Stage6: Star Fleet AKA X-Bomber
Update: Stage6 shut down on March 1, 2008.
The original Japanese name for this series is X-Bomber. It was picked up in England, dubbed (into English, duh), renamed Star Fleet, ran on TV there, and made its way at least to VHS both in England and the U.S., with one half-hour episode per tape.
Although I’ve seen DVDs of this series on sale at eBay, it’s been one of two versions: British (PAL DVD) or Japanese (NTSC, but maybe Region coded).
Of minor note:
The English version’s theme song was done by Paul Bliss of The Moody Blues, and was also famously covered by Queen member Brian May and Van Halen guitarist Eddie Van Halen. This was released under the name “Star Fleet Project”.
I don’t know why. I think the theme is terrible.
There are six files up on Stage6, each near an hour in length. I don’t know how much of the series this represents. I’ve gotten a few episodes elsewhere and it’s been a real test of will to get through at least one of them. Mimicking Supermarionation is not easy. Every attempt I’ve seen (including, and perhaps especially, Team America: World Police) has failed. Gerry Anderson produced something unique, special, and enduring. He should be proud of that.
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