Movies - Saturn 3

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	Movies - Saturn 3

Saturn 3 is a 1980 science fiction film starring Kirk Douglas, Farrah Fawcett and Harvey Keitel. Direction is credited to Stanley Donen but the project was conceived by John Barry who was due to direct until a dispute with Douglas led to him being fired. The screenplay was by Martin Amis but the film was much changed in editing so it is not possible to say if the narrative incoherence that affects the film was a result of Amis' script.

The film was widely panned by reviewers as derivative, mediocre and lacking in suspense. Some of the space effects shots now appeared decidedly dated following the new standard set by Star Wars. The film did include brief nude scenes by both Farrah Fawcett and Kirk Douglas, resulting in an MPAA rating of R.

Synopsis

A huge spacecraft is in orbit about the planet Saturn, and is set to launch a craft to one of the moons, carrying an experiment on board. There is a small food research base on the moon containing a hydroponics system, which is maintained by a two-person scientific crew consisting of Major Adam (Douglas) and his partner and lover Alex (Fawcett).

Prior to launch the captain of the craft is murdered by the psychologically unstable pilot Benson (Keitel) by blowing the body out through the airlock. Benson takes his place and boards the craft for its trip to the base, taking with him a canister that contained brain tissue samples.

On board the moon base, the experiment is unloaded — an assistant android named Hector. This android is given a living brain that Benson then is able to reprogram by connecting it with a socket in the back of his head. In the process the machine acquires Benson's homicidal nature and his lust for the beautiful Alex. The remainder of the movie is essentially a chase scene as the two scientists try to avoid the deadly machine.

Trivia

John Barry conceived of the project as a much more lavish vision of the future. The films producers I.T.C. intended the production to be a cash in on the sudden vogue of Science Fiction and Horror following the success of Alien
. Farrah Fawcett was also hoped to be a major draw for a teenage male audience and much of the films promotion was based around the revealing space suits she was due to wear in the film. Donen played down the exploitation elements resulting in a film that the producers struggled to market.

The same company that produced Saturn 3 was also producing the megaflop Raise the Titanic!
. As the other film went over schedule and budget the production of Saturn 3 was cut back.

Although uncredited, Douglas Lambert briefly appeared as Captain James.

The director reportedly was unsatisfied with Harvey Keitel's characteristic Brooklyn accent. Keitel's voice is dubbed over by British actor Roy Dotrice who, for this performance, adopted a neutral mid-atlantic accent.

The original director of this film was John Barry, who had played a significant role as a production designer on earlier science fiction films like Star Wars and A Clockwork Orange
. However, due to some creative differences he was replaced by Stanley Donen.

Awards and nominations

Golden Raspberry Awards

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Saturn 3 ]

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