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Stingray - Complete Series [1964]


RRP: £59.99
Our Price: £23.49 (subject to change)

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Drums pound, building excitement; the music bursts into life with a cry of "Stingray! Stingray!" Who can resist? Especially when a dramatic voice announces, "Anything can happen in the next half hour!". Stingray (1964) was the show Gerry Anderson made just before he really hit the big time with Thunderbirds (1965), producing 39 episodes of the 21st-century adventures of Troy Tempest--tall, dark and handsome (his voice was based on James Garner) captain of the titular submarine. His mission: to protect the seas on behalf of WASP (World Aquanaut Security Patrol). With complex underwater model and puppet effects, this was ground-breaking television, especially as it was the first UK series to be made in colour, though for years it was only seen in black and white. Special effects director Derek Meddings later graduated to the James Bond movies, while Moneypenny herself (actress Lois Maxwell) voiced Atlanta Shore. Here, just as in the Bond movies, she played second fiddle in our hero's affections, the mute Marina becoming Stingray's sex-goddess. The end-credits even featured a song in her honour, "Aqua Maria", which became an international hit. As for the bad guys: half-man, half-fish Titan and his Terror Fish wage dastardly war against humanity and the peaceful underwater citizens of Pacifica. Four decades on the model and underwater sequences still impress, and surely much of the inspiration for the underwater city in The Phantom Menace came from locations in Stingray. Whether as bizarre 60s nostalgia, or winning a new generation of fans, Stingray remains eccentric cult family entertainment. --Gary S Dalkin


"We are going to destroy Marineville"
Review date: 2008-06-25 Rating: 10 out of 10

This is one fantastic show and arguably is as good as it's big brother Thunderbirds. In fact, in some ways I think it's better.

The stories usually fall into 1 of 3 categories: 1. "WE ARE GOING TO DESTROY MARINEVILLE!!!" 2. WE ARE GOING TO DESTROY STINGRAY!!!!" 3. WE ARE GOING TO KILL TROY TEMPEST!!!" Oh no!!!

However this is not a criticism as it's the way they try to do the above that entertains you for 39 twenty-five minute rip-roaring episodes.

The creativity is fantastic but it's the characters that really sell this show. Every one of them is well thought out, something you can't really say about Thunderbirds. My personal favourite being Commander Shore; I'd love to have a hoverchair like his!!!!!!! They are all fun to watch even the bad guys like Titan and Agent X20. Plus we can't forget Stingray herself, a sub which even today looks amazing from when she descends into the water in her pen to her belting out the ocean door. Let the drums roll.

Credit also must go to Barry Gray's music, a great theme tune as well as the rest of the music too. Just need the soundtrack releasing on CD.

Buy it!!!!

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Reviews


Excellent!!
Review date: 2007-12-31 Rating: 10 out of 10

I used to watch these on BBC2 back in the 90s when I was growing up, a fledgling 60s sci fi fan in the making I was back then, so when I found this DVD box set of the series I just Had to have it!! The DVDs have been beautifully re-mastered and they've taken real care over the menus in the DVDs. You get 5 DVDs with all the episodes and extra bits as well. The one niggle I might have if I was forced to pass comment, would be that the packaging was a little disappointing. The design was alright and the DVD cases are just standard but the case holding them all together is just flimsy thin cardboard which was creased when it arrived :(

But when you hear the classic lines "Stand By for action... Anything could happen in the next half hour." Pure Escapism. A well deserved 10 cookies out of a potential 10 ^^

STINGRAY
Review date: 2003-03-23 Rating: 10 out of 10

What can we say, after nearly 40 years this series has stood the test of time, got it just after christmas and have only just finished the last epoisode, and yes I can remember every one from my childhood, the use of the puppet "Steve Zodiac" as Johnny Swoonara made me wonder if there was any possibility of the release of "Fireball XL5" on D.V.D or even "Supercar" now I really am showing my age.

A wonderful childhood memory revisited (Marineville)
Review date: 2001-09-06 Rating: 10 out of 10

As a child in the suburbs of New York City in 1965, I was enchanted by Stingray. We had a color TV back then and this was one of my favorite shows. Being able to watch Stingray again is a real treat. (Of course having a region-free/multistandard player helps quite a bit). The episodes are quite entertaining, and there is still a little rush of adrenaline when I hear "Stand by for Action!" and the roll of the drums... The quality of the set is excellent and the navigation through the menus is a breeze. An absolute must have for all Supermarionation fans...

A great deal and a must buy for all Gerry Anderson Fans.
Review date: 2001-04-17 Rating: 10 out of 10

An excellent deal. I have also bought the Thunderbirds Box Set and that was fab but this is twice as better. All the epiodes with Troy Tempest and Aqua Marina! I can't wait until the Captain Scarlet box set comes out!

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Lois Maxwell
Robert Easton
Ray Barrett
Don Mason
David Graham (II)

Creators:
Don Mason (Primary Contributor)
Ray Barrett (Primary Contributor)

Recording label: ITV DVD
Manufacturer: ITV DVD
EAN: 5037115012630
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 5
Format: Box set, PAL,
Release date: 2001-04-02
Number of discs: 5
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Universal, suitable for all
Region code: 2
Running time: 999 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1965-01-02
Language: English (Original Language)

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