★ 6 / 10
Gerry Anderson: A Life Uncharted
studioAT
This is Jamie Anderson's documentary film about the life of his father, who was famous for producing puppet shows such as 'Stingray' and 'Thunderbirds'. Sons…
This is Jamie Anderson's documentary film about the life of his father, who was famous for producing puppet shows such as 'Stingray' and 'Thunderbirds'.
Sons producing books/films about their famous fathers is nothing new. Michael Sellers did it for Peter Sellers, and it seems like Gary Morecambe spends every waking moment up in the loft trying to find new material about his dad, Eric.
This is a good effort, and well made. I didn't mind the clips interspersed between the talking heads, I think it would have been dry. The Deep Fake technology was a bit hit and miss though.
It isn't afraid to go for a warts and all approach, and I found the section of Gerry's sad decline with Dementia quite moving.
Perhaps being the son he was a bit too close to the subject matter to go really deep about the man, but this was good.
Read full review
★ 7 / 10
Insights into Gerry Anderson marred by editing "humour".
Charlesc-5
A true gem of a documentary for die-hard fans of the creator of a wide variety of TV shows and movies featuring miniatures and puppets. Gerry Anderson etched…
A true gem of a documentary for die-hard fans of the creator of a wide variety of TV shows and movies featuring miniatures and puppets.
Gerry Anderson etched his mark in our culture with his innovative puppet work and miniatures. With his steadfast dedication in using those things toward producing a wide but distinctive variety of shows, he will be remembered by generations around the world.
There have already been more than a few specials concerning the development (his invention of "SuperMarionation") and production and reception of his various shows such as "The Thunderbirds", "Space 1999", "UFO", etc.
The topic which this documentary reveals for the first time, to my knowledge, are various personal difficulties Anderson had in his life, and how those difficulties probably inspired his creative choices throughout his career.
For fans of his work, I would consider this as "must viewing".
The editors of this video, however, have seen fit to persist in cutting in clips and phrases from his shows / puppets, etc which, IMO, don't have anything to do with what was being discussed, either in subject or tone. Seeming to echo an old radio trick which is done for humorous effect, these clips only detract from the underlying story which is not funny.
If those clips were scenes or even the shows being discussed at the time, then the clips would have been relevant, but as they were used, they were a needless distraction, subtracting a point from my review.
Read full review
★ 8 / 10
All about the man that made Thunderbirds Go
RossIronfield
Growing up in the 1990s I became fascinated by the worlds of Gerry Anderson - catching repeats on BBC2 of Thunderbirds, Stingray, Captain Scarlet and Joe 90. I…
Growing up in the 1990s I became fascinated by the worlds of Gerry Anderson - catching repeats on BBC2 of Thunderbirds, Stingray, Captain Scarlet and Joe 90. I had all the toys, made my own Tracy Island, collected all the comics, had the posters and FAB cutaways on my wall, and I must have watched those Channel 5 Video tapes so many times they wore out. Gerry's work inspired me to go to university to study film and TV, and I read all the magazines, biographies and making-of books I could get my hands on. I wanted to know exactly how he'd managed to make all that magic happen.
Fast forward a few years, when Gerry died in 2012, I felt like I had lost my childhood hero. Thankfully, Gerry's youngest son Jamie, has worked hard to ensure his memory is not forgotten. This documentary is particularly interesting, as it uses innovative new techniques such as 'deep fake' to tell the story, something Jamie points out is what his father was known for - to use pioneering technology. Surprisingly, the documentary isn't afraid to explore other aspects of Gerry's personality, such as his troubled relationships in his personal and professional life, which somehow makes him seem more human. Yes he is someone I have always admired, but it is interesting to learn about his flaws - nobody is perfect, and that's ok.
A really enjoyable (and at times quite moving!) documentary film, if you're a fan of Supermarionation, or any of his later shows, Gerry Anderson: A Life Uncharted is well worth a watch.
Read full review
80%
AUDIENCE
7.2/10
188
•••
Didn't paint a very nice picture of him. Basically said he was a miserable prick. His own son hosted it. Not much nice sentiment,