Capricorn One

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3:09

Capricorn One

PG

1978

2h 4m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

64%

Tomatometer

22 Reviews

59%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Three astronauts (James Brolin, Sam Waterston, O.J. Simpson) are about to launch into space on the first mission to Mars. But when a mechanical failure surfaces that would kill the three men, NASA removes them from the Capricorn One capsule. To prevent a public outcry, NASA launches the capsule unmanned and requires the astronauts to film fake mission footage in a studio. However, the plan is compromised when an ambitious journalist (Elliott Gould) discovers the conspiracy.

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Critics Consensus

A string of questionable plot contrivances threaten to bury its story, but Capricorn One manages to unfurl an amusing, sharply cynical conspiracy yarn.

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Time Out

Pretty soon the project gets bogged down in innumerable difficulties, not helped by the awfulness of most of the dialogue.

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

Variety

In general, it is a script of conveniences.

Feb 13, 2001

Full Review

Michael Clark

Epoch Times

You’ll know the exact moment when everything goes south with the arrival of Telly Savalas as a motor-mouth, insulting, fish-out-of-water, crop-dusting pilot. Once his character shows up, the movie takes on a farcical, almost borderline slapstick tone.

Rated: 2.5/5

Aug 17, 2023

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Although this could be something of a vindication for moon-landing deniers, the script is clever enough to shape itself as a thriller more than commentary on the monetary value of international deception (and rivalry) or local political machinations.

Rated: 7/10

Sep 22, 2022

Full Review

Fernando Trueba

El Pais (Spain)

The movie attempts to please, but its flaws are excessive. [Full Review in Spanish]

Jul 31, 2019

Full Review

Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

A good conspiracy thriller needs to make its scenario and setup believable to be effective, and this film nails that.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 14, 2019

Full Review

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Ian R

Total crap. This movie has not improved with time. The cast was okay with the clear exception of Telly Savalas.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/24/25

Full Review

Sebastian L

Capricorn peeks your interest initially but looses momentum while you're trying to figure out who the protagonist is. Caulfield is the one with the story and Gould does an excellent job considering the material, but he's introduced offhandedly and instead of getting to know him the movie wastes our time crawling around in the desert or at tables where people sit and talk calmly. Such a talented cast seem wasted on this production.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/10/25

Full Review

Thomas W

Saw this movie on June 16, 1978. Married the girl I saw it with one year later. We watch it every June 16 and saw it today on our 46th anniversary. June 16, 2025. Gotta give it a five. If I did not have the personal connection I'd probably be around 3ish.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/17/25

Full Review

Ads T

This film offers a very interesting premise but quickly becomes too silly to enjoy on a deeper level. Solid entertainment but disappointing sci-fi.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/14/25

Full Review

Shawn R

It's scary to think that maybe they could pull this off.. good movie

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/21/25

Full Review

Felix T

Finally, a movie about how government works when they think we aren't watching.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/18/24

Full Review

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Peter Hyams

Director

Elliott Gould

Robert Caulfield

James Brolin

Charles Brubaker

Hal Holbrook

Dr. James Kelloway

Brenda Vaccaro

Kay Brubaker

Sam Waterston

Peter Willis

Capricorn One: Official Clip - Revealing the Landing Studio

2:21

Capricorn One: Official Clip - Avoiding Capture

2:28

Capricorn One: Official Clip - Faked Mars Landing

2:58

Capricorn One: Official Clip - I Don't Like You, Caulfield

2:55

Capricorn One: Official Clip - Biplane Helicopter Chase

2:59

Capricorn One: Official Clip - Launching Capricorn One

3:00

Capricorn One: Official Clip - Threatening Their Familes

2:46

Capricorn One: Official Clip - Hiring a Plane

1:55

Capricorn One: Official Clip - Escaping From Captivity

2:58

Capricorn One: Official Clip - How to Break Bad News

3:04

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Capricorn One: Trailer 1

3:09

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Synopsis

Three astronauts (James Brolin, Sam Waterston, O.J. Simpson) are about to launch into space on the first mission to Mars. But when a mechanical failure surfaces that would kill the three men, NASA removes them from the Capricorn One capsule. To prevent a public outcry, NASA launches the capsule unmanned and requires the astronauts to film fake mission footage in a studio. However, the plan is compromised when an ambitious journalist (Elliott Gould) discovers the conspiracy.

Director: Peter Hyams
Producer: Paul N. Lazarus III
Screenwriter: Peter Hyams
Production Co: ITC Films, Associated General Films
Rating: PG
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 18, 2016
Runtime: 2h 4m

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