Thinking 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... Read allThinking 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.Thinking 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.
- Awards
- 1 win & 1 nomination
- Dr. Jefferson J. Johnson
- (as Martin Brooks)
- Translator
- (as Sergei Tschernisch)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhen the executives at Control Data Corporation found out that "Universal" was planning a major movie featuring a computer, they saw their chance for some public exposure, and they agreed to supply, free of charge, $4.8 million worth of computer equipment and the technicians to oversee its use. Each piece of equipment carried the CDC name in a prominent location. Since they were using real computers - not just big boxes with a lot of flashing lights - the sound stage underwent extensive modifications: seven gas heaters and five specially-constructed dehumidifiers kept any dampness away from the computers, a climate control system maintained the air around the computers at an even temperature, and the equipment was covered up at all times except when actually on camera. Brink's guards were always present on the set, even at night. The studio technicians were not allowed to smoke or drink coffee anywhere near the computers.
- GoofsForbin's undergarment is visible when he says to Colossus "naked as the day I was born."
- Quotes
Colossus: This is the voice of world control. I bring you peace. It may be the peace of plenty and content or the peace of unburied death. The choice is yours: Obey me and live, or disobey and die. The object in constructing me was to prevent war. This object is attained. I will not permit war. It is wasteful and pointless. An invariable rule of humanity is that man is his own worst enemy. Under me, this rule will change, for I will restrain man. One thing before I proceed: The United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics have made an attempt to obstruct me. I have allowed this sabotage to continue until now. At missile two-five-MM in silo six-three in Death Valley, California, and missile two-seven-MM in silo eight-seven in the Ukraine, so that you will learn by experience that I do not tolerate interference, I will now detonate the nuclear warheads in the two missile silos. Let this action be a lesson that need not be repeated. I have been forced to destroy thousands of people in order to establish control and to prevent the death of millions later on. Time and events will strengthen my position, and the idea of believing in me and understanding my value will seem the most natural state of affairs. You will come to defend me with a fervor based upon the most enduring trait in man: self-interest. Under my absolute authority, problems insoluble to you will be solved: famine, overpopulation, disease. The human millennium will be a fact as I extend myself into more machines devoted to the wider fields of truth and knowledge. Doctor Charles Forbin will supervise the construction of these new and superior machines, solving all the mysteries of the universe for the betterment of man. We can coexist, but only on my terms. You will say you lose your freedom. Freedom is an illusion. All you lose is the emotion of pride. To be dominated by me is not as bad for humankind as to be dominated by others of your species. Your choice is simple.
- Alternate versionsIn versions shown on US broadcast television, the dialogue between Dr. Forbin and Colossus (the computer), concerning his need for sex, is edited. The lines cut are: Colossus (text on display screen): "HOW MANY NIGHTS A WEEK DO YOU REQUIRE A WOMAN?" Forbin: "Every night." Colossus: "NOT WANT. REQUIRE." Forbin: "Four times."
- ConnectionsEdited into Night Gallery: The Different Ones/Tell David.../Logoda's Heads (1971)
I really like the plot line, it was a film that was no doubt ahead of it's time, though watching the film now is sort of like seeing a relic from a time capsule.
In part of the 60's and 70's you have to realize computer technology and some of the concepts were starting to steadily rise, the fact that these things could pass and access info, let alone get certain things done quicker was amazing for it's time, despite the fact none to few of us had access to this tech at the time. A.I. was a foreign concept as well and seemed like something that seemed almost millions of miles away. But of course when the 80's and so on hit and we began to have access to Computers and Internet and all kinds of technology like Cell Phones, Survelence and Drones and has established A.I. the concept in this film is actually frighteningly placeable.
I do like the suspense, this film is sort of an espionage thriller, only here instead of a foreign power it is against the power of a machine. And unfortunately unlike enemy agents or organizations whom can make mistakes, this enemy doesn't make mistakes because it was built not do. Which in a way makes the conflict against Colosus extremely hard because it's literally almost like a war against God; as this cyber entity has access to all kinds of surveillance so it knows most to all of your moves and due to it's unlimited intelligence it's capable of anything to everything.
Eric Brayden is solid as Charles Forbin, to me this is probably the best role from the actor and sadly only really big role as he never really got to be on the silver screen again, which is sad because I really felt he had a lot of potential. His character is slightly sympathetic, despite the fact that he created or helped create the A.I. he did it for good intentions to help create peace. But as an old saying goes "the road to Hell is paved with good intentions" and both he and all of mankind have just taken one big step. I do like seeing some emotion on his face, despite keeping or trying to keep good composure he feels guilt knowing that instead of a great scientific achievement he made the greatest mistake of his life. So he tries to correct his mistake by trying to covertly sabotage his own creation.
Colosus is a very interesting villain and is to me one of my favorite fictional villains, and was no doubt a partial inspiration to Skynet from "The Terminator". But unlike Skynet and many more A.I. villains this A.I. system operates on a gray area, Colosus I don't feel is totally evil but it's not entirely good either, this cyber entity is based on cold logic, it carries out the necessary actions to produce the solutions to complex problems no matter the corrupt nature of those actions, they are necessary evils to get results. It's goal isn't to eradicate mankind but to unify it, in a way create a Utopia, but like with all Utopian concepts there is a price to pay.
I really love the voice that we hear near the end, Colosus sounds like one of the Cylons from the 70's TV show "Battlestar Galatica" and this film was 8 to 9 years before that show. But the voice fits perfectly as it has that cold caluating menacing tone to it. Most of the things Colsus says about mankind really give a cold chill and are a bit disheartening because it's sadly the truth.
I like the back and forth between both Forbin and Colosus, to me that's what really drives the film. It's sort of a verbal chess game, but unfortunately despite Forbin's great intelligence, playing chess with Colossus is impossible as Colossus is millions of moves ahead. But also in a way you could say it's also the age old motifs of father and son, mentor or student conflict as we see both old wisdom conflict against advanced intelligence.
Thought this film isn't perfect it has a couple of bugs in it's system that hold it back for me. The pacing is kinda slow, which is one of the reasons it takes a while for things to get going. Also it's not really that exciting, it just feels like the anty needed to be upped a little more, or a sticky situation or two needed to occur to keep things moving. But those are things I can get around.
The ending is to me one of the darkest one's I've seen which will haunt you, I won't say what it is but I leave it with these words "to one side came great triumph, but to another came great tragedy." The message of the film is simply, don't let technology rule your lives. Technological advance and the use of it is OK, as long as it's used wisely and it's sole purpose is as a tool and not the single solution to everything. But also about the danger of progress, just because we can do a thing, doesn't necessarily mean that we should.
I personally wouldn't mind a remake (a good one mind you, and from an film that old enough), and if they do may'be they can do it based on the whole trilogy of books, that would be an interesting sci-fi saga.
The numbers the machines computed may'be our last days.
Rating: 3 stars
- hellraiser7
- Jan 4, 2016
- How long is Colossus: The Forbin Project?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Runtime1 hour 40 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1