Hangar 18 (1980)

Director:

James L. Conway

Writers:

Thomas C. Chapman (story) &
James L. Conway (story) ...

Release Date:

6 May 1982 (Australia)

Genre:

Action | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

It started with an accident in space . . . and led to the terrifying secret in . . . HANGAR 18

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...

Plot Keywords:

UFO | Space | Alien Space Craft | Conspiracy | Decapitation

Cast

Gary Collins	...	Steve Bancroft
Robert Vaughn	...	Gordon Cain
James Hampton	...	Lew Price
Philip Abbott	...	Lt. General Frank Morrison
Joseph Campanella	...	Frank Lafferty
Pamela Bellwood	...	Dr. Sarah Michaels
Tom Hallick	...	Phil Cameron
Steven Keats	...	Dr. Paul Bannister
William Schallert	...	Professor Mills
Darren McGavin	...	NASA Deputy Director Harry Forbes
Cliff Osmond	...	Sheriff Duane Barlow
Andrew Bloch	...	Neal Kelso
Stuart Pankin	...	Sam Tate
Betty Ann Carr	...	Flo Mattson
H.M. Wynant	...	Flight Director

Also Known As:

Invasion Force

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

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:

Big Spring, Texas, USA

Company:

Sunn Classic Pictures

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.

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.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Hangar 18 (#1.19)" (1989)

Thumbs Up From Me!

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?