Colossus: The Forbin Project

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Colossus: The Forbin Project

PG

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1h 40m

Sci-Fi

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Popcornmeter

90%

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10 Reviews

76%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Tucked away in a secret location in the Rockies, Dr. Charles Forbin (Eric Braeden) has developed a massive computer system, dubbed "Colossus," that is supposed to ensure the nation's safety against nuclear attack. But when Colossus connects to a similar Russian computer, "Guardian," the intelligent machines begin conducting a private dialog. Nervous as to what they might be plotting, Forbin severs the connection, only to have Colossus threaten a nuclear attack if the link isn't restored.

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Tom Milne

Time Out

After an excellent beginning, the craven script (based on DF Jones' novel Colossus) develops cold feet, injects some tiresome comic relief, and gradually begins to drag the whole thing down.

Jan 26, 2006

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Vincent Canby

New York Times

The movie is full of marvelous, absurd dialogue.

Rated: 4/5

May 9, 2005

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Above-average science fiction.

Apr 9, 2005

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Scott Collura

IGN Movies

It remains one of the most gripping and prophetic films to ask the question: What happens when we create something that is smarter than us?

Apr 4, 2025

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

The hardware may be dated but the intelligent screenplay from James Bridges constructs a sophisticated, continually surprising thriller that pits man against a globally connected computer network which couldn’t be more contemporary.

Oct 6, 2023

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TV Guide

Taut, well-made sci-fi thriller about a massive computer.

Rated: 3/4

Dec 14, 2010

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bear h

It may be slow by today's viewing habits but it's a buried classic. One of the most unnerving you'll see. Interesting how many older reviews here don't relate it to the present. Now with ai readily available it's taken on a whole new relevancy. Even the main character, an asexual scientist with a cold demeanor, has become a kind of norm with the likes of Sheldon from The Big Bang. Also, the president who cares more about his political standing and media image than the looming crisis of total annihilation. These were deceptively brave choices then that have now found total recognition. Time has raised the bar on how much this could really happen. Now, we just don't have nuclear threat but technicological annihilation of the freedoms we treasure.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/31/25

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Audience Member

i want to kiss the computer

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/26/24

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arb f

It was inspiration to me as a kid.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/26/24

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Blobbo X

Pale, silly, slow-moving, mostly Canadian imitation of Wargames, which came years later, so how is that possible? hahaha. Machines cannot feel or want. Computer voiced by Paul Frees --- naturally.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/17/23

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Audience Member

I liked this film. Calm, reasoned scientists trying to figure out how to defeat an empowered computer that is ready to take over the world. Clever dialogue, firm acting.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

This is an old movie, back when computers were in their infancy. Yet it is totally unsettling and should be watched as computers take more and more power in our lives.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

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Joseph Sargent

Director

Eric Braeden

Dr. Charles Forbin

Susan Clark

Dr. Cleo Markham

Gordon Pinsent

The President

William Schallert

CIA Director Grauber

Leonid Rostoff

Russian Chairman

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Synopsis

Tucked away in a secret location in the Rockies, Dr. Charles Forbin (Eric Braeden) has developed a massive computer system, dubbed "Colossus," that is supposed to ensure the nation's safety against nuclear attack. But when Colossus connects to a similar Russian computer, "Guardian," the intelligent machines begin conducting a private dialog. Nervous as to what they might be plotting, Forbin severs the connection, only to have Colossus threaten a nuclear attack if the link isn't restored.

Director: Joseph Sargent
Producer: Stanley Chase
Production Co: Universal/Universal Int
Rating: PG
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Nov 23, 2004
Runtime: 1h 40m