Two of the most famous episodes of the classic British sci-fi show Thunderbirds are heading to UK cinemas this September. The double-bill event marks the 60th anniversary of the series and will feature the episodes in a new, stunning 4K restoration.
Anderson Entertainment, led by Gerry Anderson’s son Jamie, has partnered with Kaleidoscope Entertainment to bring Trapped in the Sky and Terror in New York City to the big screen on the 20th of September. These episodes have been restored from the best available film elements by the specialists at Silver Salt, resulting in a 4K UHD presentation. To complete the cinematic experience, the audio has also been remixed into 5.1 surround sound.
This marks the first time classic Thunderbirds has been in cinemas since 1968. For fans of the groundbreaking “Supermarionation” puppetry and intricate model work pioneered by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, this will be a chance to see the adventures of International Rescue in unprecedented detail.
Jamie Anderson, CEO of Anderson Entertainment, told the press,
Even back in 1965, Dad and his amazing teams made each episode of Thunderbirds feel like a mini movie – huge stories, stunning models, and that unmistakable sense of adventure. To see them newly restored in 4K and back on the big screen, marking classic Thunderbirds’ return to cinemas for the first time since 1968, and on the show’s 60th anniversary, is something really special. I’m very proud to be able to share them with audiences across the UK.”
The two episodes selected are considered fan favourites and showcase the series at its peak.
- Trapped in the Sky: The very first episode of Thunderbirds establishes the high stakes the series is known for. The master criminal known only as The Hood plants a bomb on the maiden flight of the atomic-powered airliner, Fireflash. International Rescue is called in to attempt a daring and dangerous mid-air rescue.
- Terror in New York City: Often cited as one of the most action-packed instalments, this episode sees Thunderbird 2 damaged after being mistaken for an enemy craft. The timing couldn’t be worse, as a news crew becomes trapped under the collapsed Empire State Building, and the International Rescue team must find a way to get their heavy rescue equipment to the scene without their primary transport vehicle.
The enduring legacy of Thunderbirds has often crossed over into other areas of geek culture, including tabletop games. Modiphius Entertainment previously published a popular cooperative board game, Thunderbirds, designed by Matt Leacock, the creator of Pandemic. In the game, as Geek Native reported, players take on the roles of the Tracy family and work together to avert disasters across the globe.
