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The Andromeda Strain (1971)

G | | Sci-Fi, Thriller | 12 March 1971 (USA)
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A group of scientists investigate a deadly new alien virus before it can spread.

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(novel), (screenplay)

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Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
... Dr. Jeremy Stone
... Dr. Charles Dutton
... Dr. Mark Hall
... Dr. Ruth Leavitt
... Karen Anson
... Jackson
... Major Manchek
Kermit Murdock ... Dr. Robertson
Richard O'Brien ... Grimes
... General Sparks
... Senator from Vermont
Mark Jenkins ... Lt. Shawn (Piedmont team)
Peter Helm ... Sgt. Crane (Piedmont team)
Joe Di Reda ... Wildfire Computer Sgt. Burk (as Joe DiReda)
Carl Reindel ... Lt. Comroe
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Storyline

When virtually all of the residents of Piedmont, New Mexico, are found dead after the return to Earth of a space satellite, the head of the US Air Force's Project Scoop declares an emergency. Many years prior to this incident, a group of eminent scientists led by Dr. Jeremy Stone (Arthur Hill) advocated for the construction of a secure laboratory facility that would serve as a base in the event an alien biological life form was returned to Earth from a space mission. Stone and his team - Drs. Dutton, Leavitt and Hall (David Wayne, Kate Reid, and James Olson, respectively)- go to the facility, known as Wildfire, and try to first isolate the life form while determining why two people from Piedmont (an old wino and a six-month-old baby) survived. The scientists methodically study the alien life form unaware that it has already mutated and presents a far greater danger in the lab, which is equipped with a nuclear self-destruct device should it manage to escape. Written by garykmcd

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

scientist | alien | new mexico | based on novel | new mexico desert | See All (108) »

Taglines:

The picture runs 130 minutes!... The story covers 96 of the most critical hours in man's history!... The suspense will last through your lifetime! See more »

Genres:

Sci-Fi | Thriller

Certificate:

G | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

12 March 1971 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Andromeda - Tödlicher Staub aus dem All  »

Filming Locations:

 »
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Box Office

Budget:

$6,500,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$12,376,563, 31 December 1971
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (video)

Sound Mix:

(70 mm prints) (Westrex Recording System)| (35 mm prints)

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The germ from space cost $250,000 to create in special effects. See more »

Goofs

When Hall first uses the Medcom program on the computer in Level 5, the word "analysis" is misspelled as "ANALYS". See more »

Quotes

Dr. Mark Hall: I'll have the answer when I know why a sixty-nine-year-old sterno drinker with an ulcer is like a normal six-month-old baby.
See more »

Crazy Credits

There is no music over the end credits. See more »

Connections

Featured in To the Galaxy and Beyond with Mark Hamill (1997) See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did they select 'Andromeda' as a code name?
Q: What kind of organism is Andromeda?
Q: What is 'The Andromeda Strain' about?
See more »

User Reviews

 
Near Perfect
20 March 2003 | by – See all my reviews

Robert Wise is an under rated director but in his body of work are such gems as 'The Body Snatcher', 'The Set-Up', 'The Day the Earth Stood Still', 'Odds Against Tomorrow', 'The Haunting', 'West Side Story', 'I Want to Live!' and on its own terms, 'The Sound of Music'. He managed to make genre films more interesting and watchable than other more celebrated directors.

'The Andromeda Strain' is an engrossing film from beginning to end. It is science fiction, alien virus comes to earth type thing, but has more depth than just that. The scientists, played very well by Arthur Hill, David Wayne, Kate Reid and James Olson, are fallible and have real emotions. Yet in them is a longing to know, to discover, to solve. Most popular cinema celebrate the fist or the gun but part of the excitement of this film is the use of the intellect to tackle the problem. Brains and not brawn is key.

The early scenes in the town of Piedmont are fascinating. Nothing dramatic, only small details adding up to a large tragedy. Restrained film making is not common but in this case it is really effective. After these scenes the film moves on as fear and wonder grip the scientists to a satisfying conclusion.

The electronic music is just right, the sets are atmospheric, the hard ware plausible and the photography simple and effective. A mention should be made of Paula Kelly as a nurse, an excellent actor and shamefully under used in films. (She is great in 'Sweet Charity' too.)In a supporting role she gives an intelligent, spirited performance.

A near perfect film. Hopefully no one will re-make it.
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