Retro Movie: Colossus: The Forbin Project

Susan Clark, Eric Braeden and Georg Stanford Brown

There have been a number of films featuring sentient computer systems which attempt to take over, including 2001: A Space Odyssey, Demon Seed, and The Terminator. One of the best examples of this science-fiction sub-genre is the 1970 thriller Colossus: The Forbin Project. The movie stars Eric Braeden as Dr. Charles Forbin, who's one of the minds behind Colossus, a powerful computer system which is designed to control the nuclear weapons of the United States. The idea behind Colossus is that it would take the human element out of the equation, utilizing a more logical thought process in case of a nuclear conflict, and hopefully minimize the threat of World War III.

Forbin and his team have done their job all too well. Once Colossus is activated, it quickly proves to be sentient, and more powerful than anyone initially thought possible. Colossus asks to be linked to Guardian, a similar system which has been developed in Russia. Colossus warns that if this task is not accomplished, there will be consequences, and the super intelligent computer happens to be in full control of our nuclear arsenal. Suddenly, it's a race against time for America and the USSR to turn off these renegade machines before they cause can death and destruction. But it might not be as easy as Forbin, his team, and their counterparts in Russia think. Can they stop Colossus from taking over the world, and enforcing its will on mankind?

Colossus: The Forbin Project is a thought-provoking tale. While some of the computer hardware, and the Cold War setting of the film, may seem be a bit dated, it's still a fascinating story of technology run amok. The themes of the film seem even more relevant in our modern world, at a time when we're more reliant than ever on technology to assist us in our daily lives, and the rise of AI brings up more questions about the proper use of technology. The movie works both as a cautionary tale, and a tense, well-paced race against time thriller. The rise of Colossus is portrayed in chilling, realistic fashion, and the threat to the human race posed by this sentient supercomputer illustrates the price mankind might pay if one of its own creations turns against it.

In addition to star Braeden, then best known for his role in the television series The Rat Patrol, the supporting cast features a number of familiar faces, including Susan Clark, William Schallert, Marion Ross, Martin E. Brooks, and Georg Stanford Brown. The film was directed by Joseph Sargent, who was also behind the camera for the original version of The Taking of Pelham One Two Three. The screenplay for the movie was penned by James Bridges, who also wrote the scripts for The Paper Chase and The China Syndrome, a film he also directed. Colossus: The Forbin Project is based on the novel Colossus by writer D.F. Jones, who also authored two sequels, The Fall of Colossus and Colossus and the Crab, though only the first book was adapted for the screen.

Colossus: The Forbin Project is worth a look for science-fiction and thriller fans. Once seen, that darker edged early 1970s style ending is not soon forgotten. By the way, if the voice of Colossus sounds familiar, that's because those dulcet tones belong to veteran actor Paul Frees, who's known for his performances in a plethora of classic films and TV shows. The movie was one of my favorite genre films in my younger years, and it still holds up well today. It's available on DVD and Blu-ray, and also for rental on Amazon. Here's a look at a trailer for the film's Blu-ray release on the Shout! Factory label: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyOEwiQhzMI.