Taken from the 2024 concert, Stand By For Action! 2 which took place at Symphony Hall, Birmingham.
A collection of technical videos examining the technology of International Rescue hosted by resident genius Brains and Jeff Tracy
A UK DVD special produced by Carlton International as an introduction to the series hosted by Brains. Includes interviews with key creators including Gerry Anderson and David Graham.
A collection of vintage adverts and promotional videos for the show and its related merchandise throughout the years.
A Thunderbirds fan-favourite comic story from the pages of TV21. Now adapted into a full-cast audio drama, experience the gripping adventure of International Rescue’s greatest battle against The Hood.
As another peril threatens the world, the team leap into action. Thunderbirds are GO!
Criminal Mastermind the Hood puts a bomb on a plane. International Rescue must foil the Hood's evil plans.
On a jungle test, the U.S. Army Sidewinder falls into an old landfill where combustible gases have turned it into a raging inferno.
Professor Borender, an important scientist, and Lady Penelope are both abducted.
A TV reporter and a cameraman are trapped when the Empire State Building collapses.
A fighter jet crashes into a Teleray station, trapping two men, after being sabotaged by the Hood.
A Martian probe-rocket containing two engineers is buried underneath rubble when a bridge collapses.
A British agent is trapped in a room of plutonium with an explosive device strapped to his wrist.
Brains and Tin-Tin set off on an expedition to retrieve sunken treasure from Lake Anasta. The Hood has also set his sights on the riches and plans to put both Brains and Tin-Tin in grave peril.
Eddie Houseman, a Tracy Family friend, is left stranded on a cliff after a demolition operation goes wrong.
Scott is brought down in the desert by three mysterious jet fighters and captured along with a team of archaeologists.
A space explorer is on a collison course with the sun after becoming lost.
Thunderbirds are called to rescue a supersonic plane from beneath the Atlantic Ocean.
A Bank of England worker is trapped in a time-lock safe. Time is of the essence as the oxygen is running out.
'The Mighty Atom' is a robotic rodent programmed to take photographs. The Hood steals the machine intending to take secret pictures of the Thunderbirds' craft and operations.
A Space age shopping mall suddenly becomes the site of a raging furnace.
Operations are unjustly suspended when imposters disguised as International Rescue take secret papers from a vault.
A British spy vanishes while carrying atomic weapon blueprints.
The Hood attacks a space tracking station in Australia.
After the launch of the ship Ocean Pioneer, fears are raised that its potentially explosive cargo of liquid alsterene may mean impending disaster.
After Alan wins Parola Sands motor race, his rival Victor Gomez develops a grudge.
Lady Penelope's friend, the Duchess of Royston, agrees to sell an expensive painting.
Crooked tycoon Warren Grafton invites Jeff, Brains and Tin-Tin for a ride on the monorail he has built.
An experimental drug that makes animals grow four times their normal size is spilled into the Amazon River by a greedy boatman attempting to steal it.
The Hood forces an unwitting Kyrano into immoblising Thunderbird 1's photodetector.
The villainous musician Olsen has a cunning plan to disrupt rocket flights.
Chip, a young boy, manages to penetrate Tracy Island.
As another peril threatens the world, the team leap into action. Thunderbirds are GO!
Jeff takes a holiday with Lady Penelope, leaving Scott to take charge of International Rescue. But when a fire threatens to engulf the Seascape drilling rig, he is unsure whether to intervene or not...
The massive, atomic powered 'Crablogger' that cuts down and processes trees into pulp goes out of control and razes a town to the ground. Virgil and Scott risk death to shut down its reactor and empty its fuel tanks before it destroys a local dam.
Master criminals hijack a plane with Lady Penelope on board.
Lady Penelope and Parker holiday at the world's first solar-powered town.
Tin-Tin picks up an SOS message from an intergalactic pirate TV station.
While Christmas preparations are underway at both Tracy Island and a local children's hospital, which is expanding to incorporate a new radiotherapy wing, a pair of criminals attempt to burgle a high-tech vault storing gold bullion.
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