The Andromeda Strain (1971)

Director:

Robert Wise

Writers:

Michael Crichton (novel)
Nelson Gidding (screenplay)

Release Date:

12 March 1971 (USA)

Genre:

Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

The picture runs 130 minutes!... The story covers 96 of the most critical hours in man's history!... The suspense will last through your lifetime!

Plot:

A group of scientists investigate a deadly new alien virus before it can spread.

Plot Keywords:

Scientist | Baby | Satellite | Virus | Biological Weapon

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 nominations

Cast

Arthur Hill	...	Dr. Jeremy Stone
David Wayne	...	Dr. Charles Dutton
James Olson	...	Dr. Mark Hall
Kate Reid	...	Dr. Ruth Leavitt
Paula Kelly	...	Karen Anson
George Mitchell	...	Jackson
Ramon Bieri	...	Major Manchek
Peter Hobbs	...	General Sparks
Kermit Murdock	...	Dr. Robertson
Richard O'Brien	...	Grimes
Eric Christmas	...	Senator from Vermont
Mark Jenkins	...	Lt. Shawn (Piedmont team)
Peter Helm	...	Sgt. Crane (Piedmont team)
Joe Di Reda	...	Wildfire Computer Sgt. Burk (as Joe DiReda)
Carl Reindel	...	Lt. Comroe

Runtime:

131 min | Belgium:115 min (video version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (35 mm prints) | 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Australia:M | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) (2003) | Canada:G (Manitoba) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Netherlands:12 | Finland:K-12 | Norway:12 (original rating) | Sweden:15 | UK:PG | USA:G | West Germany:12 | UK:AA (original rating) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Red Rock Canyon State Park - Highway 14, Cantil, California, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

In the novel, the character of Leavitt is a man, but is a woman (played by Kate Reid) in the film.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the initial briefing on level 1, the overall display of the Wildfire complex shows the old man and the baby (2 yellow 'x's) as being on level 1. Dutton then asks Stone if they're both still alive, and Stone switches the display to a live video feed of the patients descending in the central core. On the wall behind the old man is a large "3", indicating he's passing level 3, but only 5 seconds have elapsed between the first shot and Dutton's question - not enough time for him to have gone from level 1 to level 3.

Quotes:

Dr. Jeremy Stone: Where have you been?
Dr. Mark Hall: Leavitt had a seizure.
Dr. Jeremy Stone: What?
Dr. Mark Hall: Epilepsy. The red light flashing at three per second brought on a fit. Why the hell didn't she tell us about it?
Dr. Jeremy Stone: Probably no top lab would have her if they knew. Insurance, prejudice, all that crap.
Dr. Mark Hall: From the Middle Ages.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Dudes (1987)

Love this film

I really love this film, and its funny because most people Complain about its slow pace, but I believe that this is one of the reasons that the film is so good, and pace does build up towards the end.

I understand that this film isn't for everybody, but I am a Michael Crichton fan, and I enjoy the way he introduces his sci-fi characters into his novels.

I agree with other user comments that this film was way before its time, and disagree with others who don't seem to be able to differentiate between the music and the sounds in the film.

The film has so many qualities, and is a must see for any sci-fi fan.

9/10