Capricorn One Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

NASA fakes a Mars landing to keep the money flowing, but then things get a little *too* real when they have to silence the astronauts for good, leading to a desert chase scene involving helicopters, biplanes, and a whole lot of conspiracy.

🍿 Capricorn One: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Fake Mars Mission

Just moments before launch, astronauts Charles Brubaker, Peter Willis, and John Walker are pulled from their mission to Mars. NASA director Dr. James Kelloway informs them that a faulty life support system makes the mission impossible. However, to maintain funding and public confidence, they are tasked with faking the entire Mars landing on a soundstage in a remote desert location. Their families are threatened to ensure their cooperation.

A Technician’s Discovery

Elliot Whitter, a technician at mission control, notices discrepancies in the television signals, suggesting the broadcast isn’t actually coming from space. He shares his concerns with his friend, reporter Robert Caulfield, but soon disappears without a trace. This disappearance raises Caulfield’s suspicions, prompting him to investigate further.

Escaping the Cover-Up

During the staged return to Earth, the capsule supposedly disintegrates during re-entry, making the astronauts officially dead. Realizing they are now expendable, the astronauts escape from the base. A desperate chase ensues as they try to evade capture and expose the conspiracy, facing relentless pursuit by Kelloway’s forces in the harsh desert terrain.

The Reporter’s Investigation

Caulfield investigates Whitter’s disappearance and the inconsistencies surrounding the mission. He survives a near-fatal car accident orchestrated by those involved in the conspiracy. He perseveres, uncovering clues that lead him to the truth about the fake Mars landing and the danger the astronauts are in. He enlists the help of Judy Drinkwater and an eccentric crop duster pilot named Albain.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Charles Brubaker (James Brolin): The determined commander of the Mars mission who fights for survival and truth after discovering the mission is a hoax.
• Peter Willis (Sam Waterston): An astronaut with a family that must act in a hoax to make the Mars mission successful.
• John Walker (O.J. Simpson): An astronaut forced into a dangerous conspiracy after his mission to Mars is revealed to be a staged event.
• Robert Caulfield (Elliott Gould): An investigative journalist who uncovers the Mars mission hoax and risks his life to expose the truth.
• Dr. James Kelloway (Hal Holbrook): The NASA director who orchestrates the Mars mission hoax to maintain funding and protect the space program’s reputation.
• Kay Brubaker (Brenda Vaccaro): The wife of astronaut Charles Brubaker who is initially unaware of the Mars mission hoax.
• Albain (Telly Savalas): An eccentric crop duster pilot who helps Robert Caulfield rescue Charles Brubaker.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Dr. James Kelloway: “It’s no longer a question of going to Mars, but of surviving here.” – Kelloway explains to the astronauts that the mission must proceed as a hoax to ensure NASA’s survival and continued funding.
• Charles Brubaker: “What happens if we don’t comply?” – Brubaker questions Kelloway about the consequences of refusing to participate in the faked Mars mission.
• Albain: “Twenty five dollars to dust a field, but you ain’t got no field because you ain’t no farmer, which means you ain’t poor and I think you’re a pervert!” – Albain confronts Caulfield when he suspects he is not who he claims to be.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $5,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $20,088,596
• Worldwide Gross: $20,520,000

💥 Capricorn One Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this movie as a kid and being totally captivated by the idea of a faked Mars landing. The suspense was incredible, especially during the desert chase scenes. The thought that the government could go to such lengths to maintain a lie was chilling. Seeing James Brolin running for his life in the desert made me sweat! Definitely a memorable thriller that stayed with me.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of conspiracy thrillers”
  • “Those interested in space exploration themes”
  • “Viewers who enjoy 1970s-era cinema”
  • “People who like movies with fast-paced action”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence and intense scenes”
  • “Brief strong language”
  • “Themes of government deception”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “Capricorn One effectively captures the post-Watergate paranoia with a gripping narrative and strong performances, though the plot occasionally strains credulity. The aerial chase sequences are particularly thrilling and elevate the overall suspense.
• Variety: “A well-crafted thriller that explores the potential for government deception, featuring solid performances from Elliott Gould and James Brolin. While the conspiracy elements may seem far-fetched, the film’s pacing and suspense make it a compelling watch.
• RogerEbert.com: “Capricorn One presents an intriguing premise but suffers from some plot contrivances and uneven pacing. The film is bolstered by a strong cast and Jerry Goldsmith’s score, but ultimately falls short of its potential as a truly great conspiracy thriller.

Audience Reactions

The aerial chase scene between the biplane and helicopters is one of the most exciting and memorable action sequences in the film.: Viewers consistently praise the suspenseful pacing and the exploration of government conspiracy themes.

The casting choices, especially Elliott Gould and Hal Holbrook, are praised for bringing depth to their characters.: Many viewers find the film thought-provoking and relevant, exploring themes of trust and deception.

Overall Consensus: Capricorn One is a suspenseful conspiracy thriller with a strong cast and an intriguing premise, though some elements may feel dated or implausible to modern viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “NASA provided technical assistance during the film’s production, including mock-up spacecraft, sets, vehicles, and front screen projection expertise, despite the film’s critical portrayal of the agency.”
• “The film’s premise was conceived by writer/director Peter Hyams during his time as a CBS reporter covering the Vietnam War, where he envisioned how easily a government could cover up information.”
• “Originally released in Japan in a longer (129 min) version which featured alternate and extended scenes, including an additional scenes showing the docking of the spaceship during the Mars landing sequence. This version was unavailable for decades and considered lost, until a copy was discovered in the National Film Archive of Japan and was finally released on Blu-ray in Japan in 2019.”

🖥️ How to Watch Capricorn One?

Capricorn One is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for television airings. Unfortunately, it is not currently available on subscription-based streaming services like Netflix or Hulu.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Capricorn One, you might like these similar films:

• All the President’s Men (1976): Focuses on investigative journalism uncovering a government conspiracy, similar to Robert Caulfield’s pursuit of the truth in ‘Capricorn One’.
• The China Syndrome (1979): Deals with a cover-up at a nuclear power plant, reflecting the late 70s paranoia about corporate and governmental dishonesty, a common theme in ‘Capricorn One’.
• Wag the Dog (1997): Satirizes the manipulation of public opinion and the creation of a fake war to distract from a political scandal, echoing the themes of deception and media manipulation in ‘Capricorn One’.
• Moon (2009): Features a solitary astronaut and explores themes of isolation and the ethics of corporate and governmental control, resonating with the astronaut’s dilemma in ‘Capricorn One’.

🛒 Capricorn One Related Products

• Capricorn One [Blu-ray]: High-definition Blu-ray edition for collectors, featuring restored visuals and enhanced audio. Perfect for reliving the suspense of this classic thriller.
• Conspiracy Thriller Movie Posters: Vintage-style movie poster, capturing the film’s iconic imagery and suspenseful atmosphere. A great addition to any movie room or collection.
• Capricorn One: The Novelization: Experience the thrills of Capricorn One in a new way with the official novelization. Dive deeper into the characters’ motivations and the intricate details of the conspiracy.
• Conspiracy Board Game: A strategic board game where players uncover hidden agendas and navigate treacherous alliances. Inspired by films like Capricorn One, this game challenges players to expose or conceal the truth.

🎧 Soundtrack

Capricorn One features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by Jerry Goldsmith
• “The Landing” – performed by Jerry Goldsmith
• “The Chase” – performed by Jerry Goldsmith

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Everything you need to know about Capricorn One (1977)

Curious about ‘Capricorn One’ but don’t have time for a full rewatch? This video breaks down everything you need to know in under 8 minutes. Honestly, it’s a super helpful summary and makes you appreciate the movie even more!

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