Review of The Andromeda Strain (1971) by Kenr — 16 May 2021

The Andromeda Strain – Covid From Space in the 70s.

Science fiction probably has never been more realistically realized on screen - before or since ‘Andromeda’. Direction as professional as the amazing Robert Wise has transformed many and varied styles of movies into cinematic greats, this is another. Nelson Gidding (Odds Against Tomorrow) adapts Michael Crichton’s book to perfection, while award-nominated Richard Kline’s vibrant cinematography gets knitted together perfectly, by Gilmore and Holmes editing. Not to forget Gil Melle’s exciting electronic score. Here is a 70’s Si-Fi film that shows us the ultimate importance --of honesty and respect-- that’s vitally essential to help keep our modern world functioning when threatened by the possibility of a deadly pandemic. No one nation can afford not to work unselfishly with all those that co-habit our fragile earth. That’s a strong & timely message from a 50 yr old Sci-Fi story. Great performances by a non-glamorous, handpicked cast of professional performers - ensures an edge of the seat journey to those who enjoy intelligent, near-documentary style movie making. If you’re only looking for action, don’t look here. No foolish monsters, no egotistical glamorous stars to foul up the seriousness of superior storytelling. Even though some of the technology has been superseded; it’s even more enjoyable the second time around, and the Universal DVD remastered edition, looks and sounds terrific.