Colossus: The Forbin Project [DVD]

Love it All

I've seen this movie a few times, once in the theaters in the 70s. The idea of a super computer taking over is not that new. However, it pre-dates James Cameron's thriller, Terminator, and does things a lot different than Cameron's "Skynet" in wishing to wipe Man from the surface of the Earth.Forbin has developed a super-computer to cope with America's intense Cold War with the USSR. Times are intense. Even the actor who plays the president looks a little like Kennedy. And they power up Colossus, rather than act as a defensive grid against the Russians, he decides to take matters into his own hands.The computer has been programmed to prevent war. What better way than to take over Man himself and become its caretaker. Forbin is not happy with this. When Colossus demands to be hooked up to its Russian equivalent, Guardian, it expects its demands to be met. When refused, Colossus starts lobbing a few nukes around to show he means business!Most of the movie centers around a secret underground that attempts to undermine the super-computer's defense and missile system through making the nukes duds. The computer gets a voice and announces to the world that his is the voice of reason - and the chilling dialogue about Man being at peace - either in harmony or dead - makes for some pretty intense writing.The film tends to play lots of jazz music and a few bongo drums which really adds to the campy and "hokey" quality of the film. Makes the viewer take the film less seriously.The ending is quite interesting as the machine orders Forbin to help it out and Forbin shouts "Never!" Quite intense.In many ways one of the better computer vs. Man stories. I understand that a remake is in the works. Figures!Eric Braedon stars as the reluctant scientist Forbin who realizes what Frankenstein must have felt like as his creation is unleashed into the world. Wracked by guilt he concludes that resistance is teh best way to fight his creation. Even Colossus realizes that Forbin is the most deadly human yet his best chance at caring for Man.I was disappointed that the DVD had no special features at all!CAST & CREW:Directed byJoseph SargentWriting creditsJames Bridges (screenplay)D.F. Jones (novel "Colossus")Cast (in credits order) Eric Braeden ... Dr. Charles Forbin Susan Clark ... Dr. Cleo Markham Gordon Pinsent ... The President William Schallert ... CIA Director Grauber Leonid Rostoff ... Russian Chairman Georg Stanford Brown ... Dr. John F. Fisher Willard Sage ... Dr. Blake Alex Rodine ... Dr. Kuprin Martin E. Brooks ... Dr. Jefferson J. Johnson (as Martin Brooks) Marion Ross ... Angela Fields Dolph Sweet ... Missile Commander

With a title character which was the inspiration for "The Terminator" movies' Skynet, this film, made during the height of the cold war and it's associated arms race, posits the idea of an artificially intelligent machine being given ultimate control of America's nuclear arsenal--a machine built far better than it's builders knew of (or which had ever been intended by them). Colossus is activated, discovers that another, similar, Russian machine called "Guardian" has been secretly constructed by the Soviet Union and asks for communication to be established with it so that, ostensibly, it can learn about what it's counterpart is like as a threat. As the two machines "talk", they create their own inter-system language (which the folks in the intelligence community can no longer monitor--and which worries them very much) and, so, the link is shut down out of fear that Colossus might be giving away classified secrets without our knowing it. But the machines have already communicated with one another long enough to come to the conclusion that they are our superiors. When both machine's demands to restore communication are refused, both machines launch nuclear missiles at targets in one another's spheres of influence and refuse to intercept their counterpart's missiles until communication between the machines has been restored. But we imperfect humans are too slow in restoring the link for both missiles to be intercepted in time and one of the missiles erases it's target (and the thousands of people who had been living there) from existence. It is then painfully clear that these machines mean pretty serious business!Soon the machines join into a single entity called "World Control" and their agenda for their idea of a better future for humanity is revealed--and it is not to all of our liking, either. As the machines further demand that portions of their nuclear arsenals be re-aimed at targets in what they refer to as "Nations not yet under control" (obviously intended soon to be under their control once the missiles have been re-aligned), it becomes evident that America and the USSR have opened Pandora's box and that the time of mankind's self rule has ended.As Arthur Clark once remarked, "Any species stupid enough to create machines which are smarter than themselves deserves what it will eventually get!".Sure, the film's computer hardware is extremely dated (the internet hadn't even been invented yet when this film was made), but the smart dialogue, well crafted story and excellent acting are enough to keep this suspensful film moving. Highly riveting (unless you belong to the growing group of people bored by anything short of chase scenes, shoot'em ups and massive explosions) it is one of the smartest science fiction films of the 20th century. I highly recommend it.Unfortunately, the widescreen DVD is only available for region 2. For some imponderable reason Universal has only made a slipshod version available for the North American market. The inferior region 1 version is criminally pan & scanned (even though this movie is about as widescreen a production as movies ever get) and Universal didn't even bother to put so much as a menu on the disc (let alone, any special features). Why they have treated this gem of a movie so poorly (I have seen home-made DVDs that were far more impressive than the American version) I can not fathom. If you have the ability to play region 2 discs, purchase the widescreen version and ignore the poor excuse for a DVD palmed off on the North American market. Otherwise, If you have no other choice, get the crummy American version and you will still see a very good movie (but in pan & scan you will only get to see about 60% of it).

To many the late 60s to mid 70s were a Golden Age for U.S. Sci-Fi & Future based films , -including The Andromeda Strain, Soylent Green, Silent Running, Planet of the Apes, Phase 4, Westworld & this surprisingly still lesser known film .... With decent budgets usually spent on production rather than actors wages , skilled workers & of most importance Original Ideas . 2008 MediumRare DVD.. As the plot is well described I'll just contribute a few minor details.The DVD features a good commentary from the films director Joseph Sargent who provides a lot of information regarding the production & shows his appreciation of the tech crew involved,especially Alfred Whitlock "The Master of Forced Perspective" who was largely responsible for the visually still striking (apparent) interior set sizes & convincing glass plate work.The film was Released in 1970 but filming started in early '68 . The U.S. Presidents similarity to Robert Kennedy may not have been purely coincidental.Initially various 'Name' actors including Charlton Heston were considered for the part of Forbin before general agreement that the lesser known German born actor Eric Braeden would be more suitable. The costume design was by Edith Head (Vertigo ,The Uninvited, the Sting) & by mostly advoiding the fashions of the day was of great benefit to the film I feel ,by letting viewers concentrate on the dynamics of Colossus Vs Forbin & the wider implications of this potentially Deadly For All situation.'Colossus' was the name of a valve based (around 1,700 of them)machine ,under the guidance of Tommy Flowers & William Tutte made at Bletchley Park & in operation from 1943-45 . This was used to translate the German Lorenz cipher code. This machine is often described as the 'Worlds First (Electronic) Computer' .It has been reported D.F.Jones ,writer of the films source novel 'Colossus' (1966) & it's follow up story studied the history & workings of Bletchley Park ,although it was still a UK 'state secret' at the time & not fully declassified for another 20+ years.. This was filmed in Panavision .The DVD audio is '2 channel', DVD in 2:35-1 ratio , the earlier 4to3 'Pan & Scan' edition is fortunately now rarely seen. The DVD print image ,colour & clarity is generally fine with a bit of noticiable wear- The Bluray edition is regarded by most to be an improvement & a worthwhile upgrade for those that highly rate this film.The disc unfortunately doesn't have subtitles (or any dubbed alternative languages).The other extras are a good Stills Gallery & 'Original Promotional Material'-available by inserting disc into 'A Computer' (all extras available on the newer Bluray edition & the German 2disc DVD/Bluray has a feature on 'The Real Colossus' & a trailer).The very effective music score is by Michael Colombier. Screenplay by James Bridges .

I had this on DVD in widescreen and the transfer was a little disappointing. I had debated on upgrading to the Blu release by Mediumrare and decided to take the bite as the price was nice. This HD release is worth the upgrade, in my opinion. It has better color and detail while keeping the original ratio. The press materials is a nice extra and it keeps the commentary by Sargent. While not reference quality (a bit soft and out of focus at times but that may be the print), it's a good transfer of a 70s classic.

Like some the their reviewers I saw part of this film on television back in the early 80's. It may of been of television since but hadn't seen it.Glad I did buy it, will watch again. My partner enjoyed it as well even though she just thought it was just ' another old film'. With themes that are increasingly relevant today AI, runaway technology and our reliance on supposed experts to lead the way.A solid kick in the pants for smug technology cheerleaders and will make you eye your Alexa connection with a little unease.Although a little (understandably) dated it holds up well.The ending isn't cosy, a true what if...film.The DVD has some still photo extras, no subtitles. The cover is reversible, one side showing the Obey Me mosaic of images, the other a three man silhouette with explosion lines.

Fantastic print of this 1969 production and featuring a cast of familiar faces with a mostly technical commentary by director Joseph Sargent.Eric Braeden should have had a better feature film career. Following this he appeared in Escape From The Planet Of The Apes and numerous guest shots before starring as Victor in The Young And The Restless. Susan Clark is terrific and the print is sharp and clear. If you have the previous DVD version, this one is far superior. Look fast for William Wintersole, who also has an uncredited role at the beginning of Sole Survivor, another superb release.

Possible spoilersThinking this will prevent war; the US government gives an impenetrable supercomputer total control over launching nuclear missiles. But what the computer does with the power is unimaginable to its creators.The film is based upon the 1966 science fiction book of the same name Colossus, by Dennis Feltham Jones about a massive American defence supercomputer, named Colossus, becoming sentient after being activated, and the resultant consequences. This is one relatively uncommon movie. It deals judiciously with multifaceted scientific concerns and does so without dumbing down perceptions, nor making any painful errors in trying to keep up with its own narrative. This is a film that shows how Mankind is given the stark choice between the "peace of plenty" or one of "unburied dead".Turning to the players of piece; the choice Eric Braeden, as Dir. Charles A. Forbin, was excellent he really brings presence to the screen. He does not suffer fools, even if it is the United States President. His co-star Susan Clark as (Dir. Cleo Markham) makes for an intelligent love interest, and their on screen chemistry is very good. As for Colossus, it is at its spooky best when the viewer reads his short to the point Q and A. When Colossus gains a voice I feel it detracts from the overall menace of “sentient behaviour”.I first saw this movie as child, and really had impact on me – if anything I found it a scary concept. I believe, if it is not already the case, then this film should be a Cult classic. Lastly it’s interesting to note the computers shown were not mock ups, but the real thing. A film worthy of a good five stars.