Supercar - The Entire Series [DVD]

Contains all 39 black-and-white episodes from both series of Gerry Anderson's early Supermarionation series. Also included is an extras disc with the nearly 2-hour long documentary "Full Boost Vertical - The Supercar Story" covering the beginning of AP Films and the making of the show. The extras disc also includes some special effects footage from the title sequences, French and Spanish versions of the main titles, and PDFs of three early 60's Supercar annuals. As Dr. Beaker would say: Satisfactory, most satisfactory!

I vividly recall the 1980's, when there was no multi-channel competion and the main broadcasters felt the need to actually show decent programmes - Often, during the school summer holidays, Gerry Anderson's FIREBALL XL5 was one of the delights screened for bored kids. Already a fan of THUNDERBIRDS and STINGRAY, I was hooked on the exploits of STEVE ZODIAC and tried to learn more: That's how SUPERCAR came to my attention but for years it remained a mystery to me beyond a few fuzzy photos in genre magazines.
Then in 1990 we got a few VHS tapes that hinted at the quality of the series, but now with this digital release we find something that is truly "The marvel of it's age". All 39 episodes and great extras make for a very attractive package, and is very good value at the price. The package splits up series 1 and 2 into two indivdual cases along with an extras disc, so will look good presented on a shelf - The artwork on these cases is simple yet effective, showing SUPERCAR "up into space", "under the sea" and "flying in the air" seperately on different covers.
The episodes themselves have been mastered to an excellent standard, and the detail seen as a result is a joy to behold. The stories remain as interesting and sophisticated as they have always been, and if people dismiss this series on the basis of the 'crude' puppets or black and white photography (two notions I don't actually share!) then they are missing out on some suprisingly smart and well written adventures. Some instalments even try to be educational, throwing many scientific & historical titbits that kids may find fascinating.
Extras are amazing too - I bought the recent "Full Boost Vertical" documentary seperately, but for those who haven't seen it you will find one of the most insightful and interesting stories of how a television series was made in the 1960's. It's great (and also rather sad) to see so many of the production team getting togther in what used to be the AP studios (the building is now a tyre centre!).

Thanks and congratulations to NETWORK for releasing this set and for doing such a good job on it. Like FIREBALL XL5, it's a show I can't possibly grow tired of and I look forward to their imminent release of FOUR FEATHER FALLS to complete my "Anderson" collection!

I rented out this box set a few months ago with Amazon's new rental system and it is a piece of sheer Anderson cake. The stories are pretty advanced for the day it was made in, the Supercar its self is a machine that I wish was real and best of all the excellent stunts that the car is showed performing are breath taking. A must see for all GA fans!