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

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

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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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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

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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

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

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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: 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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