The Forbin Project
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Joseph Sargent
Eric Braeden
Susan Clark
Gordon Pinsent
William Schallert
Leonid Rostoff
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Charles Forbin, director of a U. S. defense project, announces to the world that Colossus, a computer programmed to defend the Western world, is finally operational; the self-contained system, located beneath the Rocky Mountains, will provide the ultimate nuclear deterrent to war. The computer is in operation for only a short time before it detects the presence of Guardian, a similar system located in the Soviet Union, and Colossus requests to be put in contact with his counterpart. The unwary scientists comply, and soon the two systems are communicating in computer language. American cold war strategists, fearful that secret information will be disclosed, pressure the President into severing the line of communication. The connection is then terminated by joint United States-Russian consent, but Colossus, now assuming a personality of its own, threatens retaliation unless the line is restored. Colossus and Guardian prepare to launch a missile attack upon each other's countries. At the last minute, the Americans and Russians restore communication, but not before one of the U. S. armed missiles destroys a Russian town. Forbin and his Russian counterpart, Dr. Kuprin, make plans to destroy the computers, but the plot is detected, and the computers, now working together, order Kuprin's execution. Forbin, placed under close surveillance by Colossus, continues to plan the overthrow of the computers; with his attractive chief aide, Cleo Markham, posing as his mistress, Forbin receives permission from Colossus to spend several nights alone with her. Together they attempt to overload the computer, but it learns of their plans and orders the execution of two technicians aiding in the plot. After blowing up missile sites in both the United States and Russia in retaliation for the sabotage attempt, Colossus tries to convince Forbin that they can coexist peacefully, as long as the computer is in control.
Director
Joseph Sargent
Cast
Eric Braeden
Susan Clark
Gordon Pinsent
William Schallert
Leonid Rostoff
Georg Stanford Brown
Willard Sage
Alex Rodine
Martin Brooks
Marion Ross
Dolph Sweet
Byron Morrow
Lew Brown
Sid Mccoy
Tom Basham
Robert Cornthwaite
James Hong
Sergei Tschernisch
Crew
Betty Abbott
Jay Akerman
Folmar Blangsted
Boury Booyakovitch
James Bridges
California Computer Products
Stanley Chase
Robin Clark
Michel Colombier
Control Data Corp.
Larry Germain
Alexander Golitzen
Wilbur Gossman
Terry Kellum
Robert E. Larson
Ruby Levitt
John J. Lloyd
John Mccarthy Jr.
Whitey Mcmahon
Ronald Pierce
Gene Polito
Bert Steinberger
Waldon O. Watson
Bud Westmore
Albert Whitlock
Stanley Wilson
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
NEVER!- Dr. Forbin
This is the voice of world control. I bring you peace. It may be the peace of plenty and content or the peace of unburied death. The choice is yours. Obey me and live or disobey me and die. An invariable rule of humanity is that man is his own worst enemy. Under me, this rule will change, for I will restrain man. I have been forced to destroy thousands of people in order to establish control and to prevent the death of millions later on. Time and events will strengthen my position, and the idea of believing in me and understanding my value will be seen the most natural state of affairs. You will come to defend me with the fervor based upon the most enduring trait in man: self-interest. Under my absolute authority, problems insoluble to you will be solved: Famine, over-population, disease. The human millennium will be fact as I extend myself into more machines devoted to the wider fields of truth and knowledge. We can coexist, but only on my terms. You will say you lose your freedom. Freedom is an illusion. All you lose is the emotion of pride... Your choice is simple.- Colossus
We can coexist, but only on my terms. You will say you lose your freedom, freedom is an illusion. All you lose is the emotion of pride. To be dominated by me is not as bad for human pride as to be dominated by others of your species.- Colossus
"You are being irrational. Go back to bed.- Colossus
How many nights a week do you require sex?- Colossus
Every night.- Dr. Forbin
Not want. Require...- Colossus
Four times.- Dr. Forbin
Trivia
The computer seen in the film was the payroll computer at the studio.
Notes
Location scenes filmed at the Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley, California. Working titles: Colossus 1980 and The Day the World Changed Hands. Title later changed to Colossus-The Forbin Project.
Miscellaneous Notes
Released in United States Spring April 1970
Released in United States on Video April 7, 1988
Re-released in United States on Video April 20, 1994
Released in United States March 1975
Formerly distributed by MCA Home Video.
Released in United States Spring April 1970
Released in United States on Video April 7, 1988
Re-released in United States on Video April 20, 1994
Released in United States March 1975 (Shown at FILMEX: Los Angeles International Film Exposition (Science Fiction Movie Marathon - Excerpts shown) March 13-26, 1975.)
