Space 1999
Space 1999, the Gerry Anderson live action classic, starring Martin Landau, Barbara Bain and Barry Morse, has made it to DVD, and Carlton Video have not done things by half. Released in 6 stand alone DVD volumes and as a box set. SPACE 1999 - Volumes 1, 2 and 3 were released along with the DVD Box set which can hold the entire series on 30th April 2001. The initial release of the box set in April will hold DVD the first three volumes with a cardboard insert for the remaining three volumes to be collected individually when released on 11th June. Such is the appeal of Gerry Anderson's work that there is still enormous interest in a space series set in 1999! With the recent success of Thunderbirds and the soon to be re-released Stingray, Anderson's programming continues to transcend time and SPACE 1999 is as unmissable today as it was when it was first conceived way back in 1973. Revolving around the crew of Moonbase Alpha, where scientific experiments are conducted and data about space gathered, the series begins when disaster strikes and the Moon is blown out of the Earth's orbit by an extensive explosion emanating from man-made nuclear waste pits, causing it to drift endlessly through the void of space. Conceived at 7.30 one morning in 1973 when Gerry Anderson was summoned by Lew Grade to ITC's London office. Anderson needed finance to make a second series of U.F.O., the live-action, sci-fi drama that was a precursor to SPACE 1999. As Anderson feared, Grade wasn't interested but he was keen to invest in a new big budget science fiction extravaganza - this time set completely in Space with American actors to widen the appeal to US network audiences. Without time to think it over, the enigmatic Anderson agreed. I-Spy star Robert Culp was initially approached for the role of Koenig but negotiations ended when it became clear that he wanted more creative input - namely to write and direct! Anderson then approached husband and wife team Martin Landau and Barbara Bain who were impressed by his special effects ideas and agreed. Landau, a Hollywood stalwart, star of Mission Impossible and later Oscar® winner for Ed Wood, played Commander John Koenig, in charge of the only permanent base on the Moon, Moonbase Alpha. As Koenig he would be rugged, determined and possess the endurance to survive the pressures and dangers spinning out of control in deepest space. Bain, her husband's co-star in Mission Impossible was cast as Dr Helena Russell, the cool Head of Medical. Barry Morse, whose CV included the hugely popular series The Fugitive, The Adventurer and The Zoo Gang completed the line-up. Professor Victor Bergman, Alpha's scientific advisor, who had a robotic heart, acted as Koenig's compassionate adviser remaining calm and rational in the most chaotic circumstances. The series was filmed at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire with additional shooting at Bray Studios, SPACE 1999 was created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, and in addition to Landau, Bain and Morse also starred Prentis Hancock as Controller Paul Morrow, second in command to Koenig, Australian actor Nick Tate as Captain Alan Carter, Clifton Jones who took the part of David Kano, a computer expert now in his tenth tour of duty, and Zienia Merton as Sandra Benes, the base's data co-ordinator.Character Biographies | DVD details | Programme Log The main characters in the series are... COMMANDER JOHN KOENIG played by Martin Landau. John Robert Koenig was born in Brooklyn, New York, USA on 17th March 1959. As a young boy he was fascinated by the Apollo missions to the moon, a fascination that led to a successful career in astrophysics in later life. In 1980, Koenig joined the United States space programme. One of his earliest missions as a cadet involved relieving a team of scientists stationed on Venus. The mission turned to disaster when the entire party had to be abandoned, victims of an incurable Venusian Plague. Two of Koenigs closest friends died with the science team. Tragedy struck again in 1987 when Koenig's wife Jean was killed in a thermonuclear incident which destroyed Switzerland , Koenig threw himself into his work, becoming responsible for the planning and control of many outstanding space missions. Assigned to Moonbase Alpha in 1996, he was responsible for the Ultra Probe Mission, a manned flight to the newly discovered planet Ultra. When the mission ended with the loss of the Probe ship together with three members of its crew and the disgrace of another friend, Tony Cellini, Koenig was grounded. He was persuaded to return to Alpha three years later, this time to replace Anton Gorski as Commander of the base and ensure the success of the Meta Probe mission. He resumed command on September 9th, 1999. Four days later the Moon was blasted out of Earth orbit, leaving Koenig with sole responsibility for the 311 Alphan survivors. With an unmatched flair for leadership and the ability to assess a situation and swiftly come to a decision, Koenig tempers his natural curiosity for the unknown with a concern for the safety and security of the men and women in his care. DOCTOR HELEN RUSSELL played by Barbara Bain. Helena Susan Russell was born in Chicago, Illinois on 5th August 1960. The daughter of a physician, she followed in his footsteps, entering a medical career after leaving High School and becoming one of the top experts in the field of space medicine. While working for the Space Commission, she met and married astronaut Lee Russell. In 1996 Russell was reported missing, presumed dead when his ship, Astro 7 was lost in the orbit of Jupiter. Helena retreated into the routine of her work, which involved treating the disturbed Tony Cellini on his return from the disastrous Ultra Probe Mission, and developing more habitable environments for personnel in the sterile confines of Moonbase Alpha and other off-world stations. She was promoted to Chief Medical Officer of Moonbase Alpha in January 1999 and, following the Moon's breakaway from Earth orbit, developed a strong attachment to John Koenig, an attachment, that in time has blossomed into a deep and lasting relationship. PROFESSOR VICTOR BERGMAN played by Barry Morse. Victor Bergman was born in London, England on June 27th 1940. Some 20 years senior to his colleagues on Alpha, he could remember a time when a trip to the Moon was still the figment of Jules Verne's imagination. An early illness led to the removal of his heart and its replacement with a mechanical device which responded more slowly to nervous stimuli than a normal heart. This reduced his reactions to most emotional stresses making him an invaluable asset for his ability to maintain clear-thinking in times of crisis. A Professor of Technology with the International Space Academy, Bergman is regarded as the father of Moonbase Alpha, having been very much involved in the construction of the base in the early 1990s. Not officially attached to the Space Commission, Bergman's position on Alpha was that of a civilian visitor, advising on missions launched from the Moon, such as the Ultra Probe in 1996 and the Meta Probe in 1999. A survivor of the breakaway disaster, Bergman proved to be a vital member of the lunar community in the first year of the Moon's odyssey through deep space, a man whose ingenious solutions to many dangerous situations encountered by the Alphans saved hundreds of lives, over and over again. Ultimately, however, while installing a new laser defence ring on the lunar surface, he was the victim of a spacesuit malfunction and died on August 6th 2000 (Alphan Calender) aged 60. CAPTAIN ALAN CARTER played by Nick Tate. Born in Sydney, Australia on 19th December 1969, Alan Carter grew up on a cattle ranch. Developing a passion for flying, Carter joined the Australian Navy as a pilot, which led to his becoming an astronaut in the US/Australian Space Co-operation programme of 1994. After successful missions to Mars and Venus , Carter was assigned to Moonbase Alpha in 1997 to supervise tests on the Eagle Transport and Mark 1X Hawk vehicles. He began his fourth tour of duty on Alpha in June 1999, supervising the construction of the Meta Probe in lunar orbit. On September 13th 1999, Carter was flying a reconnaissance Eagle when nuclear explosions ripped the Moon from Earth orbit - he was the only survivor to witness the event. One of Alpha's most popular and valued residents, Carter briefly shared a relationship with Sandra Benes, forming a triangle to her relationship with Paul Morrow. PAUL MORROW played by Prentis Hancock. Born in London, England on 29th October 1970, he began his career as an astronaut cadet in the European Space Exploration Programme, where his self-confidence and ability to command made him a capable leader on many lunar exploratory missions. He was assigned to Moonbase Alpha as Main Mission controller in November 1998 and quickly proved his worth as Commander Gorski's right hand man. With his responsibility for the smooth running of Alpha, Morrow found little time for activities outside the scope of his work, although he played the guitar and , after the breakaway disaster, was involved in an intimate relationship with Sandra Benes. On 16th July 2000, four days after the Moon left the planet Arkadia, morrow died alongside David Kano when a booster on their Eagle failed and the ship crashed on the launch pad. SANDRA BENES played by Zienia Merton. Sandra Benes was born in Brunei, Borneo on 3rd May 1970, she developed her interest in communications while still a child, as her family was constantly on the move in different countries. Sandra's father was electronics expert Professor Lawrence Benes, designer of the Interstellar Transmitter, a powerful broadcasting device vital to deep space communications. With her unparalleled understanding of her father's creation. Sandra was a natural choice for the Data Section on Moonrise Alpha. She was assigned there as Data Section co-ordinator on 4th March 1999. Sandra became involved with astronaut Michael Ryan but after his death, shortly after the breakaway disaster during an encounter with a black sun, she developed a close relationship with Main Mission controller Paul Morrow. She also had a brief relationship with chief pilot Alan Carter that ended amicably and left them close friends. Recording the final entry in the Alpha Log for transmission to Earth, Sandra was the last person to leave Moonrise Alpha when the surviving personnel abandoned the base to establish a colony on a planet which they named Terra Alpha. DAVID KANO played by Clifton Jones. David was born in Kingston, Jamaica on 29th January 1965, and the son of a computer expert. Following in his father's footsteps, Kana developed an amazing expertise an rapport with computers, heightened after he survived an experiment to link a man's brain to the computer with his mind intact - two other volunteers were left as vegetables by the experiment - their minds wiped clean. Assigned to Moonrise Alpha in November 1994, Kana was promoted to head of the technical department for the start of his tenth tour of duty on 1st May 1999. Kana shared an unusual rapport with the Moonrise master computer, often treating it with more respect, concern and empathy than his human colleagues did. On 16th July 2000, four days after the Moon left the planet Arcadia, Kana died alongside Paul Morrow when a booster on their Eagle failed and the ship crashed on the launch pad. These biographies, taken from the Cartlon press release, were written by and courtesy of Chris Bentley, chairman of Fanderson. SPACE 1999 - DVD COLLECTION VOLUME 1 (Episodes 1-4)
RELEASED on the 30th APRIL 2001, with CAT NO: 37115 01153
Priced £15.99, running 200 Mins Approx. This volume contains the first four episodes, Breakaway / Matter of Life and Death / Black Sun / Ring Around the Moon and also contains a special documentary, original publicity, Production drawings, and Character biographies. VOLUME 2 (Episodes 5-8)
RELEASED on the 30TH APRIL 2001, with CAT NO: 37115 01163
Priced £15.99, running 200 Mins Approx. This contains the next four episodes, Earthbound / Another Time, Another Place / Missing Link / Guardian of Piri with special features including Memorabilia, This is Your Life special, Moonbase Alpha feature, and an Ice Lolly advert. VOLUME 3 (Episodes 9-12)
RELEASED on the 30th APRIL 2001, with CAT NO: 37115 01173
Priced £15.99, running 200 Mins Approx. This is the final release of the first batch and contains the episodes Force Of Life / Alpha Child / The Last Sunset / Voyager's Return along with a Feature on Paperbacks, BBC Horizon episode, Stills Gallery, and a feature on the costumes. In addition to the singly available DVDs, you can also buy the boxed set of the first three volumes, with room in the slip box for the remainder of the series. SPACE 1999 BOX SET (Volumes 1 - 3)
RELEASED on the 30th APRIL 2001, with CAT NO: 37115 01183
Priced £44.99, running 600 Mins Approx. VOLUME 4 (Episodes 13-16)
RELEASED on the 11TH JUNE 2001, with CAT NO: 37115 01273
Priced £15.99, running 200 Mins Approx. This volume contains the next four instalments, Collision Course / Death's Other Dominion / The Full Circle / End Of Eternity along with the the special features - Documentary, Eagle models feature, Blackpool exhibit, Stills gallery. VOLUME 5 (Episodes 17-20)
RELEASED on the 11th JUNE 2001, with CAT NO: 37115 01283
Priced £15.99, running 200 Mins Approx. Volume 5 contains the episodes, War Games / The Last Enemy / The Troubled Spirit / Space Brain and has the special features - Memorabilia section, Alien Attack (feature trailers + write up), Documentary, and a Stills gallery. VOLUME 6 (Episodes 21-24)
RELEASED on the 11TH JUNE 2001, with CAT NO: 37115 01293
Priced £15.99, running 200 Mins Approx. The last volume contains the epsiodes The Infernal Machine / Mission Of The Darians / Dragon's Domain / The Testament of Arkadia and also has some special features althought hey are not confimed at this time. SPACE 1999 - Programme Log. Episode 1: BREAKAWAY
Dr Russell and Commander Koenig investigate a leakage that may be causing fatal radiation sickness among astronauts. Episode 2: MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH
An Eagle returns from a reconnaissance flight with Lee Russell, Helena's long lost husband, on board. Episode 3: BLACK SUN
The Moon is magnetically pulled towards a Black Sun, an area of intense gravitational force, which threatens to destroy it. Episode 4: RING AROUND THE MOON
By controlling an engineer's brain, Aliens are able to capture the Moon in an energy ring. Episode 5: EARTHBOUND
A spaceship destined for earth crashes into the moon. The Kaldorians on board will be able to take one of the Alpha crew back with them but who will it be? Episode 6: ANOTHER TIME, ANOTHER PLACE
After the moon passes through a chasm in the space-time continuum, Regina is badly affected and haunted by visions. Episode 7: MISSING LINK
After an accident, Koenig finds himself on Planet Zenno, a place of light, peace and immortality. Episode 8: GUARDIAN OF PIRI
"The Guardian of Piri" tells everyone about the perfect world awaiting them on Planet Piri and an Eagle crew decide to investigate. Episode 9: FORCE OF LIFE
Technician Zoref becomes possessed by a desire for heat and everything that he touches, including people, freezes. Episode 10:ALPHA CHILD
The first baby born on the Moon develops into a five-year-old within hours and Koenig sets out to investigate. Episode 11:THE LAST SUNSET
The prospect of normal life is realised when Moonbase Alpha discovers an oxygen rich planet resembling earth. Episode 12:VOYAGER'S RETURN
Moonbase Alpha encounters Voyager One, a probe vessel that has been wandering space for fourteen years. Episode 13:COLLISION COURSE
Carter is caught in the explosion of an asteroid but is saved by the intervention of an alien woman. Koenig and Morrow rescue him but discover that the Moon is on a collision course with the planet Atheria - 34 times the size of the Moon. Episode 14:DEATH'S OTHER DOMINION
Koenig, Helena, Bergman and Carter land on the frozen planet of Ultima Thurle and find themselves lost in a blizzard. Episode 15:THE FULL CIRCLE
Eagle Six returns to Alpha after a reconnaissance mission to the planet Retha, but the crew are missing and the only occupant is a dead cave man. Episode 16:END OF ETERNITY
Investigating a passing asteroid, which appears to have an internal atmosphere, the Alphans blast their way into a living chamber inside. Episode 17:WAR GAMES
Alpha is approached by a fleet of Mark 9 Hawk Warships and, believing them to be about to attack the base, Koenig orders the Eagles to open fire. Episode 18:THE LAST ENEMY
When the Moon falls into an orbit that places it directly between two planets on opposing sides of their sun, a huge spacecraft from the planet Retha takes up a position on the Moon and begins to launch an offensive on the other planet, Delta. Episode 19:THE TROUBLED SPIRIT
While attempting to communicate telepathically with his plants, botanist Dan Mateo collapses and a strange force sweeps through the base. Episode 20:SPACE BRAIN
Alien hieroglyphics appear on all of Alpha's screens and an Eagle sent to investigate their origin becomes covered by a white glutinous substance. Episode 21:THE INFERNAL MACHINE
A strange craft appears over Moonbase Alpha and a voice appeals for help and permission to land. Episode 22:MISSION OF THE DARIANS
Alpha receives an SOS from a colossal spaceship, the S.S. Daria, twenty miles long and five miles wide. Episode 23:DRAGON'S DOMAIN
Tony Cellini experiences a strange visitation and attempts to steal an Eagle. Episode 24:THE TESTAMENT OF ARKADIA
The Moon stops dead in space and Alpha experiences an unexplained power loss, which will render the base uninhabitable. For more details about Gerry Anderson productions, you can't do any better than go to the official Fanderson website.Space 1999 - Series 2
This classic six-volume box-set (also available as six separate DVDs) features 24 timeless episodes chronicling Moonbase Alpha's ongoing drift through the endless wastes of space. Biological computers feeding on the mind of slaves, the cosmic magician who would be God, Lambda waves and the paranormal - just some of the battles awaiting the Alphans in their desperate search for a new home. Special features of the DVDs include interviews with the stars and with Gerry Anderson himself, original trailers, extensive stills galleries, character biographies, novelisations from series 2, and script pages and stills of footage that never made it to the final cut, in short, everything that you have come to expect from the excellent releases from Carlton!