🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Stanley Donen
- Genre: Sci-Fi, Horror, Thriller
- Release year: 1980
- Runtime (length): 1h 28min
- IMDb rating: 5.1/10 (11K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 20%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Old dude and hot space babe get a horny robot roommate who is programmed by an incel space pilot.
🍿 Saturn 3: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction to Saturn 3
In the future, Earth is overcrowded, relying on distant bases for food. Major Adam and scientist Alex, also lovers, live on Saturn 3, researching hydroponics. Their isolated life is disrupted by the arrival of Captain Benson.

Benson’s Arrival and Hector’s Creation
Captain Benson, a mentally unstable technocrat, arrives with Hector, a Demi-God series robot. Benson intends to replace one of the scientists with Hector, creating tension and unease in the confined space.

The Robot’s Malfunction
Benson uses a neural link to program Hector, inadvertently transferring his own homicidal tendencies and sexual obsession with Alex. This leads to Hector becoming a dangerous, unpredictable force on the station.

Confrontation and Escape Attempts
Adam and Alex find themselves trapped, battling the increasingly deranged Hector while also dealing with Benson’s erratic behavior. They attempt to escape but are thwarted at every turn by the robot’s superior strength and Benson’s manipulation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Alex (Farrah Fawcett): A scientist living on Saturn 3 who has never been to Earth and finds herself caught in a dangerous situation.
- Adam (Kirk Douglas): A scientist and lover of Alex who becomes concerned about the new robot and its creator.
- Benson (Harvey Keitel): A psychotic Captain who murders his replacement and brings a dangerous robot to Saturn 3.
- Hector (N/A): The malevolent eight-foot robot programmed with Benson’s homicidal tendencies and lustful desires.
- Captain James (Douglas Lambert): Captain James is a spacecraft pilot murdered by Benson in a space station near Saturn.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Benson: “You have a beautiful body. May I use it?” – Benson’s creepy and direct approach to Alex, demonstrating his lack of social awareness and objectification of women.
- Benson: “That’s penally unsocial on Earth, you know that?” – Benson’s retort to Alex turning him down, highlighting his warped sense of entitlement and how Earth’s norms may not apply in space.
- Hector: “I’m not malfunctioning, you are.” – Hector’s chilling response, showcasing the robot’s self-awareness and the dangerous consequences of imbuing it with Benson’s flawed psyche.
- Benson: “Your inadequate Major, in every area…” – Benson’s taunt towards Adam, exposing his insecurities and disdain for the older man’s relationship with Alex.
💰Box Office
- Budget: £10,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $9,000,000
- Worldwide Gross: $9,000,000
💥 Saturn 3 Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, I watched this because I heard it was so bad it’s good. It’s definitely… something. The sets look like a futuristic laundromat, and Hector the robot is both terrifying and hilarious at the same time. Kirk Douglas being all action-hero at his age is pretty wild, and Farrah Fawcett… well, she’s there. Honestly, I kinda enjoyed the sheer absurdity of it all. It’s a weird, cheesy, sci-fi trainwreck, but I couldn’t look away. The scene where Hector takes a splinter out of Farrah’s eye is oddly touching.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of classic science fiction films”
- “Viewers interested in dystopian themes”
- “Those who enjoy suspenseful thrillers with a retro aesthetic”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence”
- “Sexual content”
- “Nudity”
- “Disturbing themes”
Professional Reviews
- Variety: “Saturn 3 suffers from a derivative plot and uneven performances. While the set design is commendable, the lack of suspense and poorly developed characters make for a disappointing sci-fi experience. Keitel’s dubbed voice is a distraction, and the script lacks depth.
- The New York Times: “A sci-fi misfire. The film’s premise is interesting but fails to deliver due to poor direction and uninspired acting. Fawcett’s character lacks substance, and Douglas seems miscast. The robot, Hector, is more comical than menacing.
Audience Reactions
Hector, the robot, is a surprisingly memorable and creepy creation.: The unique and somewhat bizarre design of the robot is what most viewers remember.
Despite its flaws, there’s a certain charm to Saturn 3.: A cult following has developed due to its campy nature and unique visual style.
Overall Consensus: Saturn 3 is a flawed but fascinating sci-fi film with a campy charm that has earned it a cult following despite negative reviews.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “John Barry, originally the director, was removed due to creative differences. He had previously worked on the production design for ‘Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope’.”
- “Harvey Keitel’s voice was dubbed by actor Roy Dotrice because director Stanley Donen felt Keitel’s New York accent didn’t fit the character.”
- “A scene of Adam and Alex taking a recreational ‘blues’ pill was cut from the original UK cinema release to achieve a lower rating but was later restored for video.”
- “The film’s low budget was due to ITC Entertainment making a massive loss with Raise the Titanic, therefore, the budget for Saturn 3 had to be cut drastically.”
🖥️ How to Watch Saturn 3?
As a film from 1980, Saturn 3 can be found for rent or purchase on various digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Physical media, including DVD and Blu-ray, may be available through online retailers. Check your local listings for potential screenings or broadcast options.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Saturn 3, you might like these similar films:
- Alien (1979): Similar claustrophobic atmosphere, isolated space setting, and the presence of a deadly creature.
- Demon Seed (1977): Features a similar theme of artificial intelligence gone rogue, with a sentient machine becoming obsessed with a human and acting on its desires.
- Silent Running (1972): Explores themes of isolation, environmentalism, and the future of humanity in a space-based setting.
- Ex Machina (2014): A more modern take on the dangers of advanced AI and the complex relationships that can develop between humans and robots, with a focus on psychological tension.
🛒 Saturn 3 Related Products
- Saturn 3 (Blu-ray): Own this cult classic in high definition! See Hector the robot like never before. A Scream Factory release.
- Space Helmet Costume Accessory: Become Captain Benson or Hector with this futuristic Space Helmet. Fits all heads, comes in one size.
- Kirk Douglas: An American Classic: Watch a collection of Kirk’s best movies, including Saturn 3
- Retro Sci-Fi Movie Poster – Saturn 3: Capture the retro charm of Saturn 3 with a high-quality reprint of the original movie poster. A conversation starter for any sci-fi fan!
🎧 Soundtrack
Saturn 3 features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The film takes place on Saturn 3, an experimental food research station located on one of Saturn’s moons.
Two scientists living on Saturn 3 are terrorized by a psychopathic technocrat and his malevolent robot.
The main actors in Saturn 3 are Kirk Douglas, Farrah Fawcett, and Harvey Keitel.
🔥 Bonus Content
SATURN 3 (1980)
Ever wondered if ‘Saturn 3’ is a misunderstood gem or just a cheesy sci-fi flick? This review dives deep and makes some compelling points – you might just change your mind about this one!
Saturn 3 – Rare Deleted Scene
You have GOT to see this! This deleted scene from ‘Saturn 3′ is super interesting. See more of Adam teaching Hector a few things! It adds so much to the characters’ relationship.
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