Thunderbirds Are Go

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)