Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone (1983)

On a distant planet inhabited by mutants, two bounty-hunters race to rescue three Earth female captives from the clutches of an evil mutant warlord.

Director:

Lamont Johnson

Writers:

Stewart Harding (story), Jean LaFleur (story)

Stars:

Peter Strauss, Molly Ringwald, Ernie Hudson

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Peter Strauss	...	Wolff
Molly Ringwald	...	Niki
Ernie Hudson	...	Washington
Andrea Marcovicci	...	Chalmers
Michael Ironside	...	Overdog
Beeson Carroll	...	Grandman Patterson
Hrant Alianak	...	Chemist
Deborah Pratt	...	Meagan
Aleisa Shirley	...	Reena
Cali Timmins	...	Nova
Paul Boretski	...	Jarrett
Patrick Rowe	...	Duster
Reggie Bennett	...	Barracuda Leader

Storyline

Three women make an emergency landing on a planet plagued with a fatal disease, but are captured by dictator Overdog. Adventurer Wolff goes there to rescue them and meets Niki, the only Earthling left from a medical expedition. Combining their talents, they try to rescue the women.

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Plot Keywords:

camp | 3d | low budget sci fi movie | dictator | sword and planet | 

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Taglines:

Wolff and Nikki. He's an interstellar adventurer. She's a young rebel. Together they set out on a mission to rescue three stranded women. From a planet no one has warned them about. Because no one has ever returned.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

While it was common for 3-D movies to also be released simultaneously in flat versions, the two versions of this movie were shown at different aspect ratios. 3-D prints were projected at 2.35:1, while flat prints were only 1.85:1. Thus, the flat widescreen DVD version from Columbia TriStar is correctly presented at 1.85:1 and not 2.35:1, as erroneously listed on the DVD case.

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Goofs

At 32:04, when Niki cuddles up with Wolff, her hand is dirty but it is plain to see that actress Molly Ringwald has recently had a manicure.

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Quotes

Nicki: Y'know, there's room for two in there, if they was cozy.
Wolff: Well, we ain't cozy.

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Alternate Versions

Released in Japan on the short-lived VHD format in 3-D. This disc has been widely copied to make bootleg tapes and DVDs.

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Connections

References Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

User Reviews

good Sci-Fi film that got overlooked

Take star wars, mad max 1, 2, 3, running man, barbarella, and some terry gilliam films, mix them together and you have spacehunter. some of these films were made after this one so it shows some originality. I never get tired of watching this film, i think is because there are no dull moments, its just one great scene after another. Its obviously a light hearted sci-fi and the story isn't exactly complicated but it has lots of good points. there are quite a lot of chuckle moments with the strange speak from Niki and the one liners from the reluctant baby sitter Wolf.

The effects are very good and still hold up especially the vehicles, no CGI here! I just like the look of it too the colour filters and locations are great to see. well worth a watch if you like any of the above films.

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 May 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

Spacehunter

Filming Locations:

The Domes, Casa Grande, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$14,400,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,053,016, 22 May 1983

Gross USA:

$16,478,265

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$16,478,265

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Delphi I Productions, Zone Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo (Dolby 2.0)

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1