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

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Variety

In general, it is a script of conveniences.

Feb 13, 2001

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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

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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

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Fernando Trueba

El Pais (Spain)

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

Jul 31, 2019

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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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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

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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

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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

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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

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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: 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: 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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