Hangar 18 (1980)

Shortly after the launch of a satellite from a space shuttle the satellite collides with an UFO in front of the crew's eyes. Because of an election campaign some politicians try to hide the... See full summary »

Director:

James L. Conway

Writers:

Ken Pettus (screenplay) (as Steven Thornley), Thomas C. Chapman (story) (as Tom Chapman)

Stars:

Darren McGavin, Robert Vaughn, Gary Collins

Cast

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

Storyline

Shortly after the launch of a satellite from a space shuttle the satellite collides with an UFO in front of the crew's eyes. Because of an election campaign some politicians try to hide the crashed UFO -- inside hangar 18.

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Plot Keywords:

arizona desert | desert | arizona | territory | arizona territory | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Action | Biography | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 March 1981 (Ireland)

Also Known As:

Invasion Force

Filming Locations:

Big Spring, Texas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$11,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$6,000,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sunn Classic Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Star Billing on movie posters had Darren McGavin (1st), Robert Vaughn (2nd), Gary Collins (3rd) with British quads having James Hampton (4th). The film's opening credits have Collins first followed by Vaughn second with Hampton third.

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Goofs

In the first car chase, the agents' car sustains side damage from attempting to force the astronauts' pickup truck off the road. However, when the car turns onto the bridge it is seen to have gained severe damage to the front bumper and bonnet/hood. As it crashes through the side of the bridge its front is again undamaged.

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Quotes

Harry Forbes: Again. Punch it in again. And make sure.
Neal Kelso: I tried three times, Harry. I keep on getting the same answer. These are all designated landing areas.
Harry Forbes: Oh my God, they're coming back!

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Alternate Versions

Aired on TV under the title _Invasion Force (1980)_, with a different ending.

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Connections

References Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

User Reviews

should you watch this?

Well if your reading this your either bored, deciding on whether or not to watch it or just trying to get some perspective. So lemme' clear the air.

First off, this is a sci-fi movie in the way the smith/goldbloom blockbuster "independance day" is. In other words its not a sci-fi movie but more of a fantasy action drama. You could even consider it a kind of cop chase movie crammed with ample techno-psycho babble. But I don't think those genres are quite fitting. I personally deem it a sorta pulpy/campy flick and possibly a soon to be cult classic. That said, don't compare it to "independence day". Think more along the lines of kubrik's "dr. strange love or how i..." Who will like this movie? Well studied and open minded ufo nerds, people who laugh at things that ain't meant to be funny, film students and of course stoners. Who will hate it? People who read the book first, people who like any vin deisel movie or magnolia, film critics and of course stoners. Whats the straight dope? Its very well shot, but its pock marked with terrible and often confusing dialog. It has constant trouble pacing the scenes but the action bits seem way too cool. As a pluss the actors give a serious tour deforce and make sure to keep an eye out for Charlton Heston. By far, the most grooved out aspect is wondering how much of todays media was inspired by this movie.

The best- an astronaut spontaneously stealing a car. The worst- the first 10 minutes. The line to know- "Airplanes crash every day."