“Capricorn One” is an unheralded sci-fi thriller with a stellar cast and a concept I love.
Written and directed by Peter Hyams, the film was released in the US in 1978. “Star Wars” is has been out for a year. “Alien” will soon follow. The movie came less than ten years after the Apollo 11 moon landing, and less than ten years before the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger. Astronauts and space exploration was on the front of the world psyche.
Gentlemen, let’s go to Mars
Capricorn One is set to be the first crewed mission to Mars. The three-man squad is comprised of Charles Brubaker (James Brolin), Peter Willis (Sam Waterston) and John Walker (O. J. Simpson). The world watches with fascination as the men send video images of their journey and the rugged surface of the Martian planet.
A touching interaction shows Charles Brubaker on a video call with his wife (Brenda Vaccaro). Needless to say, it’s devastating when the ship explodes upon reentry and the crew is killed. Except that the entire mission was staged. And to cover the conspiracy, the astronauts must now be hunted down and eliminated.
The shuttle crew is headed by James Brolin – father to Josh. The elder Brolin possesses the same qualities that made his son one of my favorite actors. Rugged, tough, a survivor. Charles Brubaker is an honest man who loves his family. And he’s smart enough to send a secret message to his wife in case something happens to him.
Sam Waterston is best known for Law & Order. Here, his character offers the comic relief.
O.J. Simpson was still playing football in 1978, and this isn’t even his first movie. Peter Hyams joked that his first two films featured actors who were subsequently tried for the first-degree murder of their wives. Hyams previously directed “Busting” which starred Robert Blake.
The great Elliott Gould stars as Robert Caulfield, a reporter who is working to uncover the conspiracy. I know Gould best as Ross and Monica’s dad in Friends but he has appeared in numerous other productions. Gould is perfect for the role of a regular reporter who lands amidst murder and chaos. The character is also involved in one of the best car chase scenes you will watch.
Hal Holbrook who I know from “The Firm” plays the NASA boss orchestrating the coverup. The iconic Telly Savalas makes a cameo in a comical and vital role.
Too Slow
“Capricorn One” clocks in at 124 minutes. While the idea is great, the pacing is slow. The need for three astronauts means time is spent hunting them down with no investment in their depth. Brolin’s character aside, we know little to nothing about the other two. A tighter story could have explored them more, or removed one or both of them completely and shortened the movie’s run.
Still, it’s a fun movie. NASA conspiracy theorists will enjoy the premise. Fans of thrillers will appreciate the chase.
