The Shape of Things to Come (1979)

Planet Earth is a devastated wasteland, and what's left of humanity has colonized the Moon in domed cities. Humanity's continued survival depends on an anti-radiation drug only available on... See full summary »

Director:

George McCowan

Writers:

Mike Cheda (adaptation), Joseph Glazner (adaptation),

Stars:

Jack Palance, Carol Lynley, Barry Morse

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jack Palance	...	Omus
Carol Lynley	...	Nikki
Barry Morse	...	Dr. John Caball
John Ireland	...	Sen. Smedley
Nicholas Campbell	...	Jason Caball
Anne-Marie Martin	...	Kim Smedley (as Eddie Benton)
Greg Swanson	...	Sparks (voice)
Mark Parr	...	Sparks
William Hutt	...	Lomax (voice)
Ardon Bess	...	Merrick
Lynda Mason Green	...	Lunar technician (as Lynn Green)
Albert Humphries	...	Robot technician
Bill Lake	...	Spacesuited man
Michael Klingbell	...	Robot
Jonathan Hartman	...	Robot

Storyline

Planet Earth is a devastated wasteland, and what's left of humanity has colonized the Moon in domed cities. Humanity's continued survival depends on an anti-radiation drug only available on planet Delta Three, which has been taken over by Omus, a brilliant but mad mechanic who places no value on human life. Omus wants to come to the Moon to rule and intends to attack it by ramming robot-controlled spaceships into the domes. Dr. John Caball, his son Jason, Jason's friend, Kim, and a robot named Sparks embark on Caball's space battlecruiser on an unauthorized mission to Delta Three to stop Omus.

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Plot Keywords:

canadian science fiction | independent film | based on novel

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Taglines:

Beyond the earth... Beyond the moon... Beyond your wildest imagination!

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Genres:

Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

August 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

H.G. Wells' The Shape of Things to Come

Filming Locations:

Kleinburg, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

CAD 3,200,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

CFI Investments, SOTTC Film Productions Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Koo Stark was announced for this film but left the project.

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Connections

Referenced in The O.C.: The Shape of Things to Come (2005)

User Reviews

Lost gem for OG Sci Fi geeks of the 70's!

If you were a kid in the seventies and loved Star Wars and the cheesy derivative clones it inspired, from 'Jason of Star Command' to 'Galactica', then this is for you. Of the bigger Star Wars-inspired space fantasies of the era, 'Shape of Things to Come' may have the most most in common with 1979-1981's 'Buck Rogers in the 25th Century' movie and TV series. Though Buck's budget had the advantage, the overall look is quite similar. The cheesy "futuristic" art design, materials and props that were available and may have looked 'far-out' to the 1980 eye are all in place. The lead actress has Erin Gray's 'Wilma Deering' hairdo, and, hey, there's Jack Palance, who played an evil villain in a Buck Rogers 2-parter, playing, well, a evil villain, in a, well, very similar costume. Having Barry Morse from the popular 70's British show 'Space:1999' also thrown in makes for good measure. There's the oh-so-imitated renegade robot, with his domed head and oddly 'Robby the Robot'-esquire body. He's the comic relief. Noting a theme? It's the era. Appreciation of this film is probably purely generational, because the movie is BAD. But it has immense charm. Watching this for the first time in 2009, at age 41, I felt as if I were watching a perfect spoof of the genre I am so nostalgic for.

• Brooke Ellis