JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonCapricorn One (1978) - Trailer Included
August 6th 2007 00:00
Lunar Lessons?
DVD Cover
Starring:Elliot Gould, Telly Savalas, Karen Black, James Brolin, O.J Simpson, Sam Waterson, Hal Holbrook
“You think it's all a couple of looney scientists, it's not! It's bigger. There are people out there, forces out there, who have a lot to lose. They're grown ups. It's gotten too big, it's in the hands of grown ups!” – Dr James Kelloway
Did we land on the moon in 1969? Ever since the too crisp for broadcasting pictures of Neil Armstrong first setting foot on a grey rock were transmitted speculation has been ripe in regards to the scientific discrepancies of the images. Little things like the U.S flag waving in the wind, (when space is a vacuum) to inconsistencies with lighting, body movement and of course the fact that NASA has never been able to recreate the feat since.
“Anybody hungry? Oh, the marvels of American science. Here we are millions of miles from earth, and we can still send out for pizza.” – Peter Willis
The movie Capricorn One is a science fiction thriller that takes the basic outline for the space bound conspiracy theory and sets it in a non specific year as mankind is launching its first manned flight to Mars.
A team of three heroic astronauts Colonel Charles Brubaker (James Brolin), Commander John walker (O J Simpson) and Lt Colonel Peter Willis (Sam Waterson) are all suited up, on the pad and preparing to walk on the red Planet.
All is running smoothly, the rocket is scheduled to begin countdown when project supervisor Dr James Kelloway (Hal Holbrook) orders the crew to accompany him to a mysterious location isolated in the middle of the desert.
“You're not crazy, I'm crazy. I'm crazy for listening and I'm crazy for saying what I'm about to say. I'll give you twenty four hours to come up with something. Not forty eight. I saw the movie too, it was twenty four.” – Walter Loughlin
Reluctantly Brubaker, Walker and Willis are blackmailed and soon the world is being fooled into believing the NASA mission is proceeding as planned. Catch is that a data analyst at mission control has found a problem and now the race is on to ensure the hoax succeeds at all costs.
“This is really wonderful. If we go along with you and lie our asses off, the world of truth and ideals is, protected, but if we don't want to take part in some giant rip-off of yours then somehow or other we're managing to ruin the country. You're pretty good, Jim. I'll give you that.” - Brubaker
Open the pod bay doors Hal, I want out of this hangar.
John Doe says:
Impressively assembled, this convincing work of fiction has fun with the real life parallels. Placing prime physical specimens (astronauts) into a survival scenario while a renegade reporter seeks the truth, the detailed screenplay is well paced with imaginative ideas that enhance the drama.
Writer/Director Peter Hyams (2010, Narrow Margin) has had an inconsistent career with most of his success coming from sci-fi films. Capricorn One ranks as his essential moment because of its manipulation of reality and a cult premise that continues to inspire the public. Handled with intelligence and obviously extensive research what could have been timely exploitation restricted to its release date is instead still relevant and gripping entertainment.
The action scenes are powerfully staged, particularly the tinted glass patrolling helicopters carrying a cold menace that becomes character. The cinematography uses minimal artificial light, scenes in the control room feel authentic and the urgency of the astronauts plight for civilization is elevated by the perspective of camera set ups.
Starring two of Barbara Streisand’s husbands, Elliot Gould (MASH, The Long Goodbye, California Split, Bugsy) as reporter Robert Caulfield is in his prime 70’s persona. Aloof and arrogantly charming, he may not be traditionally handsome but the honest confidence he brings to the role makes for another rich performance.
The current Mr Babs James Brolin (The Car, Westworld, Amityville Horror) is the leader of the earth bound space adventurers and plays a more traditional hero, convincing as an educated man of action.
Long before the glove didn’t fit and the wife got murdered ex footballer OJ Simpson (Naked Gun, Cassandra Crossing, Towering Inferno, Klansman) was ecking out a film career. Here he is surprisingly sympathetic as one of the cosomonauts trapped in the turmoil.
Karen Black (Nashville, Day of the Locust, The Squeeze) appears in her typical edgy eye candy, determined guise and Telly Savalas (The Dirty Dozen, Kojak) lightens the mood near the end as a grizzled crop dusting pilot.
Regardless of belief, there is no denying that there are several interesting questions raised by the prospect of a moon landing hoax. Personally JD enjoys entertaining the idea, but with most of the claims being thoroughly debunked it is more a matter of appreciating the theories rather than scientific facts. This is Capricorn One’s strength, it’s a juicy yarn told with style, making you want to believe because of the repercussions it would cause.
The DVD:
Transfer:4:3 Pan N Scan/2.0 Dolby Digital
Extras:Nil
Here’s a link to moontruth.com, a fun conspiracy site with footage.
A more objective Wikipedia summary of the Moon Landing Hoax
The Capricorn One Trailer.
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Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
Elliot Gould back when he could still act.
I just love the the way this whole film was crafted and the way the suspense was kept all the way through.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Conspiracies aside - this is a neat piece of celluloid.
MNG
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Totally agree the film lets you suspend disbelief with skillful storytelling that sustains suspense.
Shame about Gould, he was great in the 70's though and had his moments in the 80's...The Long Goodbye is my favourite of his, followed by MASH.
Appreciate the comment.
.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Just picture the profile shot of the two together...I think Andrew Dice Clay had a funny schtick about it....
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I love a good 70's conspiracy, they put so much thought and detail into it...now they don't even try..this film never gets old and like The Parallax View, Manchurian Candidate and the rest of the genre gets more relevant as governments, corporations and the media gain more power.
I had a great time revisiting it when I was sick, always cool to see you/
Comment by JuliaC
it's my first time to pop in your Film&TV on DVD empire! It's really amazing! I shall pop in more often~~
It seems to me that you are really enthusiastic about the Australian movies. Actually, my first time went to a cinema to see a movie in Sydney was an original Australian movie about an Australian guy who works as a toliet cleaner and his funny& real daily life story. I like it very much!! It gave me a genuine taste of the Australian style~~
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Being in Australia, I'm actually more interested in Oz release dates than Aussie movies, though there are a few I like- (EG: Picnic at Hanging Rock, the Tracker, Turkey Shoot, Chopper)
The film you are talking about is KENNY, a newer one that was out last year.
Great to have a new reader, thanks for the kind words. I look forward to reading your comments.
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
I read that Gould turned down a role for something big in the 70s.. what was that movie?
Comment by Nickoftime's Sanity Corner
sorry for the late comment, but I love this movie...I had it on VHS and then finally found it on DVD...
Excellent movie and I think pretty fascinating subject!
Great review...
Take care,
Nick