Escape Velocity (1999)

A psychotic spaceman takes over a deep-space observatory manned by a scientist, his wife, and teenage daughter.

Director:

Lloyd A. Simandl

Writers:

Paul A. Birkett, Mike Rohl (additional story)

Stars:

Wendy Crewson, Patrick Bergin, Peter Outerbridge

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Wendy Crewson	...	Billie (Ronnie's mom)
Patrick Bergin	...	Cal (captain of the Harbinger)
Peter Outerbridge	...	Lee Nash aka Carter
Michelle Beaudoin	...	Ronnie (Veronica)
Patrik Stanek	...	Jansen (escaped con)
Pavel Bezdek	...	Lars (escaped con)
David Nykl	...	Russell aka the Priest
Emil Linka	...	Glenn (escaped con)
Gerard Whelan	...	Liam (escaped con)
Robert Russell	...	Mesa Verde warden
Mike McGuffie	...	Technician (Executioner)

Storyline

A psychotic spaceman takes over a deep-space observatory manned by a scientist, his wife, and teenage daughter.

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Plot Keywords:

czechploitation | independent film

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Taglines:

In Deep Space, There's Lots of Time to Kill.

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Genres:

Action | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence

Details

Country:

Canada Czech Republic

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 October 2002 (UK)

Also Known As:

Antarsia sto diastima

Filming Locations:

Milin, Czech Republic

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min 96 min (Ontario)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Cal is examining the missile specs, the display shows the yield as 0.7 kJ (kiloJoules), the same amount of energy used by a 100W light bulb in seven seconds - scarcely terrifying as a missile.

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Connections

Edited from Downdraft (1996)

User Reviews

Very odd mix of good and bad stuff

Don't let the fact that this is set in a space station orbiting a star about to go nova fool you. This is a low tech story. Their ship is huge, but for no apparent purpose other than to provide a lot of corridors in which to play cat and mouse. The conflicts are solved with 1980's vintage firearms and in some cases a knife.

This movie bounces between some great parts and many that make absolutely no sense whatsover. I like the characters; the actors are excellent at making them work. But what kind of mom thinks its the right thing to do for a 16 year old daughter to get over her fathers death is to spend nearly two years in an isolated space station? No contact with anyone but her mom and stepdad-to-be. By the time a guy shows up the poor kid is so horny that she damn near mounts him even before he comes out of cryo-stasis! (This happens on her 18th birthday, which mom forgot about.)

The inevitable fight sequences is where the movie works best. Enjoy it for that and forget the rest.