The Andromeda Strain (1971)

The best-selling novel by Michael Crichton was faithfully adapted for this taut 1971 thriller, about a team of scientists 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, although the film is obviously dated in many of its details. 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. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

DRAMA

WASNT AS EXCITING AS I REMEMBER AS A YOUGIN BUT STILL INTERESTING MOVIE July 19, 2008

The original outdoes the new version

I saw Robert Wise's version of "The Andromeda Strain" when it first came out and I was immediately impressed by it. I hadn't read the book (for comparison purposes), but the movie had a continual level of subdued suspense that made it fascinating to watch. The use of so-called "non-stars," a conscious choice on the part of the director, turned out to be a good choice. The solid acting from the cast gave the feel of "real" people dealing with an unthinkably unreal situation.
I was prompted by the showing of A&E's new version to finally read the book, as well as to purchase this DVD of the original and I must say that I still stand by the original. Though minor detail changes were made by Robert Wise in this version, they were unobtrusive and didn't detract from the original storyline of the novel. In fact, he was really very faithful to the book and the author, Michael Crichton, was pleased overall with the result (according to one of the DVD extras).
The new version was the book filtered through Star Trek and the X-Files, changing the plot of the book to include wormholes, messages from the future and a terrorized investigative reporter. Whereas the original movie relied on the subtler tensions of the characters' step-by-step discoveries of the Andromeda Strain's nature and threat, the new version often devolved into "action" sequences and overdone dramatics, especially at the end. The finale of the original version is less involved, yet every bit as exciting.
Modern audiences tend to be rather jaded and unimaginative, but if you have the ability to put yourself into the cinematic situation, then you should enjoy the restrained acting and suspenseful pace of this version of "The Andromeda Strain." July 13, 2008

One premise overlooked in reviews

I agree with many folks here that this is a great film with a gripping screenplay. One premise that is overlooked by those who mention that it is "dated" is that the story itself is set in the 1970s and what is called the "wildfire" event is hushed up - making the movie even more chilling and therefore always "up to date" for its time. June 30, 2008

Andromeda Strain

Andromeda Strain is a benchmark for End of Days, all too possible sciFi. The possibility of virulent pandemic from an unknown source is well done in this fine old movie. Great entertainment for an evening at home. My second date with my wife was going to see Andromeda Strain in the theater, back in 1971. 36 years later, it is still a great movie ! June 26, 2008

Andromeda Strain (original)

I much prefer this original to the remake. While it may be a bit slower paced, I think it is a much more believable story without all the extras that the writers of the new version must have dreamed up while on strike. June 20, 2008

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