Capricorn One
The mission was sham. The murders were real.
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 are taken from the craft to an abandoned desert hanger where NASA's director tells them their life support systems have failed. Because of 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 discrepency. He mentions it to a reporter friend who smells a story and starts to investigate. When their rocket disintegrates and the world thinks them dead, the astronauts realize their lives are in danger. They escape and separate- hoping one of them will survive to expose the sensational fraud.
Member Reviews
Good Thriller Cheapened By Its Action Sequences - c4th
The story Capricorn One is a great conspiracy thriller. NASA’s first manned mission to mars is staged using a TV studio set up in an abandoned and secluded hanger. When the real space capsule, which actually takes the flight unmanned, doesn’t make it through re-entry, the astronauts coerced into faking the mission suddenly suspect they are disposable pawns and flee for their lives. Those in command of the hoax initiate desperate measures to keep the hoax alive. At the same time a reporter suspects something is amiss and becomes dangerously involved.
Although the basic story is sound, well written, and fundamentally believable, director Peter Hyams allows some of his action sequences to go over the top to the point of becoming silly, even laughable. Incredulous action such as an out of control vehicle manoeuvring through oncoming traffic and ninety degree turns at over 90 mph cheapens this tense and exciting thriller.
Allow yourself to overlook its flaws and you will find Capricorn One an intriguing tale of deception.Not bad at all! - Calzephyr
It is often hard to watch old action movies because they're not quite like today's, but Capricorn One had a great story, although a few continuity errors were noticeable. It was odd to see that Sam Waterston had a gravelly voice even back then. It was rather shocking to see him so young actually! Like a lot of 70s movies there's a real aspect of governmental distrust, which makes it an excellent conspiracy thriller.An underrated gem - ultgman
Capricorn One is usually unjustly classified as a science-fiction movie, but it's not. The only sci-fi aspect of it is that its plot centres around the first manned mission to Mars. Since that hasn't yet happened in real life, it gets that unfortunate "science fiction" label which probably has cost it countless potential viewers. Nonetheless, the story is gripping as the astronauts involved in the faux mission are sworn to secrecy as NASA fools the world into believing the mission is a success, and then they must fight for their lives when their unmanned craft returns to earth. A great story with solid acting all around and a terrific white knuckle climax.
Member Reviews
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Good Thriller Cheapened By Its Action Sequences - c4th
The story Capricorn One is a great conspiracy thriller. NASA’s first manned mission to mars is staged using a TV studio set up in an abandoned and secluded hanger. When the real space capsule, which actually takes the flight unmanned, doesn’t make it through ...Not bad at all! - Calzephyr
It is often hard to watch old action movies because they're not quite like today's, but Capricorn One had a great story, although a few continuity errors were noticeable. It was odd to see that Sam Waterston had a gravelly voice even back then. It was rather ...An underrated gem - ultgman
Capricorn One is usually unjustly classified as a science-fiction movie, but it's not. The only sci-fi aspect of it is that its plot centres around the first manned mission to Mars. Since that hasn't yet happened in real life, it gets that unfortunate "science ...