Cyborg 2087 (1966) User Reviews (26)

A low budget can be an asset.

[pro_crustes · 6/10 · 2 July 2004]

Yesterday, I saw the last of the three "Rings" movies. Ho-hum. CGI is great. So is a good book. CGI of a good book is, however, just eye-candy. "Cyborg" is a movie that, lacking money and computer graphics, was forced to tell a story. Michael Rennie (you know him as "Klaatu") is a man/machine from the future, come back to correct a few mistakes. His "high" tech looks a bit like your grand-dad's ham radio did about the same time this movie was made, but so what? Garth (Rennie) isn't here to show us ray guns or cell phones. (Who knows? Maybe his gizmos are all camouflaged to resemble '60s-era devices.) What he is here for is to undo the damage of some bad decisions (many of which will remind you of "The Terminator's" SkyNet, but you decide yourself if there's a connection).

Alas for Garth, if he succeeds, it may have dire consequences for him personally. That fact gives him a poignant nobility that many films, then and now, could use, but lack. Time-travel stories often rely on that kind of wrinkle for their drama, and I think that's an inherent weakness of the time-travel sub-genre: they all tend to ask the same question. Still, this one asks it well and Rennie's skillful performance leaves you exquisitely uncertain of just what the Right Thing to Do would be, in such a situation as his character finds himself.

Yeah, "Rings" was great. But so was this, and they don't make 'em like this one anymore.

Fairly absorbing.

[Hey_Sweden · 6/10 · 4 December 2017]

Michael Rennie of "The Day the Earth Stood Still" fame stars as Garth A7, a cyborg sent by a future civilization back to 1966. His mission is to make sure that the revolutionary "radio-telepathy" technique being engineered by Professor Marx (Eduard Franz, "The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake") does not come to fruition. The thing is, in the future, this technique will be misused by evil minds and bring out about chaos. Once he is back in the past, Garth gets scientists Carl Zellar (Warren Stevens, "Forbidden Planet") and Sharon Mason (Karen Steele, "Ride Lonesome") to help him out, while being hunted by assassins dubbed "Tracers".

If this premise sounds familiar, it should: it was also utilized around this time by Harlan Ellison, as an episode of 'The Outer Limits' titled 'Soldier'. Of course, it would eventually be appropriated again, famously, by James Cameron for "The Terminator". While this ultimately upbeat diversion is nowhere near as atmospheric or grim as Camerons' film, it's certainly a reasonable bit of entertainment. Its obvious low budget and TV movie-like nature will inevitably invite descriptions like "cheesy". It does get positively goofy when, at one point, Zellars' daughter (Sherry Alberoni, "Nightmare Circus") and her friends (including a young John Beck of "Rollerball") groove to some hip tunes while he's trying to perform an operation on Garth. Various people get zapped by Garths' odd weapon, which really does no more than paralyze living things, rather than kill them. The music, while credited to Paul Dunlap, seems to consist of stock cues (such as one memorably used in "Night of the Living Dead"). Franklin Adreon (a TV veteran whose theatrical credits also include stuff like "Panther Girl of the Kongo") directs capably, if not stylishly.

The cast gives a straight faced go at this material. Rennie is good as a character committed to being ruthless in pursuit of his goal, yet who might just find some humanity after all. Wendell Corey ("Rear Window") is a sheriff, Harry Carey Jr. ("3 Godfathers") a pesky reporter, Adam Roarke ("Hells Angels on Wheels") Corey's deputy, and Jo Ann Pflug ("MASH") appears fleetingly at the outset as one of the people sending Garth on his way.

Lightweight and unmemorable stuff, yet it does show one a decent enough time, and should be interesting to see for fans of cult science-fiction.

Six out of 10.

Cyborg 2087

[CinemaSerf · 5/10 · 10 November 2022]

Once again, Michael Rennie dons a tin-foil suit to come and warn mankind to amend it's ways. This time, though, he is a cyborg called "Garth 7" sent back from the year 2087 to try and stop an evolutionary process that will rob us all of our ability to think for ourselves. He manages to ally with "Dr. Mason" (Karen Steele) but pretty soon they are aware that the government they wish to thwart has also sent agents back and so not just time, but other folks from the future are against them too. This is cheap and cheerful, pedestrianly written, afternoon fodder that is very light on science or characterisations. Rennie looks like he maybe only did the one filming day, such is the truncated nature of the editing - and the special effects (his bio-implants, especially) are not up to very much, either. Oddly enough, it might have looked better in black and white, somehow the colour just makes it look even more sloppily thrown together. Potentially, an interesting take on a well used idea, but sadly it offers little we haven't seen before and the star is well past his best.

Origin of The Terminator

[clore-2 · 14 February 2001]

Let's see... Michael Rennie plays a cyborg. He is sent back in time by rebels to prevent a scientist from inventing a device that will have an impact upon the future by enslaving mankind. In turn, Rennie is being chased by agents from the future who are intent that he does not complete his mission. A woman in the present day begins to fall for Rennie. Sounds awful familiar to me. The music, as noted by the other comment, will have you rolling, it's from Saturday morning cartoons, you're almost expecting that Hanna-Barbera sound effect when someone starts running. Still, the movie has an above average cast for its low-budget, Michael Rennie, Karen Steele, Eduard Franz (the Jonathan Drake of "Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake"), Harry Carey, Jr., Warren Stevens (Forbidden Planet), Wendell Corey, and even future M*A*S*H star and Mrs. Chuck Woolery, Jo Ann Pflug can be glimpsed.

Cheesy forerunner to The Terminator

[Leofwine_draca · 4/10 · 31 May 2016]

This is a pretty rare example of a low-budget '60s sci-fi movie, complete with all of those technological gadgets which look incredibly laughable and dated these days. In a film where homing devices turn out to be compasses and where time machines look like giant spark plugs, you can't fail to laugh and have a good time. Sadly, what could have been a nice and tight little thriller turns out to be a tacky affair, unable to overcome a low budget and one which ends up just being disappointing.

Once you get over the initial disappointment that this isn't going to be very serious entertainment, I'm sure you'll find yourself enjoying the supreme '60s nature of the film, complete with dodgy laser guns (beams drawn on the film, no less), silly silver space suits and a lively score which appears to have been used in a number of other movies since. Michael Rennie finds himself typecast as the cyborg visitor from the future, basically playing the same kind of "stranger" character as he did in THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, and it is sad to see him reduced to running around in a space-suit while shooting people with ray guns.

Rennie is supported by Karen Steele - an incredibly irritating dumb blonde - and Wendell Corey, who made a living for himself doing these kinds of films and television shows. Elsewhere, a quartet of overage teenagers enjoy themselves by grooving in some snazzy attire - and while there, why not check out their unintentionally hilarious dialogue, which even outdoes I WAS A TEENAGE WEREWOLF for sheer cheesiness! Sci-fi fans may well notice that the plot bears more than a passing resemblance to that of THE TERMINATOR, and this was an obvious influence on that film. One more thing - if you want to see something really funny, check out the two killer cyborgs from the future - Arnold Schwarzenegger they are not! Instead, they look like two camp joggers out on a night-time run, and are some of the funniest characters ever to appear in a movie.

Memorable Sci Fi Cast and Plot Elevates This Cyborg Film

[verbusen · 7/10 · 9 January 2023]

I rated this film a 7, would most people agree with me? Probably not, and in reality its not really a "7" its more like a 5, BUT, when you factor in the cast in this film and the plot being similar to The Terminator and the two early 1960s Harlan Ellison Outer Limits episodes that were credited in The Terminator (after legal action); this is a great film for Sci Fi fans and deserves a higher score then a low 5. Look at this cast! Michael Rennie (The Day The Earth Stood Still, plus other 1960s low budget sci fi and horror films), Warren Stevens (Forbidden Planet, Star Trek TOS and many other sci roles), Karen Steele (another memorable Star Trek TOS episode, Mudd's Women), Wendell Corey (LOTS of low budget sci fi films), and I spotted in the cast list John Beck (of Rollerball fame). You have to be a fan of low budget Sci-Fi to really enjoy this film and even I thought parts of this film were padded out with all the foot chases, but then it started to get pretty exciting when Michael started showing off his enhanced strength, he reminded me of Spiderman in his level of strength! Fun to watch, and it gave me a great reason to play for my wife (who was entertained watching this) the Star Trek episodes related to this film's stars. For an added bonus to this film, if you've never watched them, I do recommend the two Harlan Ellison scripted Outer Limits episodes, Demon With a Glass Hand and Soldier, also check out Warren Stevens in a 1950s color TV show, Science Fiction Theater episode called Time Is Just A Place, it is available online and is also about time travelers!

"It must be a terrible way of life. No pain. No pleasure"

[hwg1957-102-265704 · 5/10 · 20 April 2021]

This average film reminded of three things. One, it seemed like an old movie serial which is no surprise as the director Franklin Adreon directed and produced several of them. Two, it had the low budget ambience of films made by the notorious The Asylum many years later. Third of course were the elements popping up in more recent films like 'The Terminator' such as time travel, cyborgs and a woman falling in love with someone from the future. The acting is decent though ageing Michael Rennie as the cyborg seems an odd choice as his action scenes are clearly doubled by a stunt man. Some of it was quite colourful so it was easy on the eyes.

Dale Van Sickel as 'Tracer 1' was also a veteran of movie serials and has 333 film and television credits to his name. A busy guy!

Searching for more !

[mandeep_basarke · 7/10 · 12 November 2009]

I remember seeing this movie a long time ago late 70's, I liked it very much but then I like all kinds of Sci-Fi no matter how good or bad it is.But then I haven't seen it since then so am left with only memories of this and other B-movies as their isn't any way for me too find out where I can purchase these movies at any store in Toronto, as I don't like buy burned copies because the quality can be dreadful. So if anyone knows where I can purchase these B-movies from a store around the city it would be a great relief to me. As I have been getting my self up to date on IMDb about these B-movies and learning more about the movies I watched as a teen I thought that I could get someone in the KNOW to help me locate some of the titles of the movies I would like to see again. Like I said before I have some low budget compilations of Sci-Fi but am searching for more.

When the future visits the past, this is what you end up with.

[mark.waltz · 4/10 · 28 October 2021]

Slow moving and often boring, this science fiction adventure is about as exciting as watching paint dry on a nuclear facility. Michael Rennie and a monotonous repetitive marching musical score co-star in this cheap and ineffective view of future alien invasions by futuristic creatures. They are basically humanoids turned into robotic controlled beings known as cyborgs whose shear existence by the futuristic government of the world is to do their bidding, usually something sinister. Out of the blue, cyborg Rennie is sent 2000 years in the past to find a scientist (Arthur Franz) and bring them back.

It's the future after military secrets of the past, and scientists Karen Sharpe, Warren Stevens and Wendell Corey (the poster man for cinematic emotionless acting) become involved in the convoluted caper which results in the arrival of two murderous cyborgs later, on their own mission. Out of the blue, there's a teenage get together ask Corey's house where they are dancing to an instrumental rock song, just an excuse to stop the story cold and appeal to the core audience that this was meant for, probably at drive-in's.

While Sharpe is lovely and sincere, she seems out of her element with all of the technical mumbo jumbo, and Corey barely cracks an emotion in his betrayal. There's plenty of action and chase sequences during the last half, and it's interesting to see Rennie playing the antithesis to his character from "The Day the Earth Stood Still". But the writers seem so proud of themselves coming up with something so pretentiously intelligent that this trip ends up being more of a joke than had it's been done with intentional camp. Svi Fi fans we'll have fun pointing out its shortcomings as well as its originality, but I found it to be somewhat of a pretentious bore.

Why didn't the producer of this movie sue the producer of The Terminator?

[merryl_gibbs · 7/10 · 8 June 2022]

I saw saw this movie only once, as a kid; and while I could see the cheesiness even then, I was still very much struck by it. Still, it was sad to see fine actor Michael Rennie reduced to acting in this movie. Also, much later, I could see how similar the plot of the Terminator is to the plot of Cyborg 2087. Never could understand why the producer of this movie didn't sue the producer of The Terminator.

Not as bad as expected, boosted by Michael Rennie's presence

[kevinolzak · 4/10 · 2 June 2020]

Low budget releases from United Pictures Corporation always give off the appearance of a garish TV movie, from directors Franklin Adreon or Francis D. Lyon. It was a genuine casting coup to have Michael Rennie on hand for 1966's "Cyborg 2087" to play cyborg Garth A7 from the year 2087, sent back in time to modern day 1966 for a secret mission that can alter the future for the better. Our only clue to his condition as half man/half machine (the full term is 'cybernetic organism') is a plate on his chest from which a ruby shaped homing device must be removed to prevent two 'tracer' assassins from the totalitarian future from tracking him. Karen Steele and Warren Stevens are the two scientists who come to his aid, Eduard Franz the target of all this trouble, about to present a perfected form of radio telepathy that will ensure socialist rule in the 21st century, so Garth must convince him not to do so in the short amount of time before the demonstration. Another Arthur C. Pierce script with good ideas later put to more impressive use in Arnold Schwarzenegger's TERMINATOR films, Wendell Corey looking as zonked as he did in "Women of the Prehistoric Planet,' sadly stuck with all the most groan-worthy lines as the exasperated sheriff. Only 15 years since Klaatu in "The Day the Earth Stood Still," Rennie obviously trades on his previous role but with little to do but keep running there's almost nothing he can add, the climactic fistfight proving a real letdown for those expecting sci fi thrills.

Enjoyable sci-fi programmer

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 19 January 2018]

Cyborg Garth A7 (a fine performance by Michael Rennie) goes back in time to 1966 in order to prevent scientist Professor Sigmund Marx (well played by Edward Franz) from presenting a breakthrough discovery to the world that will bring about mass thought control in the bleak future of 2087.

Director Franklin Adreon relates the engrossing story at a steady pace, maintains a likeable earnest tone, and stages the exciting action scenes with skill and flair. Arthur C. Pierce's compact script neatly prefigures the Terminator series with its compelling premise concerning people from the future traveling to the past in an attempt to save mankind. The solid acting by the able cast keeps this movie humming: Karen Steele as the perky and helpful Dr. Sharon Mason, Wendell Corey as a crusty sheriff, Warren Stevens as the dashing Dr. Carl Zellar, Harry Carey Jr. as pesky reporter Jay C, Adam Roarke as the eager Deputy Dan, and Chubby Johnson as the rascally Uncle Pete. Paul Dunlap's robust score does the rousing trick. A fun little flick.

Much better in premise than in execution

[jamesrupert2014 · 7/10 · 8 March 2021]

Rebels in the year 2087 send back a cyborg (Michael Rennie) to prevent the release of the technology ("radio telepathy") that ultimately leads to their dystopian world, in which free thought is prohibited. One of the first films to use the term 'cyborg' (a portmanteau of 'cybernetic' and 'organism' originally coined in 1960 by Manfred Clynes and Nathan S. Kline), Arthur C. Pierce's tale of agents from the future fighting over the present is much better than the movie that ends up telling the story. The low-budget science fiction film is one of the United Pictures Co. releases intended for second billings or TV, so the production values are limited although Rennie (admittedly late in his career but familiar to science fiction fans as Klaatu from 1951's 'The Day the Earth Stood Still') provides some 'star power'. Much of the film's running time is filled with time-killing 'action sequences' (lengthy and repetitive fights and chases) and there is little of visual interest in the recuycled sets and props. We get a glimpse of a future city (that looks like an illustration a 40s pulp magazine) as the opening credits roll but otherwise the 'special effects' are limited to a couple of ray-gun beams and some unconvincing prosthetics seen when Garth demonstrates his hybrid status (his peeling back of his sleeve to reveal his 'cybernetic arm' is remarkably similar to the scene in 'Terminator 2' (1991) when the T800 peels back his flesh to reveal his (somewhat more impressive) 'cybernetic arm'). Considering that Harlan Ellison managed scare some compensation out of the producers of 'The Terminator' (1984) for allegedly stealing ideas from his 1964 'Outer Limits' episode 'Soldier', I am surprised that Pierce and/or the producers of this film didn't target James Cameron and crew as well - 'Cyborg 2087' is much closer in plot and premise to T1 and T2 than is Ellison's story. All in all, a clever idea let down by the limited resources available to bring it to the screen but at least the film attempts to tie up the loose temporal ends inevitable in time-travel stories. Be warned, I am basing my rating more on intent than on outcome.

1966 Schlock

[graham-harvey · 3/10 · 25 December 2021]

A bit later in time than the 1950s movies about good old Americans protecting themselves from dangerous outsiders/aliens/ people from another time.

Not much to see here. Acting story etc pretty basic.

If you like schlock, check it out! Otherwise... moving on!

One aspect that is an advance on the 50s: recognition of need for scientists to be responsible for their discoveries & preventing access to things that could prove dangerous.

Get the kids back to the theaters!

[kmj-2 · 30 March 1999]

Often dismissed as a "quickie" movie using a great deal of television elements, "Cyborg 2087" is a prime example of what Hollywood was trying to do between the late fifties and mid-sixties: get people (especially the kids) away from the television set and back into the movie theaters. This film tried (sometimes successfully) to combine two popular genres of t.v. at the time; westerns and science fiction. Half-human robots, having a "shoot out" in a western town using ray guns to rescue the girl (played by a former "Mouseketeer", no less). Listen for the Paul Dunlap soundtrack, which should be familiar -- it was used for several t.v. shows, movies, and even Hanna Barbara cartoons! Also, check out the "hip lingo" used by the teens.The sad part is to see classically-trained actor Michael Rennie trying to make a living wearing a silver spacesuit after being typecast as a "sci-fi guy" in "The Day The Earth Stood Still".

Mellow SciFi with Lots of Filler

[daoldiges · 5/10 · 16 November 2022]

Reading some of the other reviews suddenly explains a lot of what I was feeling during my viewing of Cyborg 2087. I initially responded very positively to the score for this film, only to find out that it was used for other movies and apparently some t.v. Shows as well. That's OK as I still like it and think it works here. I also felt the proceedings had a television feel/quality to it, just expanded. There is a lot of filler here too, like the end fight between the two cyborgs goes on forever. I also felt too much time was given to the teenagers dancing, like literally we were just watching them dance for too long. Also, I find it odd that the doctor seemingly without hesitation agreed to go back with the cyborg in his capsule. Still, Cyborg 2087 was easy to watch and not completely unentertaining.

Time travel and fighting cyborgs

[jameselliot-1 · 6/10 · 29 June 2018]

The Terminator had less in common with Harlan's two Outer Limits episodes and more with this Michael Rennie movie Cyborg 2087. This is a fun movie that's technically crude so young audiences would never sit through it.

Semi-Influential Low-Low-Budget Cyborg-Time-Travel...Serious Cheese

[LeonLouisRicci · 6/10 · 15 February 2023]

Often Cited as a "The Terminator '' (1984) Pre-Cursor, but the Time-Travel-Cyborg Combo had been Around for Decades (sorta), even Before Harlan Ellison, Star-Trek, or Cameron-Arnold.

It's a Natural for the Genre.

This was Part of a Series of Movies in the Mid-60's that were Initially Intended for TV (and it sure looks it),

but the Money-Minds Thought Better and Most got a Theatrical Release.

In this one, Michael Rennie ("Klaatu") Dons the Silver-Suit Again and does OK Work for a Late-Career Paycheck,

along with Other Familiar Character Actors, and the Pitiful and, Hard to Watch, Wendell Corey (in the late stages of severe alcoholism) can Barely String a Non-Slurring Sentence Together.

The Production is in Need of Some Value, with Almost Everything Looking Cheap, Sleazy, and Thread-Bare (even the current '66 cars are of the "economy" class).

There's Hardly a Sci-Fi Look to the Whole Thing, Using a "Ghost-Town" Western Set for many Exteriors and Interiors.

A Few "Ray-Gun-Blasts", and Laughable Aluminum Head-Bands are Pathetic Props, with Nothing Else to Keep Things On Point.

There are Extensive Extra-Padding Scenes, Like a Living-Room ("The Jerk") Dance-a-Thon and a Fisticuffs Barn Fight that Goes On Forever.

Overall, Given its Cut-Rate Budget, the Movie's "Heart" is in the Right Place and the Actors, the Script, and the Message are "Right-On".

With Low-Expectations...

Worth a Watch.

So much better than its 5.2 rating.

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 4 February 2023]

Sim to TERMINATOR great cast of character actors.

The premise for "Cyborg 2087" is similar to the "Terminator" series...but it's not exactly the same plot. In "Terminator", a man comes from the future and is pursued by a seemingly unstoppable cyborg. In its sequel, there's a good cyborg being pursued by an evil cyborg. In both, the evil cyborgs are trying to kill someone who can positively impact the future and prevent a robot apocalypse. In "Cyborg 2087" you have a lot of similarities. A good cyborg (Michael Rennie) goes to the past to stop a scientist from releasing his newest invention because it will be misused to enslave mankind. And, inevitably, he's pursued by evil cyborgs. Obviously the writers of the "Terminator" films must have been inspired by this earlier low-budgeted film.

The film begins in the 2080s. A couple scientists are able to send the good cyborg to Earth in 1966. Its mission is to find Dr. Marx (Eduard Franz) and convince him NOT to release his latest invention...or kill him if he won't agree. This is because his invention is later used to control mankind...by implanting a mind-control device in the brains of every man, woman and child! Once he arrives, evil cyborgs are dispatched as well and humanity's fate hangs in the balance.

For 1966, this actually isn't just another cheapo sci-fi film. Sure, it doesn't have fancy special effects....but no films did in 1966. Plus, it's got an amazing cast of good character actors, including: Michael Rennie, Warren Stevens, Wendell Corey, Eduard Franz, Harry Carey Jr., and Karen Steele. It's too easy in 2023 to look back and laugh at the film when we've gotten used to incredibly realistic effects...and the filmmakers did a great job with what they had.

So is the film good or bad? After all, the reviews for this are all over the place...so it's hard to know what the film is actually like. Well, my answer is that it is an excellent film...and I am very glad I watched it because of its very intelligent script.

By the way, although I liked this film, I must admit that it was rather sad watching Wendell Corey's performance. He was in the late stages of alcoholism and it impacted his performance...and he sounded a bit slurred.

Just Add Arnold...

[azathothpwiggins · 4 October 2020]

From the titular year, a cyborg called Garth A7 (Michael Rennie) is sent back in time to 1966 in order to stop an event that will lead to the subjugation of humanity. Garth A7 enlists the help of humans, while two super-soldiers from 2087 arrive to eliminate him.

The idea of a time-traveling cyborg, sent by a group of freedom fighters to stop a scientist from developing an advanced technology, is familiar indeed! James Cameron simply must have seen this movie. Even the scene when Garth A7 shows a scientist the proof that he's a machine is extremely reminiscent of a similar revelation in Cameron's T2! Of course, this film had neither the astronomical budget, nor the advantage of a Cameron to direct it. In spite of this, CYBORG 2087 is a lot of fun to watch, and deserves to be rediscovered...

Reads Like A Long 60s Science Fiction TV Episode - Good

[StuOz · 17 June 2020]

A cyborg from the future is sent back to the 1960s.

60s Outer Limits, 60s The Invaders and 60s Irwin Allen all rolled into one!

The plot has shades of a couple of Limits episodes, the lack of fancy hardware gives it a touch of QM's The Invaders and the general presentation/casting reminds me of Irwin Allen.

Michael Rennie is here, but don't expect The Day The Earth Stood Still 2 - you will not get that!

The DVD picture quality is fine and, despite some slow moments, I generally had a ball with Cyborg 2087. However, I viewed it as a blast of the 60s, younger viewers who only want science fiction thrills might find it all a bit too old school?

Before Steve Austin, Before Jean Claude Van Damme

[redbeard_nv · 30 December 2001]

The term, cyborg, meaning cybernetic organism, relates to a human enhanced with mechanical parts, often robotic in nature.

Thus gave us the first glimpse into this genre. Albeit low budget (I mean, instrumentation from the future labeled with Dymo Label Maker Tapes?) and featuring actors who were at their peak not just a few short years before, including Michael Rennie, Klaatu from "The Day The Earth Stood Still" or "The Keeper" from "Lost In Space", or Warren Stevens, Doc Ostrow from "Forbidden Planet ("Monsters! Monsters from the ID!") and throwing the tem-oral twist of alternative time lines, this cyborg pre-dated "The Six Million Dollar Man" (and Martin Cadin's novel it was based on, "Cyborg"), the Jean Claude Van Damme dystopic future wasteland adventure, even Star Trek: The Next Generation's most relentless enemies, the Borg (sounds Swedish!...sorry. I couldn't resist).

Add to that the obvious Terminator references (and people still forget about Harlan Ellison's own legal action against Cameron due to similarities in his Outer Limits scripts "Demon With the Glass Hand" and "Soldier") and you have a low-budget oddity that hasn't made the rounds in the post-midnight TV info-mercial circuit in years, being swept aside by other B-Movie kings like the Band Brothers' Full Moon Productions or Bert I. Gordon's & Brian Yuzna's Lovecraft micro-epics.

Made for TV, sort of !?!

[GJValent · 16 February 2012]

I saw this flick as a 10:15 pm, Sat. night presentation on a local Chicago TV station. It was presented as a World Premier movie, not just a television premier. This was a minor trend in the mid/late 1960s TV world, preceding made for cable stuff. (A technology of the future.) It may have been regional, but, I recall several movies of the ilk. Probably, theatrical films that were deemed not worthy of standard distribution. Sold to TV as part of standard film 'packages'. Other titles include Dimension 5 with Jeffrey Hunter, and, a few that I can't recall. Anyway, this is not a review, complaint, or thanks. Just some info.

A familiar time-travel issue

[lor_ · 3 February 2024]

One of my sci-fi/horror/fantasy reviews written 50 years ago: Directed by Franklin Adreon; Produced by Earle Lyon; Executive Producer: Fred Jordan. Released by Feature Film Corporation of America. Alternate title: "Man from Tomorrow". Screenplay by Arthur C. Pierce; Photography by Alan Stensvold; Edited by Frank Keller; Music by Paul Dunlap. Starring Michael Rennie, Karen Steele, Warren Stevens, Eduard Franz, Wendell Corey, Harry Carey Junior, Adam Roarke, Jo Ann Pflug, John Beck and Sherry Alberoni.

An inept 1960s science fiction adventure with that glossy, made-for-TV look. An interesting premise is totally wasted as a half man-half machine Garth escapes into the past to stop a scientist from publicizing the discovery which paved the way for a totalitarian, bleak future.

I wanted to like this film for it's premise.

[oscar-35 · 19 September 2013]

*Spoiler/plot- Cyborg 2087, 1966. In th distant future of 2087, two scientists develop a time traveling device with a cyborg. The cyborg is supposed to go back in time and prevent a scientist from perfecting his new 'telepathy'. In the future time, a dictatorship government uses this telepathy to control it's citizenry and abuse their rights.

*Special Stars- Michael Rennie, Karen Steele, Wendell Cory, Warren, Stevens, Eduard Franz, Harry Carey Jr.

*Theme- Justice in any time is important enough to preserve.

*Trivia/location/goofs- One of the last film appearance of Michael Rennie. Supposedly the idea for many later sci-fi films: Terminator, Outer Limits, Twilight Zone, Time Cop, and etc.

*Emotion- I wanted to like this film for it's premise. Even though it's a time travel and cyborg film, this one is very crudely done with little production values. It suffers from total unbelievability and bad screen elements. The necessary sci-fi 'suspension of believability' never occurs and screen things are unintentionally laughable. The plot is essentially a 'chase' film' between the future bad guys police robots chasing the good guy cyborg in 1966. This film had high hopes but is essentially a waste of good film plot ideas and your time. And you can't go back in a time machine to get it again...A waste of your time & attention.