Rent The Andromeda Strain (1971)

Great, Entertaining 70s scifi - The Andromeda Strain review by GI

Written by Michael Crichton (the creator of Jurassic Park) and directed by Robert Wise (a director who could turn his hand to any story, any genre) this is a great 70s film, one that has all the hallmarks of science fact - indeed the opening screen info makes out it's based on actual events - but this is actually a very suspenseful and interesting science fiction story. Cleverly made using real, in shot, effects and with a couple of controversial scenes it's a film worthy of rediscovery. A specialist team of four scientists are recruited by the American government to find out why all the residents of a small New Mexico town suddenly died. In a secret state-of-the-art laboratory they race against time to identify the cause, either a micro organism or virus never before seen, and which kills within seconds. With a relatively unknown cast this broke new ground with its depictions of technology (although the computer stuff obviously looks dated today). This is a contemporary film and not set in the future consequently in the early 70s this was a vision of advanced techno. There's an interesting theme over science vs politics and of course viewed today there are clear resonances to the Covid pandemic. Overall though this is a great piece of entertainment, made by a master director and well worth seeking out if you've never seen it.

An Immersive & Gripping Masterwork of Cinema - The Andromeda Strain review by JE

A Drama leaning towards Science Fiction that i found totally compelling, especially to view with the big bad viral issue, or crisis of confusion going on in 2020.

It's such a well thought out plot with much to it, like the top secret multi layered underground facility with it's many procedures & protocols, established for viral containment, with a virus from out of this World.

It was surely cutting edge upon release in 1971, and still is in it's own way.

It's also in excellent quality on Blu-ray.

Highly Recommended.

Nothing dates so fast as a vision of the future, as this slow 1971 scifi virus-from-space film shows - The Andromeda Strain review by PV

OK so watching this takes stamina. Made in 1971 though, pre Star Wars, pre CGI, pre all the modern doom scenario movies. It is VERY slow, esp for today's audiences. As is usual in films of the time (Planet of the Apes) there is some male nudity which no doubt would get banned now. We are more prudish now than in the 1970s! References to drugs and drinking moonshine would no doubt get cut for squeamish audiences now too.

I am glad I stayed with it, if only to watch all the banks of fake flashing lights computers complete with reel-to-reel tape - TAPE! And the hairstyles are simply dandy too! However, it does drag. The jeopardy is there, for sure. But it's mostly filmed inside, so feels a tad stagey, and talky. It's all about fear and what to do if a virus appears suddenly in a town.

Contagion (2011) is a modern pandemic/viral movie, and then 28 Days Later etc. Meteor (1979) is maybe an influence too. The Thing, both versions 1951 and 1982, and the wonderful The Blob (1958) which is surely an influence on Crichton here?

Michael Crichton often did THINGS GONE WRONG novels and movies. His novels were criticised for TELLING too much, with pages dedicated to scientific theories complete with diagrams and having read Jurassic Park, I agree, because loads of guff about chaos theory in there. Loads of guff about viruses, life, crystalline forms etc here. Btw Jurassic Park is basically a remake of Westworld the early 1970s film he wrote/directed (remade as a TV drama by HBO of course with Tony Hopkins) - a theme park gone wrong! Westworld won the first ever special effects Oscar.

So one for the dedicated fan really but I enjoyed it, despite the almost painfully slow pace at times.

3 sold stars in outer space