Filmed in Supermarionation

Whether you are young or old, the impact of Gerry Anderson and his iconic TV puppet adventures will have no doubt made an impression. This fabulous documentary charts his career from the early basic puppetry of Twizzle, Torchy the Battery Boy and western show Four Feather Falls via more sophisticated "Supermarionation" in Supercar and Fireball XL5, and peaking with spectacular colour extravaganzas like Stingray and especially Thunderbirds (of which mogul Lew Grade said, "This is not a TV series, this is a feature film."). Those looking for a nostalgic wallow will find plenty to enjoy here, with the now elderly puppeteers and special-effects techies reflecting on a happy history of producing some of the most popular and memorable shows on British TV - even if they were made in a lock-up in Slough. Narrated by Thunderbirds icons Lady Penelope (voiced by Anderson's ex-wife, Sylvia) and Parker (David Graham), it's captivatingly comprehensive, fun and brimming with anecdotes, trivia (Nicholas Parsons voiced Four Feathers cowboy hero Tex Tucker) and intriguing insights (was Joe 90 merely a nine-year-old brainwashed into killing enemy agents?). Special-effects guru Derek Meddings and composer of rousing scores Barry Gray are also singled out for their crucial contributions. Fans couldn't ask for anything more.