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Capricorn One

Play trailer 3:09 Poster for Capricorn One PG 1978 2h 4m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
70% Tomatometer 20 Reviews 59% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Three astronauts (James Brolin, Sam Waterston, O.J. Simpson) are about to launch into space on the first mission to Mars. But when a mechanical failure surfaces that would kill the three men, NASA removes them from the Capricorn One capsule. To prevent a public outcry, NASA launches the capsule unmanned and requires the astronauts to film fake mission footage in a studio. However, the plan is compromised when an ambitious journalist (Elliott Gould) discovers the conspiracy.
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Capricorn One

Capricorn One

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Critics Consensus

A string of questionable plot contrivances threaten to bury its story, but Capricorn One manages to unfurl an amusing, sharply cynical conspiracy yarn.

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Critics Reviews

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Richard Freedman Newark Star-Ledger Jan 10, 2026
Implodes from its own vulgarity before it can even lift off from the gantry. Go to Full Review Michael Clark Epoch Times Aug 17, 2023
2.5/5
You’ll know the exact moment when everything goes south with the arrival of Telly Savalas as a motor-mouth, insulting, fish-out-of-water, crop-dusting pilot. Once his character shows up, the movie takes on a farcical, almost borderline slapstick tone. Go to Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Sep 22, 2022
7/10
Although this could be something of a vindication for moon-landing deniers, the script is clever enough to shape itself as a thriller more than commentary on the monetary value of international deception (and rivalry) or local political machinations. Go to Full Review Fernando Trueba El Pais (Spain) Jul 31, 2019
The movie attempts to please, but its flaws are excessive. [Full Review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Don Shanahan Every Movie Has a Lesson Feb 14, 2019
4/5
A good conspiracy thriller needs to make its scenario and setup believable to be effective, and this film nails that. Go to Full Review Robert Roten Laramie Movie Scope Dec 3, 2018
B
It is very entertaining in terms of its story and acting, mainly because it is not trying to convince anyone of a real life conspiracy. It is just a science fiction movie meant to entertain and amuse its audience. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Kanaloa H @Kanaloa Oct 15, 2026 This movie is even more relevant today than back in the 1970s when created. It’s 1970s quality technology but ahead of its time. See more David M @DavidMcKimmie Jul 4, 2026 This movie could be made today, it’s so whip smart. Scratch that, the world got dumber. It’s too smart for today’s studios. See more Jay C. @SgtComic Apr 27, 2026 It’s an awesome movie that doesn’t get the credit that it’s due because of the time that it came out and also, it didn’t get the credit that it’s due because of angry people who love the moon landing and thought that this was some kind of conspiracy theory linked to it. They never said anything about the moon landing being fake, it’s a movie about a fake Martian mission and the cover-up, but the two things are inexorably linked now and I think that’s why a lot of people shoot the movie down watch it for the cheesy 1978 thriller it is and you will have a great time See more Kellie H. @RT94595996 Apr 21, 2026 A fun movie to watch in the 21st Century, where conspiracy theories run wild. Amazing cast holds up film, with obvious holes. The science is bad and the movie ends where it really should have started, but my husband and I truly enjoyed the film. See more Tony F @Batmorph Dec 22, 2025 Don't know why this movie has such a low rating. I found it thoroughly entertaining from start to finish. See more Ian R @RT23899272 Oct 24, 2025 Total crap. This movie has not improved with time. The cast was okay with the clear exception of Telly Savalas. See more Read all reviews
Capricorn One

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Cast & Crew

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Peter Hyams

Director

Elliott Gould

Robert Caulfield

James Brolin

Charles Brubaker

Hal Holbrook

Dr. James Kelloway

Brenda Vaccaro

Kay Brubaker

Sam Waterston

Peter Willis

Movie Clips

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Capricorn One

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Capricorn One

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Capricorn One

Capricorn One (1978) Capricorn One (1978) Capricorn One (1978) Capricorn One (1978) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Three astronauts (James Brolin, Sam Waterston, O.J. Simpson) are about to launch into space on the first mission to Mars. But when a mechanical failure surfaces that would kill the three men, NASA removes them from the Capricorn One capsule. To prevent a public outcry, NASA launches the capsule unmanned and requires the astronauts to film fake mission footage in a studio. However, the plan is compromised when an ambitious journalist (Elliott Gould) discovers the conspiracy.
Director
Peter Hyams
Producer
Paul N. Lazarus III
Screenwriter
Peter Hyams
Production Co
ITC Films, Associated General Films
Rating
PG
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 18, 2016
Runtime
2h 4m
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