“There was one event of really enormous importance that had almost no witnesses. And the only verification we have . . . came from a TV camera”.
Writer-Director Peter Hyams has a point: what if the Apollo 11 moon landing never actually happened?
As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, it’s about 50 years of conspiracy theories as well, and one film told the story of how such a thing could have happened!
“Capricorn One” Has The Scoop!
It’s “Cult Movie Monday”, and with the 50th anniversary of the moon landing around us, it’s time to check out this terrific 1977 thriller that asks the question: what if the moon landing was faked?
The destination in the film has been changed to Mars, but the film uses the conspiracy theories around the Moon landing as its basis in reality…
Sam Waterston, James Brolin and OJ Simpson are the three Astronauts who are scheduled to fly to Mars on this historic mission – but are secretly pulled from the capsule at the last minute…the plan is to fake the Mars landing and keep the astronauts at a remote base until the mission is over, but then investigative journalist Robert Caulfield, played by Elliot Gould, starts to suspect something.
Here is the trailer:
Yes, Elliott Gould and James Brolin both star in the film: Barbra Streisand’s two real-life husbands!
The movie is really well done, laying out a plausible conspiracy to “fake” news – but of course things unravel quickly!
Here is more great trivia: despite being portrayed as a villain, NASA actually provided technical assistance, including mock-up spacecraft, sets and vehicles for the filmmakers to use!
One last interesting story, according to IMDB:
During his interview in the 2016 ESPN documentary O.J.: Made in America, Capricorn One director Peter Hyams admitted that the studio had given him a mandate to cast O.J. Simpson as John Walker. Hyams said, “I thought there were worthy African American actors who had paid their dues as actors, who had shown their talent. My first choice was either Robert Hooks or Bernie Casey, so my reaction was less than enthusiastic.”
Check out “Capricorn One” – this week’s “Cult Movie Monday!”
Categories: 70's Cinema, Action Films, Cult Movies, Great Films, Hollywood, Movies, Obscure Movies, Pop Culture, Talent/Celebrities, Uncategorized
johnrieber 
What an interesting idea, John. Of course, it could have been faked but it is such a big thing that I would never have expected it.
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Well, it’s part of our strange world where people come up with ludicrous “conspiracy” theories about almost everything..this movie is a great thriller, however!
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I absolutely need to see this! I always joke with my buddies about the moon landing never happened. I had no idea this movie existed. As always thanks for exposing another gem.
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Thanks for the comment – this is a terrific thriller!
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I loved that film, John! Not only was exciting, it supported my own theory at the time. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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HA! Not you, Pete!
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Oh, another grand oldie but goodie, John! Love this ’70s thriller. Has one of the greatest aerial action sequences ever, too. Saw it first-run and picked up the Blu-ray just last year.
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Yes, I bought the blu-ray as well..terrific thrille – thanks for the comment!
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