Short Circuit (1986)

Number 5 of a group of experimental robots in a lab is electrocuted, suddenly becomes intelligent, and escapes.

Director:

John Badham

Writers:

S.S. Wilson, Brent Maddock

Stars:

Ally Sheedy, Steve Guttenberg, Fisher Stevens

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ally Sheedy	...	Stephanie Speck
Steve Guttenberg	...	Newton Crosby
Fisher Stevens	...	Ben Jabituya
Austin Pendleton	...	Howard Marner
G.W. Bailey	...	Skroeder
Brian McNamara	...	Frank
Tim Blaney	...	Number 5 (voice)
Marvin J. McIntyre	...	Duke
John Garber	...	Otis
Penny Santon	...	Mrs. Cepeda
Vernon Weddle	...	General Washburne
Barbara Tarbuck	...	Senator Mills
Tom Lawrence	...	Howard Marner's Aide
Fred Slyter	...	Norman
Billy Ray Sharkey	...	Zack

Storyline

Number 5, one of a group of experimental military robots, undergoes a sudden transformation after being struck by lightning. He develops self-awareness, consciousness, and a fear of the reprogramming that awaits him back at the factory. With the help of a young woman, Number 5 tries to evade capture and convince his creator that he has truly become alive.

---

Plot Keywords:

animal lover | artificial intelligence | robot | struck by lightning | lightning | 

---

Taglines:

Something wonderful has happened... Number Five is alive!

---

Genres:

Comedy | Family | Sci-Fi

---

Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

CASTLE THUNDER: Heard as the thunderstorm rolls in at the beginning of the film.

---

Goofs

When Stephenie first sees Number 5 and says "I knew they'd pick me! I just knew it!" the sound is slightly our of sync with her mouth movements.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Number 4: Enemy neutralized. Ladies and gentlemen, objective completed.

---

Crazy Credits

The credits are played out over a montage of scenes from the movie, including a pair of scenes that failed to make the final cut. One involves an encounter between Number 5 and a toy robot, the other involves a scene in a scrap yard where a scrapped car that Number 5 is currently sitting in is crushed.

---

Connections

Referenced in DVD-R Hell: Colby the Christian Robot (2019)

---

Soundtracks

Who's Johnny
("Short Circuit" Theme)
Written by Péter Wolf (as Peter Wolf) and Ina Wolf
Performed by El DeBarge
Courtesy of Motown Records

User Reviews

This movie has been under-rated

This is NOT one of the best movies of all time, and I am not going to try to tell you that it is, however, this movie has been made well and considering it was made in 1986, it's funny. It's not 2003 funny, but it IS 1986 hilarious. The movie kept me laughing enough, and I felt that the ending was also a nice one. I'm not going to spoil the movie as to what makes the ending great, but I liked the way the movie ended.

I also think that the type of people who would enjoy this movie are the people who feel like Newton Crosby. He's devoted his entire life to something (science and technology), just to have others who used to be devoted to it steal it all away from him. It's almost like the whole movie you want to score one for the little guy. Most of us have been there at some point in our lives. This movie kind of captures that, and if you watch the movie with that intent, it does keep the viewer intrigued.

The movie also makes you appreciate what your life is, when you see just what the robot can do, and you realize just what your mind is capable of.

All in all, I think I found it a lot more touching than it should have been, because it was 3:15am when I started watching it, and I THINK I watched the movie Pi right before it.

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 May 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Short Circuit

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,346,808, 11 May 1986

Gross USA:

$40,697,761

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$40,697,761

Company Credits

Production Co:

TriStar Pictures, Producers Sales Organization (PSO), Turman-Foster Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1