WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Colossus: The Forbin Project/Silent Running
Genre:Science Fiction

Reviewed In Issue 25 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Eric Braeden, Susan Clark, Gordon Pinsent & William Schallert

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 3
Sound Rating: 2.5
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
Internet Links

Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): Universal Studios Home Video
(Catalog Number): 43128
(MPAA Rating): Not Rated
(Retail Price): $69.98
(Running Time In Minutes): 101
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1970
(LD Release Date): 5/9/97
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Joseph Sargent
(Screenplay/Written By): James Bridges
(Story): NA
(Music): Michael Colombier
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Alexander Golitzen & John J Lloyd
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor): Folmar Blangsted, ACE
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): NA
(Co-Producers): NA
(Producers): Stanley Chase

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 2.35:1 / 1.85:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 2.35:1/ 1.85:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Mono Sound
(Theatrical Sound): Optical Mono
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital): No
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround): No
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
In a double feature with Silent Running. Based on D.F. Jones’ novel “Colossus,” Colossus: The Forbin Project stars Eric Braeden as Dr. Charles Forbin, the world’s leading expert on computer systems who conceives and creates an advanced electronic brain named ”Colossus” for the U.S. government. Impartial, emotionless and a paragon of reason, Colossus is sealed inside a Colorado mountain and placed in irrevocable control of America’s national security. However, the highly-developed machinery is also capable of creative thought and uses its superior intelligence to detect and join forces with an identical Soviet computer system, creating a global dictatorship. With nuclear missiles poised to fire at any nation that resists the absolute authority of the two computers, the world is helpless unless a solution is found to disarm the power of Colossus. This critically acclaimed science fiction thriller is exciting and has been called “well-directed... chilling and believable.”

LaserDisc Picture:
The picture, framed at 2.35:1, exhibits dated color fidelity with weak blacks, inaccurate fleshtones and undersaturated colors. Images are wanting in sharpness and detail, with mediocre shadow detail and contrast. The slightest noise is apparent as well as minor artifacts throughout.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The soundtrack is undistinguished monaural that sounds dated.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz): No
(Aggressive System Surround): No
(Intense 25Hz Bass): No
(Deep Bass Challenging): No
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield): No
(Aggressive Split Surround): No
(Center Back Surround Imaging): No
(Directionalized Dialogue): No
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition: