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Dark Star (1974)

6.5
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Ratings: 6.5/10 from 11,751 users  
Reviews: 140 user | 78 critic

In the far reaches of space, a small crew, 20 years into their solitary mission, find things beginning to go hilariously wrong.

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Title: Dark Star (1974)

Dark Star (1974) on IMDb 6.5/10

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
Brian Narelle ...
Cal Kuniholm ...
Dre Pahich ...
...
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Storyline

Low-budget story of four astronauts in deep space, whose mission is to destroy unstable planets in star systems which are to be colonised. The late Commander Powell is stored in deep freeze, where he is still able to offer advice. As their mission nears completion, they must cope with a runaway alien which resembles a beach-ball, faulty computer systems, and a "smart bomb" who thinks it is God. Written by Alexander Lum <aj_lum@postoffice.utas.edu.au>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

space | bomb | computer | alien | 2001 | See more »

Taglines:

Bombed out in space with a spaced-out bomb! See more »

Genres:

Comedy | Sci-Fi

Certificate:

G | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Official Sites:

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

9 February 1979 (West Germany)  »

Also Known As:

Estrella oscura  »

Box Office

Budget:

$60,000 (estimated)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The bombs are made from an HO scale piggyback trailer kit and parts of 1/25th scale model car kits; "Matra", the name of the car, can be seen on some parts in some shots. See more »

Goofs

In the elevator shaft, Pinback's long hair keeps on pointing towards the wall whenever he moves his head away from it, revealing the shaft to be a tunnel, with him laying on the ground instead of standing on the ledge. See more »

Quotes

[Pinback wants the bomb to disarm]
Pinback: All right, bomb. Prepare to receive new orders.
Bomb#20: You are false data.
Pinback: Hmmm?
Bomb #20: Therefore I shall ignore you.
Pinback: Hello... bomb?
Bomb #20: False data can act only as a distraction. Therefore, I shall refuse to perceive.
Pinback: Hey, bomb?
Bomb #20: The only thing that exists is myself.
Pinback: Snap out of it, bomb.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Alien Evolution (2001) See more »

Soundtracks

"Benson Arizona"
Music by John Carpenter
Lyrics by Bill Taylor
Vocals by John Yager
Played over the opening and closing credits
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
A demented outer space comedy from John Carpenter.
12 November 2003 | by (Sacramento, CA) – See all my reviews

Dark Star (1974) was a student film that John Carpenter and Dan O'Bannon worked on while they were in college. They later found a film distributor who asked them to expand it to feature film length. The movie takes place in a small, cramped out of date spacecraft. Several astronauts are on board (who have been around each other to long) trying to complete their mission of destroying unstable planets. I found this film to be very entertaining and bizarre. I enjoyed it very much. The highlight of this film is when a computerized bomb decides that he doesn't want to take orders from the astronauts anymore and ponders the meaning of life. Highly recommended, but it's not your average Sci-Fi film.

A.


53 of 57 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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Remakes - Dark Star - Sam Rockwell pam-bradley1
Dark Star is not supposed to be a 'Comedy' at all. Stellartoa
How is this a comedy? tezz27000
Didn´t like that movie das_urmel_aus_dem_eis
Dark Star is utter tripe anthony_suleiman
New Special Edition DVD on the way mike_cable
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