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| UFO (1970) concept art by Derek Meddings |
Every Friday I try to feature artwork from a classic of science fiction cinema or television. This week's "Flashback Friday" post is on the television show UFO (1970).
UFO is a 1970 British television science fiction series about an alien invasion of Earth, created by Gerry Anderson and Sylvia Anderson with Reg Hill. It aired in the UK, Canada and in US syndication over the next two years. UFO only lasted one season, but aired 26 episodes thanks to the British TV schedule. Gerry Anderson was famous for making several successful children's science fiction series using marionettes (or "Supermarionation" as he called them), including Supercar, Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons. But, this one was the Andersons' first fully live-action TV series. Three men produced some wonderful artwork for the film that I wanted to share today.
Click on the images to enlarge.
The series was set in the "near future" of the 1980s where aliens have invaded and are secretly harvesting human organs. A secret, high-tech agency called SHADO (Supreme Headquarters, Alien Defence Organisation), led by Commander Edward Straker (Ed Bishop) was tasked with protecting Earth. The special effects and stories were highly ambitious and rivaled major motion pictures of the time.
Keith Wilson was an award-winning production designer who also worked on legendary projects like Space: 1999 (1975). Special effects designer Derek Meddings worked on major films like James Bond and Superman. Mike Trim is a professional illustrator and model-maker who's worked on Thunderbirds (2004), and All About 'Thunderbirds' (2008).
Keith Wilson
Derek Meddings
Mike Trim
See more of Mike Trim's inspiring work at http://www.miketrimart.com
Click on the links if you want to see more of Keith Wilson, Derek Meddings and Mike Trim's work or UFO artwork on my blog.
Some images by http://ufoseries.com
What do you think of the concept art? If you've seen UFO what do you think of the show?
Official UFO Summary
"Earth's greatest fear becomes a reality when Unidentified Flying Objects are finally confirmed. A top secret defense organization - code-named SHADO -- is established to protect Earth from this powerful alien threat. The UFOs come from a dying planet millions of light years away, seeking human organs to repair their own decaying bodies. In a raging inter- galactic space-battle, SHADO attempts to save Earth from this alien terror."
Created by Gerry Anderson, Sylvia Anderson and Reg Hill
Cinematography by Brendan J. Stafford
Production Design by Keith Wilson
Starring: Michael Billington, Ed Bishop, George Sewell
Release Dates: 16 September 1970
© Copyright 1970 Century 21 Television, ITC Entertainment . All rights reserved
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I've heard of the show but never watched it. Probably on Netflix somewhere. I do remember Supercar and Thunderbirds though.
ReplyDeleteOh, those are beautiful. I love the costumes and the purple hair, especially.
ReplyDeleteLove this show, love the designs. There was a book about Mike Trim's design works released a few years ago, and it is a must-read. It is sad that UFO only lasted one season, and it deserved many more, but...what we got is still good enough!
ReplyDeleteThank you again for posting these.