On commemorating the 40th anniversary of this show this was at its time science fiction television of the highest order and it was an incredible blend of spectacular special effects,amazing sets along with some of the most fantastic,even metaphysical/mystical stories that put you in with the action amongst the wonders and horrors the Alphas were facing in the far reaches of outer space. The short-lived award winning science fiction series "SPACE:1999" was created and produced by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson who also served as executive producers of the series. The series was the last production by the partnership of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson and when it premiered in 1975 was the most expensive science fiction series produced for British television at the time it was made at a cost of $300,000 per episode. The first season was co-produced by the British television company ITC Productions and the Italian production company RAI Productions. The second season was produced only by ITC Productions. Before this series was made the partnership of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson were known for their children's action-adventure programs including "Fireball XL-5", "Stingray", "Thunderbirds!",and "Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons",and for there live-action produced shows that included the science-fiction drama "UFO",and their only live- action espionage/crime-drama series "The Protectors". "SPACE:1999" was originally pitched in the United States to all three major television networks(ABC,NBC,& CBS) with NBC expressing interest in the series as a mid-season replacement. As a result,all three major television networks rejected the offer. The series ended up in the United States shown in first-run national syndication for two seasons producing 48 episodes in color from September 4,1975 until November 12,1977. Out of the 48 episodes that this series produced, a total of 24 episodes were made from September 4,1975 until February 12,1976. Season 2 also produced 24 episodes in it's final season airing from September 4,1976 until November 12,1977. Gerry and Sylvia Anderson were executive producers throughout it's entire run. Former "Star Trek" producer Fred Freiburger was the producer for all of Season 2 and for all 24 episodes in it's final season.
The British produced series starred Martin Landau and Barbara Bain(of "Mission:Impossible" fame),and Canadian actor Barry Morse(of Quinn Martin's "The Fugitive") along with co-stars Nick Tate and Zienia Merton. Throughout the series entire run only actors Martin Landau and Barbara Bain along with Nick Tate and Zienia Merton remained with the exception of Barry Morse who appeared in all 24 episodes of Season 1. In the series second and final season actor Barry Morse was replaced by Catherine Schell. Also added to the cast for Season 2 were actors Tony Anholt, John Hug, and Jeffrey Kissoon. "SPACE:1999" drew a great deal of visual inspiration and technical expertise from Stanley Kubrick's 1968 theatrical film "2001: A Space Odyssey" along with the show's special effects director Brian Johnson who had previously worked on the "Thunderbirds!" television series and on Kubrick's theatrical film.
To basically get the idea of what "SPACE:1999" was about requires heavy viewing in spite of this was out of the ordinary when it came out in 1975. Season 1 of the series is highly recommended and I would highly recommend seeing the pilot episode "Breakaway" which sets the tone for what was to come. The original 24 episodes from Season 1 that were to follow were into a magnificent journey into the unknown reaches of space that gave viewers a retrospective that no other television series of this period has seen before or since. It was Britian's answer to "Star Trek" and "Lost In Space". An grand astounding achievement when it came out during the mid-1970's. The other episodes that stood out from Season 1 of the series were "A Matter of Life and Death", "Dragon's Domain", "End of Eternity", "Earthbound", "The Testament of Arkadia", "The Last Sunset", "Mission of the Darians", "Space Brain", and "The Alpha Child" just to name a few. The second and final season of the series also had some good episodes ranging from the two-part "The Bringers of Wonder", to other Season 2 episodes that followed included "Dorzak", "The Journey to Where", "The Immunity Syndrome", "The Metamorph", "The Seed of Destruction", "The Dorcons",and "The AB Chrysalis" and even "The Rules of Luton" were just a few of the good episodes in its second and final season. The rest of the episodes from Season 2 did not hold their own as the series basically stoop to the level of a Saturday Morning cartoon show. The guest stars ranged from some of the best British actors in the business ranging from Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Joan Collins, Sarah Douglas, Jeremy Kemp and Peter Bowles. When it was canceled in the fall of 1977 the series continued in syndicated repeats for some United States network affilate stations(where it was shown on late nights and weekends) until March of 1978.
The British produced series starred Martin Landau and Barbara Bain(of "Mission:Impossible" fame),and Canadian actor Barry Morse(of Quinn Martin's "The Fugitive") along with co-stars Nick Tate and Zienia Merton. Throughout the series entire run only actors Martin Landau and Barbara Bain along with Nick Tate and Zienia Merton remained with the exception of Barry Morse who appeared in all 24 episodes of Season 1. In the series second and final season actor Barry Morse was replaced by Catherine Schell. Also added to the cast for Season 2 were actors Tony Anholt, John Hug, and Jeffrey Kissoon. "SPACE:1999" drew a great deal of visual inspiration and technical expertise from Stanley Kubrick's 1968 theatrical film "2001: A Space Odyssey" along with the show's special effects director Brian Johnson who had previously worked on the "Thunderbirds!" television series and on Kubrick's theatrical film.
To basically get the idea of what "SPACE:1999" was about requires heavy viewing in spite of this was out of the ordinary when it came out in 1975. Season 1 of the series is highly recommended and I would highly recommend seeing the pilot episode "Breakaway" which sets the tone for what was to come. The original 24 episodes from Season 1 that were to follow were into a magnificent journey into the unknown reaches of space that gave viewers a retrospective that no other television series of this period has seen before or since. It was Britian's answer to "Star Trek" and "Lost In Space". An grand astounding achievement when it came out during the mid-1970's. The other episodes that stood out from Season 1 of the series were "A Matter of Life and Death", "Dragon's Domain", "End of Eternity", "Earthbound", "The Testament of Arkadia", "The Last Sunset", "Mission of the Darians", "Space Brain", and "The Alpha Child" just to name a few. The second and final season of the series also had some good episodes ranging from the two-part "The Bringers of Wonder", to other Season 2 episodes that followed included "Dorzak", "The Journey to Where", "The Immunity Syndrome", "The Metamorph", "The Seed of Destruction", "The Dorcons",and "The AB Chrysalis" and even "The Rules of Luton" were just a few of the good episodes in its second and final season. The rest of the episodes from Season 2 did not hold their own as the series basically stoop to the level of a Saturday Morning cartoon show. The guest stars ranged from some of the best British actors in the business ranging from Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Joan Collins, Sarah Douglas, Jeremy Kemp and Peter Bowles. When it was canceled in the fall of 1977 the series continued in syndicated repeats for some United States network affilate stations(where it was shown on late nights and weekends) until March of 1978.