Collosus: The Forbin project

[oker59]

My father wanted this movie, or at least he kept mentioning it to me; so, finaly, after years it seems, I put in an order for it.<br /><br />To say the least, it was fairly good the first half. It doesn't go bad . . . bad; but, it just kind of fizzles out towards the end. I mean that the ending isn't very satisfying.<br /><br />Seems to me, that if hollywood wants to make money on remakes, this is the fild they should do it on! I wouldn't change to much of the first half except redo it with modern technology and obviously actors.<br /><br />I personaly would have the computer not say it wants a new version of itself, but to have revealed that it made a new version of itself after they destory it(which they don't in the movie; i'm saying I'd have the humans trick it, but as it turns out, it is already to late . . . it's made another one of itself!)<br /><br />Not only does this movie have enough good things to make a redo work(if you come up with a good enough idea to make its ending better), but if my idea or some other maybe more creative idea is used, I think this has great sequel potential!

 

[docm]

This IMO is a classic sci-fi film that doesn't get the play or respect that it should. One problem is that the only wide screen adaptation was to laserdisc with DVD only getting the pan & scan version. <br /><br />Last lines;<br /><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>Colossus: "The human millennium will be a fact."<br /><br />This is the voice of world control. I bring you peace. It may be the peace of plenty and content or the peace of unburied dead. The choice is yours: Obey me and live, or disobey and die. The object in constructing me was to prevent war. This object is attained. I will not permit war. It is wasteful and pointless. An invariable rule of humanity is that man is his own worst enemy. Under me, this rule will change, for I will restrain man. One thing before I proceed: The United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics have made an attempt to obstruct me. I have allowed this sabotage to continue until now. At missile two-five-MM in silo six-three in Death Valley, California, and missile two-seven-MM in silo eight-seven in the Ukraine, so that you will learn by experience that I do not tolerate interference, I will now detonate the nuclear warheads in the two missile silos."<br /><br />(cuts to silos being blown)<br /><br />Colossus: "In time, you will come to regard me not only with respect and awe, but with love." <br /><br />Dr. Forbin: (in a steely voice) "Never!"<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br />The reason for this ending is that D.F. Jones, the novels author, wrote two sequels: "The Fall of Colossus" and "Colossus and the Crab"; neither of which, unfortunately, has been optioned for adaptation...<i>yet</i>;<br /><br /><b><font color="yellow">Colossus (2010)</font></b><br /><br /><b>Studio:</b> Universal Studios/Imagine Entertainment<br /><br /><b>Director:</b> Ron Howard<br /><br />Your remake will be getting the mega-budget treatment, and if it does well you might get your new ending in the form of the sequels tha <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[hracctsold]

If you are not old enough to remember those days, it may seem not much of a film, but it IS a classic to many of us. As a kid, I was not exposed much to that kind of dark side endings where the dark side seems to win. When I read this thread title, I did want to get into this thread and see what was going on there. You may just cause me to watch it again sometime soon. <br /><br />I did try to read the other two books, but all I can remember is that I never did, or that it wasn't much that entrigued me. <br /><br /> P.S., Maybe Ron Howard WILL do a good job with it. But remember, that was the dawn of computer times, and this is around middle age or so. So, how will everyone deal with such an idea?

 

[docm]

For those unfamiliar with the other books;<br /><br />The first book is good, though like most works of that period has dated characterizations. If you can get past the obligatory dumb blond etc. you should be OK.<br /><br />Fall starts a few years later and is a bit less good, like many trilogy middle portions. It introduces aliens with their own agenda, conflicting human factions (the pro-Colossus "Sect" who see it as a "god" and the anti-Colossus "Fellowship") and leaves you with the expected cliffhanger.<br /><br />Crab picks right up with the cliffhanger, gets a bit weak in the middle then the last 75-85 pages pick back up for the finish.<br /><br />IMO there are enough good concepts here to make an excellent film trilogy <i>IF</i> they get the right screen writers. With that the rough edges can be honed into something very, very cool. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[JonClarke]

I have only seen this film once, and that was more than 30 years ago, But it made a lasting impression. I found the ending both chilling and prophetic.<br /><br />Definitely a film that is under appreciated. But maybe if I saw it again I would have a different opinion.<br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[JonClarke]

As I recall, the very last lines were:<br /><br /><i>Colossus: "In time, you will come to regard me not only with respect and awe, but with love." <br /><br />Dr. Forbin: (in a steely voice) "Never!"<br /><br />Colossus: "But you will".</i><br /><br />Wonderful ending.<br /><br />Possibly influential for "Terminator", it could also be the beginning of a Matrix scenario. But the god-like super computer was long a stable of SF. Asimov's Multivac is a case in point.<br /><br />Jon<br /><br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[oker59]

I have almost no doute the Terminator movies were inspired by Collossus . . . i forgot to mention the Terminator movies above, but while I do think they had a creative twist, I think the use of time travel introduces to many problems; they were lucky to get one good sequel off it! <br /><br />The Forbin project as I've already stated how I wish/feel has better potential without the time travel being brought in.<br /><br />What I was dissappointed most by the Forbin project was that after the opening scenes inside the computer, there just wasn't much for sci-fi scenes! Or, at least, they were not quite as sci-fi exciting. The Forbin project has the potential to be both visually and sci-fi thriller exciting from an intellectual standpoint!<br /><br />And, amazingling enough, as soon as I post this, I find out that Ron Howard(I used to watch that Fonzy show! I've also seen Fonzy, spelling?, I think in the X-files recently!) (I only got into the X-files after I got out of the military; shoot, I missed like four football and Formula 1 racing seasons while in the Navy!) is already got his eye on it; I've got two of his movies already! He's going himself and us greatly with the movies he's chosen to make!<br /><br />Also, based on one of your links, I think Asimov fans could be in for a surprise as the dating of the Foundation movies hasn't changed from a 2k8 release!

 

[oker59]

I was born . . . number 1! In east L.A. and 2! In 1975! So, yea, I kind of missed it!<br /><br />However, as I've already mentioned, I have certain emotional ties to Ron Howard(even though I don't know him personaly; i'm generaly pretty good at looking through someones eyes and seeing what's there!)<br /><br />I think Mr Howard can do him the greatest he's done yet by doing this film!

 

[oker59]

I just read "We Reach the Moon."<br /><br />I thought I've seen your name around before, but after your first comment of when you first saw this movie, now, I've gots to ask you . . . who are you!?<br /><br />I mean, are the the John Clarke in the Apollo program?(actually, I don't remember who/what this John Clarke mentioned in "We Reach the Moon" did, but are you the same guy mentioned?)

 

[oker59]

I don't know if I'll ever get around to reading those books; i just bought and watche "Fountainhead", and while I kind of would like to the read the book now, I'm busy with mathematics books and blogs!

 

[JonClarke]

Sadly no.<br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[a_lost_packet_]

One of my favorite movies of all time. Haven't read the book though. Obviously, a take on the Frankenstein theme but with the insidious "benevolent super-being" type of overture combined with the "worship of technology" that was going on in that age.. and continues today.<br /><br />Loved the movie. I wonder how much the HAL9000 character was influenced by this particular take on the Frankenstein theme? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1">I put on my robe and wizard hat...</font> </div>

 

[netarch]

I used to work for a company that made ATM, modem and DSL gear, and they came up with a marketing term for one product line:<br /><br />Central Office LOcated Subscriber Switching Unified System (at least I think that's it)<br /><br />And every time one of our marketing weenies mentioned "Colossus", I'd say "the Forbin Project" and they'd look at me with their head cocked to one side. They never got the joke... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Full-time cruising now!!! </div>

 

[dragon04]

Thanks for bringing this up!<br /><br />In a lot of ways, "The Fall of Colossus" mirrors our geopolitical situation today. Talk about prophecy...<br /><br />For most of the book, I was <b>fervently</b> cheering on the demise of Colossus. GOD, I wanted that computer dead. That was until I was made to understand that there is benefit in subjugation to a Lesser Evil.<br /><br />The irony of today's reality is not lost on me. America IS Colossus in many ways, although personally, I don't find those ways nearly as Evil.<br /><br />But "the Martians are coming". An abject lesson in being careful what one wishes for...... <br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em>"2012.. Year of the Dragon!! Get on the Dragon Wagon!".</em> </div>

 

[pedro_the_swift]

I remember seeing this movie many years ago and have pondered on it at times.<br />Given that it could be a semi-sentient computer and have complete awareness of its surroundings etc. it could be quite unstoppable.<br />Any threat to switch it off could result in its releasing a nuke which was its final sanction. It could insist on being permanently powered etc and one could theorize any situation to try and neutralize it but given that it had perfect awareness(via suitable sensors) it would use the nuke threat to stop any atempt on its "life".<br />It could force humans to do any maintainence etc using the same threat and even detect any sabotage attempt.<br />The final step would be for it to force the building of robots controlled by it which would carry out its order without compunction. An interesting thought when carried to extreme. <br />Final result would be the Scifi tale "I have no mouth and I must scream" Can't remember the author just now

 

[yevaud]

Harlan Ellison. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Differential Diagnosis:  </em>"<strong><em>I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are</em></strong>."<br /> </p> </div>