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The Black Hole
List Price: $14.99 Our Price:
VHS Tape - 30 March, 1999
Anchor Bay
Availability: Used and ThirdParty
Cast: Anthony Perkins, Maximilian Schell
Number of Media: 1
Features: - Color
- Original recording reissued
- Special Edition
- NTSC
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| VHS Tape Description Disney's foray into big-budget science fiction, close on the heels of Star Wars, had some of the most impressive special effects to grace theater screens in the 1970s. Graced by handsome production design--most notably a glass and latticework interstellar craft that looks like a battleship crossed with a modern skyscraper--The Black Hole is in many ways the most beautiful science fiction film of its era. Unfortunately, the graceful and gorgeous picture is jarred by dialogue that wouldn't pass muster in a comic book and a silly conclusion that plays like a murky, dime-store knockoff of 2001. Too bad, because the visual realization of the film is a veritable haunted house of futuristic phenomena, from the cloaked zombie-like drones shuffling through corridors to the devilish, crimson robot Maximillian, the strong arm of the mad scientist played by Maximilian Schell (a kind of wild man Captain Nemo with an even more ruthless temperament). Only the way-too-cute robot V.I.N.CENT (voiced by Roddy McDowall), a merchandising gimmick that looks like a Fisher-Price toy, mars the technological landscape. Robert Forster is the quietly authoritative captain of an exploration ship that stumbles across the seemingly derelict ship, and Anthony Perkins, Yvette Mimieux, Ernest Borgnine, and Joseph Bottoms fill out his crew. This is one case of a triumph of art direction and special effects over story--it's worth sitting through it to see the magnificent scene of the fireball rolling through the ship's enormous hull alone. The rest is just atmospheric gravy. --Sean Axmaker |
| Selected Customer Reviews
A Classic Disney Sci-Fi Movie Capt. Don Holland (Robert Forester), Lt. Charles Pizer (Joseph Bottoms), Harry Booth (Ernest Borgnine), Dr. Alex Durant (Anthony Perkins), Dr. Kate McCree (Yvette Mimieux) and their droid VINCENT (Roddy McDowall) are the crewmembers of the spacecraft Palomino. While exploring deep space, they come upon an apparently abandoned spacecraft hovering near a large black hole. However, the spacecraft is far from abandoned. It turns out to be the USS Cygnus, commanded by Dr. Hans Reinhardt (Maximillian Schell). Originally sent into space to search for intelligent life on other planets, Reinhart disobeyed the order to return to earth after his mission was deemed a failure. He has spent the past twenty years formulating a way to journey through the black hole.
Dr. McCree's father was a member of the crew, but when the Palomino docks with the Cygnus, there is no evidence of the crewmembers anywhere; only Reinhardt and several of the robots he created. Reinhardt tells the others of his plan to enter the black hole. Alex is immediately intrigued by the possibility and decides to stay aboard. Capt. Holland senses something is up with Reinhardt and sets out to prove his suspicions are true. Even little VINCENT has stumbled upon some important information. He discovered another droid that looks like himself: BOB. BOB informs VINCENT that the crew didn't die but in fact have become humanoid servants of Reinhardt.
Just as Reinhardt is about to take the Cygnus into the black hole, a large meteor shower strikes the ship and causes severe damage. Harry Booth tried to escape from the ship by himself aboard the Palomino, but Reinhardt's evil robot Maximillian shot the ship down. Maximillian also turned his evil ways on Alex. Only Capt. Holland, Charlie, Kate, and VINCENT are left. Their only hope of escaping to safety is to reach Reinhardt's probe ship. Will they make it before it's too late?
This is a very good movie. The special effects are good, considering the movie was made in 1979. The swirling black hole is especially well-done. The meteor shower was exciting to watch, especially the large meteor that strikes the Cygnus and rolls down the middle of the ship. The acting is good, and the story is well-conceived. Science fiction fans will be sure to enjoy this fine movie from Disney.
I
Black Hole Enjoyed it years and years ago. Glad to have it back again..
Belongs in the "Nice Try" Dept. The Black Hole, Disney's attempt to capitalize on the Star Wars phenomena, is full of cliches: cute robots, evil scientists, and square-jawed heroes.
The film's saving grace is the premise; solving the mysteries behind a very interesting steller phenomenon - a black hole. I also like the movie's very non-Disney, surrealistic ending (shades of 2001).
Sci-Fi fans will find something to like about Black Hole, but look into getting a re-mastered, letterbox version of this film. The Black Hole is no "Blade Runner", but it is pretty good. |
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