“Object Z is unique among children’s programmes. It does not
feature children, teenagers, puppets, pop groups, animals. It was in fact
originally written for adults…”
Kenneth Eastaugh, Daily Mirror 11th November 1965
This is an excellent release from the BFI of a series I
wasn't even aware of and was clearly an attempt to match the BBC's Dr Who using
a global threat posed by invading aliens as a means of showing the divided
world of the time. Like all good sci-fi, it holds a mirror up to the
science-present as much as possible perhaps too boldly as the above quote
reveals with some contemporary reviewers concerned at the frightening concept
and the message it sent about humanity’s petty doom spiral… It’s rather sadly as
relevant today as 60 years ago.
As a small child of the sixties I was convinced that the War
was still being fought, not in Europe but somewhere in Africa so ever present
where the scenes of conflict on programmes like All Our Yesterdays that replayed
the last big event over and over. The reality is, of course, that some war was
always taking place and so it has continued until our present state in which
more war is far from “unforeseeable”. Writer Christopher McMaster wanted to
make a global point about the threat to our long-term viability and that he was
able to do so via a “children’s show” says much for the prevailing
sensibilities of a country in which most people lived through the Second World
War, Korea and the Cuban missile crisis when the Cold War almost thawed.
Unseen since its first transmission on ITV in 1965, and now newly remastered, Object Z is available on home media for the first time and it feels like the discovery of a time capsule... from a time when we trusted scientists and experts more than we do now.
"A mysterious mass – known only as Object Z – hurtles through space, threatening earth with destruction. As society erupts into riotous panic and extremist political factions attempt to snatch control, the world’s nations must unite to find a solution in the face of Armageddon. Television producer Peter Barry (Trevor Bannister, later of Are You Being Served and superb here) and assistant Diana Winters (Celia Bannerman) become embroiled in the race to find answers – but time is running out. The cast also includes Margaret Neale, June Challis, Denys Peek, Robert Duncan and Ralph Nossek." (BFI notes)
More to come...
The super science special features are revelatory especially the illustrated booklet featuring new essays by Jon Dear, Dick Fiddy, Dr Elinor Groom and William Fowler, and credits. This is available with the first pressing only so please get in quick!
Also worth noting:
- Newly remastered in 2K and presented in High Definition and Standard Definition
- Audio commentary on Episode 1 by Jon Dear
- Audio commentary on Episode 2 by Dick Fiddy
- Audio commentary on Episode 3 by William Fowler and Vic Pratt
- Audio commentary on Episode 4 by Dr Elinor Groom
- Audio commentary on Episode 5 by Kevin Lyons
- Audio commentary on Episode 6 by Celia Bannerman and Toby Hadoke
- In Search of Sierra Nine (1963/2025, 7 mins): edited highlights from the sole remaining episode of the Rediffusion science fiction drama Sierra Nine accompany this investigation of a mostly missing television series
- Object Z Episode 1 shooting script
- Image gallery: rarities and curiosities relating to Object Z and its missing sequel series, Object Z Returns
You can find Object Z in the BFI shop and also from all good online retailers, do not hesitate, you never know when something unexpected may appear in the stars...
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