Danger, planète inconnue

A 'counter-Earth' is detected on the far side of the sun, prompting an ill-fated expedition. This live action 'hard-science' space opera was produced by 'Supermarionation' maestros Gerry and Sylvia Anderson and, although puppet-free resembles their popular 'strings-attached' actioners such as 'Thunderbirds' (1965): the miniatures are excellent in both design and construction, the scripts wordy and expositional, the story gadget-laden, and Barry Gray's music stirring. The first two thirds of the film is excellent, cumulating in a spectacular crash after which everything goes down-hill fast, as footage is wasted on trippy '2001-like psychedelics and eye close-ups and the premise shifts from merely dubious to outright ludicrous. The concept of a co-orbiting planet hidden by the sun has long been discounted (even if unseeable from Earth, gravitational effects would have been detected long ago - Neptune was predicted in the early 1800s based on perturbations of Uranus' orbit) and the follow-up premise, that it is identical to Earth, would require entire universe to be symmetrical around our sun. Although the story troughs when the focus shifts to figuring out how and why the astronauts came 'home' so early, it does sets up the final crash: more of the spectacular miniature destruction on which the film's cult-appeal rests. The pyrotechnics and model-work are outstanding and the scenes in space are imaginative and relatively realistic. The acting is generally good although, as Colonel Glenn Ross, Roy Thinnes bears the brunt of the disintegrating storyline as he bashes around looking a reversed writing and tries to convince people that he's is not mad. In attempt to distance this, their first live-action theatrical-release, from their juvenile TV features, the Andersons wrote in some 'adult' situations (birth control, marital strife, government sanctioned killings, etc), none of which add anything of interest to the story (the 'espionage' opening is very well done but the whole sequence belonged in a Bond film or a 'Man from Uncle' caper). Despite the ridiculous story and narrative weaknesses, 'Doppleganger' (the original British title) showcases the best of 1960s special effects (perhaps second to only to '2001 A Space Odyssey (1968)) and is well worth watching for the imagery alone.

Interesting premise; interestingly worked out; the strongest feature of this film is the emotional tension of the astronaut who knows a truth, but is unable to convey it to others. Overlook the weaknesses and just enjoy the movie, but be prepared for a certain level of suspense.

In this film, the astronauts sent to explore a newly-discovered planet must deal with several dilemmas, and they do so intelligently. The film approaches it's main plot theme in a unique way, and unfolds it gradually, though it can be guessed beforehand.

The acting is very good, though sometimes stiff, as some late-60s acting can be. It can also be somewhat wordy and even melodramatic, especially after the plot theme reveals itself. Visually, it has a scene that resembles one in the previous year's "2001: A Space Odyssey", and that tends to date the movie. Some of the actors went on to star in the 1970 TV show "UFO," which is delightfully campy and worth checking out on DVD.

Despite these small points, the space flight itself is realistic, and considering this was 1969, the scenes inside the cockpit of the spacecraft also had a realistic look. (Look for some 1990s/2000s video technology in use, too!) One thing: I suspect a love scene has been cut, but I can't prove it! It would have been a distraction anyway.

Unlike most Sci-Fi films, this film will make you think about the plot, and that's well worth a look. I'm pleased to have this film in my video library.

I'll admit that like many others here this is a movie I've seen many times as a kid in the 70's. :)

The concept and story are just wonderfull. My favorite type of sci-fi, the kind that makes you think and doesn't completely bombard you with special effects.

Speaking of special effects, without spilling any beans I can say if you like The Thunderbirds, you'll love the SFX in this movie.

Gets a 8 on 10 for me.

Undoubtedly the best movie Sylvia and Gerry Anderson ever made. While falling short of Stanley Kubrick's contemporaneous "2001: A Space Odyssey," "Journey to the Far Side of the Sun" has a strong, enigmatic plot and is plausible (apart from the novelty of its main premise) on both the human and technical levels.

I think that this movie succeeds most on the philosophical level, and it may be the only time that the Andersons have managed this in one of their movie-length productions (although there were certainly occasional glimpses of emotional and philosophical depth in their "UFO" and "Space:1999" serials).

I am glad that this movie was re-released on DVD as it will give me a chance to enjoy it all over again (for the first time in nearly 20 years).