The premise of the action-drama Capricorn One (1978) is one I actually find repugnant, since I am a fervent advocate for human space exploration.  Yet such is the power of writer-director Peter Hyams’ concept — that a manned mission to Mars is faked — that it has always engrossed me.  In fact, this is one of my favorite films of the late 1970s.

One thing I admire about it is that Hyams provides very compelling moral and political reasons to fake the space flight, delivered by Hal Holbrook with all the considerable sincerity he can muster.  Of course the astronauts involved (James Brolin, O. J. Simpson, Sam Waterston) don’t want to go along with it, but they find they have little choice.

A less impressive aspect involves the goofy, intrepid reporter (Elliott Gould) who stumbles onto the story, finds his life in danger and nevertheless follows it into history.  There is perhaps a bit too much humor surrounding the Gould character, which extends to the climax involving him and cranky cropduster Telly Savalas.

But when Hyams is on target, which is often, the film is darned impressive.  The dialogue between the astronauts, wanting to indicate their secret, and their wives, who think their husbands are millions of miles away and are unaware of the real drama, brims with portent.  A gifted cameraman, Hyams makes Gould’s runaway car chase scene as exciting as can be by mounting cameras right next to the wheels.  Likewise, the biplane / helicopter chase sequence is cinematically spectacular.  Speaking of helicopters, I cannot think of another film in which a pair of helicopters — in this case black, deadly-looking, insect-like machines that fly impossibly close to and seem to visibly communicate with each other — have as much personality.

Capricorn One has loads of personality.  Much is generated through Jerry Goldsmith’s foreboding, throbbing music score.  Some of it is transmitted by the trio of astronauts wandering through a desolate wasteland, striving to survive.  But mostly, it’s the personality of a terrific, intelligent, crowd-pleasing adventure that skillfully overcomes its inherent implausibility.  My rating:  ✪ ✪ ✪ ½.  (9:2).