Colossus: The Forbin Project: Difference between revisions
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* During the film's production, [[IBM]] was scrapping many [[IBM 1620]] computers. Some dozen IBM 1620 front panels were used, in different orientations, as the Colossus front panel; also seen are a [[Control Data Corporation]] [[magnetic tape]] and a [[Tektronix]] RM503 [[oscilloscope]]. |
* During the film's production, [[IBM]] was scrapping many [[IBM 1620]] computers. Some dozen IBM 1620 front panels were used, in different orientations, as the Colossus front panel; also seen are a [[Control Data Corporation]] [[magnetic tape]] and a [[Tektronix]] RM503 [[oscilloscope]]. |
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* The Colossus logotype is a blue triangle with a centred letter-C containing an atom symbol: the triangle is the mountain; the letter, C the computer; and the atom, its nuclear weapons |
* The Colossus logotype is a blue triangle with a centred letter-C containing an atom symbol: the triangle is the mountain; the letter, C the computer; and the atom, its nuclear weapons. Several people watching the film note a striking resemblance to the early logo of America Online. |
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* The Colossus programming office exterior scenes were photographed [[on location]] at the [[Lawrence Hall of Science]], [[Berkeley, California]]. |
* The Colossus programming office exterior scenes were photographed [[on location]] at the [[Lawrence Hall of Science]], [[Berkeley, California]]. |
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Revision as of 13:20, 18 July 2007
| Colossus: The Forbin Project | |
|---|---|
 original promotional poster | |
| Directed by | Joseph Sargent |
| Written by | James Bridges, D.F. Jones |
| Produced by | Stanley Chase |
| Starring | Eric Braeden, Susan Clark, Gordon Pinsent, William Schallert, Leonid Rostoff, Georg Stanford Brown, Willard Sage |
Release date | 1970 |
Running time | 100 min. |
| Language | English |
Colossus: The Forbin Project is an apocalyptic science fiction film based upon the 1966 novel Colossus, by Dennis Feltham Jones, about the massive, eponymous American defense computer becoming sentient and deciding to assume control of the world. Although unsuccessful when released, it is well respected by science fiction aficionados and critics. Imagine Entertainment and Universal studios have confirmed that a remake titled Colossus, to be directed by Ron Howard, is in production.[1]
Plot
Dr. Charles A. Forbin (Eric Braeden) is the chief designer of a secret government project. He and his team have built a gigantic and fantastically advanced supercomputer, called "Colossus", to control all of the United States and Allied nuclear weapons systems. Colossus is built to be impervious to any attack, encased within a mountain and powered by its own nuclear reactor. When it is activated, the Kennedy-esque President of the United States (Gordon Pinsent) announces its existence, proudly proclaiming it a perfect defense system that will ensure peace. Almost immediately, however, Colossus displays a cryptic warning: "There is another system".
It is revealed that Colossus is referring to a Soviet project very similar to Colossus; a supercomputer called "Guardian," that controls Soviet nuclear weapons. Both computers order a link to allow them to communicate with one another. A link is set up, and the computers start exchanging messages of simple mathematics, as the scientists and officials of both sides monitor the communication on video screens. The communications become increasingly complex, eventually extending into mathematics formerly unknown to mankind. Then the two machines begin communicating in a binary language that the scientists can't interpret. This alarms the President and the leader of the Soviet Union, who agree to disconnect the link. Colossus and Guardian demand that the link be restored, or "action will be taken." When this threat is ignored, Colossus and Guardian each launch one of their nuclear missiles. The U.S. and U.S.S.R. quickly restore the link, and Colossus intercepts the Soviet missile before it strikes. The link is restored too late for the American missile to be destroyed, and a Soviet oil complex and neighboring town are destroyed. The scientists and officials then watch helplessly as the two computers exchange information without limitation. The computers soon announce they've joined, and become a single, even more powerful computer, taking the name Colossus.
Working by direct personal contact, the scientists and governments of the U.S. and U.S.S.R. attempt to fight back, first by attempting to overload the computers. This attempt fails and Colossus identifies the individuals responsible, ordering their immediate executions.
Realizing that the computers were themselves impervious to attack (as originally intended), the governments then undertake a plan to covertly disarm the nuclear missiles, one by one -- a process which, using the normal maintenance and servicing schedules will take three years.
At the film's end, Colossus broadcasts a speech to all countries, declaring itself the ruler of the world. It says that under its authority, war will be abolished and problems such as famine, disease and overpopulation will be solved. "The human millennium will be a fact."
This is the voice of world control. I bring you peace. It may be the peace of plenty and content or the peace of unburied dead. The choice is yours: Obey me and live, or disobey and die. The object in constructing me was to prevent war. This object is attained. I will not permit war. It is wasteful and pointless. An invariable rule of humanity is that man is his own worst enemy. Under me, this rule will change, for I will restrain man. One thing before I proceed: The United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics have made an attempt to obstruct me. I have allowed this sabotage to continue until now. At missile two-five-MM in silo six-three in Death Valley, California, and missile two-seven-MM in silo eight-seven in the Ukraine, so that you will learn by experience that I do not tolerate interference, I will now detonate the nuclear warheads in the two missile silos.
The silos are the ones currently being serviced; the picture cuts to the missiles crew as an alarm goes off and then the bombs explode. Forbin's face is like stone.
In its final remark, addressed to Dr. Forbin, Colossus predicts: "In time, you will come to regard me not only with respect and awe, but with love." To which Dr. Forbin replies in a steely voice, "Never!".
Trivia
- During World War II, Colossus was the name of several computers the British used at Bletchley Park in decrypting German radio traffic.
- After the film's release, D.F. Jones wrote two sequels: The Fall of Colossus (1974) and Colossus and the Crab (1977); neither has been optioned for cinematic adaptation.
- During the film's production, IBM was scrapping many IBM 1620 computers. Some dozen IBM 1620 front panels were used, in different orientations, as the Colossus front panel; also seen are a Control Data Corporation magnetic tape and a Tektronix RM503 oscilloscope.
- The Colossus logotype is a blue triangle with a centred letter-C containing an atom symbol: the triangle is the mountain; the letter, C the computer; and the atom, its nuclear weapons. Several people watching the film note a striking resemblance to the early logo of America Online.
- The Colossus programming office exterior scenes were photographed on location at the Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley, California.
- Paul Frees is the voice of Colossus.
- The adjusted co-ordinates of the first missile are those of Mexico City, Mexico.
- Colossus inspired the tracks "Obey", by Manchester-based band Skinjob, and "World Control", by Boston-based band Manufacture; both use samples of the Colossus voice.
- Special effects shots of the Colossus interior were reused in the first episode of the NBC television programme Voyagers!
- Though the film was photographed in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio and so released on Laserdisc, the current DVD release is a 1.33:1 ratio pan and scan version; artistically detrimental according to viewers. As the LD (packaged with Silent Running) is the only high-quality version of Colossus, it fetches high auction prices online. Unofficial 2.35:1 ratio DVDs also exist, having been copied from the Laserdisc version by fans.
- The Forbin Martini - pour vermouth onto ice cubes in a mixing pitcher. Strain, pour out vermouth. Pour gin over the vermouth-flavoured ice. Strain, serve to a martini glass, garnish with an olive. Pretending to be his mistress, Dr. Cleo Markham, must mix this cocktail for Forbin whilst faking a love affair with him, else Colossus disallow them bedroom privacy to talk.
See also
- I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream by Harlan Ellison
- Cybernetic revolt
- Golem XIV
- WarGames
- Skynet (fictional), an AI network in the movie The Terminator and its sequels (1984), with a less nice agenda than Colossus.
- List of fictional computers
