Countdown (1968 film)
- James Caan: Lee Stegler
- Robert Duvall: Chiz
- Joanna Cook Moore: Mickey Stegler
- Barbara Baxley: Jean
- Charles Aidman: Gus
- Steve Ihnat: Ross Duellan
- Michael Murphy: Rick
Countdown start to the Moon is an American science fiction film directed by Robert Altman in 1967, is based on the novel The Pilgrim Project by Hank Searls. The German premiere took place on 29 March 1968.
Action
Americans and the Soviet Union are engaged in a competition for supremacy in space. The goal is to bring the first nation to a man on the moon. The U.S. is preparing for it in front of the Apollo space program. But as is well known that the Soviet Union is on the verge of a lunar landing, Apollo is interrupted with a Gemini capsule alone, especially first thing to send the most experienced its astronauts, Chiz, to the moon.
But then the government in Washington decides against Chiz: He is, alongside his work at NASA also an officer in the U.S. Air Force, and since the Soviet cosmonauts are civilians, the U.S. wants as not inferior to also demonstrate the peaceful intent. And then the second best man, the civilian Stegler Lee, charged with the mission. Chiz is raging with anger and disappointment, agrees but then willing to teach Lee in the short time, not without hope that will not make it and she finally must take him.
Training and preparations go yet progressing well. An unmanned space station, called a bivouac is previously on the moon, in which Lee to pickup to live through an Apollo mission. But then comes the story unexpectedly to the press, and published the intentions of NASA, before it can expand an insurmountable lead against the Soviet Union. And so it starts actually just before, before the Americans can.
Nevertheless, the Gemini with Lee is sent on board for the ride. Except for a few engine problems that drain the batteries and thus affect radio contact, the mission runs smoothly. Lee is in the orbit of the moon at the bivouac, which is equipped with a far shining beacon, by up visually and land in the vicinity, since it stand for change-over in the bivouac only for 2 hours of oxygen available. But there occurs one of the relevant space doctor beforehand apprehension Problem: Lee is exhausted from the journey, inflamed his eyes from the oxygen in the capsule and he is blinded by the sun. With great difficulty he believes the beacon to have tracked down and lands.
Lee emerges from the capsule and sets out to search for the bivouac. Initially unsuccessful, confirming the doubts of his NASA colleagues on the ground that he has probably not seen the beacon and landed far from the bivouac. Travelling on his search he meets the spacecraft of the Soviet Union. Its landing is unsuccessful, the capsule is overturned on the ground next to the dead cosmonauts, the Soviet flag in the hand of a. Lee hoists both flags, and led by a mascot, which has given him his little son on his trip to the moon, he can find in the last minutes of his oxygen is depleted the bivouac happy.
Background
- Producer William Conrad, known as a TV actor ( Cannon, Jake and McCabe - Through thick and thin), has led in some scenes directed.
Reviews
- The television magazine tv feature film notes, " The early work of Robert Altman ( " Gosford Park " ) indicates what the director to this day apart: documentary view and a large ensemble. The focus of the story are the psychological conflicts of the All- pioneers and their families. "
- Said The lexicon of the International film: " blend of captivating technology - reportage and science fiction, criticism of the faith in technology exercises and questions the national power thinking. "