Thunderbird 6

Thunderbird 6

Year: 1968

Runtime: 89 mins

Language: English

Director: David Lane

FamilyAnimationAdventure

The International Rescue crew confronts a perilous mission when the experimental lighter‑than‑air Skyship One is hijacked during its inaugural world‑wide voyage. As the massive airship drifts past iconic sites such as the Statue of Liberty and the Sphinx, Lady Penelope, Parker, Alan and Tin‑Tin battle the hijackers aboard, while the rest of the team works desperately to prevent the craft from crashing.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Thunderbird 6 yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Thunderbird 6 (1968)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Thunderbird 6 (1968). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

2068

Set in the year 2068, the story unfolds in a near-future world of automated flight and anti-gravity propulsion. Aviation technology dominates, with corporations and international rescue teams playing pivotal roles. The year frames a global journey that tests both engineering innovation and human courage under pressure.

Location

England, Tracy Island, Casablanca airfield, Egyptian pyramids, Dover missile base

The action spans a global stage starting in England, where Skyship One is conceived, and extends to a remote airfield near Casablanca and a high-tech airship over international terrain. Key locations include the secret island base of Tracy Island, the Egyptian pyramids seen during the voyage, and a missile base near Dover that becomes central to the climactic rescue. The narrative moves from engineering labs to danger zones, emphasizing a high-tech world of international cooperation and peril.

🇬🇧 England ✈️ Aviation 🌍 Global Journey

Last Updated: December 06, 2025 at 16:30

Main Characters – Thunderbird 6 (1968)

Meet the key characters of Thunderbird 6 (1968), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Alan Tracy (Matt Zimmerman)

Alan is the capable pilot who helps navigate the maiden voyage of Skyship One. He remains level-headed under pressure, recognizing dangers early and coordinating with Tin-Tin to keep the mission on course. His courage and practical flying skill are crucial during the airship’s crisis and rescue sequences.

🛰️ Pilot 🧭 Leader 🛡️ Courage

Tin-Tin Kyrano (Christine Finn)

Tin-Tin is quick-witted and resourceful, detecting a bugging device and warning the team of the saboteurs’ plan. She acts as a key communicator, relaying critical information and assisting in the effort to salvage the situation. Her calm presence under pressure helps anchor the crew’s response.

🧭 communicator 🧩 Strategist 🛡️ Brave

Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward (Sylvia Anderson)

Penelope embodies poise and cunning, coordinating with the crew and leveraging her network to counter the threat. She helps uncover the saboteurs’ plot and keeps the passengers calm during danger. Her leadership and ingenuity prove pivotal in turning the crisis around.

🎯 Leader 🧠 Strategist 🕊️ Calm under pressure

Parker (Aloysius Parker) (David Graham)

Parker serves as the loyal, quick-thinking aide on the mission, assisting both on Skyship One and during the escape. He keeps the mood steady and supports the group’s efforts to outmaneuver the impostors. His practical humor lightens tense moments while delivering crucial help.

🧰 Support 🗺️ Resourceful 🤝 Loyal

Brains (David Graham)

Brains is the brilliant engineer who proposes the Skyship One concept and plays a critical role in planning and improvisation during the crisis. His technical genius is a driving force behind the mission, though the plot emphasizes that innovation alone isn’t enough without practical action. He ultimately helps guide the emergency rescue from an unconventional angle.

🧠 Genius 🛠️ Engineer 🧭 Problem-solver

Gordon Tracy (David Graham)

Gordon represents the steady, practical member of the team who brings experience and calm under fire. He supports the mission’s defense and recovery efforts, contributing to making difficult decisions in tight moments. His presence reinforces the family-led, cohesive approach to International Rescue.

👨‍👩‍👦 Family 🛡️ Protector 🧭 Team-player

Scott Tracy (Shane Rimmer)

Scott is a bold pilot who takes action when the threat becomes imminent, leaping into rescue duties with Virgil. He provides decisive leadership during the airship attack and helps coordinate the defense of Skyship One. His courage under fire is a cornerstone of the mission’s success.

🛫 Pilot 🛡️ Defender 🗺️ Decisive

Virgil Tracy (Jeremy Wilkin)

Virgil is the capable co-pilot who supports Scott in the Thunderbirds’ defense and in executing the rescue plan. He demonstrates quick reflexes and teamwork, helping to manage the crisis from the air and ensuring the passengers’ safety. His steadiness complements Scott’s bold action.

🛫 Teamwork 🗺️ Coordinated

Jeff Tracy (Peter Dyneley)

Jeff is the founder and decision-maker behind International Rescue, setting the mission’s goals and dispatching his team in response to the crisis. His leadership under pressure keeps the rescue operation focused and coordinated. He also navigates the moral complexities of deploying advanced tech in dangerous situations.

🧭 Leadership 🛡️ Mentor

Captain Foster (John Carson)

Captain Foster is one of the impostors who infiltrates Skyship One, posing as a crew member to carry out The Hood’s plan. He pursues his objective with ruthless efficiency, creating a tense counterforce that the heroes must outmaneuver. His presence highlights the dangers of subversion from within.

🗡️ Antagonist 🕴️ Impostor

Black Phantom (Captain Foster I) / Lane (Gary Files)

Black Phantom is the alias used by the saboteurs operating under The Hood, orchestrating the deception from an abandoned airfield. The character embodies the menace of a concealed threat that forces the heroes to act decisively. The multiple identities reflect a cunning and versatile antagonist force.

🕵️‍♂️ Villain 🧩 Disguise

James Glenn (Geoffrey Keen)

James Glenn is the high-level designer associated with the Skyship One project, providing the impetus for Brains’ open brief. He represents the leadership side of innovation, where ambitious plans meet the realities of engineering constraints. His presence anchors the project’s ambitious goals in the narrative.

🛠️ Designer 🧭 Visionary

Last Updated: December 06, 2025 at 16:30

Major Themes – Thunderbird 6 (1968)

Explore the central themes of Thunderbird 6 (1968), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🤖 Automation

Skyship One is fully automated, challenging the crew to operate and respond without traditional piloting. Brains pushes for radical innovations even when there’s no strict specification, highlighting tensions between ingenuity and reliability. When the system falters, human skill and quick thinking prove essential to safety and survival.

🕵️ Espionage

The Hood’s deception unfolds through impostors and a covertly sabotaged crew, with Black Phantom exploiting the voyage for a hostile caper. Bugging devices and edited radio messages create a race against time to prevent a catastrophe. The intrigue hinges on trust, misdirection, and the heroes’ ability to see through the ruse.

🤝 Teamwork

Despite cutting-edge technology, the crisis is resolved through cooperation across teams and vehicles. Alan, Tin-Tin, Penelope, and Brains coordinate with onboard and ground crews to outmaneuver the saboteurs. The Tiger Moth rescue, Thunderbirds’ support, and Brains’ quick thinking demonstrate that collaboration is key to overcoming impossible odds.

Last Updated: December 06, 2025 at 16:30

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies with desperate rescue missions like Thunderbird 6

High-tension adventures where heroes race against time to save the day against impossible odds.If you enjoyed the high-stakes rescue in Thunderbird 6, you'll love these films. Discover similar adventure and science fiction stories featuring heroes undertaking perilous missions against impossible odds, where teamwork and courage are key to saving the day.

suspensefulheroictenseadventurousexcitingpulpydesperate

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically begin with a sudden crisis—a hijacking, disaster, or trap—that isolates a group or individual. The narrative follows a team of specialists as they use their unique skills and technology to mount a daring rescue, facing a series of escalating obstacles and tense confrontations before a final, triumphant resolution.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because they all center on the core, urgent drive of a rescue. They share a high-intensity, fast-paced narrative structure, a tense yet ultimately hopeful tone, and a focus on heroic action and problem-solving in a contained, high-stakes environment.

Pulpy sci-fi adventure movies like Thunderbird 6

Fast-paced, family-friendly sci-fi where futuristic technology and brave heroes overcome villainous plots.Fans of Thunderbird 6's blend of futuristic tech and classic adventure will enjoy these selections. Explore similar movies with fast pacing, high-tech concepts, straightforward villainous plots, and a light, heroic tone that delivers excitement without heavy emotional drama.

pulpyexcitingheroicfuturisticadventurousoptimisticfamily-friendly

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a heroic organization or team using distinctive, advanced vehicles and gadgets to thwart a villain's straightforward plan. The journey is a series of exciting set-pieces and narrow escapes, propelled by a fast pace. Character arcs are simple, emphasizing teamwork and bravery, leading to an unambiguously happy ending where good triumphs.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by a specific mix of tone, pacing, and subject matter: they are fast-paced, high-intensity adventures that feel exciting yet emotionally lightweight. They share a pulpy, optimistic spirit, a focus on futuristic technology as a plot driver, and a classic good-versus-evil structure.

Unlock the Full Story of Thunderbird 6

Don't stop at just watching — explore Thunderbird 6 in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Thunderbird 6 is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Thunderbird 6 Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Thunderbird 6, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Thunderbird 6 Summary

Thunderbird 6 Timeline

Track the full timeline of Thunderbird 6 with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Thunderbird 6 Timeline

Thunderbird 6 Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Thunderbird 6 that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Thunderbird 6 Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Thunderbird 6

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Thunderbird 6: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Thunderbird 6

Similar Movies to Thunderbird 6

Discover movies like Thunderbird 6 that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.