The Alpha Incident (1978)

A microorganism from Mars, brought to Earth by a space probe, terrorizes passengers in a railroad office.

Director:

Bill Rebane

Writer:

Ingrid Neumayer (original screenplay)

Stars:

Ralph Meeker, Stafford Morgan, John F. Goff

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Ralph Meeker	...	Charlie
Stafford Morgan	...	Dr. Sorensen
John F. Goff	...	Jack Tiller (as John Goff)
Carol Irene Newell	...	Jenny
George 'Buck' Flower	...	Hank (as Buck Flower)
Paul Bentzen	...	Dr. Farrell
John Alderman	...	Dr. Rogers
Ray Szmanda	...	The Official
Lawrence Ripp	...	The Guard (as Sir Lawrence Ripp)
Harry Youstos	...	Alvin (as Harry Youstes)

Storyline

A microorganism from Mars, brought to Earth by a space probe, terrorizes passengers in a railroad office.

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Plot Keywords:

earth | micro organism | pill | alien | guinea pig | 

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Taglines:

So horrifyingly close to the truth, it will blow your mind!

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Genres:

Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 May 1978 (USA)

Also Known As:

Gift from a Red Planet

Filming Locations:

Gleason, Wisconsin, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$200,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min 86 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

References The Thing from Another World (1951)

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Soundtracks

"The Gift"
Lyrics by Dale Kuippers (as Dale Kuipers), Bill Rebane
Music by Tom Barnet
Sung by Deanna Wynand and Don Lasee and The Ramblin Fever Band

User Reviews

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I'll readily admit that I'm a little biased when it comes to Bill Rebane movies, he is after all the Ed Wood of the Midwest, but I think The Alpha Incident is far and away his best film. For all it lacks in budget and effects it more than makes up for in strong performances and storyline even if it is ripped off from The Andromeda Strain. An alien virus is found on samples of martian rock and it is determined that this strain must be dispatched immediately. In order to not arouse suspicion the virus is sent on a cargo train to Colorado with the mysterious Dr. Sorensen as its lone guard along with a moonshining hillbilly engineer Hank who is too curious for his own good. While Dr. Sorensen is asleep Hank inspects the toxic contents and, wouldn't you know it, breaks the vial cutting his hand in the process. The next morning the duo arrive at a remote track changing station that is run by the quiescent Charlie along with his secretary Jenny. Hank and Sorensen meet Jack Tiller who is changing train engines for the transfer ride when Hank's odd behavior tips off Sorensen that the virus has been tampered with. A call to Sorensen's military handler leads the five to become quarantined at the tiny office until the "top scientists" who bicker like an old married couple can find an antidote. Tempers rise and give way to fear as the four civilians are held captive by Dr. Sorensen's cryptic warnings of an alien virus that will kill them should anyone fall asleep. The bulk of the film concerns this fragile alliance out of the necessity for survival.

There are no Oscar worthy performances here however I did feel that each of the main actors were portrayed pretty solidly. Dr. Sorensen plays the mystery man well, Jack Tiller the obnoxious loudmouth, Charlie the reserved man who secretly pines for his assistant and Jenny who sure knows how to fill a dress! I couldn't picture Paul Bentzen as a government scientist without constantly thinking of him in his role as Billy, Kester's megacreep cousin in Giant Spider Invasion. Watch for Menards pitchman Ray Szmanda as "The Official" all alone in his makeshift central command talking to himself. When Sorensen asked for supplies they should of had Ray go into his schtick ending with the usual teeth-grinding "at Menards!" looking as if he's about to drop dead of a heart attack. An acquired taste that might be a little too talky for most though it does have a pretty graphic death scene towards the end as well as Carol Irene Newell showing off some of her "talents". At least give it a try before ripping this review to shreds.