Capricorn One

Not an altogether uninteresting conspiracy effort from 1977 by writer/director Peter Hyams. However, unlike films such as Watergate or Silkwood etc, Capricorn One is not based on fact.

At a NASA launching pad, being covered world-wide, three astronauts are about to be launched on a first trip to Mars. At the last moment, it is discovered that there is a technical fault. The capsule is launched into space, sans astronauts, who are whisked away in a jet from the rocket (unbeknownst to anyone – this being live TV!) to a secret NASA location. Of course in cannot be perceived that the Americans have plundered and therefore they must be seen ahead of the space race. At the secret location everything has already been set for a major cover-up: a fake Mars-landing, and the three astronauts, for the good of their country, are told by unscrupulous top NASA man Dr. Kelloway (Hal Holbrook) that they have no option but to go along with this chirade. There is unfortunately a problem (yes, another one): as well as the landing being faked their has to be an accident. The three astronauts simply cannot be allowed to know of the cover-up! The knowledge they have is dangerous and the government cannot be discredited. They soon catch on being held captive as to their expenditure – they are to be used as scapegoats.

Luckily, they manage to escape into the desert, where they are pursued by two monstrous helicopters. Enter decent and fair-minded journo Robert Caulfield (Elliott Gould) who gets wind of the cover-up, and with the help of a much needed comic performance from Telly Savalas (playing private plane owner/crop duster Albaine) the stage is set for a riotous and tense showdown. Gould and Savalas eventually save the day, leading to a comic book ending.

Hyams handles his subject matter with suspense, though occasionally bordering on the unbelievable. James Brolin as astronaut Colonel Charles Brubaker tries hard in an ungratified part as one of the lead actors. Second astronaut Lieutenant Colonel Peter Willis (Sam Waterston) oozes calm, while sportsman O.J. Simpson, here playing third astronaut Commander John Walker, is his usual non-event. It’s Hal Holbrooks and Elliott Gould who steal the show.
Would NASA really behave like this? Even the president of the USA is unaware of Holbrook’s shenanigans. It’s rather like saying that Cameron and Osborne don’t run England.

SPECIAL FEATURES (HD unless otherwise stated)

Original Theatrical Trailer
What If..? The Making Of 'Capricorn One' (Standard Definition)
On Set With Capricorn One featurettes (Standard Definition)
Image gallery