Question about the end-titles of UFO

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Question about the end-titles of UFO

Shado-cabinet
Hi Guys

I was just wondering at the very end of the end-titles a creepy looking planet suddenly appears (just as the ITC logo appears in the credits). When I saw UFO as a kid I though that it was the Aliens home planet.
However looking at it now I was wondering if this is just one of the planets in our solar system just shown for dramatic effec? Since the scene of the end-titles is set within our own solar system (as the earth appears quite close to this creepy planet etc), and that the actual alien planet might be either in the 'Alpha Centauri' galaxy or 'Andromeda' etc then I suppose the planet must be just another planet in the solar system just made to appear creepy so as to freak younger viewers out (I suppose as it did freak me out as a youngster back in the late 80s :)
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Re: Question about the end-titles of UFO

Marc Martin
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It seems that you had the opposite interpretation as I did/do.

When I was a child, I assumed that was Mars.

After growing up and rewatching the series, I decided that was, symbolically at least, the alien homeworld.

Marc
 
TRT
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Re: Question about the end-titles of UFO

TRT
I've always thought it was allegorical. 

Sent from my iOS device

On 7 Aug 2020, at 21:21, Marc Martin [via SHADO] <[hidden email]> wrote:

 It seems that you had the opposite interpretation as I did/do.

When I was a child, I assumed that was Mars.

After growing up and rewatching the series, I decided that was, symbolically at least, the alien homeworld.

Marc
 



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Re: Question about the end-titles of UFO

Shado-cabinet
In reply to this post by Marc Martin
Hi Marc

Thanks for your reply.  I also thought it might have been Mars too (as it is the nearest planetary neighbour to Earth) but that would have been more reddish than grey etc. I suppose it would make sense that it was the Aliens planet (at least metaphorically anyway :)

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Re: Question about the end-titles of UFO

Shado-cabinet
In reply to this post by TRT
Hi TRT

Thanks for your reply.

Yes I think both Marc & yourself are correct in that it is metaphorically showing us the alien planet. It would have made more sense if the director did a longer 'zoom out' from the earth & sun (eventually showing it to be a star etc ) before revealing the alien planet (just to indicate the 'long distance' from the aliens planet to the earth etc :)
TRT
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Re: Question about the end-titles of UFO

TRT
I thought it was more menacing that it was shown as closer than you would think. We are not alone. 

Sent from my iOS device

On 7 Aug 2020, at 23:58, Shado-cabinet [via SHADO] <[hidden email]> wrote:

 Hi TRT

Thanks for your reply.

Yes I think both Marc & yourself are correct in that it is metaphorically showing us the alien planet. It would have made more sense if the director did a longer 'zoom out' from the earth & sun (eventually showing it to be a star etc ) before revealing the alien planet (just to indicate the 'long distance' from the aliens planet to the earth etc :)


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Re: Question about the end-titles of UFO

Clare Cross
Agreed.  The dramatic conclusion of the end titles is obviously designed to represent the Alien homeworld.  

Interestingly enough, Chris Thompson did a digital version of the end titles for the UFO documentary on the 2016 Network Blu-ray and he ended the sequence with a UFO suddenly appearing in shot and spinning off into the distance... i.e. heading for Earth.  This, I thought, worked really well too.  Speaking of which, will the 2016 special features get reviewed on this site?  I know that not everyone is keen on them, but I feel that they should be discussed - even if just briefly.
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Re: Question about the end-titles of UFO

Marc Martin
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On August  8, Clare Cross [via SHADO] <[hidden email]> wrote:
> Speaking of which, will the 2016 special features get
> reviewed on this site?  I know that not everyone is keen on them, but I
> feel that they should be discussed - even if briefly.

The special features on the Network UFO Blu-ray?   I have mixed feelings on these, as I think I they spent a fair amount of money on special features that could have been better spent doing a competent film-to-video transfer of the entire series.

As I recall, there were some throwaway documentaries that we could have done without.  And there was a book, which I have nothing against a book but I don't think it should have been a major special feature on a video release.  I think the only special features I appreciated were the extensive photo galleries (although the resolution on these photos could have been better), the raw footage from the episode titles (without the text overlayed), the raw special effects footage, and the "Tomorrow Today" segment which featured Sylvia Anderson and Antonia Ellis, seen for the first time in HD.

Marc
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Re: Question about the end-titles of UFO

Marc Martin
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.... also, it's my understanding that they didn't want to pay a minor licensing fee to use the Jeff Smart commentary tracks for KILL STRAKER and TIMELASH, which I think indicates the poor decision-making of those involved with this release.
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Re: Question about the end-titles of UFO

Clare Cross
I know Jeff very well.  I don't recall this ever being mentioned.  It may be the case.  However, my guess would be that A&E would have been unlikely to have allowed someone else to use these commentaries, as they would surely have wanted them to remain exclusive to them?  It's always good to see UFO cast members and production staff talking about their work on the series and, after almost 50 years, it's remarkable than some of them can even remember working on it in any detail at all.  Sadly, a couple of those interviewed are now no longer with us and so it makes such interview footage even more valuable.  I doubt that there will ever be a 'perfect' documentary on anything... certainly not on UFO.  In the interests of completeness, even if the views are subjective, it would be worthwhile giving them a review.  I also know Andrew Pixley quite well, and, as ever, his book (or viewing notes) make for fascinating and enlightening reading.  A highlight is definitely the photos taken during the casting and costume fitting sessions.  I almost died when I saw the original make-up design for the Alien!  My only comment was that the book was HUGE in comparison with the actual Blu-rays!  But that's not exactly a complaint.  And, for me, the Pic quality is excellent, although I do agree that a 'ground up' remaster would have been nice.  Maybe one day...
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Re: Question about the end-titles of UFO

Marc Martin
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On August  9, Clare Cross [via SHADO] <[hidden email]> wrote:
> I know Jeff very well.  I don't recall this ever being mentioned.  It
> may be the case.  However, my guess would be that A&E would have been
> unlikely to have allowed someone else to use these commentaries, as
> they would surely have wanted them to remain exclusive to them?  

I've discussed this with Jeff previously -- he offered Network his UFO commentaries, and they declined.  Jeff's commentaries are also on the Australian UFO DVD releases, so they are not exclusive to the USA A&E DVD release.  

Marc
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Re: Question about the end-titles of UFO

Marc Martin
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In reply to this post by Clare Cross
On August  9, Clare Cross [via SHADO] <[hidden email]> wrote:
>In the interests of completeness, even if the views are
> subjective, it would be worthwhile giving them a review.

Oh, are you suggesting that a review of the Network UFO special features needs to be added to the review on ufoseries.com?

I agree, although I have not been finding the time lately to work on the site, and things have been especially bad lately due to family issues.  There are lots of things that I'd like to add to the site, but I have kind of resigned myself to the fact that I may have to retire before I have the time to work on them.

Marc  
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Re: Question about the end-titles of UFO

Clare Cross
In reply to this post by Marc Martin
Interesting.  To be honest, I haven't spoken to Jeff properly since about 2016, although, funnily enough, I got an email from him only yesterday.  I had assumed that the copyright was held by A&E, whom I believed commissioned and paid for it.  It's a shame if Network turned them down, as they would have been a great addition to the UK box set.  Dare I admit that I was never that impressed with the commentaries from Gerry Anderson and Ed Bishop - although they could have been brilliant if a little more work had gone into the preparation.  Personally I think that all major (or even minor) UFO releases should get covered here in as much detail as it's possible to go into.  Time permitting, of course.  
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Re: Question about the end-titles of UFO

Marc Martin
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Yes, I thought the Carlton UK DVD commentary with Ed Bishop was particularly disappointing, as I think we all could have imagined a far better commentary than what we ended up with.  

There were 2 more commentaries on the Australian set, and I find the one with Deborah Grant and Jonathan Wood quite charming as well, although that may be a bit obscure for the casual fan.  :-)

Marc
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Re: Question about the end-titles of UFO

Ron DeMedeiros
In reply to this post by Clare Cross
My favorite commentary on the A & E dvd set was Sylvia Anderson and Wanda Ventham.



On Sunday, August 9, 2020, 09:25:16 AM CDT, Clare Cross [via SHADO] <[hidden email]> wrote:


Interesting.  To be honest, I haven't spoken to Jeff properly since about 2016, although, funnily enough, I got an email from him only yesterday.  I had assumed that the copyright was held by A&E, whom I believed commissioned and paid for it.  It's a shame if Network turned them down, as they would have been a great addition to the UK box set.  Dare I admit that I was never that impressed with the commentaries from Gerry Anderson and Ed Bishop - although they could have been brilliant if a little more work had gone into the preparation.  Personally I think that all major (or even minor) UFO releases should get covered here in as much detail as it's possible to go into.  Time permitting, of course.  


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Re: Question about the end-titles of UFO

Shado-cabinet
In reply to this post by Clare Cross
Hi Clare

I have not heard Ed Bishops's commentary but I did hear Gerry's commentary for 'Identified' which I actually did enjoy. I love the bit where he asked Ed Bishop to blow 'smoke rings' with his cigar in a scene (and was surprised that he done it in just one 1 take as he thought it would have taken multiple takes to do it).

I also like the fact that Gerry Anderson realized his mistake that the purple wigs & make-up made the Moonbase operators too glamorous when he intended them to be taken as serious military professionals.]

BTW - Gerry Anderson does seem to have an eye for the women in the UFO episode he directed. I wonder what did Sylvia think of all this?  And was there marriage under strain when they made UFO or did they break up years later?  
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Re: Question about the end-titles of UFO

Shado-cabinet
In reply to this post by Clare Cross
Hi Clare

You wrote :

 "I almost died when I saw the original make-up design for the Alien!"

Could you described what the original alien looked like (or do you have the pic in question)?,
And do you know why they didn't go with the original look for the aliens in the series?

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Re: Question about the end-titles of UFO

Clare Cross
The original Alien was an albino black man with dyed blonde hair.  The end result looked quite frightening and I think it was considered too far for a kids TV show.  Get the Network Blu-ray and there's a HUGE photo gallery on there.  
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Re: Question about the end-titles of UFO

Shado-cabinet
Hi Clare

Its a pity they didn't go ahead & used the Black Albino actor in the role. From the sounds of it would have made a very striking alien.

 
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Re: Question about the end-titles of UFO

Marc Martin
Administrator
This is what the Alien's were originally supposed to look like (frame capture from the Network UFO Blu-ray set)



Marc
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