TUGS - Sizzle Reel (US Version)

Presented is a unique version of the infamous sizzle reel, with a rare narration track for the US market performed by popular 70-80s actor Bill Mitchell- presumably in his last ever performance for his career. This video was salvaged from a 3/4" U-Matic tape, hidden in the depths of a dark attic for 35 years. Covered in mold and hundreds of hours poured into physical and digital restoration, we are proud to present this historic piece for your viewing pleasure, in the best possible quality the current technology allows us to. This is a feat not only for TUGS lost media, but in analog tape recovery- challenging the boundaries of what can be achieved with the proper resources. Please watch this find in 4K.
We anticipate a "making-of" video in the new year, detailing the incredible years-long journey in discovering, restoring, and releasing this piece. We thank you for your never-ending support throughout the past couple of years, for we are all in this together.
With thanks to @JHRawks, @DTNGE, and @MK_Inst for their work in bringing this to new-life, like never before.
#TheTUGSProject #TUGS #1989

[@TheUnluckyTug_official]

Absolutely unreal. What an amazing discovery! Well done to all the Tugs Project team for the restoration work that went into this!

[@SecurityBreachShowFan98]

Yo Tug what's up? Nice to see you here

[@datprawn4850]

How is the rest of the US Dub of TUGS getting on with you? You seemed to have only made two so far.

[@gregkiteos1936]

​@datprawn4850 He said in his New Year's video that it costs a lot to pay for the voice actors, which is why there hasn't been any more since.

[@jackjackbt]

Yeah

[@MichaelS1995]

"What you are seeing is a flavor of TUGS; an original series produced as a drama entertainment for children, and also for the other children, who are euphemistically called adults". This line is amazing.

[@caboose.20]

Can we talk about how good the sequence of "And the other children *explosion* we, euphemistically call adults" is?

[@NolanTheTugboat]

TUGS is the gift that never stops giving. I don’t believe even Sam Wilkinson knew that a US dub of the sizzle reel existed. You, Ahmed and Friends, are the Platinum standard of how media of any kind should be preserved.

[@USTUGS]

WHAT A TIME TO BE A TUGS FAN!

[@jackjackbt]

That was going to be the name of one of my videos

[@thatoneduckfan]

The folks at TUGS Project are the best at restoring and preserving! Give them a round of applause! Thank you, guys and Happy Holidays, TUGS fans!!

[@thethingfromthelivestreamchat]

Never did I think I'd see the day where we'd get to see the full high quality full sizzle reel, yet alone tailored to a completely different audience. Truly a fantastic find!

[@nmuniz2]

Holy god the whiplash of the new narrator WE WON FOLKS

[@loggior.speedweed4345]

Absolutely unreal, an amazing find. I thought it was unthinkable they'd do a US dub of the real considering how far David didnt get to pitching it. Even though this is not the superior UK dub, its nice to hear more from what could have been if TUGS had been properly released in the US (plus the added line of "and also for the other children, who are euphemistically called... adults" was a surprise, very clever, shows what David was trying to go for), and we have the full footage at long last at least. NOTE: i even bet the Trust is seething with unbridled ragebright now! 😂 good!

[@thecaledoniansleeper2648]

You’ve got to admit, the narrator of the US version done a great job. His voice for the sizzler sounded so serious and fits the tone nicely with all the action going on in TUGS. I think he should’ve been Captain Star for the US version.

[@Thomasfanvdgeest]

I love how tugs always increases my both english and dutch vocabulary. I had never heard the word euphemistically before.

[@hartleymartin]

OMG. Something I never thought I would get to see, and it reveals so much! Boomer had so much of his material cut from Jinxed! Too bad we will never get to see the originally-planned 30-minute versions.

[@herrice3227]

Had to watch this on mute because the beautiful theme music breaks my heart, but there are some incredible shots in here! So happy we finally got the full cuts of them (or at least what's left!) I hope we discover even more TUGS treasure soon!

[@WillCWilson]

Imagine if we got the full US dub of TUGS and THIS GUY was the narrator man

[@A1-Pacific_Sketcher]

Thank you to everyone involved with making this possible, wonderful work done to preserve and restoring this piece of lost media from TUGS.

[@callum110597]

If only this was actually shown to the US so it wouldn't gave got Tugs footage in Salty's Lighthouse.

[@TufteMotorsport]

Dude! The narration would be spot on for Captain Zero. He gives me a sleazy mobster vibe. Thanks for restoring this and not gatekeeping. 10/10

[@lazstudios]

Was NOT expecting that voice. Wild to hear and see this piece of history finally surface

[@RickVG02]

Looking at this I find it so impossible to imagine that all networks looked at that and said "no thanks, we're good"

[@jonengler1296]

Love this reel...and especially the synthy little music cue that starts at 4:24. It's interesting hearing the full version of the end credits theme and how it was much more pop-sounding than what we usually heard.

[@evanredfearn6371]

An American sizzler i never thought would exist

[@SecurityBreachShowFan98]

I'm glad we finally got the full video itself.

[@joshuaW5621]

I never even knew there was a US version of the sizzler. Well I like how the narrator said this can be for adults as well as for children.

[@Tom_Oliver_89]

now we just need the US dub of sunshine the long one and the PAL one

[@thegreenbeetledrewscott9608]

That narrator, Bill Mitchell kind of reminds me of Vincent Price! Makes TUGS kinda sound like a horror movie! His voice is so deep that I can understand now why TUGS has a dark tone and investors were reluctant on investing on it.

[@TankEngine97]

It's here! It's actually here! I'm guessing this is the US edit of the sizzle reel hence the different voice over. I'm not sure what their name is but they did do the voice of the prologue on the soundtrack to Little Shop of Horrors (1986).

[@lukechristmas3951]

Negative. That was Stan Jones. Bill Mitchell was the narrator for Ten Little Indians (1965)

[@Wildcatt1999]

This was the best Christmas present ever! Thank you TUGS Project!

[@jerrysgardentractorsengine2243]

Ok, I legit was not expecting to see the sizzler pop up in my sub feed. Even though it’s not the original UK dub, this is still a massive fucking win for lost media. Hell, I didn’t even know that a US dubbed sizzler was even produced! EDIT: there’s something about the delivery of “an original series produced as a drama entertainment for children and also for the other children who are euphemistically called adults” that makes the fact that Tugs was never fully picked up sting like hell. The show could’ve been so much darker than it already was knowing that Clearwater was pitching the show for such a wide age demographic

[@Hey_Arthur]

such a beautiful and inspiring phrase nonetheless

[@LolLol-xy4rh]

Holy shit such rare sizzle real scenes

[@EthanAndFriendsStudiosOfficial]

This really cheered me up after a gloomy winter season, I always get so giddy when new TUGS stuff gets uncovered. Thanks and here’s to 2024! Also, so nice to see the Gomez incident in such clean quality. ⭐️✨

[@ComedianCarsaurus]

Lol hi ethan👋🏼👋🏼

[@EthanAndFriendsStudiosOfficial]

@@ComedianCarsaurusoh hey Carson!

[@ThomasTheorist]

Woah!

[@fruitcakedog1997]

What an incredible find - and an astounding restoration effort! It’s honestly weird after all this time to see an old VHS tape in roughly the same quality it would have originally been presented in 30+ years ago. I reckon TUGS could have gained a decent cult following had it launched in America.

[@JosephRailwayStudios2000]

Nice early Christmas present thank you very much lads

[@LoneWolgon1991]

This show needs a revival!

[@bitxh85]

like right now and I will not take no for an answer someone gwt I this right bloody fucking now

[@BenBensonStudios]

Easily one of the best things to happen to the TUGS fandom

[@jeremythomaswebb1485]

I can see why this sizzle reel was probably not as well received in the US as the production team might have hoped. When it comes to showreels and sizzles in general, they got to be short, snappy, straight to the point, catches the audience's attention and tell a story in a short span of time that will leave them wanting more. If you've never seen Tugs before and this is your first encounter of it, there's a chance you would be interested in seeing more, especially if you've watched Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends. But at the same time, there would be people who would think it's okay but wouldn't be that fussed with it either Pros: This reel has atmosphere, beautiful shots, really sets the tone that this is a drama that anyone can enjoy, and fantastic narration. Cons: There are certain shots that go on way too long with not much happening that needed to be trimmed down. The Reel is over the same length as a Thomas episode so missed opportunity to tell a quick story that serves as a teaser for what's to come. Shows like Thomas, Bluey and Pixar shorts for example have been able to successfully achieve that in less time. Needed to show off bits of dialogue with the characters as that's one of the major highlights of the show. And possible a bit more action to mix things up. If you look at sizzle reels like Amphibia or the Owl House, they go for roughly a couple of minutes but the successful get the point across and leave you wanting more. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3-ql5x6Z9akha8 kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYecZZ-ijKaontE With a few refinements, this Sizzle reel could have hit the mark and probably hooked the US crowd. Don't get me wrong, it's Awesome to see this Sizzle Reel completely restored and see new footage for the first time in years. But in the context of it being a reel to sell overseas, it definitely needed at least a couple more passes to really tie it together.

[@PixarFan8695]

Now, *THIS* is a Christmas surprise! 😊

[@primrosevale1995]

It goes to show, it's never truly too late!

[@OfficialCruiseshipzStudios]

This is amazing! I’m happy to see this rare sizzle reel that promised everything we wanted to see! A rare find in time for Christmas! Thanks so much for keeping TUGS alive with your hard work, guys! Merry Christmas! 🎄

[@Sp1deyJay]

One of the best Christmas gifts ever

[@henhousethegreengit8953]

Thank you for the stuff this year!

[@thesodorengines]

Best Christmas present ever

[@masonbates7959]

Tremendous restoration and discovery! Congrats to everyone involved with this project.

[@P42_foamer]

I like everything about this. The narration was perfect, and the unseen footage and the music just fits it perfectly

[@ListerDavid]

It blows me away that lost media like this is being entrusted to the Tugs Project to be restored and shared with us all. I don’t know how much is known about the US dubs of Tugs but I can imagine Bill Michael doing the voice of Captain Star for the series.

[@wreckbuoy5989]

Best Christmas gift ever Thank you TUGS Project

[@NorthWesternRailwayProductions]

This is the best way to end off tonight

[@LNERMallard]

Well THIS was out of left-field! Bet the Star Tugs Trust is feeling a bit sheepish after discovering THIS gem existed - and NOT in their possession!

[@str6533]

Gonna play this entire thing on drums tomorrow

[@gordonpacific04]

Simply breathtaking, gorgeous, beautiful.

[@matt0044]

The music is very nice with the various demo of the theme song. Still can't help but sing "Did You Have To Fall In Love" to it.

[@henhousethegreengit8953]

Peak, I’m afraid.

[@jack_bench]

1) amazing Christmas surprise, bless you guys. And 2) THIS GUY'S VOICE IS AMAZING. It adds such a tremendous weight to the reel. I'm not upset at all that this isn't the original U.K. dub (which of course I hope we get to see someday as well, from a preservation standpoint), because this dub sounds amazing.

[@skybrineplays4110]

God, this is the most beautiful christmas gift i couldve ever wished for. Well done, you all! Happy holidays!!

[@therenamonstan]

What a lovely surprise. And on Christmas Eve, too. Impeccable timing!

[@trainguy3277]

This is amazing i don't even care if its not the original uk version im just shocked and glad that we finally have the full restored version what an amazing Christmas gift!

[@SecurityBreachShowFan98]

Me to

[@jordangaming1019]

This was such a godsend. Merry Christmas, TUGS Project!

[@thatlittlefox.]

Absolutely beautiful.

[@aestheticniro181]

Seeing this is sad. It makes me think what could have been had the series lasted longer. More awesome stories, a proper U.S dub, more characters, the rivalry between steam and diesel tugs, new team members, a potential TTTE crossover, and among a lot of other things..

[@Trainboy-ee4us]

No frocking way… WE FINALLY HAVE THE FULL THING OMG!!!

[@dave41184]

Congratulations on what you've achieved here and thank you for the considerable effort that must have gone into it. Pleased its in the public domain and not hidden away by those seeking profit. I hope that there is more to come in the future!

[@GingerAnimator]

Outstanding! An incredible achievement, well done all involved

[@lukechristmas3951]

Christmas Eve where I am right now has no snow but rain and it is fitting weather to watch some new long-lost TUGS media! I'll be honest here, if this is the Bill Mitchell that I am thinking of, the one born on December 26th, 1934 in Montreal, Canada and had appearances in Doctor Who, his voice does not fit that of a narrator for TUGS. I can picture him voicing Captain Zero, if he spoke a bit faster and louder, Zak, perhaps Johnny Cuba and maybe even O.J. But please don't get me wrong here, I know this is just the sizzle reel. Mitchell's narration is much better suited for something that is meant to be scary and dark through and through, like his role as the narrator for the 1965 movie adaption of Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Indians." Nonetheless, it leaves you in awe to see the US dub of the TUGS Sizzle Reel with the extended/deleted scenes, soundtrack and all in high definition! Best video I've seen all month! Merry Christmas!

[@taiyo888]

The sizzler reel narrator is who I would have chosen as Captain Star's American voice.

[@Smoked_Cheddar22]

THANK👏YOU👏ALL👏SO👏MUCH!!!!!!

[@YourAverageRailwayFan]

What a Christmas surprise!

[@TF2004-official]

When the water is clear

[@ell_aitch2688]

Fantastic work, thank you to all involved for your hard work 🙂

[@startugz_prod]

if bro don’t get his “you come to me, on the day of my daughters wedding” outta bigg city port nah but this is so epic, and i’ve gotten so used to watching reconstructions that this absolutely blew my mind. thank you tugs project!

[@vincentheredia1087]

Happy 35th Anniversary to a Season 1 work of Art, TUGS (1989) RIP David Mitton (1939-2008) Most Noteable Work... ThunderBirds, Thomas and Friends & TUGS

[@thatweirdmeowstic2008studi8]

This was f*cking peak!

[@empathicmoodlighting5710]

Looks incredible guys!!

[@GordonIsHere]

im so happy!

[@0clectmovie781]

They finally found it… now we finally get to see Izzy explode into a dock at a higher quality!

[@thecringeking873]

NO WAY. This is AWESOME?

[@VicStudios2003]

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER ❤

[@XanderW104]

4:12 That line goes *HARD.*

[@josephmarrison4606]

Finally. We get to see this in all it’s glory. Well done.

[@GeorgeLowther2000]

It’s finally here! The Sizzle Reel in all its glory!

[@vehicleandanimalcrossovers]

This is the correct way to watch TUGS.

[@TRAIN110ValleyProductions]

this is awesome

[@TheOldIron02]

This is insane

[@teaoftraffic]

something the tugs trust members wouldn’t do in a thousand years

[@SirJimmySavileOBEKCSG]

TUGS lives on!

[@CTTE06]

Wow, just wow.

[@jackjackbt]

Wow!

[@franky717-ux9rr]

Wow that was amazing, honestly the best Christmas gift we got 🎁

[@nostall123productions]

An absolutely incredible find!

[@plumberchoochooman]

YO LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

[@startugz_prod]

wild plumber choo choo haha fella found

[@plumberchoochooman]

@@startugz_prod Real

[@tobbs5410]

What a wonderful Christmas present. Well done, all of you!

[@railfandepotproductions]

Yes

[@tylervielie5767]

Wow. This is real? Thank you for sharing. I'm still wondering about the full three minute single of the theme sung by Sue Glover.

[@_crankster]

Amazing.

[@mouseylings6394]

6:11 MY LEG

[@Britt0nline123]

Literal gold.

[@matthewlindstrom8728]

If you have been on the tugs fandom you probably know this

[@jinty7039]

Thanks for this, this was sick!

[@datprawn4850]

And yet TUGS ended up having the same problem for the US market as Titan A.E. had that lead to it bombing in the box office over a decade later. No one have researched nor mentioned of who is the target audience. For TUGS, no Older kid would be interested in a kiddie show like Thomas the Tank Engine.

[@jamesthomas5109]

Happy Christmas everyone 😊

[@sly123size]

This was trailer and tell story about the sister location tv series that only lasts 1 season but... if have made 3 or 5 more seasons it will tell how it went

[@ToadsUnderrated]

This is amazing!