Another decent conspiracy thriller of the 1970s, CAPRICORN ONE benefits from a classic plot set-up which involves a trio of astronauts being sent to Mars, except there's a twist: the mission is a set-up which for various reasons can't be made public knowledge. What follows is a slow-burning thriller in the classic conspiracy mould, with investigators and journalists being silenced all around, and innocent men finding themselves at the mercy of an impassive, murderous state. It's well-made and well-directed by Peter Hyams, giving his movie a classic look, and the excellent cast includes such '70s heavyweights as James Brolin, Elliott Gould and Hal Holbrook. While not quite as expertly crafted or suspenseful as my all-time favourites like THE CHINA SYNDROME or TWO MINUTE WARNING, this is a film that still packs a punch.
Review of Capricorn One
