Review: Capricorn One

James Brolin, Sam Waterston and…um…OJ Simpson play a trio of astronauts about to embark on the first manned space trip to land on the surface of Mars. At the last minute, however, the trio are pulled from the ship and taken in secret to an abandoned hanger out in the middle of nowhere. While the empty rocket takes off without them, NASA mission head Hal Holbrook gives the men a talking to (and it’s a helluva speech). Apparently NASA only learned a few weeks ago that the contractor had done some dodgy work on the life-support system, and had they gone up, they would’ve died. Cancelling the mission would’ve seen funding to NASA cut considerably. So it was decided to fake the whole thing, and the astronauts must participate in the charade (via faked TV footage done in the hanger- a makeshift studio) or else risk the safety of all of their loved ones. However, the astronauts quickly learn that NASA has no plans to let the three of them live, as the shuttle burns on re-entry. Realising they are about to meet their makers, the trio flee the compound. Now the chase is on, as NASA can’t have three dead men with one helluva story to tell, get away from them. Meanwhile, a nosy investigative reporter (Elliott Gould) starts to smell an evil conspiracy, but might just pay for his meddling, with his own life. Brenda Vaccaro plays Brolin’s wife, David Huddleston is a crafty Congressman, David Doyle is Gould’s jerk of an editor, Karen Black has a small role as a journalistic colleague, and Telly Savalas plays a crop-duster.

 

I had avoided this 1978 film from writer/director Peter Hyams (“Outland”, “Timecop”, “End of Days”) all these years on the mistaken belief that it was a typically bland, anti-septic looking sci-fi film in the mould of “THX-1138”, “The Andromeda Strain”, Hyams’ own “2010”, etc. Turns out I was entirely wrong, this one’s for the ‘faked moon landing’ conspiracy theory nuts, it’s not really science-fiction at all. I’m not among those people, but I am more than willing to listen and find such material fascinating. This is easily one of the best films of its type (and Hyams’ best film to date as director), and I feel terrible for not seeing it sooner, it’s a cracker of a thriller.

 

Jerry Goldsmith (“The Omen”, “Planet of the Apes”, “The Boys From Brazil”), the best of all film composers in my opinion, gets us off to a pitch-perfect start over the credits, rock-solid stuff right there. Meanwhile, long-serving character actor David Huddleston (Grandpa Arnold on “The Wonder Years”) immediately impresses in an early supporting role as a shifty congressman, and accused murderer O.J. Simpson has modern audiences watching the backs of James Brolin and Sam Waterston, as their fellow astronaut. Hindsight is a helluva thing, folks, and an amateur comedian’s dream. Brolin, with a haircut that makes him look exactly like son Josh, is a block of wood (Didn’t Hyams realise he needed an actual actor for the part?), but surprisingly Sam Waterston gives the only good performance of his career just about, as the smart alec of the trio of astronauts.

 

Intrigue sets in early, the material is absolutely fascinating and thrilling. The conspiracy/paranoia is aided by the choice casting of Hal Holbrook (Deep Throat in “All the President’s Men”) as the untrustworthy NASA head, in a scene-stealing performance. From there you’re hooked, even if it’s just a tad on the silly side, especially when a lively Telly Savalas turns up as a crop duster. Oh he’s great fun, don’t get me wrong, just…not especially convincing. Ridiculous as it is, the helicopter-crop duster chase scene sure is something. Very effective, discombobulating, swooping camerawork by Bill Butler (“Grease”, “Frailty”) in that scene. Elliott Gould also deserves a mention for adding personality to a character that could very well have been dry and thankless in the hands of a lesser talent. The highly underrated Brenda Vaccaro has an even weaker role, but true to form she gives it her absolute best shot. Look out for TV’s Bosley, “Charlie’s Angels” actor David Doyle in a fun role as Gould’s sarcastic jerk of an editor.

 

This is entertaining escapism, just shy of being completely convincing, but it’ll definitely satisfy the conspiracy nut inside of you. One or two plot contrivances (and one of the worst day/night continuity errors I’ve ever seen, in the second half. You can’t miss it) just held it back a tad for me, but this was overall considerably better than expected. A good yarn, not sure about the hokey, slow-mo ending, however. What the hell was that all about?

 

Rating: B-