Watch Marooned

Marooned is a 1969 science-fiction drama film directed by John Sturges, based on the novel of the same name by Martin Caidin. The movie stars Gregory Peck, Richard Crenna, and David Janssen, along with a stellar supporting cast players such as James Franciscus, Gene Hackman, and Mariette Hartley. The story follows three American astronauts, Charles Keith Jr. (Gregory Peck), Ted Dougherty (Richard Crenna), and Jim Pruett (James Franciscus), as they undertake a routine space mission. They are sent up to an orbital laboratory (the 'Ironman One') for a three-month period, to test new equipment and conduct experiments that will pave the way for future space travel.

However, just as they are preparing to return to Earth, a technical malfunction occurs on the ground, and the mission is deemed too risky to retrieve the astronauts. With their oxygen running low and no sign of rescue coming, the three astronauts are left to contemplate their fate, while their families back on Earth anxiously watch the events unfold.

Despite the odds, the astronauts remain optimistic and resourceful, pulling together to conserve their dwindling supply of air and devise a plan for survival. Meanwhile, back on Earth, the team's commander, Jim's wife (Mariette Hartley), and other NASA officials must grapple with the daunting task of finding a way to bring the stranded crew back home before it's too late.

The film's strength lies in its ability to balance the technical aspects of space travel with the human element of the characters' predicament. Although the plot is driven by the drama of the situation, with the threat of death ever present, the film's focus is on the personalities of the men involved, and the relationships they have with each other and those on the ground.

Peck's Keith is the seasoned veteran of the group, the 'old hand' of the team, who has made multiple trips to space and seen it all. He is cool-headed and pragmatic, trying to keep the others focused and positive as the situation worsens.

Crenna's Dougherty is the less-experienced of the three, but no less capable. He is the level-headed one, whose quick thinking and technical knowledge help to keep the group functioning.

Janssen's Pruett is the youngest and most impulsive of the trio, whose passion for space travel has blinded him to the risks involved. He is the daredevil, always eager to push the boundaries, eager to explore new possibilities.

As the film progresses, their personalities are tested, as are their skills, as they face one obstacle after another. Together, they become a unit, each relying on the other's strengths to stay alive.

Overall, Marooned is an intelligent and well-crafted piece of science fiction that focuses more on character development than special effects, and despite being somewhat dated in its portrayal of technology, its underlying themes of humanity and survival remain as relevant today as when it was released.

Marooned is a 1969 adventure movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 14 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9 and a MetaScore of 62.