Captain Scarlet Complete Series Box Set

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
First broadcast in 1967, Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons was the most grown-up of all Gerry Anderson's SuperMarionation adventures. There are gadgets and toy-friendly machines galore, of course--like the Spectrum Pursuit Vehicle, the Angel Aircraft and Cloudbase itself--but, unlike the colourful fantasies of Stingray and Thunderbirds, this series' concern with an implacable, vengeful enemy, conspiracies and double-agents drew its inspiration from James Bond and the Cold War spy dramas of the 1960s. Special effects whiz Derek Meddings imbues the action sequences with a truly Bondian grandeur and, like the sinister Spectre of the Bond films, the Martian Mysterons seem all the more hostile for their unseen presence, their agents infiltrating every organisation dedicated to their destruction just as it seemed the Soviets were doing at the time. The indestructible Captain Scarlet is killed then resurrected every week (though not like South Park's Kenny), and more often than not the unstoppable Mysterons emerge triumphant, and always undefeated. The varied cast of Spectrum agents and their voice characterisations also aim at verisimilitude (Captain Scarlet, voiced by Francis Matt hews, sounds like a grim Cary Grant), while the puppetry is more realistic than ever.

This box set contains all 32 episodes, with newly remastered picture and Dolby 5.1 surround sound. The DVD box also includes extra features on each disc, plus a sixth documentary disc, "Captain Scarlet: S.I.G.". In its new digital incarnation, Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons still looks and sounds like the epitome of 60s cool. --Mark Walker

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2007-11-23 rating:
The Andersons at their best.
Although everyone probably best remembers Gerry Anderson for "Thunderbirds", "Captain Scarlet" is considerably superior. Both the effects and the puppets are more realistic, and the the writing has a stronger darker edge.

The shows were back to 30 mins, which kept the pace up, where "Thunderbirds" could begin to drag by that point. After this, there were "Joe 90 and "The Secret Service", but neither show had that dark element, which only reappeared with the first live action Century 21 series, the excellent "UFO".

As for the DVD set, there are lots of goodies and extras which I was pleasantly surprised to find, and the image quality is clear and sharp.

I just have two gripes, hence the 4 stars. Firstly, and not so importantly, I recently purchased "Thunderbirds" 8 disc set in a slim, VHS box sized set. All the discs were tidy and compact. The "Captain Scarlet" however comes in six discs, each in an individual full-sized DVD pack. The box is bloody enormous at three times the size of the "Thunderbirds" set. I cannot see why this set cannot be repackaged instead of taking up half a shelf just to display the logo. It may be that they made it this big in some attempt to justify my second BIG irritation:

The price.

£35 for six disks is frankly taking the P*** - Particularly for a 30 year old kids TV show. I know the distributors are screwing people because this isn't being sold to kids at all, but 40yo+ adults with money seeking nostalgia.

Well I think it's exploitative, and I hope Carlton gets taken over by Mysterons.

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review by: date: 2007-02-02 rating:
It's OK but the stunning new 21st century series is far better than this puppet original for todays kids
I never really completely fell in love with 'Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons' as a kid (I was 11 when it first aired in Sept 1967). I think it was a bit too dark and often the episodes never resolved with a happy ending, plus the break neck action often exposed the limitations of the model/puppet special effects of the time. I did sit down and happily watch [and enjoy] all of the episodes, but it didn't attract the entire family in the way Thunderbirds had done earlier.

However this series has just been remade by Gerry Anderson using computer animation and this New Captain Scarlet series is first rate, Angels really do look like they could fly, spectrum pursuit vehicles do just that, and the charactor's are naturally more fluid and far less wooden. This leads to an even darker storyline and fantastic action sequences, although perhaps for the very young the body count is a bit high - leading to a 12 rating in series two. Despite Destiny Angel putting in a strong show for the ladies, my daughter has shown no interest, prefering the likes of Worst Witch and My parents are aliens. If your kids (and probably their dads) like Thunderbirds, then I'd skip this old puppet version and look out for the 'New Captain Scarlet' DVD set (seasons 1 & 2 were released in region two last year). TVTome probably says it all when they write "Gerry Anderson's classic cult 1960s TV series, `Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons' is getting a 21st centry make over in the most impressive animated series to hit kids' TV this century". My son [10] completely took to the new animated series of CS&M [that's even darker in theme than the original], but shuns this older puppet-based boxed set - as sadly do I. I bought this great looking set for him when going cheap, but I should have trusted my own memories of the series when viewing as a kid, it even lacks the humour of Thunderbirds - although like me at 11, my son does love my old Dinky SPV, Spectrum saloon car and Angel Interceptor, and doesn't CloudBase look great in the series. I suppose there's just too many other quality TV/DVD/PC/PS2 options for kids these days so they can be highly selective. Back in 1967 Captain Scarlet simply had far less competition and now the special effects naturally seem rather dated.

However for adults of a certain age this original puppet series will no doubt be the bees knees for childhood nostalgia. Being a bit older I naturally invested in Fireball XL5 instead for myself [only a Tootie would choose Captain Scarlet in preference]. I must admit though that this original Captain Scarlet series was innovative with a strong storyline, which later inspired GA's excellent UFO and Terrahawks TV programmes (plus the Power Ranger's franchise) - and with Fireball XL5 I really miss the glorious colour of Captain Scarlet & The Mysterons as well.

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review by: date: 2006-07-26 rating:
truly unique anderson production.
a highly original, exciting and well produced programme from the one and only gerry anderson.
people tend to rave about the likes of "thunderbirds," but i think that is rather over-rated and boring. the episodes are too long at 50 minutes.
anyway, by this time anderson and his production team wanted something different to concentrate on, and this was it.
from the outset, the budget has been vastly improved with more moving models in one camera shot, the sets are on a much grander scale, the general tone of the series isn't so much for young viewers but the puppets are the thing. the strings are almost non-existent and the overall shape and size is correct(for once).
the music is quite catchy, but also somewhat spooky as well.
for the first time in god knows when, the episodes are released one by one instead of the annoying videos of the 80s, when two or three programmes were spliced together and released as a "new" one.
i hope everyone enjoys this series as much as i do.

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review by: mattitude rules date: 2006-04-28 rating:
Amazing, legendary, timeless
Why, oh why did Granad attempt to recreate this immense series in a tragic and sacreligious way with the use of CGI? Why is Lieutenenant Green a woman? Why did they copy the original episode form 1967 but change it so it is weak and undramatic?

Gerry Anderson uses his magic once more to create the follow up to his breakthrough hit 'Thunderbirds' and by no means did it fail to deliver. In fact I have to agree with another reviewer that Captain Scarlet is the best Anderson series, surpassing Stingary and it's predecessor.

The storyline is simple enough: A Worldwide security agency stumbles upon alien lifeform on Mars called 'The Mysterons' and unprovokingly attack their city. The aliens use their new found power of reconstruction to rebuild the city instantly and declare war on Earth. Now it's up to Spectrum to intercept all Mysteron activity and prevent planetry crisis and destruction.
Captain Scarlet himself is actually a Mysteron reconstruction who has lost their influence however is left with one major bodily gain: He is indestrucible.

The characters are great and the Supermarionation used within the puppets to enable them to physically talk is even better thatn it was in 'Thunderbirds' and finally the heads are in proportion to the bodies.

The series is fun, powerful and meaningful, perfect for children but also great for adults too. I thoroughy recommend buying it. 6 out of 5!!


review by: samueldavis date: 2004-07-28 rating:
You must buy these DVDs earthmen!
This was just a great series! Highly underated and forgotten about due to Andersons Thunderbirds and Stingray shows. In my book Captain Scarlet is much better than both of them.

The store line is about how a man in a Worldwide agency battles an invisible force from Mars known as the Mysterons. Other characters include Captain Blue, (Captain Scarlets comrade), Captain Black who started an unprovoked atack on the Mysterons on a Mars expedition, and know works for them, Colonel White who is Captain Scarlets boss, and various other people.

Each episode has a different threat, and takes place in different places, such as London, the Sahara, New York, the Nevada desert, and on the Moon!

For its time the series is quite sensational. You can see where some of the ideas from films like the Matrix, etc get there ideas from. The whole show was created with handmade puppets, and model vehicles and sets. It is quite amazing how it was done considering it was made before computers were about.

As far as I know all the episodes have been digitally remastered and restored, to minimze the blemishes in the picture, but they have kept the puppet strings to show it as it was!

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