Colossus: The Forbin Project [Blu-ray]

Without a doubt one of the best science fiction films ever made about the risks of general AI. Obviously, its dated and some of the technical aspects are perhaps less than believable but that's irrelevant. The script was intelligent with good pacing, logic and dialogue. The film had a great ensemble cast of character actors and it was about ideas rather than a vehicle for a major stars or a pointless special effects action piece. Too many films today are produced with the idea that continuous action set pieces propped up by computer generated effects will rake in big bucks without a supporting framework of a good story. This movie does not have much in the way of special effects or action sets pieces. To its credit, it has no need of them.

This is a very good movie about the dangers of Artificial Intelligence running amok. Made me wonder if it was the inspiration to The Terminator movie. Its worth watching.

Considering this wasn't a well-received theatrical release in it's day, this transfer is pretty good looking with good audio quality. It does seem to have a decent amount of noise reduction used but overall the film looked darned good I originally saw this movie on TV as most fans did. Even as a teen when I first saw it I thought the story was chilling. As a now-retired electronics engineer and the rise of AI it's even more disturbing. The film is a microcosm of how good intentions can spiral out of control, and it does it without modern special effects but still can scare you. If you're a fan of intelligent sci-fi, this is a great movie to have in your collection.

Without a major star or strategy to sell “Colossus:The Forbin Project”, Universal released the film to the market place where it promptly withered and died. Made for a paltry $2 million, the film utilized excellent visual effects provided by Albert Whitlock to make the film feel larger than it was. Aside from some shooting in Italy and location shooting at the Lawrence Science Museum 8n. Berkeley, California, the bulk of the film was shot on the studio backlot at Universal. The original plan was to try to entice either Gregory Peck or Charlton Heston to star in the film but the producers opted for Eric Braeden (best known for “The Rat Patrol” at this stage). A German, Braeden was trying to expand his profile in films and TV, changed his name at the suggestion of Universal. Dr. Charles Forbin has created a new super computer designed to protect America. When the computer Colossus achieves sentience, it threatens to take over the entire world. Things are complicated by the arrival of a Russian counterpart computer. The plot may sound like “War Games” and that’s likely where the writers 9f the got the idea. D.F. Jones novel is adapted by Hames Bridges and the film is directed by TV and film vet Joseph Sargent. Some have complained the film is too dry for a thriller but Imwould argue that dry quality makes the film more believable. The Shout Factory Blu-ray looks improved over the DVD (which was cropped). There is DNR applied which eliminates quite a bit of grain but it is still the best the film jas looked. Color is markedly improved as well with a solid presentation. DNR aside, depth and delineation are also quite good. Audio is presented in mono and English subtitles are available. The Blu-ray is region locked. Special features include a good commentary track (though the one done for the UK release with director Joseph Sargent is not included) with quite a bit of info on the making of the film. Eric Braeden is also interviewed for this set and we get the theatrical trailer. A well made science fiction thriller, “Colossus: The Forbin Project” remains an entertain8ng science fiction thriller. It may be low key but it’s still an entertaining.

Scary video from 1970 about what could happen to humanity, very much realistically, by 2030. Such a good movie - and quite a low burn horror story. It's the nightmare of AI

Received in brand new perfect condition. Case and dvd in perfect condition. Very good movie. Makes you think about what could happen today with AI now. Even though it’s an older movie. Really in joyed this! I recommend it!!

It’s great to see “Colossus: The Forbin Project” having an unanticipated comeback due to interest in its theme since the advent of Artificial Intelligence. Much like “Frankenstein” , it warns of humanity creating something which they cannot control and in this case is very timely in its choice of a supercomputer of sorts taking over the world. The film was a noted box office failure in 1970. You can’t blame Universal, which was totally behind the film and even gave it a relaunch that year with the same disinterest by the public. It might have been a bit too early even though Universal’s equally tech-oriented “The Andromeda Strain” was a major box office hit a year later. Perhaps it was that a viral outbreak seemed more real to audiences because such a scenario could happen with purely earthly origins. Also, computers were not really on anyone’s minds. Rather than being a fact of daily life, computers were huge machines that filled entire rooms and were owned by the government, universities and large corporations. If that sounds surprising, the film gives us a look at real state of the art computers circa 1969. The computers in the situation room were actually new computers lent to Universal by Control Data Corporation. Everything you see there was 4.8 million dollars worth of computers for which Control Data installed dehumidifiers and a climate control system on the set and sent technicians to run it and Brinks Guards to watch it 24/7. Computers in those days were noisy and printers even moreso, though the sounds in the film were added, mostly to announce new messages from Colossus with a certain amount of emphasis. The opening’s vast machine, almost beyond comprehension, through which Dr. Forbin walks, sealing it off is, of course, a special effect. There’s a great moment there when Forbin walks on a bridge from the computer building to the command center. It’s shot from above and is a nice callback to “Forbidden Planet” and Dr. Morbius showing off the enormous machine of the Krell, the instrument of their self-destruction. “Colossus: The Forbin Project” was based on British author Dennis Feltham Jones’ novel, “Colossus” - the title was changed because the studio feared using the novel’s one word title would sound like a sword-and-sandal film. It was originally planned as a star vehicle helmed by Charleton Heston or Gregory Peck. But producer Stanley Chase knew that it would then have to be rewritten as more of an action piece with a heroic arc and that’s not what he wanted. It was a film with a message and he felt a relatively unknown actor should star in it. They chose Eric Braeden, who at that time had mostly played Germans in TV shows set during World War II. He had to change his name to suit the studio’s feeling that someone with a German name could play Nazis but not star in a film (did they forget Horst Buchholz?) so he did it. He speaks with a slight, vaguely European accent and gives a fitting Teutonic chill to Forbin, who sees himself as all science and reason, something which seeps into his design of the computer. That he’s a bit too proud and confident in his creation is underscored when it becomes apparent that from the beginning he’s not quite sure what it can do and if it’s really under their control. His chief aide is Dr. Cleo Markham played as efficient and professional by Susan Clark. It was a good move to show the female lead as a scientist and not just a love interest. A love relationship does develop between Forbin and Clark but it never looms too large as to become a major focus of the film. It was also good that by 1970 the fact that they have a sexual relationship is treated as nothing special. Gordon Pinsent is a vaguely Kennedy-ish President who quickly has to cede authority to Forbin in an area where he himself has no expertise. Anyone who watched television in the 50s through the 80s will recognize CIA Director Grauber, played by William Schallert, from his many appearances including a three season stint as Patty Duke’s dad in her mid-60s TV show. All of the actors here had extensive television credits and had the experience of playing many similar types of characters. Braeden himself went on to a long television career as one of the primary cast of “The Young and the Restless” for the last thirty years and is still in the show as I write this. The film moves along briskly, with major plot developments beginning around fifteen minutes in and not letting up as the scientists and politicians try to outwit a computer that is learning over 200 times faster than anticipated. Connected to missile defense systems, its decisions come with the risk of major destruction if it is disobeyed. Early explanations of its gamma ray perimeter and other self-protection render it unassailable by the military. There are possible influences of future films. The computer defense system scenario is somewhat similar to 1983’s “Wargames” though its situation room has multiple electronic maps, not just “Colossus’” one. When Colossus finds another system (in the U.S.S.R. of course) they link and communicate using math in a two-system exchange that calls to mind Spielberg’s “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”. When they finally do communicate, it’s all in ones and zeros. Though the film could have been filmed entirely on one set, it was the 1970s and films were generally shot on location. For this they actually sent some of the principal actors to Rome, where we see Forbin and others near the Tiber. There are plenty of moments in the film that parallel actual developments now. At one point Colossus wants almost all television, radio and communications to flow through it in an attempt at greater control. At another point Colossus installs video cameras in every room of Dr. Forbin’s quarters; who would have thought people would be doing this willingly today, though with no nefarious computer ordering it or announcing a precise schedule of daily activities. In the end, Forbin realizes that Colossus has no idea of privacy or anyone’s need for it. It’s a film that makes more sense today than it did in 1970 when all of this was pure science fiction.

This movie has a great story of AI running out of control. For a story that was developed in the seventies, it is still extremely relevant and goes beyond the current trend of war machines wiping out humans.

Es un estupendo producto, contiene: 1 disco dvd Audio original en inglés 2.0 stereo Doblaje al castellano Subtitulos en español Región 2 PAL Widescreen es muy recomendable para la colección, el envío como siempre excelente, gracias

Sometime in the early 80s (possibly 1983) BBC2 ran a season of sci-fi films, which were shown on Tuesdays (or possibly Wednesdays) around tea time. I remember watching "War Of The Worlds" (starring Gene Barry & Ann Robinson) and "The Day The Earth Stood Still" (Michael Rennie and Patricia Neal, who has sadly just passed away) among many others, including "Colossus: The Forbin Project". To my knowledge it was never shown on television again after BBC2's season of sci-fi films. Maybe Alex Cox presented it on Moviedrome one year but if he did then I must have been on holiday! Nevertheless this obscure film made a strong impression on me. I wasn't even 10 years old and yet this very talky, cerebral and slow paced drama remained in my thoughts for years after. But no one else seemed to know anything about it. After a while I even began to consider that I had dreamed it up until John Brosnan mentioned it in his fantastic book "The Primal Screen" (1991). I was relieved to discover that the film wasn't a figment of my imagination. Once I started reading the synopsis the film came flooding back to me. A few years ago I purchased it on DVD in the only version that was then available - a dreadful pan and scan edition. At least it was cheap! I quickly overlooked the terrible picture and thoroughly enjoyed watching the film again after such a long time. Eric Braeden is superb as the genius inventor/father of Colossus. He is charming, witty, cool and handsome - not your typical movie scientist. (Braeden would go on to play another scientist in "Escape From The Planet Of The Apes" but using the intelligence, charm, logic and good looks of Forbin to create a far more chilling and cold-blooded character. Such a shame that this versatile actor has been so woefully under used. He made 2 excellent appearances in "Mission: Impossible" in the 1960s, both of which showcase his ability to be charming and a total bastard). The supporting cast in "Colossus" fared a little better and will be familiar to most viewers. Susan Clark is excellent as Forbin's assistant, Dr Cleo Malcolm, before plot developments transform her into Forbin's lover. This could have been crude but her sudden change from scientist to love interest is handled with wit and humour. Look carefully and you'll also spot among the supporting cast Marion Ross, who went on to play Mrs Cunningham in "Happy Days", Georg Stanford Brown (veteran of many films and television shows, including "Roots", formerly married to Tyne Daly) and Martin Brooks, who will be familiar to fans of "The Six Million Dollar Man" and "Bionic Woman" as the third actor to play Dr Rudy Wells). Best of all is Gordon Pinsent as the American President. Pinsent is best known outside Canada for his recurring role as Benton Fraser's father in "Due South". His President is intelligent and shrewd as well as decisive. I re-purchased "Colossus" on DVD when the picture was finally upgraded to 16:9 so it was a pleasure to finally see the whole film. This new edition is well priced and also includes a commentary by veteran director Joseph Sargent, who recalls the making of the film with a great deal of affection. Some of his revelations beggar belief - was Susan Clark really wearing a body suit during the nude scenes? Maybe that explains why BBC2 didn't cut these scenes when the film was broadcast because I definitely remember being a little shocked by the nudity the first time I saw the film, especially as it was being shown at tea time. The film is not without flaws. It is slow, the dialogue banal and much of the science is laughable in light of today's technology. Dated as it is, the film remains a charming time capsule of the Cold War era and the beginning of the computer age. The film's excitement and suspense is largely down to how the super computer achieves its dominance over mankind. For me the film retains its power by focusing on how Forbin the inventor/father is meticulously imprisoned by his creation - physically and mentally. Colossus is a terrifying villain and its takeover of the world is believable and complete. The film makers bravely stay faithful to the source novel by DF Jones so there is no pat happy ending, despite Colossus' promise of a new era of peace. A gem of a movie.

bon film d'anticipation, il est aussi un peu inquiétant au cas ou cela deviendrait possible, ici la fin est un peu abrupte

Das Werk Ohne gegenseitige Information setzen zwei Weltmächte einen gigantischen Rechner in Betrieb, um sich eine unabhängige Instanz zu halten, die über Krieg und Frieden stets – nach Lage der Fakten – die richtige Entscheidungen trifft. Beide Maschinen suchen und finden einander, schalten sich gleich, okkupieren alle machterhaltenden und –erweiternden Systeme und geben jetzt die Befehle, bis die Menschheit ihr als Sklave dienen muss. Ein Entkommen in Eigenständigkeit und damit Gefährdung anderer ist ohne das Einverständnis der Rechner nicht mehr möglich. Das Problem Friedenserhalt ist gelöst, indem die Freiheit kontrollierbar geworden ist. Der Film führt uns in dem noch frühen Stadium der elektronischen Datenbeherrschung vor, welcher Gefahr der Mensch sich aussetzt, wenn er sein Geschick einer Maschine anvertraut. Wir erleben den Kampf gegen den Koloss als Wächter am Eingange der Zi-vilisation, wie er sich verselbständigt und nach Eindringlingen tritt, ohne sich noch auf Teilaufgaben konzentrieren zu lassen. Das Übel heißt Krieg, also führen wir Krieg, um die Mittel zu zerstören, die zum Kriege führen. Der Hund, der seinen Schwanz fängt, hat dieses System offensichtlich nicht verstanden oder liebt den Kreiselverkehr bis zum Schwindel. Der Schluss des Filmes bleibt offen: Wir sehen Colossus als Sieger, seinen Erfinder als Sklaven, das Militär als Handlanger, die Menschheit als statistische Masse von Zahlen und Störfaktoren, erbgenetisch belastet, daher unberechenbar, und ein Programm, das die Lösung bereits konzipiert hält, an der die Menschheit gemessen wird – als Spezies biologisch abhängig von ihrer Entscheidung für oder gegen den Wächter. Das Ergebnis dieses Films hat sein Ziel erreicht, indem der Mensch von jeder Willensbildung abgekoppelt zu reagieren hat. Diese Botschaft ist wohl die letzte Warnung! Der ethische Aspekt Zwei Rückblicke laden uns zur Besinnung ein: 1. Goethes „Zauberlehrling“, unter dem Titel „Wargames“ schon einmal inszeniert, wird zu Ende gedacht 2. Das Ermächtigungsgesetz vom 30. Januar 1933 entmündigt ein Volk: Der „Endsieg“ (und danach das „große Schweineschlach-ten“) bedingt die durch Massenvernichtung erzwungene Einwilligung der gelähmt dasitzenden Nationen. Nur grausame Befreiungsversuche ermöglichen ein Abschütteln der Barbarei. Also wehret den Anfängen. Sonthofer: Aus autoritären werden zwangsläufig diktatorische Regierungen, denn sie müssen ihre Autorität als führendes Machtinstrument erhalten. Ethische Zielsetzung der Erfinder: Informationen und Fakten werden nicht mehr durch persönliche Interessen zweckdienlich bewertet, sondern auf ihre Absichten hin überprüft und entsprechend entschärft. Was muss der Computer also können? „Er kann mehr Wissen aufnehmen und verarbeiten, als es den größten Genies, die je gelebt haben, jemals möglich gewesen wäre. Er kennt keine Emotionen, keine Furcht, keinen Hass, keine Missgunst, wird nicht jährzornig, bekommt keine Wutausbrüche, handelt nicht ohne Bedrohung, erhält, beschützt, regeneriert sich selbst, handelt eigenständig und unbeeinflussbar… Colossus ist zu selbständigen, schöpferischen Gedanken nicht fähig.“ Colossus verhängt dagegen Todesurteile, vernichtet tausende Menschen, um seinen „Willen“ zu erzwingen, und fast vergisst der Zuschauer, dass diese Faktoren ja alle im Programm gesteckt haben, bevor es den Stümpern aus dem Ruder laufen konnte. Sehr bekannt kommt uns die Definition Colossu' des Begriffes „Privatleben“ vor: „Privatleben ist die Abwesenheit von Gesellschaft und Beobachtung.“ Da ergänzen wir gleich mit Lenin: „Vertrauen ist gut – Kontrolle ist besser!“ („Wo sind die Verstecke des Kapitals?“) wird er gedacht haben. Dies praktiziert der kapitalistische Sozialismus als „Vertrauen ist Dreck – Kontrolle garantiert Sicherung der Macht.“ Colossus mutiert zum „Wächter aller Bedürfnisse“ und bedient sich der menschlichen Intelligenz, um seine „Pläne“ (= Versorgungsstrate- gien) umzusetzen. Gehorsamsverweigerung ist Selbstmord. - Intereeant: Als der Versuch misslingt, das Programm des Colossus mit Datenüberfütterung unschädlich zu machen, spricht der allmächtige Wächter sein Todesurteil. Und siehe da: Gleich haben wir das Erschießungskommando zur Stelle, das ohne Gewissen und ohne zu fragen die „Schuldigen“ abknallt. Die Leichen werden – so will es der weise, wahrheitsliebende allmächtige Maschinengott – zur Abschreckung liegen gelassen. Auch die Mücken sollen sich das noch einmal ansehen, bevor sie es wagen, ihr Kleckschen auf ein empfindliches Computerteil zu setzen! In Zipfelmützenhausen würde man sagen: „Ja, wenn es aber doch so vorgesehen ist? Dann muss man es machen!“ Auch die Wahl zwischen Colossus und Butter wäre denkbar einfach: „Wollt ihr Colossus oder Butter?!!“ - Butter könnte wider Erwarten explodieren – Colossus nicht! Der schöpferische Vollzug Nicht Ehrfurcht oder Respekt, nein, mit Liebe soll der Erfinder seiner Maschine der Wahrheit und des Wissens in Zukunft begegnen, denn sie will sich fortpflanzen in weiteren Computern, die erdumspannend menschliches Versagen (= Pleonasmus für Colossus) blockieren wird. „Niemals!“ bekennt der Zauberlehrling, aber niemand hört ihn, denn der Meister Besenstiel hat gesprochen und wird sich weiter spalten lassen – Wasserträger der Weisheit: Alle Geheimnisse des Universums will er der Menschheit zu deren Segen lösen. Was für eine Botschaft! Wer löst die Denkfehler, zählt die Völker, nennt die Namen? Aber wer hat noch Bedarf, Kinder in diese Welt des mikroprozessiven Wahnsinns zu gebären? Grund Nr. 1: Genies bestehen nicht aus bloßem Wissen, sondern sind zwischen Materie und Schöpfer die zwischengeschalteten Aktionsbrük-ken. Grund Nr. 2: Dem ewig Blinden, also von allen psychischen Erkenntnis- und Erlebnissträngen Abgenabelten, wird die Fackel zum Verhäüngnis: Sie kann ihm nicht leuchten, sondern er steckt sich selbst damit an, weil er Städte, Dörfer und sein eigenes Imperium einäschern wird. Grund Nr. 3: Der „Konstruktionsfehler ist das psychisch gesteuerte Wesen und nicht dessen Intellekt. Das „Niemals!“ als Bekenntnis weiß zwar keine Lösung, aber der nächste Weltkrieg wird gegen die Autonomie der Mikroprozessoren geführt werden. Denn die Ursachen für Kriege entspringen keiner Notwendigkeit, sondern sind Auswüchse fehlgeformter Gesinnungen. Ein Computer wird keine Gesinnung haben, sofern ihm keine Mittel dafür mitgegeben wurden. Das ist sein Verhängnis. Um „sich“ zu wehren, um also seine Zerstörung durch Menschen zu verhindern, muss er den totalen Krieg riskieren. Gegen seine Diktatur werden sich alle bislang verfeindeten Kräfte zusammenfinden, um den gemeinsamen Feind zu zerstören. Jenseits aller Atomwüsten und dem ausgelöschten Leben ist ja ein Colossus überflüssig und zugleich auch ohne sinnvolle Energie. Und gibt es nichts zu kontrollieren, hat er sein Ziel erreicht. Er kann sich abschalten. Grund Nr. 5: Ein Colossus ist in der Wahl der Mittel zwecks totaler Überwachung, Unterdrückung und Eingrenzung weiteren Lebens auf gleicher Stufe wie Pol Pot, Stalin, der Braunauer Postkartenmaler oder andere Kriminelle. Das lag in der Programmierung begründet. Ein Bumerang, der sein Ziel nicht trifft, fliegt zurück – mit enormer Wucht und gegen den Kopf des Beutegierigen, wenn er nicht mit ihm schon geübt hatte. Die naiv gestrickte Absage an jede maschinelle Überwachung soll Dummköpfe abschrecken. Das ist ein schwerer Fehler. Lichtenberg: Mit dummen Leuten kann man nicht reden. Wichtig: Es muss die Wähler abschrecken, Machthabern zu erlauben, mit solchen Brandbomben auf Schulhöfen vermeintlicher Weltpolitik in versteckten Winkeln hantieren zu dürfen!

Película de Culto para los amantes de la informática, para los que crecimos con Tron, Sueños Eléctricos, Juegos de Guerra, Etc, La recomiendo. Doblada al Castellano, calidad de imagen buena.