[NKF] Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 (edited) I thought this might interest some fans of the X-Com UFO series I was keenly partaking in one of my other hobbies of collecting toy robots and browsing my local auction site. I spotted up for auction a S. H. A. D. O. Interceptor and UFO playset from the UFO TV series by Gerry Anderson (responsible for shows like Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, etc.) Before anyone asks, of the various possible meanings SHADO could have, I'm referring to the "Supreme Headquarters Alien Defence Organisation". Naturally, that caught my interest, so I did a quick research on Google and found a wikipedia entry on Gerry Anderson's UFO series. So what does this have to do with X-Com, you might ask? Well, read a bit of the above wikipedia entry and you start to see the parallels. Such as the similarities in plot, the secret organisations fighting aliens in flying saucers, interceptors armed with lasers and whatnot. I mean the resemblance is uncanny. My knowledge of X-Com historical trivia is practically nil, so I don't know if X-Com is meant to be a nod towards the series or was developed completely independantly (not that it's hard - the whole story is based on a cliche). Someone out there might know. Although I do seem to have this vague recollection that that this series was the sole reason why the first X-Com game had to be marketed under two different names in the States and Europe during its initial run. I've never seen the show before, but am now quite interested to get my hands on a few episodes some day. Anyway, I thought I'd bring it up to see if it sparked any interest. - NKF Edited November 14, 2007 by NKF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
[stewart] Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Yep I knew about that show as inspiration. I loved that show as a kid. Funny how you see things again as an adult and it's not quite the same. Wha'd you think of the interceptors with their massive /single/ shot. <_> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
[dteviot] Posted November 15, 2007 Share Posted November 15, 2007 I've never seen the show before, but am now quite interested to get my hands on a few episodes some day. Anyway, I thought I'd bring it up to see if it sparked any interest. - NKFThe whole set came out in as a boxed DVD set a couple of months ago. Drop around my place some time and you can borrow it if you like.Or you can buy your own copy: http://www.gpstore.co.nz/DVDs/1546871.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
[NKF] Posted November 16, 2007 Author Share Posted November 16, 2007 I'll keep an eye out for that. What's another title to my long list of TV shows I'd like to get on DVD? - NKF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aiki-Knight Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 I read that article over on Wikipedia, and it definitely seems to be a seminal work for XCOM. I'm not sure how I feel about alien-infested cats controlling XCOM agents as a plot feature, but hey - maybe you had to be there. Anyone watch the new Battlestar Galactica, seeing as we're talking about space shows with aliens in them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
[stewart] Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 I think the show SPace 1999 was supposed to be a sequel series, but I'm not sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NinthRank Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Yes, I believe that I've seen all of the UFO episodes, and they were really quite good. SHADO's even got their own secret underground base *AND* HWPs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thus Spake Nosferatu Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 It's a very good show, too. By coincidence I am in the middle of the series. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
[stewart] Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 There was a UFO series from america at around the same time called "The Invaders". I found some images of the UFO model from the show; enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimli Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 UFO Intro Makes me want to dance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NRN_R_Sumo1 Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 I love how they use a typewriter even though they seem to have such advanced technology xD Must have gone through a crapload of paper for their logistics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
[NKF] Posted January 11, 2008 Author Share Posted January 11, 2008 (edited) You have to admit though that there was something very satisfying about the old typewriters. Not particularly efficient, but they had a certain weighty presence about them. It's amazing how you can look back on a lot of old TV shows and think that the space-age technology they used actually ends up looking very ancient. Like rolls of celluloid for cameras (which still has a strong following today) or magnetic tape (in large canister drums) for storing data in the future? Much fun and I suppose it's still very cool in its own way. - NKF Edited January 11, 2008 by NKF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
[stewart] Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 I forgot about Strakers ugly brown car! The guy who made this show also made the Thunderbirds; boy does it show. The best part: 1980! The future! I watched that show a lot as a kid. Fond memories. I should probably not try to watch it again. I /had/ fond memories of the original Galactica. Then I watched it again as an adult. I no longer have fond memories of Galactica. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NRN_R_Sumo1 Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 I was like that with the movie Small Soldiers. Its still pretty kick donkey though. ^^'..I just didnt enjoy it near as much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
placebo Posted March 9, 2008 Share Posted March 9, 2008 I read xcom came about because of the tv show. Abductions, interceptors, bases, mind control, autopsies, and even the soldiers remind me of the game. TFTD is like it too. The show comes on almost every day on the family channel (9486 on dish network)...in fact it is on at this moment. 10pm 6:30pm and 300pm ect..... The stories are really good ,but the special effects make me laugh sometimes. I'm surprised how sexy the women are...and the outfits they wear. If you force yourself to watch a few episodes you will love it. (if you like xcom) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kzsoci Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 I'm watching episode one right now. First impression: very-very old fashioned. However, it isn't ridiculous unlike the sci-fi shows of the eastern bloc in that era, but the purple haired ladies on the moonbase look creepy. I hope the stories will equalize the dated settings... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dreamer Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 good find. I will sure to check out this xcom like movie, as I am so addict to xcom now. I have to have my fix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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