Capricorn One

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3:09

Capricorn One

PG

1978

2h 4m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

65%

Tomatometer

23 Reviews

58%

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

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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

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Philip G

Unbelievable start to finish. Telly savalas hilarious though

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

06/11/24

Full Review

Rich S

I'll stand by this one. I liked it when I first saw it and I like it enough that I watched it on Comet TV with about a dozen ASPCA commercial. And I like it enough to watch it on the Disney Channel to end the 2023 viewing season.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/01/24

Full Review

C

In light that NASA currently wants to return to the moon and mine the resources of the moon, and use the moon as a launch pad to go to Mars, this movie has held value over the years. IMO, the movie makes one ask what is the ultimate purpose of space exploration. I really like the plot and script of the movie. James Brolan is really good in the movie. The lone survivor who races to his family at the end. Hal Holbrook is masterful at playing the villain. Elliot Gould, the honest reporter, plays the part well. Sam Waterston and Brenda Viccaro are good.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/20/23

Full Review

Gillian C

Three handsome, hero astronauts placed in an impossible situation. It is going to take every last bit of their resourcefulness to survive. Brilliant script and great casting and acting. A very thought-provoking film about the way governments manipulate. Seriously, get swept along with it and enjoy. One of my all time favourite films.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/29/23

Full Review

Andy S

Great plot and great cast with strong performances from Brolin, Hal Holbrook, even (gasp) OJ. Fantastic movie that really makes you think.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/05/23

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

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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

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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: Associated General Films, ITC Films
Rating: PG
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 18, 2016
Runtime: 2h 4m

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