Marooned
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Movie Reviews of Marooned
Movie Review: "we have negative retrofire"
Summary: 5 Stars
Three astronauts, already debilitated after five months in the Saturn Orbital Laboratory space station, are stranded in their return vehicle, when the engines fail to fire up. The film consists of the efforts to rescue them, the air that is measured out by the minute, the tensions that arise between the astronauts in the small capsule, and their wives, who bravely try to cope. The plot could get predictable were it not for the taut, plausible script, the well-paced direction by John Sturges, the marvelous acting, and the sound. This is the only film I can remember seeing that has no musical soundtrack, just gripping sound effects that add so much to the tension. Even after repeated viewings, this film has an edginess, and it owes much of it to its imaginative use of sound.Gregory Peck puts in another stellar performance as Chief of Manned Space Charles Keith, who is strong, decisive, and thoughtful; the conversation he has with the stranded crew about oxygen is memorable, and as the commander, Richard Crenna is terrific, and Gene Hackman, an astronaut with a high strung temperament, and James Franciscus are also excellent, as are their wives, Lee Grant, Mariette Hartley and Nancy Kovak, and David Janssen, as a fourth astronaut.
Four months and 2 days after this film was released, Apollo 13 was plagued with its problems, and went through a similar scenario; for those who believe in the powers of the mind, some could argue it was predictive, and others say life imitated art...at any rate, the coincidence is interesting, and one imagines that either the Apollo 13 crew or their families might have seen this film before their mission, and pondered the possibilities.
This film is classified as "sci-fi", though in spirit it is perhaps closer to the disaster films that would become so popular in the '70s. Panned by many critics, it is still alive and breathing well after all these years and the special effects, which won the film an Oscar, retain their freshness and are excellent. It received nominations for Best Cinematography (Daniel Fapp) and Best Sound.
Total running time is 134 minutes.
Movie Review: A Sci-Fi Horror in reality
Summary: 5 Stars
The 1969 classic Marooned starring Gene Hackman and Gregory Peck is about three astronaunts, nearly completing a seven month mission in a space station, stranded and it's up Peck and the entire ground control crew to rescue them. There certaintly a chilling element to this film, quietness. When the retro rockets refuse to fire, the problem is presented with somewhat of a wimper than a bang. The ground control notice the problem with some surprise but they thick they can handle it, the tension builds and soon the calm and controled Peck is fighting it out with his own crew. Gregory Peck's unshakable demeanor helps his role as a leader figure he operates on logic but sometimes forgets emotion, it's the perfect casting. Hackman plays the astronaunt who eventually snaps, going into a boiling rage with his unfounded guilt and his desire to go home; It's an intense preformance to say the least. The finale is probably one the greatest and simultaneously eerily quiet in film history. One of tha astronaunts already killed themselves to perserve the dwindling oxygen supply and Hackman and his fellow astronaunt suffer the effects of a low amount of oxygen to the brain; Or should I say they fall into a false sense of security because of the low oxygen. I was almost tempted to cheer with ground crew when the two survivors were rescued because the entire film was just so intense. This film was more affective than Ron Howard's Apollo 13 which far too concerned with special effects and the loud music hightening the attention. This film directed by John Sturges created a far darker atmosphere with those three men being stranded in space, every breath they drew could have been their last and you felt it. An amazing film which still holds up today.Movie Review: A Human Drama at the Outset of the Space Age
Summary: 5 Stars
This may indeed be though of as a "space movie" because much of it takes place in space but to do so is to miss the point. It is a human drama.
An Apollo capsule has been in space for a while and the crew are tired and worn out. They are finally returning to earth but something goes wrong. Houston, we have a problem. At first, it is treated as just a temporary glitch but the glitch defies resolution. It becomes apparent that the astronauts run a real risk of running out of air.
Gregory Peck plays the NASA director. He is a tough man motivated by the best interests of the program. He does not see a real way to rescue the marooned astronauts. It is pointed out to him, however, that failure to even try will spell the doom of the program. Once he gets on board, he does so with every resource he can muster. Unfortunately, there is a hurricane heading for the cape. That makes launching a rescue even more problematical.
Meanwhile, on the stranded ship, the astronauts have their own problems. They realize they are on borrowed time and there is not a thing that they can do to help themselves. Saying goodbye to their families exhausts their capabilities.
It is a sad tale extremely well done. It does not focus on the machinery, instead it focuses on the people.
Movie Review: A sci-fi classic
Summary: 5 Stars
Loved it as a kid, and had to own it as an adult. Marooned is one of those movies that defined an age and defined us as youngsters. Flawed? Who cares. It's not Shakespeare, nor is it meant to be. It's a sci fi classic set in modern times. The effects were striking then and they still are. If you don't think so,you're just jaded. Seeing the Apollo spacecraft captured in space, courtesy of the Oscar winning effects, still gives me a chill. It was even more thrilling to see the Vostok spacecraft up there on the screen in living color and, since I was a NASA buff, I felt like I was the only one in the theatre who recognized the experimental DynaSoar spacecraft piloted by David Jannssen.
The movie is a total blast, and Gregory Peck gives another of his classic performances. I still get chills watching his stoic character get emotional, cheering "GO...GO...GO", as the rescue vehicle is launched through the eye of the hurricane.
Terrific fun and I'm thrilled to have it in my collection.
Movie Review: Unfairly bashed film!
Summary: 5 Stars
This represents a look into the inner workings of the space program. It's an insight into the types of decisions people must make under extraordinary circumstances. This is one of the best depictions of the Apollo program until Ron Howard's, Apollo 13. I too saw this film during its first release and it has influenced my support for our space program from a very early age to this day. I'm very pleased that a DVD is finally being released!!! I have not been "fortunate" enough to see the MST3K version of it but I hear it was harsh. Please don't let this be your only exposure to this good film. The technical accuracy and level of detail alone should be praised. Also the actors could not have been better suited for their roles.