Rating: 
Summary: models
Review: I'd have to check the credits, but I think some of the people who made this made the old UFO series. I have always thought the creative use of models and mattes were better than blue screens and computers until very recent technology. This is one of the best.
Rating:
Summary: Gerry Anderson's "Far Side"
Review: In the near future, a routine mission by an unmanned solar probe detects a planet sharing Earth's orbital plane, but orbiting exactly opposite to it. Plans to land an expedition to the mysterious planet are initially shelved because of the cost - but then reinstated and rushed forward when the existence of Earth's twin is discovered by a secret agent (Herbert Lom). Jason Web, a ruthless visionary of space exploration, manages the program as if he's going up. Instead, the two-man crew is headed by a stoic American astronaut named Glenn Ross, a man who seems to have nothing to come back to. Ironically, Ross does return back to Earth - apparently having turned around midway and crashlanding. But Ross is perplexed - his last memories are approaching the mystery planet and landing, having no explanation for his return. Okay, so there is an explanation [] and on reflection it's not an entirely intelligent one. Actually, the idea of a parallel Earth poses an interesting (likely unintentional) cold war metaphor: scientists and politicians are spurred to expend outrageous sums to conquer and explore a mysterious region or enemy only to find it that the enemy is no different than themselves. Scientifically, it's even less acceptable: everything on this other world is a reverse-mirror image of our Earth, from human anatomy, electric polarity to written language. Luckily, dialog is not reversed though - since the reverse Earth lives within our universe, complete with the same laws of physics - why anything should be reversed at all is a mystery. Instead our hero hits on the twin-earth solution and even sells it to the otherwise immovable Web, though you get the sense that they might have had some reservations about the idea. The thinness of the idea is underscored in the film's unsatisfying climax. The film even junks the promising cold-war undertones after they provided a convenient device for spurring the expedition (Web allows Lom's character to reveal the existence of the other Earth to his foreign masters, knowing that his own superiors will now be forced to pony up the "thousand, million pounds" the expedition will cost). If "Journey" has a thin idea, it's still a stand-out delivery. Gerry Anderson's vision and Derek Meddings's effects are lovely. Though you know that they're working with models, the exacting attention to detail creates a world you don't want to dismiss as simple elaborate miniatures. Aside from eye-candy, the flick also centers on the strong-willed performances of (vet sci-fi fixture )Roy Thinnes as Ross, and Pat Wymark as the tough-talking Web. For a great piece of glamorous 60's sci-fi, this is your flick.
Rating: 
Summary: Kill the editor! This flick is just too slow.
Review: Journey to the Far Side of the Sun (1969)
This flick supposes that there is another planet in the same orbit as our earth, but on the opposite side of the sun. As such, that seems interesting, and while this film does have some merit, it is just plain too slow. The Andersons' plots were just plain boring, and all the mechanical complexity in the world could not help. Not one of their series lasted more than two seasons, because anything the Andersons' ever toutched relied upon mechanical intricacies rather than plot or interaction between characters. If only they had not spent so much time showing the spacecraft being positioned for launch, or the elevator going down the shaft, or the sections of the rocket being assembled, their productions would be worthwhile. But for the same reasons that UFO, Stingray, the Thunderbirds, Space 1999, etc were boring and hence, short-lived, this is boring. The fact that they only provided the special-effects for Director Robert Parrish, did not help much. This film was clearly a full half-hour to forty-five minutes too long. Hooray for the DVD player's next chapter button, because fast forward is not fast enough. If not for such drawn out boredom, this would certainly merit 4 of 5 stars. However, its extensive use of mechanical processes as time-killers ruined an otherwise decent flick. Watch the first fifteen minutes, click next chapter until you reach about an hour into the film. Resume viewing at the point where the guy lands on the other Earth, watch it to the end, and you will not miss anything worthwhile, but you will save yourself 40 - 45 minutes of drudgery. Synopsis:
The premise is that our earth sends a spacecraft to the other earth; however, it returns in only half the time it should have taken for a round-trip flight. Yet, what if our astronaut hero IS on the other earth? If so, how would he know the difference? Like I said, watch the first 15 minutes, and skip the next 30 to 40 minutes. What you will miss contributes nothing to the plot. 5/5 for nostalgia, 1/5 for action, 2/5 for character development, 0/5 for editing, 3/5 for plot.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent science fiction with a plot twist
Review: One thing you've got to hand to Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. Not only were they on the forefront in terms of creating excellent science fiction with wonderous costumes, sets, and the like, they also create science fiction with an excellent, if not bizarre twist to it. Much like 2001 and Planet Of The Apes. They would go on later to create Space:1999(another science fiction classic). I first saw Journey To the Far Side Of The Sun at my grandmother's on a Saturday afternoon, watching it on the Saturday afternoon movies portion on one of the local television stations, and I must say that I was totally blown away by its plot twist. A mirror-Earth on the far side of the sun. And the explosive ending where astronaut and U.S. Air Force Colonel Glenn Ross(played by the great Roy Thinnes)tries to make an emergency landing in his spacecraft. The film was definately a quantum leap in science fiction. Especially with a plot twist that would have made a good Twilight Zone episode. Everything about this movie was great. From the plot to subplot, to the acting, etc. It is truly a cult classic among fans, especially those of the Andersons. Roy Thinnes, as always, does an excellent job with the material he is given. From an astronaut that has marital problems, to being in a weird and bizarre situation, he does an excellent job of playing someone who is in the most strangest of circumstances. The other actors also do an excellent job as well. The soundtrack by the late Barry Gray, very powerful and moving. Especially in the scene where Thinnes is in front of a mirror in the space center administrator's office, putting the pieces of the puzzle together. If you enjoy science fiction with a twist, be sure to check out this film. Man has gone to the moon. Now take another extraordinary journey!
Rating:
Summary: A drive-in classic
Review: Seeing this movie again as an adult, I liked it better as a kid, watching it late at night on T.V. In that vein, it is a true "drive-in classic" of sorts. A great film for young teen boys. The effects are a bit dated but brilliant for their time. What George Lucas has said about Star Wars, applies to Journey to the Far Side of the Sun as well .... one of the last "hand made" films. And perhaps the last of the "classic" sci-fi films.
Rating: 
Summary: "Z" MOVIE WITH "A" SPECIAL EFFECTS
Review: The plot of JOURNEY TO THE FAR SIDE OF THE SUN could have been the subject of a good sci-fi novelette but is too weak for a 100 minutes movie. The idea is the following : there is a symmetric earth behind the sun. So why not go there and see what's on this planet. Actors are very serious, the clothes very 1970 in an action set at the beginning of the 21st century I presume. But what is truly a surprise in this movie is the quality of the special effects ; in my opinion, they are the best I have seen, except for 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY of course, in a movie of the sixties. You have to see the final explosion to understand what I mean. Special features reduced to the minimum : english subtitles and a scene access. A curious DVD curious A.
Rating:
Summary: Good Movie That Takes Itself Too Seriously
Review: The story: Earth scientists discover another planet in our solar system -- orbiting on exactly the opposite side of the sun from Earth. A mission is hastily put together and, despite espionagic (Is that a word? Should be.) attempts to stop it, it succeeds. However, when Ian Hendry and Roy Thinnes crash-land on the other planet, they find . . . Earth. Except, it's not. It's exactly like Earth, but in mirror-image. Of, course, the people of htraE had launched a mission to the "other" planet (Earth) at the same time, crewed by yrdneH naI and sennihT yoR, and they believe that the two astronauts who just crashed are their own people who aborted their mission, without good reason, and came back. How do Ian and Roy prove they're not naI and yoR? Commentary: Good acting, good direction, and great special effects, but this movie is grim, bleak, serious, gray, tense . . . you get the idea. Of course, it's trying to be serious, but it becomes 100% and life is seldom 100% serious (there are a few jokes and a few smiles even in "Saving Private Ryan"). The film loses some of its realism by taking realism too seriously. The makers of this film were probably trying to avoid the ... stereotype of many science-fiction movies, but took it one step too far. Overall: Despite all my gripes in the previous paragraph, I like this film and remember it vividly years later.
Rating:
Summary: Good Movie That Takes Itself Too Seriously
Review: The story: Earth scientists discover another planet in our solar system -- orbiting on exactly the opposite side of the sun from Earth. A mission is hastily put together and, despite espionagic (Is that a word? Should be.) attempts to stop it, it succeeds. However, when Ian Hendry and Roy Thinnes crash-land on the other planet, they find . . . Earth. Except, it's not. It's exactly like Earth, but in mirror-image. Of, course, the people of htraE had launched a mission to the "other" planet (Earth) at the same time, crewed by yrdneH naI and sennihT yoR, and they believe that the two astronauts who just crashed are their own people who aborted their mission, without good reason, and came back. How do Ian and Roy prove they're not naI and yoR? Commentary: Good acting, good direction, and great special effects, but this movie is grim, bleak, serious, gray, tense . . . you get the idea. Of course, it's trying to be serious, but it becomes 100% and life is seldom 100% serious (there are a few jokes and a few smiles even in "Saving Private Ryan"). The film loses some of its realism by taking realism too seriously. The makers of this film were probably trying to avoid the ... stereotype of many science-fiction movies, but took it one step too far. Overall: Despite all my gripes in the previous paragraph, I like this film and remember it vividly years later.
Rating:
Summary: A+ for a B Film from the groovy 60¿s
Review: This film is a low budget cross between James Bond and 2001. Produced by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, this video is a must have for any fan of the television series Space:1999 or UFO. While the plot (which is right out of a standard Twilight Zone episode) can get a little bit thin, the attention to detail makes up for any flaws. Every inch of the production is crammed with futuristic gadgets, mod furniture and cool looking spaceships, cars and airplanes. You really get to taste a 60's view of the "future" filled with video teleconferencing, x-ray security checks and a space program plagued by budget cuts. Graphic designers will love the look of the opening titles which contrast minimal typography with high tech photography (by the way the titles are the only part of the movie which are sort of in letterbox). Despite wooden acting and a slow editing pace, you will find yourself in love with the look and feel of this film. No it's not a "great film", but there is some nice model work, good art direction and decent music to keep a sci-fi fan entertained.
Rating:
Summary: Its popularity most likely will fade with time
Review: This is one film that will probably only be enjoyed by the most ardent sci-fi film fan. By today's standards, the props, special effects and cinematography look so cheap and crude. Also, this film could have benefitted from a better screenwriter; just about anyone who watches this will be left "hanging" at the conclusion.
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