Countdown

Now in the midst of our 50th anniversary of the Apollo moon landing, it seems appropriate to examine some of the most interesting, if influential,films depicting that era. Robert Altman’s “Countdown” can certainly be considered among one of them. Starting James Caan and Robert Duvall, the film realistically captures all tension, spite, personal rivalries, and excitement surrounding the first moon shot and NASA’s undaunted quest to get there first and beat the Russians. While Caan is adequate in the role, Duvall is a textbook example of superb casting as the “perfect” astronaut scrubbed for the moon mission because NASA insists on sending a civilian to the moon-enter Lee Steiger (Caan), a NASA geologist with little or no aptitude or “the right stuff” as Tom Wolfe would call it, to undertake the mission.Excellent performances abound with stalwart Charles Aidman as the Flight Surgeon whose concern for the astronauts’ physical and emotional well-being consistently conflicts with NASA top brass and their timetable, and Ted Knight as the PR Chief who can’t seem to contain the leaks that manage to get into the press.The lunar lander used by Steiger is absolutely absurd; an entire Gemini capsule atop the LM descent stage, although based on preliminary designs at the time and (NASA reportedly assisted and collaborated with Altman) recalls the faux pas Peter Hyams made in “Capricorn One” in 1979 using an Apollo Saturn V and a lunar lander or LM, to make and fake the first Mars landing.Despite these minor faults, the film has an uncanny realistic feel to it right down to the Topping/Precise contractor desk models that line the shelves of Chiz’s (Robert Duvall) home.

It was great to watch James Caan in a movie before he was filled full of holes in the Godfather. On a serious note, of course the movie ends with several questions that will make you think.Worth watching.

I didn't find this film particularly satisfying. I felt the melodrama leading up to the third act was drawn out and did little to wratchet up the tension. James Caan and Robert Duvall aren't bad in this film but they honestly don't have much to do beyond look stern and serious - they really have no character moments to speak of. The third act could have been something decent if they had any SFX to speak of... not one exterior shot of the space capsule... and once James Caan gets to the moon... the sets aren't bad but nothing is done to demmonstrate the difference in gravity... in other words you definitely don't feel like the character is on the moon... granted SFX aren't the point of this film.... it isn't a thrill ride but a fictional exploration of the behind the scenes drama of getting a man to the moon. The film itself really does not have the RObert Altman trademarks you would come to expect such as his use of conversational dialogue.... all in all not a bad film but kind of boring and not overly satisfying. Hit Apollo 13 for the real life thrills and the Right Stuff for the true story and space race drama.... with those two in hand you can easily skip this.... this isn't terrible just not worth it.

I agree with everything that's been said, and I'd also look to mention the completely lack of conflict within the movie. It's amazing, there's almost nothing to work against, and very little tension. Maybe it's because we know now that space flight was possible, but it's still amazing to see a movie about the moon landing where the plotline is: We wanted to go the moon, we trained to go the moon, and then we landed on the moon. There's about five minutes there where it looks like James Caan isn't going to find the docking station on the moon and die from a lack of oxygen...but then he turns around, and oh yeah! There it is! Just behind me.Totally different style, but the only other movie I can think of like this is "Payback," where Mel Gibson just kind of walks in and starts kicking .... He never gets capture, never gets put in trouble, just kinda shoots his way through to the final boss.I wonder if the simplistic linearity of this film was created by the studio's re-edit of the film, or if that's largely true to Altman's idea? During the last five minutes of the film, as the character announces that he has five minutes of oxygen left and doesn't see the docking station, I thought it was going to be an Altmanesque last-minutes-to-live-final-soliloquy ending. But no. The space station was there all along. All you had to do with click your heels together, three times...

This early feature by Robert Altman (who had been doing strong work on TV for 10 years) is a mostly good, solid, well acted (especially by Robert Duvall and James Caan) story of behind the scenes politics among astronauts as we raced Russia to the moon.It gets a little soapy at times, some of the politics and science seem a little cheated, and a few key incidents are too convenient or co-incidental. Production values, especially the special effects, are pretty weak. And Caan's astronaut is a little too open with his fears to be completely believed as a man in his position, at that time. The macho 'right stuff' idea was till very much in effect.On the other hand it's impressive that in 1969 someone made a space movie focusing on complex emotions and human behavior, not technology. The climax is a bit `Hollywood', although at least a little more bittersweet than usual, if predictable (and a cheat). The small roles are well cast and played. Not recognizably an Altman film, but shows real talent, and is definitely worth seeing, especially if you're interested in the arc of Altman's career.I'm very glad Warners is making some of these catalogue titles available, and the transfer was of nice quality, although the prices are unfortunately high for medium profile older films. I'll get them, since I'm a film fan, but with these titles also generally not being for rent, most people will miss out on them entirely.

Old school science fiction. Not the best story. In the same genre of Marooned. A must have for your collection.

Impeccable !

Love this movie. Upgraded from VHS. Great behind the scenes co-operation with NASA shortly before the first Apollo mission to the moon with pretty decent effects for the era.

great movie

Merci :)

Nach dem Tode von James Caan bin ich in seiner Vita auf dieses Frühwerk gestoßen. Las sich interessant, war es jedoch nicht. Viel Gelaber, aber die eigentliche Mondmission kam viel zu kurz und ist äußerst unspektakulär inszeniert. Nur für Hardcorefans.