How can you go wrong with a movie based on a novel by
Michael Crichton (JURRASIC PARK, THE TERMINAL MAN, WESTWORLD) and directed by
Robert Wise (THE HAUNTING, WEST SIDE STORY, THE SOUND OF MUSIC)? The answer is
you can’t. This movie remains a classic of the science fiction genre, far too
often overlooked and forgotten. Thanks to Arrow Video that’s about to change.
They’re releasing it on blu-ray with plenty of extras to keep fans happy and
for new viewers to discover.
Made in 1971 the film opens with a satellite code named
Scoop that crash lands near Piedmont, New Mexico. Something about the satellite
has killed off everyone in the town causing them to drop dead in their tracks.
An unprepared investigative team drives in and they too drop dead. This sets in
motion a protocol established by Dr. Jeremy Stone (Arthur Hill). Stone is met
at his home by military personnel who inform him his project has kicked in and
he is whisked away.
At the same time several other scientists who were signed up
for the project are taken away as well in spite of their being involved in
current research. These include kindly Dr. Charles Dutton (David Wayne),
complaining Dr. Ruth Leavitt (Kate Reid) and surgeon Dr. Mark Hall (James
Olson). All are taken to a remote location where the project is set in motion
except for Hall and Stone who are sent to Piedmont in protective suits to see
what happened. While there they find two survivors, an aging alcoholic and a
newborn child. Taking both they return to the base.
There they find out the project and base are known as
Wildfire. The goal is to isolate anything they might find, study it and find a
cure for it. The base is underground with each level requiring more and more
intense germ/bacteria prevention methods. By the time they reach the bottom
level they are as pure as a human can be. In addition to that the base is set
up to prevent any microbial thing that might escape from it from reaching the
surface with a nuclear bomb in place. Only Hall carries a key that will allow
him to shut it down if it starts accidentally.
Combining their technical expertise the group discovers a
single organism that was attached to the satellite that they name Andromeda.
But why did it kill everyone in the town except for the old man and the baby?
Using scientific methods, experiments on animals and microscopic cameras they
cover every possibility they can. Will they find the answer? Can the organism
be contained? And will the bomb meant to destroy the base ever be required?
All of these questions are answered in what is a fascinating
and hair raising film. Wise does a fantastic job of building the tension of the
story piece by piece until the climax at the end. While some of the actors were
familiar faces when the film was released younger viewers now most likely won’t
recognize them. This will give them the opportunity to make the film more
believable. Even those of us who recognized them in the past found them to do
an amazing job on the film.
Crichton’s writings were made more terrifying because like
the best science fiction they were based on reality. Research in genes, DNA,
microorganism and space have move forward since he wrote the original book and
yet it still holds items that are real, only expounded upon since that time.
The discovery of various scientific projects by the military also adds more
credibility to the story making it all the more frightening. It’s a film that
needs to be seen by more people.
Arrow Video once more comes to the front of saving a classic
with this release. To being with it comes in a 4k scan from the original camera
negative making it the cleanest presentation of the film ever made. Add to that
a list of extras that will have you busy for some time after watching the film.
Those include an audio commentary track by critic Bryan Reesman, “A New Strain
of Science Fiction” a newly filmed appreciation by critic Kim Newman, “A
Portrait of Michael Crichton” an archive featurette from 2001 directed by
Laurent Bouzereau featuring interviews with Wise and screenwriter Nelson
Gidding, a Cinescript Gallery with highlights from the annotated and
illustrated shooting script by Gidding, the theatrical trailer, TV spots and
radio spots, an image gallery, a reversible sleeve with original artwork as
well as newly commissioned artwork by Corey Brickley, on BD-ROM a pdf of the
192 page Cinescript with diagrams and production design and for the first
pressing only an illustrated collector’s booklet with new writing by Peter
Tonguette and archive publicity materials.
If you’ve never seen the movie before this is the perfect
chance to see it in the best way possible. Not only is this a movie that
science fiction fans will enjoy but everyone can have a great time with. It’s
as thought provoking today as it was when first released. That’s a testament
not only to the subject matter but to the way it was handled as well. An
entertaining film for all.
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