michael dworkis goes to ’70s deep space this week …
Release Date: Dec. 1, 1979
First Saw It: Sitting with my father watching it on a Saturday night HBO movie special
What Drew Me to See It: My father and his passion for exposing me to sci-fi films.
Starring: Maximilian Schell, Anthony Perkins, Robert Forster, Joseph Bottoms, Yvette Mimieux, Ernest Borgnine, Tom McLoughlin, Roddy McDowell (uncredited), and Louis “Slim Pickins” Lindley Jr. (uncredited)
Before-They-Were-Stars Appearances: Robert Forster was nominated for an Oscar for his role in Jackie Brown and is renowned for his guest appearances on the hit TV series Heroes. He’s also famous for his work in Diamond Men, Mulholland Drive and Lucky Number Slevin.
Thank God They Weren’t Cast: Jennifer O’Neill was originally cast to play Dr. Kate McCrae, but the role went to Yvette Mimieux. O’Neill saw little success with roles in Scanners and A Force Of One with Chuck Norris. Her movie career was just like her nine marriages … short and forgettable.
Director: Gary Nelson (Get Smart, 1965 & Freaky Friday, 1976)
The Best Performance: Schell plays the mad space-explorer Dr. Hans Reinhardt. He has an air of over-confidence and a true belief that what he does is right. Reinhardt is cunning, meticulous and uses deception to maintain the integrity of his cause. It is that power that commands the film, to which the other explorers must find a way to outsmart Reinhardt in order to defeat him. If you have not seen the film then here comes a spoiler… they do not defeat him.
The Supporting Scene Stealer: Ernest Borgnine as reporter Harry Booth. His facial expressions and constant questioning are perfect for the role. Then again, when doesn’t he portray a slightly eccentric character. His mad dash to save himself results in destruction and disaster for everyone. He attempts to pilot the Palomino spacecraft, but his lack of skill causes the ship to crash in to the space station and begin a chain of events leading to its demise.
The Moment to Remember: Go robots! They might not be Transformers but V.I.N.CENT and “old” B.O.B. earned their fan-praise in this film. These hapless floating robots find themselves at the mercy of the evil Maximilian Sentry Robot, and their doom seems inevitable. “Old” B.O.B. is severely damaged, but his noble sacrifice allows V.I.N.CENT to attack Maximilian and defeat the evil sentry, hurling it into space and into the black hole itself.
The Memorable Quote: Borgnine’s Harry Booth goes on an excited tirade about making their escape and everyone using their scientific know-how to be heroes. The end of the exchange brings a sense of realistic dread to the crew.
Booth: I tell ya …. We could be heroes!
Holland: We could also be dead.
The Groan Moment: The conclusion of the film was quite confusing. Obviously intended to raise questions about the passage through the black hole, we get glimpses of the disturbing demise of Dr. Reinhardt and Maximilian, while the noble scientists seem to ascend to a higher plane of existence. While the film contained a wealth of knowledge and scientific wonder to entertain a wondrous possibility of future space travel, the ending proved to be mind-numbing.
Why I Can’t Stop Watching It: The PG-rating was the first for a Disney film, due to its mild adult language and the impactful death scenes. The robots “Old” B.O.B. and V.I.N.CENT were big hits with the kids, and still would be today. The villain Dr. Reinhardt is the perfect antagonist. He believes in his cause and will do anything in his power to defend it. The movie, even with its strange ending is a fun ride through outer space.
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