![]() ![]() US Congressman Hollis (David Huddleston), who has a vested interested in the space program for his district, finds himself seated next to Vice President Price (James Karen) and his wife. An Apollo-era Saturn V stands on the launchpad, as VIPs are seated outdoors to observe the launch. The movie opens on a January morning space launch at Cape Canaveral, Florida, circa late 1970s. “Capricorn One” (1977) US Congressman Hollis (David Huddleston) antagonizes Vice-President Price (James Karen) and his wife (Virginia Price) by debating space program funding at the ‘launch’ of Capricorn One. While I only remember seeing the movie on TV growing up ( missed it in theatrical release), I screened it on a 7 ft/2 meter screen via my HD digital projector in a darkened room for this review, to give it as close to a theatrical presentation as possible. I intend to review “Capricorn One” as a movie, not a docudrama. Writer/director Peter Hyams ( “Outland,” “2010: The Year We Make Contact”) has crafted a cynical, suspenseful, well-acted thriller with just enough action, humor and adventure to make the inherently ridiculous premise go down that much easier. ![]() With that out of the way, the primary focus of this column is sci-fi/fantasy entertainment, and in that regard, “Capricorn One”-despite its inherently ridiculous premise ( which I’ll get into later)-is a very entertaining movie with a solid cast, and some of the best ( practical) aerial stunt footage prior to “Top Gun: Maverick” (2022). A mission to Mars is faked in “Capricorn One” the movie that added fuel to the fire of many conspiracy theorists… I’m a firm believer in the manifold accomplishments of global space programs, so I don’t subscribe to nutty conspiracy theories. As longtime readers of this site might’ve gleaned over the past six or so years, I’m a longtime, passionate fan of real-life space exploration, having been a member of The Planetary Society for nearly 30 years. I am not, nor have I ever been someone who doubts the validity of the Apollo manned lunar landings. I feel the need to preface this review/analysis of 1977’s “Capricorn One” with a bit of personal opinion, since we live in an age where easily verifiable and demonstrable facts are currently called into question ( i.e, the rise of Flat Earth and anti-vaccination movements). ![]()
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