Cast
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George Peppard
as Tuxan
Michael Sarrazin
as John David Welles / Peter Bellamy
Christine Belford
as Nicole Devon
Cliff Potts
as Carl Mosely
James Olson
as Senator Stanton
Tim O'Connor
as Frank Gossage
James McEachin
as Bender
Alan Oppenheimer
as General Hackett
Roger Dressler
as Charlie Kitchen
Ty Haller
as Henshaw
Anna Hagan
as Dr. Plover
Hagan Beggs
as Dr. Hager
John Destry
as Zabrinski
Milos Zatovic
as Dr. Zahl
Don Granbery
as Technician
Crew
Director
- Lamont Johnson
Producer
- Hal Roach, Jr.
- Trevor Wallace
Reviews
CinemaSerf
When "Welles" (Michael Sarazin) is caught after an audacious break in to sabotage a top secret government lab, he claims to have been so traumatised by the whole experience and explosive aftermath that he cannot remember anything about who he is, or why his was there. That deduction falls to "Tuxan" (George Peppard) who sets about trying to help his quarry "remember" just who sent him and what their objective was. On the face of it, this is just another one of these standard television conspiracy thrillers, but there is quite a degree of mystery established by an on-form Sarazin and Peppard does rather better than usual as his gritty and hard nosed character starts to make us wonder just who is pulling the strings. Neither lead character are particularly likeable here and but for the occasional gentle interventions of Christine Belford's "Nicole", the whole thing builds to quite a dry and far-fetched enterprise that ran out of steam after the initial curiosity of the amnesiac scenario started to wear thin. It's watchable, but equally forgettable with a title that does it no favours at all.
Jan 27, 2024
Thematic Analysis
This high-octane Action/Mystery/Thriller film balances spectacular sequences with character-driven moments. Unlike many films in the genre, The Groundstar Conspiracy distinguishes itself through a unique visual style and creative action choreography.
Director Lamont Johnson brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1972, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The Groundstar Conspiracy took approximately 5 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 95 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 124 minutes long.
- The screenplay went through 15 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The musical score contains over 72 unique compositions.
- The film contains approximately 1772 individual shots.
Historical Context
- In 1972, when this film was released:
- The Watergate scandal changed public perception of political institutions.
- Economic recession and oil crises were affecting global economies.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Groundstar Conspiracy shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Broken Threads, which focuses more on action than character development, The Groundstar Conspiracy subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Within and Conspiracy Theory explore similar territory, The Groundstar Conspiracy stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: June 12, 1972
- Runtime: 1h 35m
