I don't remember the plot of the novel A FOR ANDROMEDA. I remember it haunted me. Seeing it brought to life, more or less, in the 1961 television series -- upon which the novel is based -- makes it clear why I forgot the plot.

The plot is the old xenophobic "the aliens want to subjugate us!" The difference here is that the aliens are doing it remotely. They do this by sending instructions received via radio telescope that, if followed blindly, will produce a computer and a organism to accomplish the aliens' ends. We watch one insightful (and very paranoidal -- I don't think if I've believed him myself) man attempt to thwart them.

Remember, this is 1961 and the story is Earth-bound, but it focuses so well on the scifi elements (alien contact, computers, test-tube life) that it must have been a relevation back then to the non-scifi audience.

Unfortunately, BBC trashed most of the recording. Only a few bits (including most of the last two episodes) exist. However, the BBC had someone taking photographs of the screen and with captions added, they comprised the bulk of the presentation. It's frustrating to watch but it was dramatic enuf to keep me interested until the live action took over.

Sir Fred Hoyle was probably the most famous scientist to write successful scifi, altho he was on the losing side of some famous arguments (the Big Bang being the principle one). His contribution gives this show a special place in scifi history.

But so does newcomer Julie Christie. While I've never been a big fan of hers, she's magnetic and it's clear why she became an international star so quickly afterwards. Especially after noticing how pallid Susan Hampshire was compared to her as her replacement in the sequel ANDROMEDA BREAKTHROUGH.

At times engrossing. Ruined by the loss of film. Cheap production values. Probably more interesting now as a moment in entertainment history.

Don't know if you're aware of this John but BBC4 updated the story a few years ago.

Play

Personally, I didn't care for the update. The story, is a decent idea, but the production I felt, was incredibly cold.

I saw the DVD of it at the same video place I found the original version. I'll have to see it sometime.

In a way, other "remakes" have been made. Just to name two: SPECIES, which I found unsatisfying depite the incidence of nakedness, but it has a wonderful opening with the girl in a bubble -- and wonderful performances by a very young Michelle Williams (who doesn't have a word of dialog) and Ben Kingsley, of course. CONTACT usurps the basic premise but it has a major twist in that the alien's weren't invaders in that one.

I really wanted to love the Jodie Foster version of Contact, but I saw the movie shortly after finishing reading Sagan's novel. No contest. For me, one of the more interesting parts of the book was the final chapters after they meet the aliens. In the movie that's extremely abbreviated. Disappointing, it really should have been a lot better than it ended up being.

Oh damn! Now I'm gonna have to read the novel. ;)

The 1962 telecast of the sequel ANDROMEDA BREAKTHROUGH is a U-turn on the original. Dr Dawnay (in a compelling performance by Mary Morris) has become a goodie. And, at the conclusion, Dr Fleming (Peter Halliday) learns that he is the inadvertant baddie while the catastrophes and massive deathtoll were wrought by the aliens were really beneficent tests to overcome for the good of humankind. It's an obvious attempt to surprise the audience but it brings up too many questions.

The story eventually settles down on one plot -- the turbulent weather caused by the scientists earlier -- as certain individuals struggle between themselves. It's all moderately well done. The expected people win, the expected ones lose. The story, however, makes great leaps in plot (eg, too quickly there's the antidote).

The ending (a Pax Romana) is philosphically disturbing to libertarians like myself. But, it's only a story -- even if it represents the wishful thinking of a multitude of people.

As much as I like Susan Hampshire, I have to admit, after seeing Julie Christie originating the role, that she was always meant to be a minor star. But she spends most of her time sick in bed anyway. What a waste if it had been Julie Christie... well the sick part anyway.

The name of the actress playing the lone American character took my breath away. The character was an old lady -- wife of Prof Neilson (Walter Gotell) -- who appeared in only a couple scenes. And I wasn't sure if she was an American actress with British affectations in her speech or vice versa. So I looked for her name in the credits. Bessie Love. A minor star of the silent films. Born in Texas. Died in London.

Overall: Less effective than A for A. Middling at best. Mary Morris earns most of my plaudits. And the practically unknown Jean Robinson as the young Arabic wife gets my vote for the sexiest presence.