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UFO
is set in 1980 and centres around a secret military organisation,
SHADO (Supreme Headquarters Alien Defence Organisation), which
has been set up to counter a growing alien menace. Hidden
beneath a film studio near London, SHADO believes that a race
of aliens, dying from some sort of genetic failure, is visiting
Earth to harvest human organs for transplant. Often with gruesome
results.
The
DVD release of the first batch of episodes of UFO continues
the excellent standard set by the restoration work on both
Stingray and Captain Scarlet. Crystal clear
images and hiss-free audio combine with excellent packaging
and animated menus to make this four disc set nothing short
of excellent. Congratulations to Carlton for its sterling
commitment to the legacy of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson.
Even
the extras are special - not lest the extended and cut scenes
from the pilot episode, Identified. There is also a
commentary from Gerry for the inaugural episode and a vast
array of images, many previously unseen. Even the text-based
material, which can sometimes be little more than a cheap
pretence at extra material, is of the highest standard. Full
marks all round.
The
only place where the discs fall down is in the actual dramatic
content of some of the stories. Episodes like Close Up
and the Square Triangle are flat and flaccid and even
the best of the bunch are marred by some very wooden acting
- often delivered by Peter Gordeno, a professional dancer
whose acting ability is severely limited.
That
aside, this set of discs puts most similar packages in the
shade and more importantly, it's an essential addition to
the collection of any fan of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. If
only every company took the care with its back catalogue material
that Carlton does.
UFO
volumes 1 to 4 deserve top marks with the one proviso
- some episodes fail to deliver the punch and drama that the
show's format is capable of providing.
Anthony
Clark
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