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Doomsday Machine

Doomsday Machine (1972) Movie Poster
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USA  •    •  83m  •    •  Directed by: Harry Hope, Lee Sholem, Herbert J. Leder.  •  Starring: Bobby Van, Ruta Lee, Mala Powers, James Craig, Grant Williams, Henry Wilcoxon, Chia Essie Lin, Casey Kasem, Lorri Scott, Denny Miller, Mike Farrell, John Cestare, Raymond Mayo..
       Spies discover that the Red Chinese have built a "doomsday machine" capable of destroying the surface of the Earth, and that they plan to use it within a matter of days. Meanwhile, Project Astra, a manned U.S. space mission to Venus, is in its final hours before launch when it is taken over by the military and nearly half of its all-male crew is replaced by women. The reason for this becomes apparent when, shortly after Astra leaves orbit, the Earth is completely destroyed in a global cataclysm! Is the human race doomed? What dangers and wonders await the crew of the Astra on their journey to Venus?

Trailers:

   Length:  Languages:  Subtitles:
 2:19
 
 

Review:

Image from: Doomsday Machine (1972)
Image from: Doomsday Machine (1972)
Image from: Doomsday Machine (1972)
Image from: Doomsday Machine (1972)
Image from: Doomsday Machine (1972)
Image from: Doomsday Machine (1972)
Image from: Doomsday Machine (1972)
Image from: Doomsday Machine (1972)
Image from: Doomsday Machine (1972)
Image from: Doomsday Machine (1972)
Image from: Doomsday Machine (1972)
Image from: Doomsday Machine (1972)
Image from: Doomsday Machine (1972)
Image from: Doomsday Machine (1972)
Image from: Doomsday Machine (1972)
Image from: Doomsday Machine (1972)
Image from: Doomsday Machine (1972)
Image from: Doomsday Machine (1972)
Image from: Doomsday Machine (1972)
Image from: Doomsday Machine (1972)
The Chinese have created the titular Doomsday Machine Why? I don't know. In response, the Americans change a planned mission to space by switching three male astronauts for three female astronauts. Why? To assure the continuation of the human race just in case the Chinese destroy the world. As expected, shortly after lift-off, the Earth is destroyed. Can these seven astronauts make it to Venus to start a new human civilization?

Even my poorly written plot summary makes Doomsday Machine sound far better than it really is. This turkey of a movie has got any number of problems that others have covered in great detail. I don't think I need to write much about the fact that half the movie was filmed in 1967 and the rest in 1972, other than to say that the differences are jarring. Instead, I want to focus on something else that bothered me - the mixed malefemale group of scientists are about as unprofessional as you could imagine. As soon as they leave the Earth's atmosphere and climb out of their La-Z-Boys, their hormones immediately take over. I felt like I was watching an episode of Love Boat. The crew can't have been in space for more than 10 seconds when Grant Williams inexplicably takes off his shirt and comments on Ruta Lee's appearance - "You know, without your glasses, you're a very pretty doctor." I HATE lines like that in a movie! Are you so stupid you can't see the woman for the glasses? Like the rest of the movie, it's utterly ridiculous.

And then there's the ending. I guess the 1972 crew had absolutely no money. How else do you explain two people in a poorly lit spacecraft doing absolutely nothing? I'm surprised they didn't cut corners more and use a matte painting of the astronauts. What a mess!

One of the only things Doomsday Machine has going for it are some really funky, cool 60s moments. The multi-colors aboard the spaceship are a nice touch. The second thing is enough scientific mumbo-jumbo to fill a dozen movies. I don't think any character ever utters anything scientific that makes sense. It's a hoot! Third, I must admit I did enjoy a couple of the cast members regardless of what they were give to work with. Mala Powers, Henry Wilcoxon, and, incredible as it may sound, Ruta Lee give decent performances. Finally, the cat over the wall moment was a stroke of genius.


Review by bensonmum2 from the Internet Movie Database.

 

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