The Only Full Length SciFi Movie Shot In Scotland By A Scottish Production Company. (and for only £8000)

As previously mentioned, The Planet is a full length science fiction movie shot entirely on location at Balmedie Beach just up the coast from Aberdeen. It was filmed during a hectic 10 days - when the rolling sand dunes weren’t being ripped apart by Quad Bikers - and the Making Of documentary included on the DVD is a testament to the problems which they faced filming in such a downright remote location. The documentary is fascinating, as it goes into the history of the film makers, from when they were at school, making movies pretty much because they were outcasts, through to getting frustrated with film making and wanting to ‘go to the next stage’. It is apparent from the interviews that the cast and crew got on well (most of the time) and makes for interesting viewing.

Scottish film maker Mark Stirton of Stirton Productions shot the 75 minute scifi flick for £8000 which in itself is pretty amazing - £4000 of which was put up front, the rest being donated from various places - including a very useful Mike Mitchell size water tank. Since the original mention of the film Stirton Productions have sealed a deal for The Planet to be broadcast on a subsiduary of Sky Television. There has also been coverage in the Scottish Sun, Aberdeen Press And Journal and The Scottish Sunday Post.

A Still Showing The Special Effects.

The story is set against a backdrop of a band of mercenaries who are attacked in space while on a (very well paid) mission to transport a prisoner. From the outset, it is obvious that a lot of time went into the special effects - from the camera nudges and explosions to computer effects and simple lighting - they come across as something which should have cost a lot more.

The mercenaries realise that they have to abandon their ship and take escape pods down to the planet. The pod-drop is something to behold in itself. Once on the planet, that’s where things kick up a gear.

What is striking is the fact that the actors are Scottish, and my thoughts on this were mentioned in the documentary - that way too many scifi films include either your normal American actors, or sometimes, Queens English actors. With Scottish actors taking the lead, it adds an extra dimension, an extra grittiness which would otherwise be missing.

The Planet : Press Clippings.

The only point I’d make regarding the casting is that there are no female mercenaries, which might have added yet another dimension to the story.

One thing I learned from watching this film is: If you’re a mercenary who has been forced to land on a desolate planet - remember your factor 50 suntan lotion.

Without mincing words, this is a sparkly diamond of a movie, shot with enthusiasm and comes across as something which is in no way ‘home-made’. I recommend this, especially if you’re into scifi/horror, as the film balances the two nicely - and nothing is really explained, which means you can watch it more than once.