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A for Andromeda ( 7 x 45 min Eps )
TX Date 3rd.Oct.1961 to 14th.Nov.1961
Sadly, this is a lost classic, no one complete episode is known to exist, the BBC
holds some scenes from several episodes on the their archives, but that's about as far as it goes.
The year is 1970 and it is the event of the opening of a new giant radio-telescope.
Professor Reinhart's (Esmond Knight) staff are making routine tests when something unexpected cuts across the usual background
static of outer space and across all their lives. A radio telescope starts to pick up strange signals in binary code from
the Andromeda Constellation. These are taped and then they're
decoded by Dr. Fleming who finds that the signals are mathematical instructions
for the building of an advanced computer. The Government gives the go ahead for the construction and it is built on Thorness,
a remote rocket base on an Island of the coast of Scotland and is christened " Project Andromeda ". Although the project is
classified as TOP SECRET, various military and scientific personnel try to uncover details about the project, it also discovered
that Fleming's friend Bridger, is passing on secrets to other sources. Bridger falls to his death while trying to evade arrest.
The computer starts to ask for information on human D.N.A and behavioural patterns. The computer generates a program which
lets the humans to create a jelly like creature, which the humans call "Cyclops", due to the fact it has only one eye. Soon
the computer realizes that Cyclops is inadequate, and in a show of increasing power, hypnotizes Christine Flemstead
into gripping live terminals which electrocute her to death. Fleming gets worried about the power increase in the computer.
Soon after the computer provides a program which will be able to create a human embryo, and with Prof. Dawney overseeing the
project, it creates a fully grown embryo which looks exactly like Christine, except for her blonde hair. Named " Andromeda
", from the constellation where the radio signals originated, it is found that she soon learns quickly, but lacks any human
emotions. Fleming realizes that she is linked mentally to the computer and wants them both destroyed. Andromeda's intelligence
increases and she designs a new missile defence system for the Government which is able to destroy foreign missiles before
they hit the U.K. Now the Government realize that they can become the biggest super power with Andromeda and the computer's
help, only Fleming can see the dangers of this and believes the computer will eventually dominate them all.
Andromeda
warns Fleming to stay away from the computer, his response is to make mild advances toward her by touching her hair and skin
to see how much of her is actually human. Although Andromeda doesn't understand she finds herself attracted to Fleming. Fleming
tells the computer that Andromeda is dead, in a rage the computer punishes Andromeda by burning her hands and giving her electric
shocks. Andromeda later gets the computer to produce a miracle cure in the form of an ointment which cures her burnt flesh
with no sign of any damage. Fleming decides that the computer needs to be destroyed and having survived an earlier attempt
to be electrocuted manages to destroy the computer with an axe, but he fails in his attempt to destroy the original papers
and the original tape with the binary code on it. Fleming returns to his apartment to find Andromeda not dead after all, but
waiting there for him, she is happy he has destroyed the computer as it controlled her, she produces a key which is for the
office where the master papers and tape is kept and goes and destroys them after being persuaded by Fleming. Soon after they
go to a nearby island by motorboat and take shelter in a cave. Andromeda gets lost and Fleming, following her footsteps, finds
a trail leading to an area of deep water. Fleming knows she can not swim and has drowned. The next day when a launch comes
for him he is standing on the coastline staring out to sea.
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Characters |
Portrayed By |
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THE SCIENTISTS |
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John Fleming |
Peter Halliday |
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Professor Reinhart |
Esmond Knight |
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Professor Madeline Dawnay |
Mary Morris |
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Dr Geers |
Geoffrey Lewis |
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Christine/Andromeda |
Julie Christie |
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Dennis Bridger |
Frank Windsor |
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Harvey |
John Murray-Scott |
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Dr Hunter |
Peter Ducrow |
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THE SECURITY |
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Judy Adamson |
Patricia Kneale |
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Major Quadring |
Jack May |
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Harries |
John Nettleton |
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WHITEHALL |
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J M Osborne |
Noel Johnson |
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General Vanderberg |
Donald Stewart |
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Minister of Science |
Ernest Hare |
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The Prime Minister |
Maurice Hedley |
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Minister of Defence |
David King
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INTEL |
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Kaufman |
John Hollis |
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Egon |
Peter Henchie
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All the episodes where directed and produced
by Micheal Hayes and Norman Jones. The series was written by Fred Hoyle and John Eliott. Film Cameraman for the series was Peter Sargeant. Film Editor for the
series was Agnes Evan. The series was designed by Norman James.
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Episode One.
The Message
Episode Two
The Machine
Episode Three
The Miracle
Episode Four
The Monster
Episode Five
The Murderer
Episode Six
The Face Of The Tiger
Episode Seven
The Last Mystery
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