Object Z was shown on the Rediffusion/ITV in 1965, and has never been repeated. It was planned as a series for adult viewers but was shown in an early evening shot. It is more serious in tone than programmes like Doctor Who.
It was written by Christopher McMaster (best known now as a TV director of 1970s children’s dramas) and directed by Daphne Shadwell (who was responsible for Do Not Adjust Your Set and Looks Familiar).
The series
The premise of Object Z is that an unidentified object is on the way to strike the Earth, a direct hit that will cause a catastrophic loss of life. Characters include TV staff, politicians, scientists, an agitator, and more.
Being made in 1965 it fails to make the most of its two female characters, and presents ethnic characters played by white actors, but across six episodes of studio interiors and stock footage it tells a pretty good yarn.
The best-known actors in it from modern eyes are probably Trevor Bannister and Celia Bannerman, but it showcases a wide cast including Margaret Neale, Ralph Nossek, Milton Johns, Arthur White and Jeffrey Wickham.
Bannister spent a lot of his career in comedy both on stage and screen, so it is interesting to see him in a fully dramatic role, and he is extremely good as TV presenter and reporter Peter.
Bannerman, in her first screen role at 21, makes an impact in a typically female role for the 1960s, but acts as an intelligent and decisive sidekick.
Object Z taps into the interest in all things outer space and extra-terrestrial of the time. Telstar, Sputnik, and the mysteries of the star system were on everyone’s lips.
Rockets had gone into space. Telescopes and observatories were popping up all across the world. Also fresh in people’s minds were the threats of war and political dictatorships, with only two decades since the end of the Second World War.
From a 21st century viewpoint, the character of Keeler is not just a flashback to Hitler, but a warning about modern politicians and leaders who thirst for power, and distort facts and news to fit their agendas.
In the character of Ramsay, the scientist, we also see how academic and idealistic views can have their own sense of danger.
The DVD
The interior footage looks sharp and clear, if occasionally soft, and the sound is excellent, without any distortion. The material on film/from stock footage looks less appealing, although not noticeable enough to distract from watching the story.
The special features
Each episode has an audio commentary. Sadly, sequel Object Z Returns is ‘missing believed wiped’, so is not included in this set.
As Bannerman, who contributes to the final commentary, is one of only a couple of cast members still alive (Terence Donovan is the other), there are no ‘reunion’ features or interviews.
The commentaries give technical and social context to the series. The static scenes left over from ‘live’ production, the crusading heroic journalist.
Even the budget, low as it was, didn’t stop special effects or stories being told. Object Z is heavy on dialogue and very intelligent.
There is also a silent extract from Sierra Nine (1963) with commentary from Vic Pratt, and the set comes with an informative booklet.
Object Z in context
British sci-fi was very popular in the late 50s and early 60s, with Quatermass, A for Andromeda, and single plays like the similarly-themed The Devil’s Eggshell (which I reviewed in 2014).
The threat of something we don’t know on our way of life, our village greens, our Britishness. The Cold War was at its height, and the feasibility of catastrophe seemed very high.
Even though this is a series aimed at children (transmitted at 5.25pm on a weekday) it doesn’t talk down to them, or sugarcoat the threat of invasion or devastation.
A happy rediscovery, this BluRay/DVD dual format set of Object Z is released by BFI on 29 Sep 2025 and is available for pre-order now.