“UFO – The Complete S.H.A.D.O. Files” (1970 – 1971) 

Television Series / Science-Fiction

Twenty-six Episodes

Created by: Gerry & Sylvia Anderson and Reg Hill

Featuring: Ed Bishop, Michael Billington, Gabrielle Drake, George Sewell, Vladek Sheybal, Wanda Ventham, Ayshea Brough, Antonia Ellis, Keith Alexander, Harry Baird, Peter Gordeno, Dolores Mantez, Gary Myers, Norma Ronald and Grant Taylor

Ed Straker: “Imagine a dying planet in some distant corner of the universe. Its natural resources exhausted. Its inhabitants sterile. Doomed to extinction. A situation we may one day find ourselves in, gentlemen. So they discover Earth. Abundant, fertile. Able to satisfy their needs. They look upon us not with animosity, but callousness. As we look upon our animals that we depend on for food. Yes, it appears they are driven by circumstance across a billion miles of space, driven on by the greatest force in the universe – survival.”

Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s “UFO,” which first aired in 1970, stands as a pivotal and remarkably dark entry in their illustrious canon of science fiction productions. Moving away from the Supermarionation puppets that defined classics like “Thunderbirds” and “Captain Scarlet,” “UFO” plunged into live-action with a surprising maturity and grit, tackling themes far more adult than its predecessors and leaving an indelible mark on the genre.

At its core, “UFO” is a chillingly prescient tale of Earth under a clandestine invasion. A dying alien race, desperately in need of human organs to survive, regularly sends their distinctive, spinning saucers to our planet to abduct unsuspecting victims. Humanity’s only line of defense is SHADO (Supreme Headquarters Alien Defence Organisation), a top-secret international military organization operating covertly beneath a seemingly innocuous film studio, Harlington-Straker. This ingenious cover, with Commander Ed Straker (played by the stoic and perpetually stressed Ed Bishop) masquerading as a film producer, is one of the show’s most enduring and clever conceits.

The series distinguishes itself with its bleak and often cynical tone. Unlike the optimistic heroism of earlier Anderson shows, “UFO” portrays a world under constant threat, where victories are hard-won and often come at a terrible personal cost. Straker, a man driven to the point of obsession, sacrifices his marriage and personal life for the immense burden of leading SHADO. Episodes frequently delve into the psychological toll of this hidden war, exploring paranoia, trauma, and the moral ambiguities of fighting an unseen enemy. This thematic depth, though sometimes delivered with a certain stiffness in early scripts and performances, was revolutionary for its time, especially for a series that still held appeal for younger audiences drawn to its spectacular effects.

And speaking of effects, “UFO” is a masterclass in practical model work. Derek Meddings, the legendary effects maestro, crafted some of the most iconic and believable futuristic vehicles and alien spacecraft ever seen on television. From the multi-stage elegance of the SkyDiver submarine/jet hybrid to the sleek Moonbase Interceptors and the rugged SHADO Mobiles, each piece of hardware is meticulously designed and brought to life with astonishing realism. The spinning alien UFOs themselves, with their mysterious, almost ethereal glow, were a triumph of ingenuity, even if they sometimes proved challenging to film perfectly. The visuals, coupled with Barry Gray’s thunderingly exciting and instantly recognizable theme music, immediately draw you into the high-stakes world of SHADO.

The cast, led by the intense Ed Bishop as Straker, is a memorable ensemble. George Sewell as the reliable Colonel Alec Freeman, Michael Billington as the impulsive Colonel Paul Foster, and Gabrielle Drake as the intelligent Lieutenant Gay Ellis, among others, brought a grounded realism to their roles, despite the futuristic setting and often bizarre alien encounters. The distinctive purple wigs worn by the Moonbase operatives, and the sometimes-provocative uniforms of the female SHADO personnel, added to the show’s unique and sometimes campy aesthetic, which paradoxically contributes to its charm.

“UFO” was not without its challenges. Production was notoriously difficult, with the show relocating from MGM-British Studios to Pinewood Studios mid-run due to the former’s closure. This shift sometimes resulted in a noticeable change in pace and slickness for the later episodes. The episodic nature, with few overarching story arcs, made it easy for networks to shuffle the series, which likely impacted its initial reception. Furthermore, the show’s dark themes and unconventional portrayal of alien contact could be a tough sell for audiences accustomed to more straightforward sci-fi.

Despite these hurdles, “UFO” has blossomed in reputation over the decades. Its influence on subsequent science fiction is undeniable, predating much of the “conspiracy canon” we see today, with its secret underground bases, alien abductions, and government cover-ups. It dared to explore a grimmer future, where humanity’s survival hinged on a shadowy organization fighting a largely unseen and relentless foe.

For fans of classic British sci-fi, “UFO” remains an essential watch. It’s a visually stunning, thematically rich, and remarkably ambitious series that, while certainly a product of its time, continues to captivate and thrill. Its restoration for modern formats, particularly Blu-ray, has only enhanced its extraordinary visuals and ensured its place as a truly unique and underappreciated gem in the history of television. “UFO” is Gerry Anderson’s live-action crowning glory, a testament to his enduring vision and a must-have for any serious science fiction enthusiast.

Special Features and Technical Specs:

• 1080p high-definition presentation of all 26 episodes, restored from the original film elements with original LPCM 2.0 Mono audio and optional DTS-HD 5.1 Surround, in the original 1.33:1 aspect ratio
• NEW! Grading work and updates have been applied to select episodes, correcting specific flaws in the original restoration
• Invasion: UFO – the 1980 feature-film version restored in high-definition from the original film elements, presented in a newly created 1.78:1 aspect ratio + original 1980 videotape version in 1.33:1
• Audio Commentary on Identified by producer/writer/director Gerry Anderson (2002)
• NEW! Audio Commentary on Survival by “Fanderson” members Ian Fryer and Chris Drake (2024)
• Audio Commentary on E.S.P. by actor George Sewell (2007)
• Audio Commentary on Kill Straker! by director Alan Perry and actor Michael Billington (2003)
• Audio Commentary on Sub-Smash by actor Ed Bishop (2002)
• NEW! Audio Commentary on The Cat With Ten Lives by “Fanderson” members Ian Fryer and Chris Drake (2024)
• Audio Commentary by guest artist Deborah Grant and Jonathan Wood (2007)
• Audio Commentary by co-creator/co-producer Sylvia Anderson and actress Wanda Ventham (2003)
• NEW! Audio Commentary on Invasion: UFO feature-film version by ITC historians Jonathan Wood and Rick Davy (2024)
• From Earth to the Moon – feature-length documentary on the making of the series including interviews with Gerry Anderson, Ed Bishop, Wanda Ventham, Ayshea Brough, Georgina Moon, Jane Merrow, Deborah Grant, Susan Jameson, Matt Zimmerman, Jeremy Wilkin, Shane Rimmer, Michael Jayston, Alan Shubrook and David Collings (2016)
• The UFO Documentary – “Fanderson” produced documentary on the making of the series, narrated by Shane Rimmer, including interviews with Gerry Anderson, Bob Bell, Ed Bishop, Delores Mantez, Derek Meddings, Christopher Penfold, Alan Perry, George Sewell and Vladek Sheybal (1993)
• The Women of UFO – documentary charting the female characters in the series including interviews with Wanda Ventham, Ayshea Brough, Georgina Moon, Jane Merrow, Deborah Grant and Gabrielle Drake (2016)
• Identified: S.H.A.D.O. New Recruits Briefing  – featurette (2016)
• Meeting Commander Straker – interview with actor Ed Bishop
• NEW! Reality Sets In – interview with guest artist Jane Merrow (2024)
• NEW! The Man Who Came Back Again – interview with guest artist Derren Nesbitt (2024)
• Ken Turner: ISOSHADO interview with the actor
• The Doppelcars – featurette on the UFO vehicles, narrated by Ed Bishop
• 21st Century Craft Design – featurette on special effects designer Mike Trim, introduced by Ed Bishop
• Tomorrow Today: episode of the science magazine series featuring Sylvia Anderson discussing UFO fashions (1970)
• Rare Collectables / Memorabilia Photo Gallery

Series Archival Vault Material:

• Identified: Original opening sequence and alternative ending / S.I.D. Voice Sessions
• Exposed: Extended scenes
• The Square Triangle: Clean closing credits
• Kill Straker!: Original raw studio takes (audio)
• Timelash: Day for night grading example / clapperboard sequence
• The Long Sleep: Unused footage
• Invasion: UFO  – Full frame opening titles / closing credits & textless end credits
• Invasion: UFO Trailer
• Textless series end titles and textless episodic material/stock footage
• Original TV Spots for the series
• Italian Trailers
• Extensive Photo Galleries

Plus a 120-page booklet featuring the extensive Pressbook information for the series + Story Information, all taken from the original studio files.