SuperTed and The Giant Kites was the fifth SuperTed episode on The Biggest Ever SuperTed Video and the fourth episode in Series 1 of SuperTed which was broadcast in the UK on 13th October 1983 on BBC1. It originally aired in Wales on 24th January 1983.
Plot[]
In a mountainous part of mid-Wales, a rare species of birds is in danger. Texas Pete is stealing eggs for his collection. SuperTed, Spotty and their new friend Gwen must stop him.
Full Synopsis[]
Somewhere in Wales, a giant red kite surveys the mountainside before it notices that it's nest is being threatened. Below in the valley, SuperTed and Spotty are with Gwen, a local ranger, who is taking them on a hike by the lake while pointing out the giant red kite in the sky. She informs the two she has to make sure the bird's eggs do not get stolen.
Back on the mountain, Skeleton is revealed to be trying to grab the eggs, supported by Bulk and Texas Pete, but he becomes frightened over the bird flying over him. Tex orders him to be quiet and grab the eggs, threatening to let go if he doesn't. But Bulk misinterprets this order, and they nearly fall off the mountain before saving themselves and dislodging a large boulder, which nearly hits Gwen, SuperTed, and Spotty. Spotty states it couldn't have been a meteorite. Gwen states it came from the mountain. This raises SuperTed's suspicions, but Gwen suggests waiting until morning to investigate as it is getting dark.
However, that night, Bulk and Skeleton are climbing the mountain again, only to find the parent red kites fast asleep, guarding their nest. When Bulk stupidly stirs one of them by trying to scratch or pet it, the annoyed parents grab Bulk and Skeleton and fly them out over the lake before letting them go to plunge into the lake screaming. This works in Texas Pete's favor as, thanks to Bulk and Skeleton's distraction luring away the parents, he can grab the eggs and escape.
In Gwen's cottage, Spotty is starting to tell the story of the birds on Planet Spot when they are startled by the arrival of one of the parent red kites, having discovered the theft of their eggs and asking for SuperTed's help to get them back. SuperTed says his magic word to transform while Spotty straps on his rocket pack, before SuperTed then suggests Gwen ride up on the back of the adult red kite to join them. Arriving at the nest, they find that the parent red kite's fears were justified as the nest is empty.
Down the summit, Texas Pete finds a bicycle lying on the side of the road and uses it to make his escape, only to stop short when Bulk and Skeleton appear, covered in mud, scaring him before revealing it's them, much to his chagrin and annoyance.
Back on the mountain, as Spotty fears that they won't save the eggs in time, he sees the headlamp from Tex's bike on the path below, and he and SuperTed immediately head down to investigate.
On the road, Bulk and Skeleton do their best to keep up with Tex on his bike, but when Skeleton stops to catch his breath, Spotty takes him out, while SuperTed has Bulk grab the back of Tex's bike to try and defend himself from SuperTed grabbing him, but this causes an angry Tex to lose control and get flung off the bike when SuperTed releases Bulk, who throws a tantrum over being defeated again.
SuperTed looks for Tex, and sees him above on a ledge. SuperTed is about to retaliate, when Tex reveals he still has possession of one of the red kite eggs and threatens to destroy it if SuperTed tries to intervene. Luckily, Gwen and the adult red kite swoop in and retrieve the egg. As Tex angrily threatens to fire at them in retaliation with his six shooter, SuperTed is no longer having to hold back because Tex no longer has one of the unhatched red kite chicks hostage now that Gwen has saved it. SuperTed tackles Tex, sending him careening down the mountainside to land dazed and defeated in front of Bulk and Skeleton.
Back at Gwen's cottage, Gwen thanks SuperTed and Spotty for helping to save the eggs and says goodbye to them, but as they leave, Spotty realizes to his disappointment that he never finished his story about the birds on Planet Spot, while SuperTed chuckles in amusement.
Starring:[]
- Derek Griffiths as SuperTed
- Peter Hawkins as The Narrator
- Jon Pertwee as Spottyman
- Victor Spinetti as Texas Pete
- Roy Kinnear as Bulk
- Melvyn Hayes as Skeleton
- Sheila Steafel as Gwen The Explorer
Home Media Releases[]
The Biggest Ever Superted Video
Trivia[]
- Although this is the fourth episode, it was released as the fifth on all media releases, expect on The Very Best Of SuperTed when it was released as the fourth episode.
- This is the first episode where Shelia Steafel joins the voice cast.Starring
- The shot of SuperTed when he says his magic word and changes into his super form was used in the show's opening credits. It was later used in SuperTed and Nuts In Space.
- The shot of Tex when SuperTed throws him into the rock was used from the previous episode.
Gallery[]
- Main article: SuperTed and the Giant Kites/Gallery