Message from Moonbase Alpha (Space: 1999 film)
| Fan Film | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Message from Moonbase Alpha |
| Creator: | Johnny Byrne, Tim Mallett |
| Date: | Debuted September 13, 1999 |
| Length: | 7 minutes |
| Medium: | DVD |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
| Fandom: | Space: 1999 |
| URL: | http://moonbase99.space1999.net/message.htm |
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Message from Moonbase Alpha is a fan-produced short film scripted by Johnny Byrne and directed by Tim Mallett.
The film featured a new performance by Zienia Merton reprising her role of Sandra Benes and also uses clips (including Merton and various other actors) from the series.
Filmed on August 29, 1999 in the UK, this 7 minute short film was shown at the Breakaway convention in Los Angeles on September 13, 1999. Fans often refer to this short film as 'the 49th episode'.
The original licensing deal from Carlton International did not allow it to be shown in public - or private - again. However, this was later overcome and the film was released to DVD in both France and the USA.
Plot
A picture emerges from static: it is Sandra Benes, speaking to camera. "This is Moonbase Alpha with our last transmission to the people of Earth." It is 20 years since they lost contact with Earth. The Moonbase life support systems are slowly failing. They are in range of a habitable planet, named Terra Alpha, for 6 days, insufficient for a thorough survey. It has been decided to abandon Alpha for the planet. Sandra is the last to leave the base. A slingshot effect may return the Moon to the planet in 25 years. Computer will encode Sandra's message using a device designed by Maya, to enable it to navigate time and space to reach Earth. Sandra signs off, her voice heavy with emotion: "Remember us." The signal we see in the final shot is the Meta signal.