Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious World
Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious World is a thirteen part British television series looking at unexplained phenomena from around the world. It was produced by Yorkshire Television for the ITV network and first broadcast in September 1980. Each program is introduced and book-ended by science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke in short sequences filmed in Sri Lanka. The bulk of the episodes are narrated by Gordon Honeycombe. The series was produced by John Fanshawe, John Fairley and directed by Peter Jones, Michael Weigall and Charles Flynn. It also featured a unique soundtrack composed by British artist Alan Hawkshaw. In 1981, Book Club Associates published a hardcover book with the same name, authored by Fairley and Welfare, where the contents of the show were further explored. It featured an introduction written by Clarke as well as his remarks at the end of each chapter or topic. In 1985, a paperback of this book was released by HarperCollins Publishers. The series was followed by Arthur C. Clarke's World of Strange Powers in 1985 and Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious Universe in 1994.
Sign in to add to your listWhat critics are saying
Verdicts use the same scale as your list: highly recommended through avoid — plus optional scores and blurbs.
Nobody on Critic, Sir! has logged a verdict for this title yet. The silence is either respectful or suspicious.
Sign in and use Add to My List below to share your own verdict.
Trailer
Mysterious World: Bigfoot Footage
Cast
Seasons
- Ep 1
1.The Journey Begins
02-09-198030mThis episode introduces the themes that are explored in the remainder of the series. Clarke expounds on his categorisation of mysteries, self-consciously aping the famous 'close en...
- Ep 2
2.Monsters of the Deep
09-09-198030mThis episode looks at the Giant squid, giant octopus and the megamouth shark.
- Ep 3
3.Ancient Wisdom
16-09-198030mThis episode is concerned with technology from history that was either ahead of its time and subsequently forgotten, or artefacts which are mysteries in themselves. This includes t...
- Ep 4
4.The Missing Apeman
23-09-198030mThis episode is divided equally between considering evidence for the Bigfoot and Yeti. Interviewees for the segment on the Yeti include Don Whillans, Lord Hunt and Eric Shipton. Le...
- Ep 5
5.Giants for the Gods
30-09-198030mMystifying geoglyphs, giant pictures covering large areas on the ground, appear across the globe, many created by ancient peoples. They only become recognizable at great distances...
- Ep 6
6.Monsters of the Lakes
07-10-198030mThis episode covers Scotland's Loch Ness Monster and the Ogopogo. At least 50 other lakes in the world are claimed to be likewise inhabited by such giant beasts. Are they fact, h...
- Ep 7
7.The Great Siberian Explosion
14-10-198030mThis episode deals with the Tunguska explosion of June 30, 1908. To this day there is uncertainty as to the true nature of the incident and its possible implications should such an...
- Ep 8
8.The Riddle of the Stones
21-10-198030mClarke invites us to hear the legends and theory concerning Stonehenge and the hundreds of other megalithic structures to be found across the British Isles, including Newgrange and...
- Ep 9
9.Out of the Blue
28-10-198030mThis episode explores the phenomena of strange objects that fall from the sky. Clarke displays a variety of cases including ice and frog falls, and offers possible scenarios to ex...
- Ep 10
10.U.F.O.s
10.004-11-198030mClarke states that he has been interested in UFOs for 50 years, and claims to have observed at least six. This episode covers the various UFO sightings and alleged alien abductio...
- Ep 11
11.Dragons, Dinosaurs and Giant Snakes
11-11-198030mThis episode covers alleged sightings of giant reptiles and other cryptids including Mokele-mbembe, the giant anaconda, Ameranthropoides loysi as well as excavations of animals suc...
- Ep 12
12.Strange Skies
18-11-198030mIn this episode, Clarke explores celestial mysteries including lost planets such as Vulcan, the Martian canals, and the identity of the Star of Bethlehem.
- Ep 13
13.Clarke's Cabinet of Curiosities
25-11-198030mThis episode includes a summing up of the series, and a collection of unrelated subjects including the sailing stones of Death Valley, the alma, entombed toads and ball lightning.
Watching Lists
Sign in to create and edit public lists.
Loading lists…
Purchase & Discovery
Find this title on Amazon
Digital
Prime Video & digitalAmazon mixes rent, buy, and Prime in one place — one search covers the usual options.
Physical edition
4K Blu-ray & physical releasesSearch on AmazonOfficial merchandise
Official-style merch searchApparel, collectibles, and moreAs an Amazon Associate, Critic, Sir! earns from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure