Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons (1967)
The classic British Supermarionation sci-fi series pitting Earth's elite Spectrum organisation against the relentless, vengeful Martian Mysterons.
Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons - Series Information
- Original Title: Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons
- First Air Year: 1967
- Last Air Year: 1968
- Created by: Sylvia Anderson, Gerry Anderson
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Animation, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 28 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 32
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 29, 1967 (United States - TV-PG), September 29, 1967 (Canada - PG), September 29, 1967 (United Kingdom - U), September 29, 1967 (Germany - 6), September 29, 1967 (Italy - T), September 29, 1967 (Spain - 7)
- Networks: Associated Television
- Production Companies: Century 21 Television, ITC Entertainment
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons - Plot
Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons, often referred to as Captain Scarlet, is a 1960s British science-fiction television series produced by the Century 21 Productions company of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, John Read and Reg Hill. First broadcast on ATV Midlands from September 1967 to May 1968, it has since been transmitted in more than 40 other countries, including the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Characters are presented as marionette puppets alongside scale model sets and special effects in a filming technique that the Andersons termed "Supermarionation". This technology incorporated solenoid motors as a means of synchronising the puppet's lip movements with pre-recorded dialogue. Set in 2068, Captain Scarlet presents the hostilities between Earth and a race of Martians known as the Mysterons. After human astronauts attack their city on Mars, the vengeful Mysterons declare war on Earth, initiating a series of reprisals that are countered by Spectrum, a worldwide security organisation. Spectrum boasts the extraordinary abilities of its primary agent, Captain Scarlet. During the events of the pilot episode, Scarlet acquires the Mysteron healing power of "retro-metabolism" and is thereafter considered to be virtually "indestructible", being able to recover fully from injuries that would normally be fatal.
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Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Sylvia Anderson
- Gerry Anderson
Main Cast
- Francis Matthews
- Ed Bishop
- Donald Gray
- Cy Grant
- Jeremy Wilkin
- Gary Files
- Martin King
- Elizabeth Morgan
- Charles Tingwell
- David Healy
Writers
- Tony Barwick
- David Williams
- Peter Curran
- Shane Rimmer
- Sylvia Anderson
Executive Producers
- Gerry Anderson
Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons - FAQs
What is Supermarionation and how does it work?
Supermarionation is a puppet-based filming technique pioneered by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. It uses marionette puppets with solenoid motors built into their heads, allowing their lips to sync with pre-recorded dialogue. Combined with detailed scale-model sets and practical special effects, it gave the show a remarkably cinematic quality for its era.
Why is Captain Scarlet considered indestructible?
During the pilot episode, Captain Scarlet acquires a Mysteron power called 'retro-metabolism,' which allows him to fully recover from injuries that would be fatal to any normal human. This ability makes him Spectrum's most valuable agent in the war against the Mysterons, though it came at a significant personal cost.
Where can you stream Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons?
The series is available on several platforms. You can stream it on Amazon Prime Video and fuboTV, or watch free with ads on Tubi TV, The Roku Channel, Shout! Factory TV, and Plex. It's also available for free via Hoopla and Fawesome, or to buy on Amazon Video.
Is Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons based on a true story?
Not at all — it's a work of pure science fiction set in the year 2068. Gerry and Sylvia Anderson created an entirely original universe involving a war between Earth and a Martian civilisation called the Mysterons. The show was notable, however, for its unusually dark and serious tone compared to other children's programming of the 1960s.
Who voiced Captain Scarlet in the original series?
Francis Matthews provided the voice of Captain Scarlet, delivering a performance widely praised for its suave, confident quality. Matthews reportedly modelled the voice on Cary Grant, giving the character a distinctive charm. Ed Bishop voiced both the Narrator and Captain Blue, while Donald Gray took on the memorable roles of Colonel White and the villainous Captain Black.
How was Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons received by critics?
The series earned considerable praise for its mature, sophisticated tone — a deliberate departure from the lighter feel of earlier Anderson productions like Thunderbirds. Critics and fans have long celebrated its darker storytelling, impressive puppetry, and imaginative production design. It has since become a beloved cult classic of British television history.
What are similar shows to Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons?
Fans of the series often enjoy other Gerry Anderson productions, particularly Thunderbirds (1965) and Stingray (1964), which share the same Supermarionation style. For broader sci-fi adventure, Doctor Who (2005) and War of the Worlds (2019) offer compelling alien conflict storylines. Teknoman (1995) and Sliders (1995) also appeal to fans of classic sci-fi action.
Did Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons win any awards?
While the series did not accumulate major broadcast awards during its original run, it has received lasting recognition for its technical innovation and cultural impact. The Supermarionation technique itself became an influential milestone in British television production, and the show is regularly cited in retrospectives as one of the finest examples of 1960s sci-fi television.
More About Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons
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