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The Andromeda Strain (1971)

G   |    |  Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller

The Andromeda Strain (1971) Poster

A team of top scientists work feverishly in a secret, state-of-the-art laboratory to discover what has killed the citizens of a small town and learn how this deadly contagion can be stopped.

7.2/10
34,099
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60 Metascore

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Photos

  • Arthur Hill and James Olson in The Andromeda Strain (1971)
  • Larry Barbier and Robert Wise in The Andromeda Strain (1971)
  • James Olson and Robert Soto in The Andromeda Strain (1971)
  • Michael Crichton and Robert Wise in The Andromeda Strain (1971)
  • Robert Wise in The Andromeda Strain (1971)
  • Michael Crichton and James Olson in The Andromeda Strain (1971)

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Cast & Crew

Top Billed Cast

Director:

Robert Wise

Writers:

Michael Crichton (novel), Nelson Gidding (screenplay)
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Awards

Nominated for 2 Oscars.

Another 2 nominations.

Reviews & Commentary

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User Reviews
22 May 2004 | haggar
10
| A Sci-Fi with a capital "S".
I have always been attracted by science, since my early childhood. I remember seeing this movie and being fascinated by the science and technology on display in it. Today, as a MSC EE, I can see that the science in "Andromeda Strain" is accurate. In fact, it's the most accurate of all Sci-Fi movies I have ever seen (and I have seen the great majority of Sci-Fi cinema).

That's one reason I love this movie.

But there are other, probably subjective reasosn for my adulation of "Andromeda Strain": believable people and believable situations (no "last microsecond decision/action/occurance", no over-the-top behaviour, just human quirkyness, no one-man-does-it-all but teamwork and birth of ideas) and the avoidance of the cliche of only-1-will-survive. So, yes, I liked the script a lot.

I also thought the actors were good and the setting was brilliant. I am not put off by dated computer technology: the film clearly illustrates the computing capabilities at the beginning of the '70, and I find something educative and strangely reassuring in that.

I give it 10/10, and am sad that nobody produced a Sci-Fi as scientificly accurate ever since.

Metacritic Reviews

Critic Reviews

Did You Know?

Trivia

Included among the American Film Institute's 2001 list of 400 movies nominated for the top 100 Most Heart-Pounding American Movies.

Quotes

Sgt. Crane (Piedmont team): Piedmont, New Mexico. Population, 68.
Lt. Shawn (Piedmont team): Come on.

Goofs

The Air Force technical sergeant in Wildfire's communications room is wearing black or dark brown rank chevrons on his tan 1505 uniform shirt. In fact, the stripes should be silver-gray on a dark blue background.

Crazy Credits

There is no music over the end credits.

Alternate Versions

The VHS version deletes a few scenes of the "searching the town" scene, including a shot of a topless young woman lying in bed.

Storyline

Plot Summary

Synopsis (WARNING: Spoilers)

Genres

Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Details

Release Date:

12 March 1971

Language

English

Country of Origin

USA

Filming Locations

Alamogordo, New Mexico, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,500,000 (estimated)

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