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5 Star 5 #1
Five Star Five: John Lovell and the Zargon Threat
From the creator of Thunderbirds, 1999, UFO, Captain Scarlet and many others, comes his answer to Star Wars...
The peaceful planet of Kestra is under threat. The evil Zargon forces are preparing to launch a devastating attack from an asteroid fortress. With the whole Kestran system in the Zargons' sights, Colonel Zana looks to one man to save them. Except one man isn't enough.
Gathering a crack team around him including a talking chimpanzee, a marauding robot and a mystic monk, John Lovell must infiltrate the enemy base and save Kestra from the Zargons!
The first release in the Five Star Five series. A novelisation by Richard James of the original 1978 feature script by Gerry Anderson and Tony Barwick, for the film that never made it into production.
The peaceful planet of Kestra is under threat. The evil Zargon forces are preparing to launch a devastating attack from an asteroid fortress. With the whole Kestran system in the Zargons' sights, Colonel Zana looks to one man to save them. Except one man isn't enough.
Gathering a crack team around him including a talking chimpanzee, a marauding robot and a mystic monk, John Lovell must infiltrate the enemy base and save Kestra from the Zargons!
The first release in the Five Star Five series. A novelisation by Richard James of the original 1978 feature script by Gerry Anderson and Tony Barwick, for the film that never made it into production.
- GenresAudiobook
170 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 22, 2021
Mention the name Gerry Anderson and what comes to mind? The Supermarionation thrills of Thunderbirds and Stingray? The live-action excitement of UFO or Space: 1999? Or other projects such as Into Infinity or the film Journey to the Far Side of the Sun? In a different world, you might think of a 1980 feature film called Five Star Five, a project Anderson and frequent collaborator Tony Barwick scripted in the late 1970s. Alas, due to a sudden and immediate lack of financial backing, it was to go unmade. But now, more than forty years later, readers and listeners can enjoy it at last in the form of Richard James' novelization of the screenplay.
Described by Anderson's son Jamie as his father's "chance to put forward his own version of Star Wars," Five Star Five certainly had the makings of an epic. The peaceful planet of Kestra is under threat from the forces of the militaristic Zargons, who have turned an asteroid they purchased in the Kestra system into a fortress from which to attack them. Kestran Colonel Zana turns to an Earth military hero, John Lovell, for help in an attack on the Zargon stronghold, with the human recruiting a team to help him take on the task before Kestra has Zargon destruction rained upon it from orbit. A team including a chimp with a degree in military philosophy, a warrior monk, a nearly indestructible robot named Rudy, and a psychic boy with a robot dog.
Also described as "The Magnificent Seven in Space" (a description also applicable to Roger Corman's Battle Beyond the Stars released the same year Anderson's movie would have come out), Five Star Five has only the most superficial similarities with Star Wars. What the script resembles is a cross between that famous Western and The Guns of Navarone. Or, indeed, any of the "team on a mission" war movies made throughout this period. All brought together, complete with an Anderson SF twist.
All of which Richard James brings out in turning the Anderson and Barwick script into prose. From its action-packed opening chapter depicting a Zargon raid, James (whose association with Anderson began as an actor on Space Precinct) never lets the pace up. There's plenty of action on display, from space battles to fights and gun battles. All of which are described by James in a visceral, visual style that makes it easy to imagine. Indeed, for the space scenes, it's easy to close one's eyes and imagine model shots from the legendary Derek Meddings, in-between working on Roger Moore James Bond films, gracing the screen of the mind's eye.
Of course, action sequences aren't everything. Without good characters, something like Five Star Five would be nothing more than action pieces strung together. Thankfully, James's prose brings out the rich characterizations from Lovell's likable rogue (with some shades of Han Solo, admittedly) to the various members of his team and the villainous Zargons. There's a surprising amount of humor on display, especially in the interactions between Lovell and his companion, the military philosopher chimp Clarence. That said, it's worth remembering the novel's source material comes from the late 1970s. As a result, some of the characterizations (particularly that of warrior monk Sumara) have dated in some respects. Even so, the characters go a long way to making this a fun experience.
As does how well produced this audiobook of the novelization turned out to be. Robbie Stevens, a veteran of Anderson and Big Finish, proves himself a fine narrator for this piece, bringing a sense of the dramatic to action sequences and an army of voices for the numerous characters. His choices in voicing the characters make it intriguing to consider just who might have played the parts on-screen! Giving him able backing is the ever-reliable Benji Clifford, whose soundscape and music are nothing short of cinematic, giving this potential movie the aural equivalent of widescreen. My only disappointment with this release is the lack of a separate music suite of Clifford's work, though his opening and closing themes make it easy to imagine the title sequences they would have been backing.
There is one challenge in reviewing Five Star Five that I didn't have when reviewing the earlier audiobooks for Into Infinity and Thunderbirds. Namely, because there ultimately was no on-screen incarnation, it's hard to compare this to a preexisting product. Even without that, it's hard not to think of this as a joyous thrill ride, full of Anderson's high adventure, likable leads, and villains easy to boo. What audience reaction to it in 1980 is impossible to know, but as an audiobook in 2021, it's a few hours of pure escapism that any fan of Anderson's prolific output is likely to enjoy.
Described by Anderson's son Jamie as his father's "chance to put forward his own version of Star Wars," Five Star Five certainly had the makings of an epic. The peaceful planet of Kestra is under threat from the forces of the militaristic Zargons, who have turned an asteroid they purchased in the Kestra system into a fortress from which to attack them. Kestran Colonel Zana turns to an Earth military hero, John Lovell, for help in an attack on the Zargon stronghold, with the human recruiting a team to help him take on the task before Kestra has Zargon destruction rained upon it from orbit. A team including a chimp with a degree in military philosophy, a warrior monk, a nearly indestructible robot named Rudy, and a psychic boy with a robot dog.
Also described as "The Magnificent Seven in Space" (a description also applicable to Roger Corman's Battle Beyond the Stars released the same year Anderson's movie would have come out), Five Star Five has only the most superficial similarities with Star Wars. What the script resembles is a cross between that famous Western and The Guns of Navarone. Or, indeed, any of the "team on a mission" war movies made throughout this period. All brought together, complete with an Anderson SF twist.
All of which Richard James brings out in turning the Anderson and Barwick script into prose. From its action-packed opening chapter depicting a Zargon raid, James (whose association with Anderson began as an actor on Space Precinct) never lets the pace up. There's plenty of action on display, from space battles to fights and gun battles. All of which are described by James in a visceral, visual style that makes it easy to imagine. Indeed, for the space scenes, it's easy to close one's eyes and imagine model shots from the legendary Derek Meddings, in-between working on Roger Moore James Bond films, gracing the screen of the mind's eye.
Of course, action sequences aren't everything. Without good characters, something like Five Star Five would be nothing more than action pieces strung together. Thankfully, James's prose brings out the rich characterizations from Lovell's likable rogue (with some shades of Han Solo, admittedly) to the various members of his team and the villainous Zargons. There's a surprising amount of humor on display, especially in the interactions between Lovell and his companion, the military philosopher chimp Clarence. That said, it's worth remembering the novel's source material comes from the late 1970s. As a result, some of the characterizations (particularly that of warrior monk Sumara) have dated in some respects. Even so, the characters go a long way to making this a fun experience.
As does how well produced this audiobook of the novelization turned out to be. Robbie Stevens, a veteran of Anderson and Big Finish, proves himself a fine narrator for this piece, bringing a sense of the dramatic to action sequences and an army of voices for the numerous characters. His choices in voicing the characters make it intriguing to consider just who might have played the parts on-screen! Giving him able backing is the ever-reliable Benji Clifford, whose soundscape and music are nothing short of cinematic, giving this potential movie the aural equivalent of widescreen. My only disappointment with this release is the lack of a separate music suite of Clifford's work, though his opening and closing themes make it easy to imagine the title sequences they would have been backing.
There is one challenge in reviewing Five Star Five that I didn't have when reviewing the earlier audiobooks for Into Infinity and Thunderbirds. Namely, because there ultimately was no on-screen incarnation, it's hard to compare this to a preexisting product. Even without that, it's hard not to think of this as a joyous thrill ride, full of Anderson's high adventure, likable leads, and villains easy to boo. What audience reaction to it in 1980 is impossible to know, but as an audiobook in 2021, it's a few hours of pure escapism that any fan of Anderson's prolific output is likely to enjoy.
December 21, 2022
Well, that was enjoyable! It’s in no way a sci-fi classic, but Richard James has done an excellent job making this ‘Boys Own’ style action adventure set in space leap from the page! His knowledge and involvement with Gerry Anderson projects and the fanbase over the years has let this great idea / script for this sadly cancelled (due to funding issues) Gerry Anderson film: 5 Star 5 be enjoyed and not lost to time, forgotten in a drawer somewhere.
Gerry was influenced by the blockbuster release of Star Wars (as were many other authors and film creators at the time) and so he too wanted a go at the family friendly, good versus evil, world war two film set in space too! The comparisons to Star Wars are IMPOSSIBLE to ignore. The protagonist (John Lovell) a laid back ex-military space pilot now transporting goods across space for the highest payer, in a tired and out of date ship, accompanied by his hairy co-pilot and sidekick Clarence - a talking Chimpanzee no less! (What is it with Gerry’s obsession, especially in his earlier productions to feature an animal with the main cast?). Thankfully this Chimp is an intellectual, so his brain and endlessly referenced hairy hands (incase you forget he’s a monkey) are more integral to the plot and character arcs than a whooping, barking, meowing, squeaking etc. animal would be in the ‘Ander-verse’. This could easily read as a Hans Solo spin-off story. John Lovell seems to share many traits with the Star Wars hero, and his sidekick as a hairy animal… a Chimp is a small Chewbacca / Wookie right?
All these cliches and similarities don’t matter, it’s a fun adventure! The planet of Kestra is under threat of destruction from the evil Zargon forces, and our hero (human and with no accountability as a neutral force) must assemble a crack team (consisting of all the mix of eccentric characters, creatures and robots with opposing views and moral codes you’d expect from any stereotypical sci-fi story) of specialists to infiltrate and destroy an impregnable enemy fortress. Think a mission in Star Wars meets WW2 films like Where Eagles Dare.
There are plenty of touches of GA style gags and world building such as flowers on alien planets that scream in pain, giggle if tickled. Recurring gags of an object falling down during every take-off. Aspects which wouldn’t feel out of place in Terrahawks.
I would love to see the original script / ideas sheet and now how much flourish Richard James has added to make the story come alive. It’s a very easy read for sure, but the descriptions are vivid and rich. As a huge Anderson fan, it’s impossible to not read this and imagine how his team of excellent model makers and special effects would have made it to the big screen. I’m confident it would have looked fantastic! And although I enjoy Gerry Anderson’s only independent cinema release Journey to the Far Side of the Sun (or Doppelgänger for USA audiences) with it’s great Twilight Zone-esque concept, I felt it was drawn out too long for a feature film and also too serious for what made GA great. 5 Star Five would have been the perfect fusion of what makes him great: humour, action and a team of heroes working together for the greater good.
I wish I could give 5 stars.. for 5 star 5… (haha!) but when you’ve made such excellent creations as Thunderbirds, Stingray and Captain Scarlet, anything else will have to be be in their shadow.
Gerry was influenced by the blockbuster release of Star Wars (as were many other authors and film creators at the time) and so he too wanted a go at the family friendly, good versus evil, world war two film set in space too! The comparisons to Star Wars are IMPOSSIBLE to ignore. The protagonist (John Lovell) a laid back ex-military space pilot now transporting goods across space for the highest payer, in a tired and out of date ship, accompanied by his hairy co-pilot and sidekick Clarence - a talking Chimpanzee no less! (What is it with Gerry’s obsession, especially in his earlier productions to feature an animal with the main cast?). Thankfully this Chimp is an intellectual, so his brain and endlessly referenced hairy hands (incase you forget he’s a monkey) are more integral to the plot and character arcs than a whooping, barking, meowing, squeaking etc. animal would be in the ‘Ander-verse’. This could easily read as a Hans Solo spin-off story. John Lovell seems to share many traits with the Star Wars hero, and his sidekick as a hairy animal… a Chimp is a small Chewbacca / Wookie right?
All these cliches and similarities don’t matter, it’s a fun adventure! The planet of Kestra is under threat of destruction from the evil Zargon forces, and our hero (human and with no accountability as a neutral force) must assemble a crack team (consisting of all the mix of eccentric characters, creatures and robots with opposing views and moral codes you’d expect from any stereotypical sci-fi story) of specialists to infiltrate and destroy an impregnable enemy fortress. Think a mission in Star Wars meets WW2 films like Where Eagles Dare.
There are plenty of touches of GA style gags and world building such as flowers on alien planets that scream in pain, giggle if tickled. Recurring gags of an object falling down during every take-off. Aspects which wouldn’t feel out of place in Terrahawks.
I would love to see the original script / ideas sheet and now how much flourish Richard James has added to make the story come alive. It’s a very easy read for sure, but the descriptions are vivid and rich. As a huge Anderson fan, it’s impossible to not read this and imagine how his team of excellent model makers and special effects would have made it to the big screen. I’m confident it would have looked fantastic! And although I enjoy Gerry Anderson’s only independent cinema release Journey to the Far Side of the Sun (or Doppelgänger for USA audiences) with it’s great Twilight Zone-esque concept, I felt it was drawn out too long for a feature film and also too serious for what made GA great. 5 Star Five would have been the perfect fusion of what makes him great: humour, action and a team of heroes working together for the greater good.
I wish I could give 5 stars.. for 5 star 5… (haha!) but when you’ve made such excellent creations as Thunderbirds, Stingray and Captain Scarlet, anything else will have to be be in their shadow.
September 27, 2021
A good fun read, which could be as easily compared to “The Magnificent Seven in space”, as the advertising copy suggests, as “Guardians of the Galaxy 40 years early”. Richard James does a fab job bringing to life what I imagine was a pretty hilarious script by Tony Barwick.
Like the first Star Wars film, which was almost certainly the impetus for the creation of Five Star Five back in the 1970s, this is a pretty low-key affair, with the promise of bigger and more dramatic peril in future stories (should they come to pass). I certainly feel we haven’t seen the last of Sumara - I hope Richard James writes a sequel!
In spite of my five star review, there are some improvements which could be made - though only from a formatting/editing perspective. There are some typos and formatting issues, which I hasten to add do not detract from the plot.
All in all, another fab work from Richard James, whose wry turn of phrase is seeing him rapidly become one of my favourite authors.
Like the first Star Wars film, which was almost certainly the impetus for the creation of Five Star Five back in the 1970s, this is a pretty low-key affair, with the promise of bigger and more dramatic peril in future stories (should they come to pass). I certainly feel we haven’t seen the last of Sumara - I hope Richard James writes a sequel!
In spite of my five star review, there are some improvements which could be made - though only from a formatting/editing perspective. There are some typos and formatting issues, which I hasten to add do not detract from the plot.
All in all, another fab work from Richard James, whose wry turn of phrase is seeing him rapidly become one of my favourite authors.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2021
The fact that this is a novellised plan for a movie shows, it is a little light on substance. Unfortunantlt, the writer didn't have deleted scenes or a production bible to work with, that woulf have allowed more weight to be added to the story.
Still, what is there is highly enjoyable and with the high quality of imagination I expect from am Anderson Entertainment product. If the situation is Sci-Fi standard, the characters are what elevates it. I especially love Rudy, the demolition robot who ... But I won't ruin it for you. I highly recommend the read.
Still, what is there is highly enjoyable and with the high quality of imagination I expect from am Anderson Entertainment product. If the situation is Sci-Fi standard, the characters are what elevates it. I especially love Rudy, the demolition robot who ... But I won't ruin it for you. I highly recommend the read.
July 24, 2021
As a massive Anderson fan, I'm very excited to see this space romp finally reach the public! Richard James is the perfect choice to bring Tony Barwick's script some fresh life. It's a fun adventure story and a fascinating look at how Gerry Anderson was planning to respond to the Star Wars fuelled sci-fi craze of the late 70s.
August 12, 2021
I did not get very far into this before I just was not feeling it. I have no specific or clear reason why.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews