Available now on BritBox

A personal look at the life of Gerry Anderson, as told by his son.

Released on BritBox on what would have been Gerry Anderson’s 93rd birthday, Benjamin Field’s documentary about the Supermarionation pioneer is led by his son Jamie, who embarks on a journey of discovery.

Right from the outset we’re told that some of the footage in this film makes use of ‘Deep Fake’ technology, though all the audio is original and used in context. In all honesty, it’s pretty clear that the footage has been manipulated, as the technology does not yet allow a 100% screen-realistic result, but it’s close enough to not be a great distraction, and it’s an interesting alternative to using stills or presenting audio as voiceover to other visual content.

Much has been written and filmed about the genesis of Anderson’s TV career, and while the obvious bases are still covered here for those unfamiliar with these aspects of his life, the focus here is squarely on the person. We learn about the unhappy relationship his parents shared, and how the death of his older brother (who he idolised) informed the man he became.

There’s regret, guilt, acrimony, pride – all the aspects that make us human – and finally the diagnosis of and debilitation caused by dementia. While Anderson is not presented here as a saint, neither is he given an unfair rough ride. By the end, Jamie says he has a better understanding of his father, and we too get to look beyond the marionettes and rockets.

Verdict: While the man’s work will be very familiar to most visitors of this site, I’m sure that even diehard Fandersons will discover something new in this tender and informative 90 minutes. 9/10

Nick Joy