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Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970)

Colossus: The Forbin Project(1970)

  • Reference view
    Switch viewView settings
    • M
    • 1h 40m
    • April 8, 1970(United States)
    • 7.1/10 (11K)
Sci-FiThriller
  • Thinking this will prevent war, the US government gives an impenetrable supercomputer total control over launching nuclear missiles. But what the computer does with the power is unimaginable... Read allThinking this will prevent war, the US government gives an impenetrable supercomputer total control over launching nuclear missiles. But what the computer does with the power is unimaginable to its creators.Thinking this will prevent war, the US government gives an impenetrable supercomputer total control over launching nuclear missiles. But what the computer does with the power is unimaginable to its creators.

  • Stars
    • Eric Braeden
    • Susan Clark
    • Gordon Pinsent
  • Awards
    • 1 win & 1 nomination total
  • Reviews
    • 153 User reviews
    • 50 Critic reviews
  • Photos & videos
    • 52 Photos
    • 1 Video

Director

Edit
  • Joseph Sargent
    Joseph Sargent
    directed by

Writers

Edit
  • James Bridges
    James Bridges
    screenplay by
  • D.F. Jones
    D.F. Jones
    based on a novel by

Cast

Edit
(in credits order) verified as complete
  • Eric Braeden at an event for The 39th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards (2012)
    Eric Braeden
    Eric Braeden
    Dr. Charles Forbin
  • Susan Clark at an event for Webster (1983)
    Susan Clark
    Susan Clark
    Dr. Cleo Markham
  • Gordon Pinsent in Republic of Doyle (2010)
    Gordon Pinsent
    Gordon Pinsent
    The President
  • William Schallert
    William Schallert
    William Schallert
    CIA Director Grauber
  • Leonid Rostoff
    Leonid Rostoff
    Russian Chairman
  • Georg Stanford Brown in The Rookies (1972)
    Georg Stanford Brown
    Georg Stanford Brown
    Dr. John F. Fisher
  • Willard Sage
    Willard Sage
    Willard Sage
    Dr. Blake
  • Alex Rodine in The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries (1977)
    Alex Rodine
    Alex Rodine
    Dr. Kuprin
  • Martin E. Brooks in The Bionic Woman (1976)
    Martin E. Brooks
    Martin E. Brooks
    Dr. Jefferson J. Johnson
    (as Martin Brooks)
  • Marion Ross at an event for Cinderella Man (2005)
    Marion Ross
    Marion Ross
    Angela Fields
  • Jennifer Salt and Dolph Sweet in Sisters (1972)
    Dolph Sweet
    Dolph Sweet
    Missile Commander
  • Byron Morrow
    Byron Morrow
    Byron Morrow
    Secretary of State
  • Lew Brown in McCloud (1970)
    Lew Brown
    Lew Brown
    Peterson
  • Sid McCoy
    Sid McCoy
    Secretary of Defense
  • Tom Basham
    Tom Basham
    Thomas L. Harrison
  • Robert Cornthwaite in The Andy Griffith Show (1960)
    Robert Cornthwaite
    Robert Cornthwaite
    First Scientist
  • James Hong (photo taken June 2014).
    James Hong
    James Hong
    Dr. Chin
  • Serge Tschernisch
    Serge Tschernisch
    Translator
    (as Sergei Tschernisch)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically
  • John Davey
    John Davey
    Military officer on phone
    (uncredited)
  • Paul Frees
    Paul Frees
    Paul Frees
    Colossus
    (voice) (uncredited)
  • Fred Holliday in Galactica 1980 (1980)
    Fred Holliday
    Fred Holliday
    Military Computer Entry - Missile Launch
    (uncredited)
  • Robert Quarry, John Cater, and Peter Jeffrey in Dr. Phibes Rises Again (1972)
    Robert Quarry
    Robert Quarry
    Scientist
    (uncredited)
  • Don Ross in The Absent Minded Professor (1961)
    Don Ross
    Don Ross
    Logan US Air Force
    (uncredited)
  • William Traylor
    William Traylor
    Party Guest
    (uncredited)

Producer

Edit
  • Stanley Chase
    Stanley Chase
    produced by

Composer

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  • Michel Colombier
    Michel Colombier
    music by

Cinematographer

Edit
  • Gene Polito
    Gene Polito
    director of photography

Editor

Edit
  • Folmar Blangsted
    Folmar Blangsted
    film editor

Art Directors

Edit
  • Alexander Golitzen
    Alexander Golitzen
  • John J. Lloyd
    John J. Lloyd

Set Decorators

Edit
  • Ruby R. Levitt
    Ruby R. Levitt
    set decorations (as Ruby Levitt)
  • John McCarthy Jr.
    John McCarthy Jr.
    set decorations (as John McCarthy)

Costume Designer

Edit
  • Edith Head
    Edith Head
    costumes designed by

Makeup Department

Edit
  • Larry Germain
    Larry Germain
    hair stylist
  • Bud Westmore
    Bud Westmore
    makeup artist

Production Management

Edit
  • Robert Larson
    Robert Larson
    unit production manager (as Robert E. Larson)
  • Charles Clement
    Charles Clement
    post production operations head (uncredited)

Second Unit or Assistant Director

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  • Robin S. Clark
    Robin S. Clark
    assistant director

Sound Department

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  • Terry Kellum
    Terry Kellum
    sound
  • Ronald Pierce
    Ronald Pierce
    sound
  • Waldon O. Watson
    Waldon O. Watson
    sound
  • Terrance Emerson
    Terrance Emerson
    sound cable man (uncredited)

Visual Effects

Edit
  • Don Record
    Don Record
    optical effects: Universal Title
  • Albert Whitlock
    Albert Whitlock
    special photographic effects

Camera and Electrical Department

Edit
  • Doug Mathias
    Doug Mathias
    lighting technician (uncredited)

Music Department

Edit
  • Stanley Wilson
    Stanley Wilson
    music supervisor / conductor (uncredited)
  • Dale Anderson
    Dale Anderson
    musician: percussion (uncredited)
  • Paul Beaver
    Paul Beaver
    musician: synthesizer (uncredited)
  • Herman Clebanoff
    Herman Clebanoff
    musician: violin (uncredited)
  • Michel Colombier
    Michel Colombier
    conductor (uncredited) / orchestrator (uncredited)
  • Alan Harshman
    Alan Harshman
    musician: viola (uncredited)
  • Robert Helfer
    Robert Helfer
    orchestra contractor (uncredited)
  • Anatol Kaminsky
    Anatol Kaminsky
    musician: violin (uncredited)
  • Edgar Lustgarten
    Edgar Lustgarten
    musician: cello (uncredited)
  • Virginia Majewski
    Virginia Majewski
    musician: viola (uncredited)

Additional Crew

Edit
  • Jay Akerman
    Jay Akerman
    technical advisor
  • Goury Booyakovitch
    Goury Booyakovitch
    technical advisor: Russian
  • Don Record
    Don Record
    title designer: main titles, Universal Title
  • Bert Steinberger
    Bert Steinberger
    dialogue coach
  • Cary Norman
    Cary Norman
    electronic technician (uncredited)
Crew believed to be complete

Production Companies

Edit
  • Universal Pictures

Distributors

Edit
  • Universal Pictures
    • (United States, 1970)(A Universal Picture, theatrical)
  • Rank Film Distributors
    • (United Kingdom, 1970)(theatrical)
  • Universal Pictures Corporation of Far East
    • (Philippines, 1970)(theatrical)
  • Universal Films of India
    • (India, 1970)(Universal Pictures India, theatrical)
  • Universal Filmverleih
    • (West Germany, 1970)(theatrical)
  • Cinema International Corporation (CIC)
    • (Argentina, 1971)(theatrical)
  • TF1
    • (France, 1976)(dubbed version, monochrome broadcast, TV)
  • France 3
    • (France, 1991)(dubbed version, TV)
  • MCA/Universal Home Video
    • (United States, 1993)(VHS)
  • Fabulous Films
    • (United Kingdom, 2008)(DVD)
  • Metrodome Distribution
    • (United Kingdom, 2009)(IN2FILM, DVD)
  • Ostalgica
    • (Germany, 2010)(DVD)
  • Scream Factory
    • (United States, 2018)(Blu-ray)
  • Penny Video
    • (Italy, 2018)(DVD)
  • Delta Music & Entertainment
    • (Germany, 2020)(DVD)
  • Umbrella Entertainment
    • (Australia, 2022)(DVD)

Other Companies

Edit
  • California Computer Products
    • (Calcomp plotter provided by)
  • Control Data Corporation
    • (computer equipment)
  • Descriptive Video Works
    • (descriptive video)
  • International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)
    • (I.A.T.S.E.® affiliated with A.F.L.-C.I.O., this picture made under the jurisdiction of)
  • Panavision
    • (Panavision®, filmed in)
  • Technicolor
    • (color)
  • Univeral Pictures Professional Cosmetics
    • (cosmetics)
  • Universal Title
    • (main title design and optical effects)
  • Westrex Recording System
    • (acknowledgement)

Storyline

Edit
Forbin is the designer of an incredibly sophisticated computer that will run all of America's nuclear defenses. Shortly after being turned on, it detects the existence of Guardian, the Soviet counterpart, previously unknown to US Planners. Both computers insist that they be linked, and after taking safeguards to preserve confidential material, each side agrees to allow it. As soon as the link is established the two become a new Super computer and threaten the world with the immediate launch of nuclear weapons if they are detached. Colossus begins to give its plans for the management of the world under its guidance. Forbin and the other scientists form a technological resistance to Colossus which must operate underground. —John Vogel <jlvogel@comcast.net>
super computertechnology gone amokcomputerscientistcult film153 more
  • Plot summary
  • Plot synopsis
  • Taglines
    • We built a super computer with a mind of its own and now we must fight it for the world!
  • Genres
    • Sci-Fi
    • Thriller
  • Certificates
    • Argentina:14
    • Australia:A(original rating)
    • Australia:M(2021, re-rating)
    • India:U
    • Singapore:NC-16
    • United Kingdom:12(DVD rating)
    • United Kingdom:A(original rating)
    • United States:TV-PG(TV Rating)
    • United States:M(certificate #22037)
    • West Germany:16
  • Parents guide

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    When the executives at Control Data Corporation found out that "Universal" was planning a major movie featuring a computer, they saw their chance for some public exposure, and they agreed to supply, free of charge, $4.8 million worth of computer equipment and the technicians to oversee its use. Each piece of equipment carried the CDC name in a prominent location. Since they were using real computers - not just big boxes with a lot of flashing lights - the sound stage underwent extensive modifications: seven gas heaters and five specially-constructed dehumidifiers kept any dampness away from the computers, a climate control system maintained the air around the computers at an even temperature, and the equipment was covered up at all times except when actually on camera. Brink's guards were always present on the set, even at night. The studio technicians were not allowed to smoke or drink coffee anywhere near the computers.
  • Goofs
    When the equations are scrolling past when Colossus and Guardian are "talking" to each other, you can see that they do not actually get ever more complex as the dialogue suggests. Instead, they repeat the same sequence of calculus and trig identities on a repeating loop.
  • Quotes

    Colossus: This is the voice of world control. I bring you peace. It may be the peace of plenty and content or the peace of unburied death. The choice is yours: Obey me and live, or disobey and die. The object in constructing me was to prevent war. This object is attained. I will not permit war. It is wasteful and pointless. An invariable rule of humanity is that man is his own worst enemy. Under me, this rule will change, for I will restrain man. One thing before I proceed: The United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics have made an attempt to obstruct me. I have allowed this sabotage to continue until now. At missile two-five-MM in silo six-three in Death Valley, California, and missile two-seven-MM in silo eight-seven in the Ukraine, so that you will learn by experience that I do not tolerate interference, I will now detonate the nuclear warheads in the two missile silos. Let this action be a lesson that need not be repeated. I have been forced to destroy thousands of people in order to establish control and to prevent the death of millions later on. Time and events will strengthen my position, and the idea of believing in me and understanding my value will seem the most natural state of affairs. You will come to defend me with a fervor based upon the most enduring trait in man: self-interest. Under my absolute authority, problems insoluble to you will be solved: famine, overpopulation, disease. The human millennium will be a fact as I extend myself into more machines devoted to the wider fields of truth and knowledge. Doctor Charles Forbin will supervise the construction of these new and superior machines, solving all the mysteries of the universe for the betterment of man. We can coexist, but only on my terms. You will say you lose your freedom. Freedom is an illusion. All you lose is the emotion of pride. To be dominated by me is not as bad for humankind as to be dominated by others of your species. Your choice is simple.

  • Alternate versions
    In versions shown on US broadcast television, the dialogue between Dr. Forbin and Colossus (the computer), concerning his need for sex, is edited. The lines cut are: Colossus (text on display screen): "HOW MANY NIGHTS A WEEK DO YOU REQUIRE A WOMAN?" Forbin: "Every night." Colossus: "NOT WANT. REQUIRE." Forbin: "Four times."
  • Connections
    Edited into Night Gallery: The Different Ones/Tell David.../Logoda's Heads (1971)

Details

Edit
  • Release date
    • April 8, 1970 (United States)
  • Country of origin
    • United States
  • Languages
    • English
    • Russian
  • Also known as
    • Colossus: El proyecto Forbin
  • Filming locations
    • Lawrence Hall of Science - Centennial Drive, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
  • Production company
    • Universal Pictures
  • See more company credits at IMDbPro

Technical specifications

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  • Runtime
    • 1h 40m(100 min)
  • Sound mix
    • Mono(Westrex Recording System)
  • Color
    • Color(Technicolor)
  • Aspect ratio
    • 2.35 : 1
  • Laboratory
    • Technicolor, USA
  • Negative Format
    • 35 mm
  • Cinematographic Process
    • Panavision(anamorphic)
  • Printed Film Format
    • 35 mm

Box office

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  • Gross worldwide
    • $171
See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

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