2065: The Hood sabotages the first manned space expedition to Mars causing the massive Zero X space vehicle to plummet out of control and crash into the sea. Two years later, the committee of the Martian Exploration Centre elect to invite International Rescue to organise the security arrangements at the launch of a second mission. Lady Penelope goes undercover as a reporter at Glenn Field and she and Scott successfully unmask The Hood as he attempts to stow away aboard the new Zero X.
The launch is successful and, after a six week flight, the crew of Zero X make a landing on Mars. But as they explore the planet surface in their Martian Exploration Vehicle, they come under fire from Martian Rock Snakes and barely escape with their lives. Then, on their return to Earth, Zero X’s locking gear is damaged when one of the vehicle’s lifting bodies goes out of control and the crew are trapped on board as Zero X heads for a crash-landing on Craigsville…
Century 21 Cinema/United Artists
Produced: 1966
UK premiere: 12th December 1966
89 minutes
Executive Producer: Gerry Anderson
Producer: Sylvia Anderson
Associate Producer: John Read
Director: David Lane
Lighting Cameraman: Paddy Seale
Supervising Art Director: Bob Bell
Art Director: Grenville Nott
Supervising Visual Effects Director: Derek Meddings
Visual Effects Directors: Shaun Whittacker-Cook and Peter Wragg
Music Composed, Arranged and Directed by Barry Gray
Additional Music by The Shadows
Screenplay by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson
Directed by David Lane
Premiere: 12th December 1966 (London Pavilion, London)