The Andromeda Strain

1971 • 130 minutes

About this movie

Directed with clinical precision by Academy Award winner Robert Wise, this compelling account of the earth's first biological crisis is perhaps the most chillingly realistic science fiction thriller ever made. After an errant satellite crashes on Earth near a remote New Mexico village, the recovery team discovers that almost everyone in the town are victims of a horrible death, with the mysterious exception of an infant and an old homeless man. The survivors are brought to a state-of-the-art laboratory descending five stories beneath the ground where the puzzled scientists race against time to determine the nature of the deadly microbe before it wreaks worldwide havoc. A trailblazer in the areas of special effects and inventive sets, The Andromeda Strain is based on Michael Crichton's best-selling novel that created national paranoia for its topical relevance to the first moon landing.

Ratings and reviews

Ten years before Star Wars (a new hope), this movie has special effects ahead of its time. So, watch a HD version to appreciate the CG. It has long been considered one of the best si-fi movies of its time. Production in 1970, just about a year after the moon landing, where Neil Armstrong and the other Astronauts were held in quarantine upon return to earth, to allow incubation of a potential virus. Andromeda was the strain that NASA feared and an laboratory was built underground in the SWDesert.

Very good movie. But by today's standards it's lack of nonstop action, brainless humor and snappy one liners will sink it for anyone under 30. But if you can stand a movie at a slower pace (the way most movies used to be) then you might enjoy this and try to solve the mystery of why after an epidemic only a baby and a drunk survive out of an entire town.

I loved the original, but there is a two part made for TV movie. I think it was made in the early 2000s or late 90s. It is an excellent update very well done remake.