After a collision with a comet, a nearly 8km wide piece of the asteroid "Orpheus" is heading towards Earth. If it hits it will cause an incredible catastrophe which will probably extinguish mankind. To stop the meteor NASA wants to use the illegal nuclear weapon satellite "Hercules" but discovers soon that it doesn't have enough firepower. Their only chance to save the world is to join forces with the USSR who have also launched such an illegal satellite. But will both governments agree?
Practical Effects
Deliciously fake miniatures of NYC getting obliterated.
Acting
Sean Connery somehow keeps dignity in a hard hat.
Production
Actual footage shot at the real UN before they said no more.
Director
Ronald Neame
Sean Connery
Paul Bradley
Natalie Wood
Tatiana Donskaya
Karl Malden
Harry Sherwood
Brian Keith
Dr. Dubov
Martin Landau
General Adlon
Trevor Howard
Sir Michael Hughes
Richard Dysart
Secretary of Defense
Henry Fonda
The President
Joseph Campanella
General Easton
Bo Brundin
Rolf Manheim
James G. Richardson
Alan Marshall
Roger Robinson
Bill Hunter
John Findlater
Astronaut Tom Easton
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The film's 'Hercules' satellite concept accidentally predicted Reagan's actual Strategic Defense Initiative by four years. Art imitates life imitating bad ideas.
Released months after 'Star Wars' and the same year as 'Moonracker,' this was Hollywood's desperate attempt to make space serious again using cardboard and Sean Connery's gravitas.
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