![]() ![]() For the sake of the nation's morale and the future of NASA funding, they are coerced into taking part in an elaborate charade – but when the captive astronauts learn their capsule burned up on re-entry and the world believes them dead, they know their very existence now poses a threat to national security. Minutes before the launch of their mission, the Capricorn One crew are told to exit their capsule and are secretly taken to an abandoned desert hangar. Simpson and Telly Savalas star in this classic sci-fi conspiracy thriller, featured here in a High Definition transfer from original film elements. It exudes a captivating presence, managing several surprises, and wasting none of its deceptively lengthy run-time.As the whole world watches the first manned flight to Mars, its three astronauts are plunged into a nightmarish battle for survival.Įlliott Gould, James Brolin, Sam Waterston, Brenda Vaccaro, O.J. So cliche and unimaginative is its cheesy ending, a slow-mo run which abruptly, and predictably, freeze frames, that it almost detracts from the splendid, suspenseful, thrilling two hours which preceded it.Ī more than disappointing ending aside, “Capricorn One” proves a brilliantly written, acted, and shot film. The final shot of “Capricorn One,” however, falters. The plot, unlike many conspiracy flicks, seems plausible particularly when buoyed upon Kelloway’s sound, albeit conniving and sadistic, logic. Jerry Goldsmith handles the score which fits the tempo of the film, alluding suspense when necessary, at other times tense action. Even the slight filler, such as Brubaker eating a rattlesnake int he desert, oozes importance and, on some fundamental level, serves a purpose. In a standout scene, a car’s brakes are tampered with sending it on a chase through the city worthy of “The French Connection.” Despite its lengthy run-time and primarily dialogue-driven style, there’s nary a moment of boredom throughout. Even a pair of unmarked black helicopters which search for Brubaker, Willis, and Walker after the astronauts manage a daring escape are personified on-screen, graced with human-like personalities of their own.įrom a technical standpoint, “Capricorn One” glistens with magnificent cinematography. As with Whitter, he’s sparsely in the movie, yet the dialogue provides a concrete relationship, thus making him appear as though he’s been in the flick from the onset. Likewise, in the third act Caulfield’s editor ( David Doyle) confronts his journalist. Additionally, the screenplay, penned by Hyams, establishes his character extremely well. Caulfield dons a Woodward and Bernstein importance in his quest for the truth. In part, this is because Whitter serves as the catalyst for Caulfield’s investigative reporting. Nevertheless, his importance comes across as much larger. Whitter, who first reports discrepancies in the crew’s television transmissions, isn’t prominently featured in the film. Yet even the most inconsequential of characters feels important. There’s ample action, and a smattering of characters. With a run-time of just over two hours, “Capricorn One” marvelously paces its plot. When Whitter disappears seemingly without a trace, Caulfield embarks on a mission to uncover the truth about Capricorn One, and his friend’s vanishing. However, Whitter shares his disbelief with friend and journalist Robert Caulfield ( Elliott Gould). NASA technician Elliot Whitter ( Robert Walden) reports anomalous data readings which Kelloway dismisses as a malfunctioning workstation. Unfortunately, the faux landing doesn’t quite proceed as Kelloway planned. Reluctantly, and with their families threatened, Brubaker, Walker, and Willis agree. Sacrifice the mission and falsify its results to save the space program, he argues. Rather than scrap the voyage, Kelloway insists the three astronauts fake a Mars landing. James Kelloway ( Hal Holbrook) arrives and explains in a Shakespearean-caliber soliloquy, that a critical error in Capricorn One’s life-support system would have killed the astronauts in-flight leaving the mission a failure. Meanwhile, Capricorn One launches as planned sans its flight crew, leaving the general public blissfully unaware. Simpson) are whisked off to a remote, abandoned desert base. Moments before liftoff, the trio of astronauts Colonel Charles Brubaker ( James Brolin), Lieutenant Colonel Peter Willis ( Sam Waterson), and Commander John Walker ( O.J. The first crewed mission to Mars, “Capricorn One,” is set to launch. With a taut screenplay, superb acting, and a gripping premise, “ Capricorn One” is an irresistible watch. 1975 political thriller “Three Days of the Condor” offered a realistic mystery, and 1978 Peter Hyams-directed sci-fi thriller “Capricorn One” follows suit. Conspiracy theory films range from the extraordinary to the plausible. ![]()
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