Object Z (1965)

 

Fans of classic British SF television rejoice! The BFI are releasing, in a dual format (Blu-ray and DVD) set, OBJECT Z, an obscure Rediffusion (for that read ITV) six part science fiction series that, according to the press material, hasn't been seen since its original broadcast in 1965. 

Astronomers spot a mysterious object heading towards earth. They can prove it's not a comet, and deduce it must be an asteroid, which is likely made of one of two things: rock or metal. A first attempt to destroy it fails when the planned rocket goes off course. The second hits it and does nothing. And it looks as if the asteroid is definitely going to hit the earth.

Construction of shelters begins immediately, but there's only going to be enough time to save a quarter of the UK's population. Meanwhile religious leaders are convincing their parishioners not to help build the shelters as the asteroid is a sign from God and to attempt to save themselves would be blasphemous. Elsewhere a 'Britain for the British'-type lunatic has formed his own 'Action' political party and is causing riots at the worst possible time. Sound familiar?

No-one dealt with the threat of impending apocalypse like the British. In fiction we had books like Charles Eric Maine's The Darkest of Nights and The Tide Went Out, in cinema we had Val Guest's THE DAY THE EARTH CAUGHT FIRE and on TV we had The War Game, Threads and, prior to those, Object Z. I've only summarised the first couple of episodes because to say any more would be spoil something that's utterly engrossing for its six 25 minute episodes. Even ten minutes from the end of the final instalment you'll be wondering how they can possibly wrap it all up, but they do.

Extras on the BFI's disc include a commentary on every episode, in each case from somebody different which keeps things very fresh. So in order we have Jon Dear, Dick Fiddy, William Fowler and Vic Pratt, Elinor Groom, Kevin Lyons, and Celia Bannerman (who is in the show itself) and Toby Hadoke. There's also seven minutes of edited highlights of missing TV show Sierra 9 with Vic Pratt accompanying commentary, and episode one of the Object Z shooting script. The first pressing also includes a booklet with new essays by many of the people who provide the commentaries above.

OBJECT Z is out from the BFI in a dual format DVD & Blu-ray release on Monday 29th September 2025