Mission: Impossible
Mission: Impossible is an American television series that was created and initially produced by Bruce Geller. It chronicles the missions of a team of secret government agents known as the Impossible Missions Force. In the first season, the team is led by Dan Briggs, played by Steven Hill; Jim Phelps, played by Peter Graves, takes charge for the remaining seasons. A hallmark of the series shows Briggs or Phelps receiving his instructions on a recording that then self-destructs, followed by the theme music composed by Lalo Schifrin. The series aired on the CBS network from September 1966 to March 1973, then returned to television for two seasons on ABC, from 1988 to 1990, retaining only Graves in the cast. It later inspired a popular series of theatrical motion pictures starring Tom Cruise, beginning in 1996.
Insights
Plot Summary
The original 'Mission: Impossible' television series followed a team of secret agents of the Impossible Missions Force (IMF) as they undertook highly complex and dangerous covert operations. Each episode typically began with the team receiving their mission briefing through a self-destructing message, outlining the objective and the elaborate, often ingenious, plan they had to execute. The missions usually involved infiltrating secure locations, deception, and clever use of technology and disguises to achieve their goals.
Critical Reception
The original 'Mission: Impossible' series was a critical and commercial success during its initial run, praised for its innovative storytelling, suspenseful plots, and the iconic theme music. It garnered a dedicated fanbase for its intricate heists and the charismatic performances of its ensemble cast, establishing itself as a landmark in the spy-fi genre.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its intricate plots and suspenseful execution of missions.
- Lauded for its innovative use of special effects and gadgets for its time.
- Remembered for its iconic theme music and the memorable self-destructing mission briefing.
Google audience: Audience reception for the original series is generally positive, with many recalling it fondly as a classic spy show that set a high bar for the genre. Viewers often cite its clever problem-solving and elaborate schemes as highlights.
Awards & Accolades
Won two Golden Globe Awards for Best Television Series – Drama (1967, 1968) and nominated for multiple Emmy Awards, winning Outstanding Dramatic Series in 1967 and 1968.
Fun Fact
The iconic theme music composed by Lalo Schifrin was originally intended for the film 'The Cincinnati Kid' but was rejected, finding its perfect home in 'Mission: Impossible'.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources