Andromeda Strain - A Movie Review

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The "Andromeda Strain" released in 1971 is a science fiction thriller produced and directed by Robert Wise based on a 1969 novel by one of my all-time favorite authors, Michael Crichton. CAST Arthur Hill - Dr. Jeremy Stone James Olson - Dr. Mark Hall David Wayne - Dr. Charles Dutton Kate Reid - Dr. Ruth Leavitt Paula Kelly - Karen Anson George Mitchell - Mr. Peter Jackson In a flashback, Dr. Jeremy Stone is testifying to an unseen committee. A United States Government satellite project code-named Scoop crash-lands near Piedmont, New Mexico. Almost all of the residents die immediately. A military satellite recovery team is sent to retrieve the satellite; but communication is lost mid-sentence. The military now believes that the satellite has brought back an alien organism; so it activates a scientific team previously put together for this type of situation. Dr. Stone, the team leader, and Dr. Hall, the team surgeon are dropped by helicopter into Piedmont to look for the satellite and are wearing special sealed suits. They discover that the town's doctor has possession of the satellite and has opened it. All his blood has turned to powder, as has most of the other victims in the town. Not all victims died immediately. Two went insane and then committed suicide. The team returns with two survivors -- a 69-year-old alcoholic and a six-month-old baby. What do the two have in common? The team of four research scientists which also includes Dr. Dutton and Dr. Leavitt are called from their current positions to a top-secret lab with the name of Wildfire. It is an underground facility in Nevada. Before they can get to the laboratory level, they must spend a whole day of rigorous decontamination and endure four levels of disinfection so that they can proceed to the fifth and final level. The facility is equipped with an automatic nuclear self-destruct mechanism in the event that an organism should escape the lab. Dr. Hall has the only key that can deactivate the device. Scoop is examined with powerful cameras; and the green, growing life form is found and assigned the name Andromeda. MY OPINION I love a good science fiction movie, especially if it's based on a book by Michael Crichton. Split-screen technology was used in this film which, at the time, was considered very tech-forward. The movie is dated, of that you can be sure; but it still warrants a viewing. It's one of the classic science fiction movies of its time. You will find out what happens with Andromeda; and you will find out what is the common denominator between a 69-year-old alcoholic and a six-month-old baby. This movie is rated G. Photo Credit: Pixabay