The Andromeda Strain (1971) Part 07

The best-selling novel by Michael Crichton was faithfully adapted for this taut 1971 thriller, about a team of scientists(Arthur Hill, David Wayne, James Olson, Kate Reid and Paula Kelly) racing against time to destroy a deadly alien virus that threatens to wipe out life on Earth. As usual with any Crichton-based movie, the emphasis is on an exciting clash between nature and science, beginning when virologists discover the outer-space virus in a tiny town full of corpses. Projecting total contamination, the scientists isolate the deadly strain in a massive, high-tech underground lab facility, which is rigged for nuclear destruction if the virus is not successfully controlled. The movie spends a great deal of time covering the scientific procedures of the high-pressure investigation, and the rising tensions between scientists who have been forced to work in claustrophobic conditions. It's all very fascinating if you're interested in scientific method and technological advances but it's more effective as a thriller in which tension is derived not only from the deadly threat of the virus, but from the escalating fear and anxiety among the small group of people who've been assigned to save the human race. The basic premise is still captivating; it's easy to see how this became the foundation of Crichton's science-thriller empire.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Andromeda
• Strain
• Virus
• Michael
• Crichton

[adrastix]

Were any of these animals really harmed?

[AStrainMov]

NO.. They used a very common barbiturate general anaesthetic called Sodium Pentothal in the air to knock them out. They all woke just fine after about 30 mins or so... LOL. Don't worry. But in real life THEY WOULD do whatever they have to do to find an answer to save your ass, my ass and the country/world.

[friendlyskies23]

This movie rocks. I love how they are geeking out on every detail of sterilization, dealing with this dangerous virus.

[sbnewman]

if scientists never tested theories and cures on animals, you and your family would still die from flesh wounds and diabetes.

[guitarslim56]

@adrastix, The animals were killed, then eaten.

[TheMrBlinx]

All I need is a satellite like that and I could solve my rat and monkey problem!

[pgjr00]

what's the big deal? We DESTROY plenty of species on our planet as it is, we generally don't give a shit about life at all, even human beings. The only reason why we would give 2 hoots about this new species in curiosity, science and discovery.

[mrblink09]

mices ?

shouldn't that be meeces ?

(LOL)

[theFlyingGarnet]

The monkey's like OH CRAP

[Bobanort]

This movie happened as it became known the Soviet Union had a HUGE biological weapons program going (the US program was significantly smaller). I love how these revolutionary writers take something real and really make you think about something like that.

[Leechbat]

If I were a scientist...well I would find and destroy destroy destroy that f0kin virus, not doing research of how inteligent it is...no need of sacrificing any other form of life...like those innocent mices...

[a1mint]

Imagine if a country like China lets some of their toy SARS or bird flu viruses escape in the wild....