The Andromeda Strain
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!
Overview
When virtually all of the residents of Piedmont, New Mexico, are found dead after the return to Earth of a space satellite, the head of the US Air Force's Project Scoop declares an emergency. A group of eminent scientists led by Dr. Jeremy Stone scramble to a secure laboratory and try to first isolate the life form while determining why two people from Piedmont - an old alcoholic and a six-month-old baby - survived. The scientists methodically study the alien life form unaware that it has already mutated and presents a far greater danger in the lab, which is equipped with a nuclear self-destruct device designed to prevent the escape of dangerous biological agents.
Backdrop
What makes this movie Worth Watching
Released during the Cold War era, The Andromeda Strain can be seen as a reflection of society's fear of unknown and potentially deadly foreign agents, whether they come from space or human enemies.
- The movie offers a gripping and suspenseful plot that explores the dangers of extraterrestrial contamination, making it an engaging watch for sci-fi enthusiasts.
- The film features a stellar cast, including Arthur Hill, David Wayne, and Kate Reid, who deliver compelling performances in their roles as scientists trying to save humanity.
- The Andromeda Strain is notable for its realistic portrayal of scientific research and the methods used to isolate and study potential threats, which adds an element of educational value.
Fun Facts
- The novel on which the movie is based was written by Michael Crichton before he became famous for his books Jurassic Park and ER.
- The 'Andromeda Strain' alien organism was inspired by real-life bacteria, including the deadly Anthrax bacillus and the T2 bacteriophage.
- In the film, the town of Piedmont where the extraterrestrial infection occurs was intentionally named after the production company, United Artists.
Available Languages
English
US
Title:
"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!"
Deutsch
DE
Title: Andromeda - Tödlicher Staub aus dem All
"Der Film dauert 130 Minuten... Die Geschichte umfasst 96 der kritischsten Stunden in der Geschichte der Menschheit... Die Spannung wird Sie ein Leben lang begleiten !"
Italiano
IT
Title: Andromeda
"...un gene misterioso arriva dallo spazio..."
Français
FR
Title: Le Mystère Andromède
""
Español
ES
Title: La amenaza de Andrómeda
"Un satélite lanzado de la base aérea de Vandengurg ha caido... Localizado en Piedmont Nuevo Mexico. Recuperen el satélite... Destruyan el pueblo. ¡URGENTE!"
svenska
SE
Title: Hotet
""
Where to Watch
Cast
Crew
Reviews
Frighteningly absorbing piece of fiction that's fused with fact.
A satellite from the SCOOP project has crashed into the desert town of Piedmont, the SCOOP project basically entails that the satellite scoops outer space for any alien micro-organisms. After the crash all the residents of Piedmont are killed with the exception of a baby and an old gentleman booze hound. Mankind is on the verge of being destroyed by a leaked alien virus, so a crack team of scientists are gathered in the hope of containing and understanding the virus before the world gets devoid of human life!
Taken from the novel by Michael Crichton, this film is a wonderful lesson in tension building as we follow the scientists through a carefully structured sci-fi plot that will eventually become a race against time thriller. What makes The Andromeda Strain stand out against other genre pieces is the astute and believable approach to the subject matter, we are (in the main) in the presence of proper scientists. There's no super hero tricks forthcoming from these people, these are sensible honest intelligent folk using their combined knowledge to hopefully save the planet? A masterstroke from the makers is that they used largely unknown actors for the film, this gives the story an added grounded believable factor, thus a very useful way of drawing the audience into the drama unfolding. The direction from Robert Wise is very clued in for serio narrative drive, the set design for the underground research facility is top notch, and the actors all give stoic and intelligent performances.
However, it's not without a niggle, for after the excellence of the films first two thirds, it's disappointing to find that the final act reverts to type, which somehow seems misplaced given what the viewer has just been through. Don't get me wrong, it's a fine sequence of events that fuels the dramatic slant, but it comes off as just a bit too glossy in light of the preceding structure. Still, The Andromeda Strain is an intelligent, smart, mature, and knowing film that is standing the test of time for being a great piece of science fiction cinema. 8/10
Oscar Awards
Wins
Haven't Won A Oscar
Nominations
ART DIRECTION - 1971
Boris Leven, William Tuntke, Ruby Levitt
FILM EDITING - 1971
Stuart Gilmore, John W. Holmes
Media
Featurette
Behind the scenes of "The Andromeda Strain" 1971 featurette
Featurette
Oren Peli on THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN
Trailer
The Andromeda Strain 1971 TV trailer