The Andromeda Strain poster
Director Robert Wise
Screenplay Nelson Gidding

The Andromeda Strain

Tagline: The picture runs 130 minutes... The story covers 96 of the most critical hours in man's history... The suspense will last through your lifetime!

Release Date: 1971-03-12

Duration: 131 minutes

Synopsis

When virtually all of the residents of Piedmont, New Mexico, are found dead after the return to Earth of a space satellite, the head of the US Air Force's Project Scoop declares an emergency. A group of eminent scientists led by Dr. Jeremy Stone scramble to a secure laboratory and try to first isolate the life form while determining why two people from Piedmont - an old alcoholic and a six-month-old baby - survived. The scientists methodically study the alien life form unaware that it has already mutated and presents a far greater danger in the lab, which is equipped with a nuclear self-destruct device designed to prevent the escape of dangerous biological agents.

Casting

  • Richard Bull
    Air Force Major
  • David Wayne
    Dr. Charles Dutton
  • Len Wayland
    Utah Crash Site Officer (uncredited)
  • Michael Crichton
    Bearded Surgeon (uncredited)
  • Michael Pataki
    Operator of 'The Hand' (uncredited)
  • Eric Christmas
    Senator from Vermont
  • Jan Burrell
    Mother - Piedmont (uncredited)
  • Garry Walberg
    Technician (uncredited)
  • Ken Swofford
    Toby (technician)
  • James Olson
    Dr. Mark Hall