IMDb > Hangar 18 (1980)

Hangar 18 (1980) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
5.0/10   608 votes
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Director:
Writers:
Thomas C. Chapman (story) &
James L. Conway (story) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for Hangar 18 on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
6 May 1982 (Australia) more
Genre:
Tagline:
It started with an accident in space . . . and led to the terrifying secret in . . . HANGAR 18 more
Plot:
Shortly after the launch of a satellite from a space shuttle the satellite collides with an UFO in front of the crew's eyes... more | add synopsis
User Comments:
Thumbs Up From Me! more (24 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Invasion Force
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Runtime:
97 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Iceland:12 | Australia:PG | Sweden:15 | UK:PG | USA:PG | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba)
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
This film was produced by Sunn Classic Pictures, the leading "four-wall" distributor of documentaries. Although this was a straight science fiction film, Sunn's TV spots promoted it as if it were another of their documentaries that would "reveal the truth about UFOs" even though the space shuttle which was used in the film had not yet had its first launch. more
Goofs:
Plot holes: To cover up the UFO landing, Cain and Lafferty decide to discredit Steve and Lew publicly, then just "keep an eye on them." They do not take Steve and Lew into custody, sequester them, or put any kind of pressure on them not to make waves, even after Steve and Lew indirectly cause the deaths of two government agents. This seems to be the worst possible way to cover up a story, as it all but guarantees the two heroes will make trouble. more
Movie Connections:

FAQ

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10 out of 14 people found the following comment useful.
Thumbs Up From Me!, 8 July 2004

Lots of bad press here for Hangar 18, but I was pleasantly surprised with its taught yet somewhat far-fetched script, believable acting(not grandiose by any standards), and fast, compelling pace. Sure, this is a lot of hokey sci-fi stuff about the government hiding an alien ship, discrediting astronauts to save one man's election, and eventually...well, can't say too much more without letting the proverbial cat out of the bag. I guess it is out of the realm of possibility that OUR government would do any of those terrible things? For a feature film, its budget is rather...OK, very small.

The film definitely has the look and feel of one of those good 70s television movies on a Friday or Saturday night. Gary Collins and James Hampton play the astronauts out to prove they have been set up after witnessing a spaceship whilst sending a satellite into orbit. Both actors are competent if nothing else in their roles. Throw in Robert Vaughn, William Schallert, Joseph Campanella and some other luminaries from the small screen. All the actors do competent jobs. The big acting bonus is Darren McGavin as the man in charge of learning about the alien spacecraft. McGavin plays the role with great credibility. Anyone else notice his Kolchak swagger and sneakers throughout the film? Hangar 18 more than anything for me made me think about certain things. The story has just enough juice to be almost profound at times. Now, I know it has cheesy effects...the aliens look like slimmed-down versions of Uncle Fester, but there are a lot of big budget sci-fi films that never generate any thought. Did you see The Matrix III?

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