Synopsis
When virtually all of the residents of Piedmont, New Mexico, are found dead after the return to Earth of a space satellite, the head of the US Air Force's Project Scoop declares an emergency. A group of eminent scientists led by Dr. Jeremy Stone scramble to a secure laboratory and try to first isolate the life form while determining why two people from Piedmont - an old alcoholic and a six-month-old baby - survived. The scientists methodically study the alien life form unaware that it has already mutated and presents a far greater danger in the lab, which is equipped with a nuclear self-destruct device designed to prevent the escape of dangerous biological agents.
Key facts
Cast
Arthur Hill, Kate Reid, Ramon Bieri, George Mitchell, James Olson, Paula Kelly, David Wayne, Peter Hobbs
Original language
English
First release
March 12, 1971 (Denmark)
Production companies
Universal Pictures
Home video distributors
MCA Videocassette (United States), MCA Universal Home Video (United States)
Based on
The Andromeda Strain
Setting
New Mexico, Nevada, California, Utah, Washington, D.C.
Filming locations
California
Crew
Screenplay
Nelson Gidding
Producer
Robert Wise
Cinematography
Richard H. Kline
Editing
Allan Sohl, John W. Holmes, Stuart Gilmore, Gordon Clark, Gil Mellé
Music
Gil Mellé
Trailer
Stills
Reviews
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Festival History
- The Fantasy Film Festival 2024
- Academy Awards 1972 academy_award
- Golden Globes (USA) 1972 generic
- Hugo Awards 1972 generic - Best Dramatic Presentation
Titles
| Original title | The Andromeda Strain | |
| Québec French title | Le Mystère Andromède | |
| Alternate title | La Amenaza de Andromeda |
VHS & home video releases
| VHS | MCA Videocassette (cat. no. VHS55037) | 1981, United States, slipcase |
| VHS | MCA Universal Home Video (cat. no. 55037) | 1990, United States, slipcase |
Soundtracks
| Vinyl LP | The Andromeda Strain (Original Electronic Soundtrack) - Gil Mellé (1971) | 3 releases, 1971-1986: Kapp Records, MCA Records |
| 10" vinyl | The Andromeda Strain (Original Electronic Soundtrack) - Gil Mellé (1971) | 2 releases, 1971-2017: Jackpot Records, Kapp Records |
| CD | The Andromeda Strain (Original Electronic Soundtrack) - Gil Mellé (1971) | 2 releases, 2010: Intrada |
Releases & classifications
| Theatrical | Denmark | March 12, 1971 |
| Television | Finland | March 12, 1971 |
| Theatrical | United States | March 12, 1971 |
| Theatrical | United Kingdom | July 1, 1971 |
| Theatrical | Australia | August 24, 1971 |
| Theatrical | New Zealand | August 24, 1971 |
| Theatrical | Japan | August 28, 1971 |
| Theatrical | Italy | October 12, 1971 |
| Theatrical | Brazil | November 10, 1971 |
| Theatrical | Germany | January 5, 1972 |
| Theatrical | Sweden | January 28, 1972 |
| Theatrical | France | April 10, 1972 |
| Theatrical | Ireland | May 5, 1972 |
| Theatrical | Hungary | July 5, 1973 |
| Television | Netherlands | January 12, 2003 |
| Classification | Germany | 12 |
| Classification | United Kingdom | PG |
| Classification | United States | G |
Versions & editions
| Home video VHS | United States | 1981 VHS55037 |
| Home video VHS | United States | 1990 55037 |
| Home video | Sweden | August 24, 2015 |
Full credits
| Director | Robert Wise |
| Cast | Arthur Hill, Kate Reid, Ramon Bieri, George Mitchell, James Olson, Paula Kelly, David Wayne, 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), Carl Reindel (Lt. Comroe), Ken Swofford (Toby (technician)), Frances Reid (Clara Dutton), Richard Bull (Air Force Major), John Carter (MP Capt. Morton), Glenn Langan (Cabinet Secretary (uncredited)), Sandra de Bruin (Technician (uncredited)), Susan Brown (Allison Stone (uncredited)), Bart La Rue (Medic Captain (uncredited)), Walter Brooke (Assistant to Cabinet Secretary (uncredited)), Jan Burrell (Mother - Piedmont (uncredited)), Dee Carroll (Technician (uncredited)), Michael Crichton (Bearded Surgeon (uncredited)), David McLean (Sen. McKenzie (uncredited)), Emory Parnell (Pete 'Old Doughboy' Arnold (uncredited)), Michael Pataki (Operator of 'The Hand' (uncredited)), Quinn K. Redeker (Capt. Morris (uncredited)), Garry Walberg (Technician (uncredited)), Len Wayland (Utah Crash Site Officer (uncredited)), Jason Johnson (Dr. Benedict (uncredited)), Ivor Barry (Murray (uncredited)), Lance Fuller (Man (uncredited)), Don Messick (Alarm (voice) (uncredited)), Joan Swift (Decontamination Receptionist (uncredited)), Alma Platt (Woman (uncredited)), Paul Ballantyne (Hospital Director (uncredited)), Benjie Bancroft (Police Officer (uncredited)), Joe Billings (Scientist (uncredited)), Patty Bodeen (Girl (uncredited)), Michael Bow (MP at Stone's (uncredited)), Duke Cigrang (Father - Piedmont (uncredited)), Rhodie Cogan ((uncredited)), Lisa Daniels (Woman (uncredited)), Bill Dunbar (Vandenberg AFB Sergeant (uncredited)), Harold Dyrenforth ((uncredited)), Walker Edmiston (Voice (voice) (uncredited)), Sandra Ego (Girl (uncredited)), Don Ellis ((uncredited)), Judy Farrell (Pam (uncredited)), James W. Gavin (Dempsey - Helicopter Pilot (uncredited)), Sheila Jo Guthrie (Girl - Piedmont (uncredited)), Robert L. Hughes (Air Force Technician (uncredited)), Jamie Lamb (Boy - Piedmont (uncredited)), Johnny Lee (Boy (uncredited)), Theodore Lehmann (Scientist (uncredited)), Tom McDonough (Stetson (uncredited)), Cliff Medaugh (Civilian (uncredited)), Victoria Paige Meyerink ((uncredited)), Midori (Bess - Lab Technician (uncredited)), Carl B. Morrison ((uncredited)), Francisco Ortega (Gateman at Agricultural Center (uncredited)), Georgia Schmidt (Old Lady - Piedmont (uncredited)), Reuben Singer (Dr. Rudolph Karp (uncredited)), Gilchrist Stuart (Man (uncredited)), Lorna Thayer (Woman (uncredited)), Gary Waynesmith (Air Force Technician (uncredited)), Russ Whiteman (Civilian (uncredited)) |
| Screenplay | Nelson Gidding |
| Producer | Robert Wise |
| Cinematography | Richard H. Kline |
| Editing | Allan Sohl, John W. Holmes, Stuart Gilmore, Gordon Clark, Gil Mellé |
| Music | Gil Mellé |
| Production design | Boris Leven |
| Visual effects | Johnny Borgese, Whitey McMahon |
| Sound | James R. Alexander, Ronald Pierce, Stuart Gilmore, Waldon O. Watson, John W. Holmes |
| Costumes | Helen Colvig |
Additional data: TMDB.
Source: Cinémathèque québécoise, linked catalogue data (CC BY 4.0)
