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The Andromeda Strain (1971)

G  |   |  Sci-Fi, Thriller  |  12 March 1971 (USA)
7.2
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Ratings: 7.2/10 from 24,291 users  
Reviews: 170 user | 53 critic

A group of scientists investigates a deadly new alien virus before it can spread.

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(novel), (screenplay)
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Title: The Andromeda Strain (1971)

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Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Arthur Hill ...
...
...
...
...
George Mitchell ...
Jackson
Ramon Bieri ...
Major Manchek
Kermit Murdock ...
Dr. Robertson
Richard O'Brien ...
Grimes
Peter Hobbs ...
General Sparks
...
Senator from Vermont
Mark Jenkins ...
Lt. Shawn (Piedmont team)
Peter Helm ...
Sgt. Crane (Piedmont team)
Joe Di Reda ...
Wildfire Computer Sgt. Burk (as Joe DiReda)
Carl Reindel ...
Lt. Comroe
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Storyline

When virtually all of the residents of Piedmont, New Mexico, are found dead after the return to Earth of a space satellite, the head of the US Air Force's Project Scoop declares an emergency. Many years prior to this incident, a group of eminent scientists led by Dr. Jeremy Stone advocated for the construction of a secure laboratory facility that would serve as a base in the event an alien biological life form was returned to Earth from a space mission. Stone and his team - Drs. Dutton, Leavitt and Hall - go to the facility, known as Wildfire, and try to first isolate the life form while determining why two people from Piedmont (an old wino and a six-month-old baby) survived. The scientists methodically study the alien life form unaware that it has already mutated and presents a far greater danger in the lab, which is equipped with a nuclear self-destruct device should it manage to escape. Written by garykmcd

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

The picture runs 130 minutes!... The story covers 96 of the most critical hours in man's history!... The suspense will last through your lifetime!

Genres:

Sci-Fi | Thriller

Certificate:

G | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

12 March 1971 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Andromeda - Tödlicher Staub aus dem All  »

Box Office

Budget:

$6,500,000 (estimated)
 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (video)

Sound Mix:

(70 mm prints) (Westrex Recording System)| (35 mm prints)

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Michael Crichton was invited to take a tour of Universal Studios during the production of this film. His guide was none other than Steven Spielberg, who went on to adapt Crichton's most successful novel, Jurassic Park (1993). See more »

Goofs

According to the map shown after the Situation Room scene, Wildfire was located in southern Clark County, Nevada, 46 miles from downtown Las Vegas, 34 miles from the Hoover Dam, and only five miles from Searchlight, Nevada (the smaller black dot below Wildfire); notably closer than 112 miles from any "...inhabited area..." as stated in the dialogue. See more »

Quotes

Dr. Mark Hall: [reading suicide note] "The day of judgment is at hand. Have mercy on my soul, and to hell with all the others. Amen."
Dr. Jeremy Stone: Senile...
Dr. Mark Hall: This took time. Regardless of what made her do it, it took time. There's a chance someone's still alive.
See more »

Crazy Credits

There is no music over the end credits. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Evolution (2001) See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
The finest example of how to make science-fiction movies
23 December 2002 | by See all my reviews

The Andromeda Strain is virtually perfect. And it doesn't need the special effects of Alien to succeed in telling the similar story of alien life and our contact with it. The movie is captivating right from the starting credits that introduce us to story. Of course, the director had a brilliant novel of Michael Crichton, but he also did his best to bring this novel to the screen sacrificing neither the main idea, nor the minor details. Actually, all the details that mark every scientific thriller by Crichton are there in the film. The Andromeda Strain doesn't have any dinosaurs, it only has a small virus, but overall it is a much better film than any of the Jurassic Parks. And it succeeds in telling us a great story about science much better than some modern CGI-filled movies like Invisible Man.

Finally, the acting is flawless, the actors are great, sets are excellent. If you want to see a great sci-fi movie, choose this one and you want be disappointed.


72 of 91 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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why did the woman scientist lie about the no growth? ksinelli
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