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''Thunderbirds'' is a British science-fiction television series created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, filmed by their production company AP Films (APF) and distributed by ITC Entertainment. It was produced between 1964 and 1966 using a form of electronic marionette puppetry (dubbed "Supermarionation") combined with scale model special effects sequences. Two series were filmed, comprising a total of 32 episodes. Production ceased after Lew Grade, the Andersons' financial backer, failed in his efforts to sell the programme to American network television. Set in the mid-2060s, ''Thunderbirds'' is a follow-up to the earlier Supermarionation productions ''Four Feather Falls'', ''Supercar'', ''Fireball XL5'' and ''Stingray''. It follows the exploits of International Rescue (IR), a life-saving organisation equipped with technologically-advanced land, sea, air and space rescue craft; these are headed by a fleet of five vehicles named the ''Thunderbirds'' and launched from IR's secret base in the Pacific Ocean. The main characters are ex-astronaut Jeff Tracy, the founder of IR, and his five adult sons, who pilot the ''Thunderbird'' machines. ''Thunderbirds'' began its first run in the United Kingdom on the ITV network in 1965 and has since been broadcast in at least 66 other countries.〔 Periodically repeated, it was adapted for radio in the early 1990s and has influenced many TV programmes and other media. As well as inspiring various merchandising campaigns, the series has been followed by two feature-length film sequels, a live-action film adaptation and a mimed stage show tribute. The second of two TV remakes, the computer-animated ''Thunderbirds Are Go'', premiered in 2015.〔 Widely considered to be the Andersons' most popular and commercially successful series,〔 ''Thunderbirds'' has received particular praise for its effects (directed by Derek Meddings) and musical score (composed by Barry Gray).〔〔 It is also well remembered for its title sequence, which opens with an often-quoted countdown by actor Peter Dyneley (who voiced the character of Jeff): "5, 4, 3, 2, 1: ''Thunderbirds'' Are Go!"〔〔 A real-life rescue service, the International Rescue Corps, is named after the organisation featured in the series. ==Storyline== (詳細はJeff Tracy. He is a widower with five adult sons: Scott, John, Virgil, Gordon and Alan.〔Listed by age, in descending order, as stated in Bentley 2005, pp. 53–57. According to Marriott 1993, pp. 116–117, Virgil is the second-oldest son and John the third-oldest.〕 The Tracys form International Rescue (IR), a secret organisation dedicated to saving human life. They are aided in this mission by technologically advanced land, sea, air and space vehicles, which are called into service when conventional rescue techniques prove ineffective. The most important of these are five machines named the "''Thunderbirds''", each assigned to one of the five Tracy brothers: *''Thunderbird 1'': a hypersonic rocket plane used for fast response and accident zone reconnaissance. Piloted by primary rescue co-ordinator Scott Tracy. *''Thunderbird 2'': a supersonic carrier aircraft that transports rescue vehicles and equipment to accident zones in detachable capsules known as "Pods". Piloted by Virgil. *''Thunderbird 3'': a single-stage-to-orbit spacecraft. Piloted alternately by Alan and John, with Scott as co-pilot. *''Thunderbird 4'': a utility submersible. Piloted by Gordon and normally launched from ''Thunderbird 2''. *''Thunderbird 5'': a space station that relays distress calls from around the world. Manned alternately by "Space Monitors" John and Alan.〔Bentley 2005: vehicle descriptions, pp. 45–49.〕 With the engineer Brains and Jeff's elderly mother,〔Bentley 2008, p. 95.〕 as well as the Malaysian manservant Kyrano and his daughter Tin-Tin, the family reside in a luxurious villa on Tracy Island,〔The names "Tracy Island" and "Hood" are not used in the TV series, appearing only in tie-in media.〕 their hidden base in the South Pacific Ocean.〔Bentley 2005, p. 44.〕 In this location, IR is safe from criminals and spies who envy the organisation's technology and seek to acquire the secrets of its machines. Despite its humanitarian principles, some of IR's operations are necessitated not by misadventure but deliberate sabotage motivated by greed for power and wealth. For missions that require criminal investigation, the organisation incorporates a network of undercover agents headed by English aristocrat Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward and her butler Aloysius Parker. Based at Creighton-Ward Mansion in Kent, Penelope and Parker's primary mode of transport is FAB 1, a specially-modified Rolls-Royce. The most persistent of IR's adversaries is the criminal known only as the "Hood".〔〔Bentley 2005, p. 61.〕 Operating from a temple in the Malaysian jungle, and possessing abilities of hypnosis and dark magic, he exerts a powerful telepathic control over Kyrano, his estranged half-brother, and manipulates the Tracys into missions that unfold according to his nefarious designs. This allows him to spy on the ''Thunderbird'' machines and, by selling their secrets, make himself rich. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Thunderbirds (TV series)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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