Synopsis
The explorer craft USS Palomino is returning to Earth after a fruitless 18-month search for extra-terrestrial life when the crew comes upon a supposedly lost ship, the USS Cygnus, hovering near a black hole. The ship is controlled by Dr. Hans Reinhardt and his monstrous robot companion, but the initial wonderment and awe the Palomino crew feel for the ship and its resistance to the power of the black hole turn to horror as they uncover Reinhardt's plans.
Key facts
Cast
Maximilian Schell, Anthony Perkins, Robert Forster, Joseph Bottoms, Yvette Mimieux, Ernest Borgnine, Tom McLoughlin, Roddy McDowall
Original language
English
First release
December 19, 1979 (United Kingdom)
Production companies
The Walt Disney Company
Home video distributors
Walt Disney Home Video (United States), Anchor Bay Entertainment (United States)
Setting
USS Palomino, USS Cygnus, black hole
Crew
Screenplay
Gerry Day, Jeb Rosebrook
Producer
Ron Miller
Cinematography
Frank V. Phillips
Editing
G. Gregg McLaughlin
Music
John Barry
Trailer
Stills
Reviews
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Festival History
- Boston SciFi Film Fest 2026 - Features
- HÕFF - Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival 2025 - Sci-fi Films, HÕFF’s Estonian Genre Film Competition, Official Selection - Out of Competition
- Les Utopiales - International Science Fiction Festival 2025 - Compétition internationale de longs-métrages
- Hugo Awards 1980 generic - Best Dramatic Presentation
Titles
| Original title | The Black Hole | |
| Québec French title | Le Trou noir |
VHS & home video releases
| VHS | Walt Disney Home Video (cat. no. 11VS) | 1980, United States, clamshell |
| VHS | Anchor Bay Entertainment (cat. no. SV10703) | 1999, United States, clamshell |
| VHS | Anchor Bay Entertainment (cat. no. SV10704) | 1999 |
Soundtracks
| Vinyl LP | The Black Hole (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - John Barry (1979) | 15 releases, 1979-1980: Buena Vista Records, Disneyland, Pickwick, התקליט |
| CD | The Black Hole (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - John Barry (1979) | 1 release, 2011: Walt Disney Records |
| Cassette | The Black Hole (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - John Barry (1979) | 3 releases, 1979-1980: Buena Vista Records, Disneyland, Pickwick Records |
| 8-track | The Black Hole (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - John Barry (1979) | 1 release, 1979: Pickwick Records |
Releases & classifications
| Theatrical | United Kingdom | December 19, 1979 |
| Theatrical | Ireland | December 19, 1979 |
| Theatrical | United States | December 21, 1979 |
| Theatrical | Argentina | January 3, 1980 |
| Theatrical | Brazil | March 3, 1980 |
| Theatrical | Australia | March 28, 1980 |
| Theatrical | Philippines | July 2, 1980 |
| Theatrical | Hong Kong | July 3, 1980 |
| Theatrical | Taiwan | July 17, 1980 |
| Theatrical | Mexico | August 14, 1980 |
| Theatrical | Netherlands | September 11, 1980 |
| Theatrical | Uruguay | September 12, 1980 |
| Theatrical | Finland | October 3, 1980 |
| Theatrical | Italy | October 9, 1980 |
| Theatrical | France | October 15, 1980 |
| Theatrical | Belgium | October 16, 1980 |
| Theatrical | Germany | October 17, 1980 |
| Theatrical | Denmark | October 17, 1980 |
| Theatrical | Sweden | October 18, 1980 |
| Theatrical | Colombia | November 19, 1980 |
| Theatrical | Spain | December 19, 1980 |
| Theatrical | Portugal | December 19, 1980 |
| Theatrical | Japan | December 20, 1980 |
| Television | Chile | January 21, 1992 |
| Classification | Germany | 12 |
| Classification | United Kingdom | PG |
| Classification | United States | PG |
Versions & editions
| Home video VHS | United States | 1980 11VS |
| Home video VHS | United States | 1999 SV10703 |
| Home video VHS | 1999 SV10704 |
Full credits
| Director | Gary Nelson |
| Cast | Maximilian Schell (Dr. Hans Reinhardt), Anthony Perkins (Dr. Alex Durant), Robert Forster (Captain Dan Holland), Joseph Bottoms (Lieutenant Charles Pizer), Yvette Mimieux (Dr. Kate McCrae), Ernest Borgnine (Harry Booth), Tom McLoughlin (Captain S.T.A.R.), Roddy McDowall (V.I.N.CENT. (voice) (uncredited)), Slim Pickens (B.O.B. (voice) (uncredited)), Gary Nelson (Drone with Mask Removed (uncredited)), Steven Banks (Sentry Robot (uncredited)), Don Lewis (Sentry Robot (uncredited)) |
| Screenplay | Gerry Day, Jeb Rosebrook |
| Story | Bob Barbash, Jeb Rosebrook, Richard H. Landau |
| Producer | Ron Miller |
| Cinematography | Frank V. Phillips |
| Editing | G. Gregg McLaughlin |
| Music | John Barry |
| Production design | Peter Ellenshaw |
| Costumes | Bill Thomas |
Additional data: TMDB.
Source: Cinémathèque québécoise, linked catalogue data (CC BY 4.0)
