Journey
To The Far Side Of The Sun
“The
intriguing 1969 cult science fiction
movie Journey To The Far Side Of The
Sun was billed on its release as ‘the
motion picture that rockets you into the
super-charged world of the 21st Century’
— and now, we’re
here, and this
underrated film is available on DVD...”
HAZARDING A GUESS AT THE 21ST CENTURY back in the 1960s would have been almost
impossible, but Gerry and Sylvia Anderson (well known at the time for producing
a number of popular innovative sci-fi puppet series: Thunderbirds, Fireball
XL5, Stingray) bravely took a shot at that when they wrote Journey
To The Far Side Of The Sun (aka Doppelganger).
During the Sixties, much of the technology shown in the film would have been
thought of as progressive, but perhaps looking back in retrospect is rather
unfair because we have come on in leaps and bounds and you cannot expect any
of the sophistication of modern technology.
This exciting, intense science fiction adventure film actually set a new standard
for special effects in science fiction at the time of its release and Universal
Pictures is delighted to announce the long-awaited UK DVD premiere of Journey
To The Far Side Of The Sun — an enjoyable piece of cinema history that
was very clever with its futuristic sets, even if it did still have tickertape
and a dot matrix printer!
One hundred years into the future (around 2069!), scientists discover a new
planet in our solar system — one that is following the exact orbit of Earth
at the exact opposite point, orbiting at the exact speed of Earth but hidden
by the sun.
Under the direct control of Jason Webb (Patrick Wymark), a top secret programme
called Operation Sunprobe is instigated at EUROSEC, the European Space Exploration
Complex in Portugal. The mission: to launch a spaceship capable of travelling
the one hundred million miles in the three weeks it will take to reach the new
planet and to discover whether it can sustain life in the same way as Earth.
But there is a spy in their midst who wants to copy the technology developed
by EUROSEC and sell it on. Dr Hassler (the wonderfully sinister Herbert Lom)
is prime suspect and, aware that he may already have passed on the top secret
documents and plagued by his colleagues' doubts, Webb wants to bring forward
the scheduled launch date. There is a wonderful scene where Hassler enters the
EUROSEC building and passes through security. He forgets a pen in his pocket
and jokes that it is really a secret camera — but the secret camera is
somewhere that you wouldn't suspect.
The other problem is in persuading the Americans to help finance the project
so that the rest of Europe will support the three billion pounds sterling venture.
Following an argument with Webb, top scientist and astrophysicist Dr John Kane
(Ian Hendry) resigns, but is persuaded to return when Webb needs him to accompany
the experienced American astronaut, Colonel Glenn Ross (Roy Thinnes) who has
agreed to accept the mission.
Ross is accompanied to Portugal by his beautiful but bitter wife Sharon (Lynn
Loring) and it is soon clear that their marriage is less than happy. Still,
it gives Sharon the opportunity to show a fine style in Sixties clothes. Gerry,
you were spot on — miniskirts did make a comeback in the 21st Century!
The two astronauts are launched into space only to crash-land on the planet
and Kane is badly injured. The two men are discovered and taken into custody,
only to be faced with a furious Webb — who believes that, as they had only
been away for three weeks, Ross and Kane aborted their mission and returned
to Earth.
Not only that, but there is an anomaly with Kane's X-rays and Ross seems to
have a problem with his vision. He is apparently seeing everything in reverse
— and he thinks he knows the answer…
Have Ross and Kane really returned to Earth or have they landed on some strange
mirror world? Is Glenn simply hallucinating and will the life-and-death mission
to find out the truth be successful? Did Ross abort the mission or does he truly
believe he has the answer?
The respected actors, the intriguing storyline and the beautiful filming all
make Journey To The Far Side Of The Sun a worthwhile and enjoyable film
that must surely rank among the fine examples of cinema history.
Journey To The Far Side Of The Sun also features Franco Derosa as Paolo
Landi; George Sewell as Mark; Edward Bishop as David Poulson, NASA Liaison;
Philip Madoc as Dr Pontini; and Loni von Friedl as EUROSEC security Lisa Hartman.
Based on a story by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, the screenplay is also by the
Andersons with Donald James. The music is composed and conducted by Barry Gray;
Director of Photography is John Read; Art Director Bob Bell; Visual Effects
Director is Derek Meddings; Produced by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson; and Directed
by Robert Parrish
Filmed on location in Portugal and at Pinewood Studios, Journey To The Far
Side Of The Sun has some fantastic photography, particularly as the camera
pans over the spaceship and its beautifully orchestrated operations. We also
loved the vehicles.
• Journey To The Far Side Of The Sun
comes to DVD, courtesy of Universal Pictures,
on 8 September, 2008 with a Recommended Retail Price of £9.99. Certificate:
PG.
"Original and intriguing" — New York Times
"The respected actors, the intriguing storyline and the beautiful filming all
make Journey To The Far Side Of The Sun a worthwhile and enjoyable film
that must surely rank among the fine examples of cinema history" — MotorBar
About Sylvia and Gerry Anderson
Anderson is responsible for creating some of the most well-loved franchises
in popular science fiction. From his initial smash hit Fireball XL5,
Anderson went on to produce Stingray, the iconic Thunderbirds
and Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons, both of which are still widely
popular today with audiences both young and old.
Despite initially only a limited release, Journey To The Far Side of The
Sun has gone on to become a cult classic, fondly remembered by those who
saw its original release and appreciated by younger science fiction fans for
its original, intriguing plot and Gerry Anderson's dazzling and ground breaking
special effects. Journey To The Far Side of The Sun is an imaginative,
surprising science fiction adventure that offers a journey few will ever forget.
