Watch Capricorn One

Capricorn One is a thrilling science-fiction conspiracy movie that explores the lengths the US government can go to maintain their reputation, even if it means putting the lives of three astronauts in grave danger. Released in 1977, the movie features Elliott Gould as investigative reporter Robert Caulfield and James Brolin as astronaut Colonel Charles Brubaker. Brenda Vaccaro also stars as Caulfield’s colleague and love interest, Judy Drinkwater.

The story follows a planned NASA mission to Mars, where the three astronauts are sent in a spacecraft called Capricorn One. However, moments before the spacecraft is set to launch, the NASA officials realize that a vital piece of equipment had malfunctioned. They then decide to fake the mission and use TV transmissions to convince the people that the mission is a success. The entire mission is staged to be broadcast back to earth from a studio built in a remote desert location. But then the shuttle carrying the crew malfunctions and the astronauts are presumed dead, jeopardizing the whole conspiracy.

The film takes a unique perspective by showing the viewer a conspiracy from the point of view of the conspirators, i.e., the NASA officials. However, the film quickly shifts its focus to Robert Caulfield, who becomes suspicious of the mission and starts investigating. When Charles Brubaker returns and reveals the truth to Caulfield, the two become the pursuers and must run from the government and their agents who are trying to silence them.

As Caulfield and Brubaker attempt to expose the conspiracy, they confront several challenges and roadblocks. The film builds up tension as they desperately try to stay ahead of the pursuing agents while trying to gather evidence of the conspiracy. They are forced to improvise and come up with creative ways to avoid detection while trying to infiltrate NASA's control room.

The movie is filled with excellent performances, with Elliot Gould leading the cast with his usual charm and wit. James Brolin delivers a solid performance as the brave astronaut who becomes disillusioned with the US government. Brenda Vaccaro also manages to shine as the outspoken colleague of Gould’s character, who must risk her life to help them in their mission.

The movie's production quality does show its age, with its special effects looking somewhat dated, but its strong plot and well-written characters overshadow the film's flaws. The film's central themes of government corruption and media manipulation are still relevant today, making for a thrilling conspiracy movie that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Capricorn One is a movie that resonates with conspiracy theory enthusiasts and science fiction fans alike, with its well-executed plot, and its ability to keep its viewers on edge. With its strong performances and a well-written script, this movie manages to stand the test of time as a classic thriller. If you love a good conspiracy movie with a twist ending, Capricorn One is certainly worth checking out.

Capricorn One is a 1978 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 3 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 38.