Doppelganger (aka Journey To Far Side Of The Sun) (1969)

When a planet is discovered on the other side of the sun, the director (Patrick Wymark) of EUROSEC mans a spaceship with an American astronaut (Roy Thinnes) and a British astrophysicist (Ian Hendry) to travel to the new planet. However, when the spaceship returns three weeks earlier than it was supposed to, a startling discovery is made. Directed by Robert Parrish (CRY DANGER) and written and produced by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. The Andersons are best known for their cult puppet series THUNDERBIRDS and this film is their first live action feature film. While its budget and special effects are quite modest (a lot of miniature work), this is still an intelligent piece of science fiction. Certainly compared to the previous years 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, it's almost a throwback but it has a fascinating premise and the emphasis is on the conceptual possibilities rather than action or aliens. The downbeat ending only accentuates the film maker's intention to make a more complex entry in the genre than the usual juvenile offerings. Not a great film by any means but deserving a better reputation than it currently holds. With Herbert Lom, Lynn Loring and Loni Von Friedl (THE BLUE MAX).