Saturn 3 (1980)

Two lovers stationed at a remote base in the asteroid fields of Saturn are intruded upon by a retentive technocrat from Earth and his charge: a malevolent eight foot robot.

Directors:

Stanley Donen, John Barry (uncredited)

Writers:

Martin Amis (screenplay), John Barry (story)

Stars:

Farrah Fawcett, Kirk Douglas, Harvey Keitel

5 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Farrah Fawcett	...	Alex
Kirk Douglas	...	Adam
Harvey Keitel	...	Benson

Storyline

Two lovers stationed at a remote base in the asteroid fields of Saturn are intruded upon by a retentive technocrat from Earth and his charge: a malevolent eight-foot robot. Remember, in space, no one can hear you scream.

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Plot Keywords:

killer robot | female frontal nudity | camp | space ship | malfunctioning android | 

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Taglines:

some thing is watching.... waiting... and wanting on.... SATURN 3

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Genres:

Adventure | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

18A

Did You Know?

Trivia

In his novel "Money", Martin Amis used a great deal of his experience as the screenwriter for this movie as the basis of the book. The director, John Self, is based on this movie's original Director John Barry, and Lorne Guyland is meant as a caricature of Kirk Douglas, the aging star still trying to prove how sexy he was. Caduta bears some resemblance to Sophia Loren, who was not a member of the cast.

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Goofs

When Adam is going to leave Benson 'to the robot', he's about to close the door when it cuts back to Benson pleading on the table. You can see Adam's hand helping him, even though at that point, he's over at the door saying he won't leave him. time 36.46.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Announcement: Captain James, your presence on pad 73, immediate, urgent.

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Alternate Versions

A scene of Adam and Alex taking a recreational blues pill was cut from the original UK cinema version in order for the film to receive an 'A' (PG) certificate. The scene was restored for the later 15-rated video version.

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Connections

Referenced in El crack (1981)

User Reviews

An Underrated Sci-Fi Cult

In the future, Earth is overcrowded and the population relies on distant bases to be fed. In the Saturn 3 station, Major Adam (Kirk Douglas) and the scientist Alex (Farrah Fawcett), who is also his lover and has never been on Earth, have been researching hydroponics for three years in the base alone with their dog Sally.

Meanwhile, the psychotic Captain Benson (Harvey Keitel) fails the mental test required to travel to Saturn 3 and kills his replacement, Captain James, taking his place in the mission of assembling and programming the Demi-God series robot Hector to replace one of the scientists in Saturn 3.

On the arrival, the mentally disturbed Captain Benson becomes sexually obsessed for Alex. Then he uses an interface to link his brain to program Hector, but incapable to control his emotions, he transfers his homicidal tendency and insanity to Hector. Now Major Adam and Alex are trapped in the station with a dangerous psychopath robot.

"Saturn 3" is an underrated sci-fi cult from the 80's with a dark story that has not aged. The plot is very simple but creepy and the cast is very well selected: Kirk Douglas very mature but still handsome, convincing that Major Adam is capable to seduce Alex. The underrated actress Farrah Fawcett in the top of her beauty and showing parts of her body, seducing not only the psychopath Captain Benson but ( I believe) most of the male viewers. And Harvey Keitel is perfect as a mentally unstable man with sex drive on Alex. The non-commercial conclusion is also excellent and perfect for the story. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Missão Saturno 3" ("Mission Saturn 3")

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 May 1980 (UK)

Also Known As:

Saturn 3

Filming Locations:

Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

GBP10,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$9,000,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$9,000,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

ITC Films, Elliott Kastner Productions, Transcontinental Film Productions (London)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo (35 mm prints) 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1