BEHIND THE SCENES: THE HEROES AND VILLAINS OF 'ICE PLANET ZERO'

In the company of Cylons!

Here's a nice little addition to the exhaustive coverage we gave to the original version of The Gun on Ice Planet Zero last year, a selection of images that have surfaced online of some of the main cast members taken outside one of the main Galactica filming soundstages at Universal Studios back in mid-1978, some of which sadly never appeared in promotional coverage. There's probably even more images like this out there waiting to be discovered.

Roy Thinnes back in the sci-fi genre as Croft.

Background artists Walt Davis as Sgt. Vickers.

Bond girl turned Clone Warrior! Britt Ekland as Ser 5-9

Apollo and Starbuck captured by the Cylons!

CLASSIC IMAGE: COMPUTER 'SELECTION'!

Deep in the computer centre heart of the Galactica, Starbuck sneakily adds his name on to the important rosta of Colonial Warriors being sent on the Arcta expedition, using the latest female Viper pilot recruits to capture the attention of technician Corporal Komma (Jeff MacKay), in an additional scene added onto the opening episode subplot to The Gun on Ice Planet Zero.

CLASSIC IMAGE: KEEPING TIGHT!

Raising the bar on special effects work for television, John Dykstra and his Apogee team delivered many memorable shots for Galactica's big-budget opening episodes, including this tight shot of assembled Colonial Vipers before they peel off in varying directions.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: GOODBYE KISSES...

Who says that being a Colonial Warrior doesn't have its advantages! Adept in the art of kissing, Starbuck enjoys some quality goodbye time with Tenna (Britt Ekland and two doubles shot from the side) and other identical clones from her designated batch, in a memorable and humorous finale to the two-parter. 

Starbuck says goodbye as only he knows how...

The clone beauties say goodbye to Starbuck.

You win some, lose some, as they say. "I just lost all three," bemoans Starbuck!

We hope you've enjoyed this special coverage of the originally conceived TV movie version of Gun on Ice Planet Zero...

Fleeing from the Cylon tyranny, the last Battlestar, Galactica, leads a rag-tag fugitive fleet on a lonely quest - a shining planet known as Earth!

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: THE CLONE COMMUNITY RESTORED!

The battle has been won, the Cylons are no more on Arcta, the pulsar weapon has been totally destroyed, and the reunited Clones are at peace, with their 'Father Creator' in Doctor Ravashol, thrilled to see his children so happy and caring, ready to protect them. 

Our remaining Galactica heroes depart the community and say goodbye to their many friends...

Time for departure. Note the Clone Planner (Liam Sullivan) with Apollo in the only scene that made it to the final two-parter.

The Galactican quest continues as new hopes and friendships are cemented.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: SAVED FROM ANNIHILATION!

"We've picked up an explosion. A big one!"

As the critical point of potential destruction is is reached, Lt. Rigel picks up the incredible news that the Ravashol Pulsar weapon has been destroyed in an immense explosion on the planet's surface. The Galactica and the human fleet have been miraculously saved, and jubilant celebration is soon in the air around the bridge as an equally joyous Adama and Tigh order the immediate dispatch of a shuttle and fighter escort down to Arcta to retrieve their friends and family...

The mountain is confirmed destroyed!

The bridge crew celebrate their success and camaraderie under pressure.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: PULSAR DESTRUCTION!

Doctor Ravashol's pulsar weapon is finally destroyed atop its mountain stronghold, its weak spots used against it to explosive effect by the Colonial heroes, and just in the nick of time, before the destruction of the Galactica...

The spectacular explosion captured outside the ILM premises in Van Nuys.

A spectacular model explosion filmed for the finale, likely handled by the pyrotechnics whizz Joe Viskocil, a veteran pyrotechnics expert who created a lot of the terrific explosions work for the first two Star Wars movies of 1977 and 1980.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45 - THE DEATH OF LEDA!

The Cylon garrison on Arcta has been wiped out by Starbuck, Boomer and his team, arriving to liaise with Apollo as the Pulsar Cannon is about to be destroyed by Colonial demolitions. Sadly, despite their success, there has been a tragic casualty, as Leda, shot by a Cylon Centurion whilst protecting her husband, dies quickly in a helpless and devastated Croft's arms.

Croft has no choice but to abandon his dead wife at the station, as he, the Colonials and Clones rush to evacuate the area and mountain prior to the soon explosion.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: VULPA'S MURDEROUS ATTACK!

Leda sacrifices her life to save Croft, watched by a helpless Apollo.

Arrived at the cannon pumping station, Vulpa attacks the Colonial Demolitions trio, with Leda, protecting  Croft and taking a deadly blast meant for her husband. Starbuck arrives to finally destroy Vulpa, though it take several mighty efforts to take it down.

Starbuck takes down Vulpa.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: THE GARRISON ATTACK CONTINUES!

The time for battle is now - explosive charges to the entrance of the Cylon Garrison are activated and our heroes (Starbuck, Boomer, Cree and the Thetas) charge into the fray, blowing the pogees out of every metal enemy, bar Vulpa, who escapes to the cannon discharge area. The action scene is accompanied once again by great and exciting music from the series regular composer Stu Phillips.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: GARRISON ATTACK!

Two Cylon Centurions are caught unawares and swiftly destroyed by Starbuck and Boomer with precision blaster accuracy as the diversionary Garrison attack on Arcta gets underway.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: THE ATTACKS BEGIN!

The time has come as the Colonial attacks on the garrison and the pulsar weapon begin simultaneously. Apollo, Croft and Leda take on the heavily guarded pump area of the weapon and destroy the Cylons. They soon begin priming their solenite explosive charges on vital points of the weapons control areas.

A fine action sequence, accompanied by great incidental music from Stu Phillips.

Apollo's aim hits true every time!

Leda and Apollo lay charges as Croft stands guard.

The many charges are placed...

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: READY TO ATTACK!

The countdown to the attacks on both the Cylon Garrison and the Pulsar Cannon control station is soon approaching as Leda, Croft and Apollo get ready to make their last stand surprise assault and plant their explosives...

Posed publicity image of Hatch as Apollo.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: PERIL IN THE INTAKE PIPE!

No sooner have the Colonials penetrated the intake pipe then they have to hold on for dear life as the tunnel shaft is activated. Thankfully, its duration is mercifully brief and they finally infiltrate the control/pump station area, readying themselves for attack.

Apollo and his colleagues brace themselves through intense air pressure and noise.

Their objective achieved...

Croft provides cover as the others follow.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: REACHING THE INTAKE PIPE!

It's been a long and difficult climb, but our three Colonial heroes reach the vital point of the mountain that will lead them into the Pulsar Weapon control area and the section which needs to be exploded...

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: TARGET: GALACTICA!

Now in the firing corridor, and within tracking range, it's only a matter of time before the Cylons will surely destroy the last Battlestar...

Vulpa and a subordinate monitor the enemy's progress through the corridor.