JOURNEY TO THE FAR SIDE OF THE SUN [1969 / 2017] [Blu-ray] [UK Release] You Will Meet Yourself Face-To-Face . . . When Earth Meets Its Duplicate in Outer Space! Original and Intriguing!
Classic Sci-Fi adventure and suspense has never been more exciting as when you ‘JOURNEY TO THE FAR SIDE OF THE SUN’ [Doppelgänger original title]. One hundred years in the future, two astronauts are sent to uncover the secret of a “duplicate” Earth on the other side of the sun. When they crash land three weeks earlier than they had planned, they must embark on a life-or-death mission to determine whether they have arrived back home or on the strange mirror world. This imaginative space adventure offers a journey few will ever forget!
FILM FACT: The first major live-action film of Century 21 from writer/producers Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. The production base for special effects was Century 21 Studios in Slough, Berkshire, which had been prepared for filming on the last “Supermarionation” series, ‘The Secret Service.’ To create the illusion of the parallel Earth, the images of say the reversed text, both quickly and cheaply, the production staff inverted the film negatives using an optical process known as “flop-over.” This technique saved the time and money that would otherwise needed to have been spent in building sets and props with specially reversed elements, or organising road closures to film cars driving on the “wrong” side of the road. However, the scenes set in or around the parallel EUROSEC Headquarters required careful rehearsal and co-ordination with cast and crew prior to filming. The incorporation of the flop-over technique results in some continuity errors: for example, the terminals of the Heart Lung Kidney machines on-board Phoenix are seen to be connected first to Colonel Glenn Ross and Dr. John Kane's left wrists, then their right.
Cast: Roy Thinnes, Ian Hendry, Patrick Wymark, Lynn Loring, Loni von Friedl, Franco De Rosa, George Sewell, Ed Bishop, Philip Madoc, Vladek Sheybal, George Mikell, Herbert Lom, Keith Alexander (uncredited), Anthony Chinn (uncredited), Nicholas Courtney (uncredited), Maxwell Craig (uncredited), Cy Grant (uncredited), Victor Harrington (uncredited), Annette Kerr (uncredited), Martin King (uncredited), Basil Moss (uncredited), Norma Ronald (uncredited), John Stone (uncredited), Peter van Dissel (uncredited) and Jeremy Wilkin (uncredited)
Director: Robert Parrish
Producers: Ernest Holding, Gerry Anderson and Sylvia Anderson
Screenplay: Donald James (screenplay), Gerry Anderson (screenplay/story), Sylvia Anderson (screenplay/story) and Tony Williamson (screenplay) (uncredited)
Composer: Barry Gray
Cinematography: John Owen Read (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audio: English: 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio
Subtitles: English SDH and French
Running Time: 101 minutes
Region: Region B/2
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Universal Pictures
Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: In the 1960s, pretty much nobody could touch Gerry Anderson who had pioneered the “Supermarionation” format of television programmes in the UK with action/sci-fi series like ‘Supercar,’ ‘Stingray,’ ‘Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons’ and their most famous output, ‘Thunderbirds.’ These shows used marionette puppets as the characters, but it also utilised some fantastic model work and spectacular special effects. So in 1969, riding high on all of those TV series successes, and ITC President Lew Grade, who is always credited as Lord Grade, agreed to finance a live-action feature film that Gerry Anderson and his wife Sylvia Anderson would co-produce and write. The result was ‘JOURNEY TO THE FAR SIDE OF THE SUN’ (aka ‘Doppelgänger’), that is basically like a “Supermarionation” film with people and not puppets, but there is of course brilliant spectacular model rockets and other over the top special effects.
Though directed by American director Robert Parrish, whose only other film I have heard of is the over the top spoof James Bond film ‘Casino Royale’ in 1967, which I loved, but a lot of people hated, as it was not pure James Bond genre, but this film has the magic touch of Gerry Anderson and Sylvia Anderson, who were part of a team who did the screenplay. ‘JOURNEY TO THE FAR SIDE OF THE SUN’ was a $6,000,000 British sci-fi film which and received a less than enthusiastic response upon its initial release.
‘JOURNEY TO THE FAR SIDE OF THE SUN’ plot of the film revolves around The European Space Exploration Council (EUROSEC) has sent up a probe to orbit the Sun called, are you ready, Project Sun Probe. The probe locates an object, a new planet, orbiting the sun in a pattern such that we have never seen it before. Unfortunately, EUROSEC scientist Dr. Kurt Hassler [Herbert Lom] is selling information to the Eastern Block and now the Soviets know about it. EUROSEC’s director Jason Webb [Patrick Wymark] wants to hurry and get the West to the planet first, so he makes a deal with NASA to send up one British astrophysicist named Dr. Kane [Ian Hendry], the man in charge of the Sun Probe project, and seasoned U.S. astronaut Colonel Glen Ross [Roy Thinnes], who is famous for being the lead in the sci-fi TV series ‘The Invaders.’
After being in suspended animation for three weeks, Dr. Kane and Colonel Glen Ross awaken and see the new planet, which looks eerily familiar to Planet Earth. They can’t quite get the readings they need so they decide to land on it. Their lander crashes on the rocky terrain and Dr. Kane is badly injured. They’re soon discovered by a Mongolian rescue worker, and are they back on Earth already, as it is only been three weeks? With Dr. Kane in the infirmary, Colonel Glen Ross is questioned about why he abandoned the mission, which he maintains he didn’t and that something weird is going on. Colonel Glen Ross is also having trouble seeing things properly and getting more confused all the time, because everything looks backward. When Dr. Kane dies, an autopsy reveals that all of his internal organs are on the opposite side of his body, mirrored. Colonel Glen Ross then realises that maybe it is not he who is seeing things backwards. Maybe the other planet is an exact mirror of Earth and the mirror world’s Colonel Glen Ross is on regular Earth right now? Well, the film never really answers that, but Colonel Glen Ross does make a new rocket, dubbed Doppelgänger, to try to go back.
What I love about the “Supermarionation” film is the brilliant model design elements and the amazing special effects work. Derek Meddings had worked with Gerry Anderson as the model maker and special effects guy on the TV shows for a number of years, and he was promoted to Special Effects Director from ‘Stingray’ onwards. With the film ‘JOURNEY TO THE FAR SIDE OF THE SUN,’ Derek Meddings was also the Special Effects director, and there is a great deal of them in this Sci-Fi film. Every wide shot of the EUROSEC base, and every shot of the rocket and other flying implement, the planet, space itself, and even some of the backgrounds in the film were all Derek Meddings models. While the models certainly have the look a lot like ‘Thunderbirds,’ I think they are totally awesome and I would watch more films like this any time. Derek Meddings went on to do more special effects for the bigger films including all of the four James Bond films in the 1970s that starred Roger Moore, and the final film ‘Moonraker, which was nominated for Best Special Effects at the Oscars. Whilst perhaps sadly not fully exploring the concept of a parallel Earth in any meaningful way, but there is still much to recommend about the film ‘JOURNEY TO THE FAR SIDE OF THE SUN,’ particularly if you are into the classic retro look of the 1960’s futurism is something you enjoy. This is a very classy curiosity piece, that should have had been a longer film to realise its greater potential. Released the year after the film ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ and the Apollo 11 moon landing, the “Supermarionation” film has reached “cult” status, with many Gerry Anderson and Sylvia Anderson fans viewing the film as a ticket to true Gerry Anderson and Sylvia Anderson fandom.
For lovers of 1960’s futurism there is much to enjoy in Bob Bell‘s customarily retro art direction and from the fashions, to the sets, to the vehicles and it’s a future which very much brings to mind the look of Gerry Anderson’s follow-up TV series ‘UFO.’ The film music score by Gerry Anderson and Sylvia Anderson’s regular composer, the legendary Barry Gray and is one of his best and features cues which were also later used in TV series ‘UFO.’ The miniature effects work of Derek Meddings, which included ‘Thunderbirds,’ ‘Captain Scarlet’ and ‘UFO’ is as always top-notch and fans of his particular design aesthetic will not be disappointed.
Also it would not be a Gerry Anderson and Sylvia Anderson production without stuff blowing up and ‘JOURNEY TO THE FAR SIDE OF THE SUN’ is no different, especially with a spectacular explosive finale to rival anything seen in ‘Thunderbirds.’ It has always remained a mystery as to why things in Gerry Anderson and Sylvia Anderson’s productions tend to explode not once or twice, but three, four, or five times or more. Not that I’m complaining, I just love watching stuff blow up, especially with a Gerry Anderson and Sylvia Anderson production value, but it is something I’ve often wondered about. That idea of beauty, of course, is countered, in the film’s finale, when man makes a mistake with his technology, and disaster blossoms. But still, there are moments in ‘JOURNEY TO THE FAR SIDE OF THE SUN’ that veritably promise a golden age of space travel and space technology. These moments still have the capacity to inspire. This imaginative space adventure offers a journey few will ever forget! But in reality, I have always wondered if there is actually another Earth “Doppelgänger” in complete opposite on the other side of the sun and I wonder if we will ever find out. One thing I was totally baffled and confused was right at the end of the film when Patrick Wymark who is seen in a wheelchair and starts racing towards the mirror and crashes into it, to the point it left me high and dry and wondering was there any kind of logic, especially with his state of mind, which obviously he was definitely not in his right of mind or was it they had run out of money and this last scene was the consequences? Answers on a post card please?
Blu-ray Image Quality – Universal Pictures brings us a stunning 1080p Technicolor encoded image and an equally impressive 1.85:1 aspect ratio, which is far superior to the inferior DVD release. Colours are strong and luscious. Black levels are deep and good. The space scenes are very effective and the details on the modelling work are clear and look realistic. The 1.85:1 widescreen shape focuses compositions, while the better resolution reveals the added grain and flat colours of several optical shots. All in the entire overall image looks out of this world. Please Note: Playback Region B/2: This will not play on most Blu-ray players sold in North America, Central America, South America, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. Learn more about Blu-ray region specifications.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – Universal Pictures blasts us into outer space with just one 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio experience. It has great clarity when it comes to the dialogue, music, and the awesome explosive sound effects, as well as crashes, and the firing of the rockets really makes you feel you are actually there, and other aggressive sound effects really resonate and give your speakers a good workout definition and exactness. Dialogue is very straightforward and very clear throughout the Sci-Fi film.
Finally, ‘JOURNEY TO THE FAR SIDE OF THE SUN’ [1969] is a perfect example of late 1960s British popcorn fare overseen by one of the best showmen and interesting sci-fi writers of the day. If you can overlook the eccentric quirky screenplay, you end up with a pretty good gorgeous and weird mixture of grown-up ideas and children TV show visuals. And, hey, if you’re a classic Doctor Who fan, you can catch Nicholas Courtney, who played the Brigadier, in a small role, and perennial villain Philip Madoc in a slightly larger one. Also, I suspect when you see certain scenes, you will be saying, “Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who is that gorgeous reflection I see?” Although parts of this sci-fi tale require a major suspension of critical thinking, But ‘JOURNEY TO THE FAR SIDE OF THE SUN’ [aka ‘Doppelgänger’] is nevertheless a very enjoyable experience harking back to a different era in film-making. The spectacular modelling and even more spectacular special effects are brilliant, while the theatrical acting, psychedelic effects and dramatic music help create a vintage, surreal sci-fi experience. If that isn’t enough, there is plenty of entertainment that can still be had from watching a 1960’s style vision of the future, along with its whacky cars, sliding doors and world where everyone either wears a turtleneck sweater or a plethora of mini-skirts. The only disappointment is that there is not a plethora of extras. Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
