| | | The mission was a sham. The murders were real.
Features: DVD, Sensormatic, Widescreen, Spanish, Subtitled, Trailers, Notes
What if one of the greatest space adventures was really a hoax? The whole world is watching the first manned flight to Mars prepare. Suddenly, its astronauts (JAMES BROLIN, SAM WATERSTON and O.J. SIMPSON) are taken from the craft to an abandoned desert hanger where NASA's director (HAL HOLBROOK) tells them their life support systems have failed. Because the mission's success is crucial to future space programs, he orders them to take part in a simulated Martian landing as cameras roll. If they refuse, their families will be harmed. The phony flight goes well until an uninformed NASA technician spots a computer discrepancy. He mentions it to a reporter friend (ELLIOTT GOULD) who smells a story and starts to investigate. When their rocket disintegrates and the world things them dead, the astronauts realize their lives are in danger. They escape and separate-hoping one will survive to expose the sensational fraud.
"Whirlwind contemporary adventure... Lots of great chases punctuated by Hyams' witty dialogue..." Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide
Editor's Note
In order to protect the reputation of the American space program, a team of scientists stages a phony Mars landing. Willingly participating in the deception are a trio of well-meaning astronauts, who become liabilities when their space capsule is reported lost on re-entry. Now, with the help of a crusading reporter, they must battle a sinister conspiracy that will stop at nothing to keep the truth a secret.
Plot Summary
The government attempts to fake a mission to Mars, but when the astronauts learn that part of the scenario includes a "tragic accident" on the way home, they attempt an escape. A forerunner of the non-stop action suspense movie with terrific aerial stunts and an all-star cast.
| Features | English 5.1 Surround Dolby Digital | | Theatrical Trailer | | Cast & Crew Bios | | Interactive Menus | | Scene Access | | Spanish Subtitles | | Theatrical Trailers | | Production Notes | | Cast & Crew Information | | Widescreen Version | | 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio | | Digitally Mastered |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: Artisan |
| Release Date: 2/17/1998 |
| Running Time: 124 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 1978 | | Catalog ID: 60475 | | UPC: 00012236047506 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English [CC], English | | Available Subtitles: Spanish | | Video: Color |
Aspect Ratio | | 1.85:1 |
| Cast & Crew
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| | Professional Reviews | Variety
"...Gould and Telly Savalas are teamed...The duo is a bullseye...[Savalas delivers] a delightful cameo..." 06/07/1978Uncut
"A snappy script, cameos by Karen Black and Telly Savalas, well-paced action and a nice line in post-Watergate paranoia." 01/01/2006 p.136 |
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