The Neptune Factor (1973)

Director:

Daniel Petrie

Writer:

Jack DeWitt (writer)

Release Date:

3 August 1973 (USA)

Genre:

Sci-Fi

Tagline:

The most fantastic undersea odyssey ever filmed.

Plot:

When an underwater ocean lab is lost in a earthquake, an advanced submarine is sent down to find it and encounters terrible danger.

Plot Keywords:

Ocean | Rescue | Earthquake | Submarine | Underwater

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Ben Gazzara	...	Cmdr. Adrian Blake
Walter Pidgeon	...	Dr. Samuel Andrews
Ernest Borgnine	...	Chief Diver Don MacKay
Yvette Mimieux	...	Dr. Leah Jansen
Donnelly Rhodes	...	Diver Bob Cousins
Chris Wiggins	...	Capt. Williams
Michael J. Reynolds	...	Dr. Hal Hamilton
Mark Walker	...	Diver Dave Moulton
Leslie Carlson	...	Brigs, Triton Radioman
Stuart Gillard	...	Diver Phil Bradley
Ed McGibbon	...	Dr. Norton Shepherd
David Renton	...	Warrant Officer
Joan Gregson	...	Dobson
David Yorston	...	Diver Stephens
Ken Pogue	...	Diver Thomas

Also Known As:

An Underwater Odyssey
Conquest of the Deeps (USA) (working title)
The Neptune Disaster (USA) (TV title)

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | Finland:K-8 | Sweden:11 | USA:G

Filming Locations:

Cayman Islands

Company:

Conquest of the Deeps Limited and Company

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Being from Another Planet (#5.5)" (1992)

May Not Have Been A Blockbuster, But Not Bad

A B+ movie that was a very good attempt to do in the ocean what Kubrick did for space. The filming on location and in the well-designed Ocean Lab underwater set reminded me of Jacques- Yves Cousteau's "World Without Sun" (1964). The plot may have been thin, but was clearly well intended and thought out in a somewhat scientific chain of thought that would be worthy of Walt Disney's concept of the "Plausible IMPOSSIBLE". The special effects were non-existent in this film (20th merely distributed it) but with the resources they did use, the film was enjoyable as a little excursion. Special Effects don't make a film; an interesting plot does. The plot here is an old and tried one in the movies: the disaster flick. When I saw this film on the big screen, the story did succeed in capturing my interest. Will they find the missing scientists? Did anyone survive? Do they all make it back? When the story entices the viewer to ask these questions and wondering at what will happen in the next 60 seconds -- as this film actually DOES do! -- then the producer and director succeeded at what they were trying to do. I enjoyed this film so much; I stayed in the theater and sat through it a second time! A good film -- if they ever decide to do a remake, I hope they give it a budget that will include good special effects. After all, when they re-made "IT! The Terror From Beyond Space," they had a hefty budget and retitled it ALIEN. 2 and half stars out of 5 ain't bad.