IMDb > The Andromeda Strain (1971)
The Andromeda Strain
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The Andromeda Strain (1971) More at IMDbPro »

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The Andromeda Strain (1971) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)
The Andromeda Strain (1971) -- Clip: Escaping with infection

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Overview

User Rating:
7.3/10   9,271 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 16% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Michael Crichton (novel)
Nelson Gidding (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Andromeda Strain on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
12 March 1971 (USA) more
Tagline:
The picture runs 130 minutes!... The story covers 96 of the most critical hours in man's history!... The suspense will last through your lifetime!
Plot:
A group of scientists investigate a deadly new alien virus before it can spread. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(7 articles)
Two New Michael Crichton Novels Found
 (From Worst Previews. 7 April 2009, 12:30 PM, PDT)

Hollywood Circling Two New Michael Crichton Books
 (From CinemaSpy. 6 April 2009, 9:05 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
Near Perfect more (132 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Arthur Hill ... Dr. Jeremy Stone
David Wayne ... Dr. Charles Dutton
James Olson ... Dr. Mark Hall
Kate Reid ... Dr. Ruth Leavitt
Paula Kelly ... Karen Anson
George Mitchell ... Jackson
Ramon Bieri ... Major Manchek
Peter Hobbs ... General Sparks
Kermit Murdock ... Dr. Robertson
Richard O'Brien ... Grimes
Eric Christmas ... Senator from Vermont
Mark Jenkins ... Lt. Shawn (Piedmont team)
Peter Helm ... Sgt. Crane (Piedmont team)
Joe Di Reda ... Wildfire Computer Sgt. Burk (as Joe DiReda)
Carl Reindel ... Lt. Comroe
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Andromeda (Italy) [it]
Andromeda - Tödlicher Staub aus dem All (West Germany) [de]
Andromeda uhkaa (Finland) [fi]
Andromeda znaczy smierc (Poland) [pl]
Andromeda, apostoli akros aporritos (Greece) [el]
Andromeda-truselen (Norway) [no]
Apeili apo to diastima (Greece) (TV title) [el]
Az androméda-törzs (Hungary) [hu]
Hotet (Sweden) [sv]
La amenaza de Andrómeda (Spain) [es]
Le mystère Andromède (France) [fr]
Truslen fra det ukendte (Denmark) [da]
more
Runtime:
131 min | Belgium:115 min (video version)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
4-Track Stereo (35 mm prints) | 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) (Westrex Recording System)
Certification:
Australia:M | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) (2003) | Canada:G (Manitoba) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Netherlands:12 | Finland:K-12 | Norway:12 (original rating) | Sweden:15 | UK:PG | USA:G | West Germany:12 | UK:AA (original rating) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Singapore:PG

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The Wildfire scientific lab sets cost more than $300,000 to build, and were described at the time as "one of the most elaborately detailed interiors ever built." more
Goofs:
Continuity: When the scientists get to the doctor's office in Piedmont, they leave the driver's side door of the van open, almost farther than a standard van door is allowed to open. When they return, it is open only that standard amount. more
Quotes:
Dr. Jeremy Stone: According to this, there'll be a super-colony of Andromeda over the entire southwest in...
Dr. Charles Dutton: Jeremy! These are biological *warfare* maps!
Dr. Jeremy Stone: Why, yes... so they are... uh... but... simulations, Charlie. Defensive... it's just a scenario.
Dr. Ruth Leavitt: That's not the POINT, for God's sake! Wildfire was built for germ warfare! Wildfire AND Scoop! And you knew, Stone! YOU KNEW IT!
Dr. Jeremy Stone: That's not true, Ruth! I learned about Scoop the same time you did!
Dr. Charles Dutton: They already have Andromeda programmed! The purpose of Scoop was to find new biological weapons in outer space, and then use Wildfire to develop them!
Dr. Ruth Leavitt: It STINKS, Stone!
Dr. Jeremy Stone: You're blowing your tops! We have no proof...
Dr. Charles Dutton: The MAP!
Dr. Jeremy Stone: DON'T BE AN ASS! That map only shows what Andromeda *could* do in the hands of an enemy!
[...]
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FAQ

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41 out of 46 people found the following comment useful.
Near Perfect, 20 March 2003
9/10
Author: henry-girling from London, England

Robert Wise is an under rated director but in his body of work are such gems as 'The Body Snatcher', 'The Set-Up', 'The Day the Earth Stood Still', 'Odds Against Tomorrow', 'The Haunting', 'West Side Story', 'I Want to Live!' and on its own terms, 'The Sound of Music'. He managed to make genre films more interesting and watchable than other more celebrated directors.

'The Andromeda Strain' is an engrossing film from beginning to end. It is science fiction, alien virus comes to earth type thing, but has more depth than just that. The scientists, played very well by Arthur Hill, David Wayne, Kate Reid and James Olson, are fallible and have real emotions. Yet in them is a longing to know, to discover, to solve. Most popular cinema celebrate the fist or the gun but part of the excitement of this film is the use of the intellect to tackle the problem. Brains and not brawn is key.

The early scenes in the town of Piedmont are fascinating. Nothing dramatic, only small details adding up to a large tragedy. Restrained film making is not common but in this case it is really effective. After these scenes the film moves on as fear and wonder grip the scientists to a satisfying conclusion.

The electronic music is just right, the sets are atmospheric, the hard ware plausible and the photography simple and effective. A mention should be made of Paula Kelly as a nurse, an excellent actor and shamefully under used in films. (She is great in 'Sweet Charity' too.)In a supporting role she gives an intelligent, spirited performance.

A near perfect film. Hopefully no one will re-make it.



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Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Andromeda Strain (1971)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Interesting story in New York Times skyegraphics10
What?! Leavitt? A WOMAN? ahhelga
Universal billed it as a family film! mike_cable
Was the Strain sentient? alcummy
Alternative directive 7-11 now in EFFECT?! luccastrel
Always wondered-- gaby01575
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