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genexorcistMeteor is a 1979 American science fiction disaster film directed by Ronald Neame and starring Sean Connery, Natalie Wood, Brian Keith, Martin Landau and Karl Malden. The film follows a group of scientists struggling with Cold War politics after an asteroid is detected to be on a collision course with Earth, and was inspired by a 1967 MIT report, Project Icarus. The screenplay was written by Edmund H. North and Stanley Mann.
Considering that this film comes along towards the end of the 'disaster' genre heyday, and despite receiving less than stellar reviews at the time, I think it still delivers on many levels and is very watchable and entertaining. Is it perfect? No. Is it flawed? Yes. However, in the grand scheme of things, the actors deliver great performances and it's entertaining enough when you need a disaster movie fix.
Sean Connery delivers some great lines with his usual panache and his character is made of deliciously manly stuff. Karl Malden is, well, Karl Malden in all the wonderful ways we've become accustomed to. He faces off with Connery's character and matches his intensity expertly. Natalie Wood and Brian Keith deliver superb performances.
There was some casting 'musical chairs' around the Dr. Dubov character which originally went to Donald Pleasance, who filmed a few scenes before leaving to work on another film (Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band). As a result, Brian Keith who had originally been cast as Gen. Aldon was moved into the Dr. Dubov role, and Martin Landau was cast as Gen. Adlon.
If you need a reason to watch this film, it might be simply to support the work of the actors who definitely went through some hellish filming conditions during the subway tunnel scenes when they were nearly drowned in torrents of disgusting muddy water. Sean Connery fell ill during filming because of it and the actors had to stuff their ears with cotton wool during those scenes.
All in all, I enjoyed this movie and I believe it earns it's place in the disaster movie genre.
Considering that this film comes along towards the end of the 'disaster' genre heyday, and despite receiving less than stellar reviews at the time, I think it still delivers on many levels and is very watchable and entertaining. Is it perfect? No. Is it flawed? Yes. However, in the grand scheme of things, the actors deliver great performances and it's entertaining enough when you need a disaster movie fix.
Sean Connery delivers some great lines with his usual panache and his character is made of deliciously manly stuff. Karl Malden is, well, Karl Malden in all the wonderful ways we've become accustomed to. He faces off with Connery's character and matches his intensity expertly. Natalie Wood and Brian Keith deliver superb performances.
There was some casting 'musical chairs' around the Dr. Dubov character which originally went to Donald Pleasance, who filmed a few scenes before leaving to work on another film (Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band). As a result, Brian Keith who had originally been cast as Gen. Aldon was moved into the Dr. Dubov role, and Martin Landau was cast as Gen. Adlon.
If you need a reason to watch this film, it might be simply to support the work of the actors who definitely went through some hellish filming conditions during the subway tunnel scenes when they were nearly drowned in torrents of disgusting muddy water. Sean Connery fell ill during filming because of it and the actors had to stuff their ears with cotton wool during those scenes.
All in all, I enjoyed this movie and I believe it earns it's place in the disaster movie genre.
