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The Groundstar Conspiracy

  • 1972
  • PG
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
1K
YOUR RATING
The Groundstar Conspiracy (1972)
A government investigator tries to find out the truth behind the break-in at a top secret research facility.
Play trailer2:27
1 Video
23 Photos
ActionCrimeMysteryRomanceSci-FiThriller

A government investigator tries to find out the truth behind the break-in at a top secret research facility.A government investigator tries to find out the truth behind the break-in at a top secret research facility.A government investigator tries to find out the truth behind the break-in at a top secret research facility.

  • Director
    • Lamont Johnson
  • Writers
    • Leslie P. Davies
    • Douglas Heyes
  • Stars
    • George Peppard
    • Michael Sarrazin
    • Christine Belford
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.0/10
    1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Lamont Johnson
    • Writers
      • Leslie P. Davies
      • Douglas Heyes
    • Stars
      • George Peppard
      • Michael Sarrazin
      • Christine Belford
    • 32User reviews
    • 27Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:27
    Trailer

    Photos23

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    Top cast25

    Edit
    George Peppard
    George Peppard
    • Tuxan
    Michael Sarrazin
    Michael Sarrazin
    • John David Welles…
    Christine Belford
    Christine Belford
    • Nicole Devon
    Cliff Potts
    Cliff Potts
    • Carl Mosely
    James Olson
    James Olson
    • Sen. Stanton
    Tim O'Connor
    Tim O'Connor
    • Frank Gossage
    James McEachin
    James McEachin
    • Bender
    Alan Oppenheimer
    Alan Oppenheimer
    • Gen. Hackett
    Roger Dressler
    • Charlie Kitchen
    Ty Haller
    • Henshaw
    Anna Hagan
    Anna Hagan
    • Dr. Plover
    • (as Anna Hagen)
    Hagan Beggs
    Hagan Beggs
    • Dr. Hager
    • (as Hagen Beggs)
    John Destry
    • Sgt. Zabrinski
    • (as John Destry Adams)
    Milos Zatovic
    • Dr. Zahl
    Don Granbery
    Don Granbery
    • Technician
    • (as Don Granberry)
    Robin Coller
    • Secretary
    Bob Meneray
    • MP Sergeant
    Richard Sergeant
    • MP
    • Director
      • Lamont Johnson
    • Writers
      • Leslie P. Davies
      • Douglas Heyes
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews32

    6.01K
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    Featured reviews

    9clanciai

    A man without memory and identity as sole survivor of the destruction of a super classified research plant and the sole bearer of its secrets

    A super secret space research plant is blown up with all its six responsible members of the team, but one manages to get out of the inferno alive, although there is not much left of him, least of all a face. The story of John Welles, played by Michael Sarrazin, is intriguing indeed, as he finds himself without identity and memory as he is returned to life by extreme surgical efforts supervised by George Peppard as the man in charge of the investigation of the disastrous sabotage. As Michael is the sole survivor and the only one left who could have known about the secrets of the plant and why it was blown up (for the purpose of selling its secrets abroad), George Peppard has every reason to be extremely concerned about his case and bringing not only the survivor back to life but also and above all his memory. This proves more or less impossible.

    This is the beginning of the plot, which leads into an abyss of mysteries and thickening intrigue unto the very last moment, when everything clears. It's an ingenious story, and although the environment of the film is dreadful, bunker prisons of mammoth overwhelmingness, it is nevertheless highly recommendable, and there is Christine Belford to add some necessary softer touch to the dreadfulness and inhumanity, which unfortunately is the dominating element of the film; and when Michael finally gets even with George Peppard, even that infallible dictator must admit that he deserved it.
    8RanchoTuVu

    the big issues

    A super secret government space program laboratory known as Groundstar gets blown up while a woman, (Christine Belford) whose parents have recently died and is also recently divorced tries to find some solace for her shattered life in the summer house she was left in the will which just happens to be in the direct vicinity of the above mentioned lab. The lone "survivor" of the explosion stumbles to her house with a disfigured face followed by government security guru George Peppard and his crew who take him away to a high security hospital. Was he responsible for the explosion? The next time we see him, he turns out to be Michael Sarrazin. And what follows is a moderately intriguing story that delves into some of then, today's, and for all times big issues, such as unchecked government surveillance, brutal interrogation techniques, and brainwashing. The deft intermingling of personal elements with the government security apparatus and some political and public relations angles makes for a fairly sophisticated and complex movie.
    7yawn-2

    Sharp as a tack

    This is the best Peppard performance. Is that saying much? Probably not, but he's fairly mesmerizing as an incredibly ruthless investigator whose superiors "only talk to God." Think "Banacek" without one shred of charm and you'll be about halfway there. The film shows its cheapjack TV movie origins in many ways, but the script is tight and the supporting cast (especially Belford doing a nice Rita Hayworth impression) is way above average. It's always been fashionable to hate Sarrazin, but today he'd be Keanu Reeves. Think about it.
    7BachlorinParadise

    Not That Bad

    Just re-saw The Groundstar Conspiracy after some 20 something years. Always been a big fan of both George Peppard and Micheal Sarrazin, so I was looking forward to this flick. Somewhat out-dated today, but for 1972, it wasn't all that bad. There are twists and turns. Plots and subplots. Action, suspense, drama, and even a little romance thrown in. Humor, at least a few lines, would of helped a lot here. There is a nice surprise sort of ending. Clearly this is not a masterpiece of a cold war thriller like The Spy Who Can In From The Cold or The Ipcress File, but The Goundstar Conspiracy is a nice little entertaining film. George Peppard looked great here and Micheal Sarrazin was in his prime. It's not their best roles, but if you're a fan. it's a good way to spend a rainy night.
    8thinker1691

    " Thank's for the punch in the jaw, . . . . I deserved it, perhaps even a couple more "

    There are not too many spy films which can conjure up a team of excellent actors for a movie. This however is one. "The Groundstar Conspiracy" is a dramatic thriller of sorts, except that in this movie, the private company is the target not the country. An explosion in a top secret installation causes a great deal of damage and sets off an investigation to find out who was behind the espionage. Enormous amount of destruction to be sure, but what the chief investigator (George Peppard) Tuxan wants to know is who is behind the sabotage. His only clue is in the form of a single survivor named John Welles (Michael Sarrazin) AKA Peter Bellamy, a man who has no memory of what happened. This is an excellent vehicle for the Cat and Mouse game which follows. The survivor is having tremendous difficulty trying to remember who he is or was and Tuxan is allowing him to struggle while he watches out for any of his friends to come and help him recover. It's an excellent film and one which gives the audience just enough information to follow the hero to the surprising ending. A good film and one which is enhanced by Nicole Devon as Christine Belford and Cliff Potts who plays Carl Mosely. ****

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    Related interests

    Bruce Willis in Die Hard (1988)
    Action
    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
    Crime
    Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in Chinatown (1974)
    Mystery
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance
    James Earl Jones and David Prowse in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
    Sci-Fi
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Some scenes were shot at Simon Fraser University, at the top of Burnaby Mountain outside of Vancouver, BC. Although Vancouver attracts frequent film business today, in 1972 this film was a bit unusual for being shot in what would become known as "Hollywood North."
    • Goofs
      It is assumed that the saboteur has the secret data memorized in his brain, because he has seen it while copying it from a computer to tape reels. In reality, if you know what files you want, you can copy them on magnetic tape without studying their contents. This was also true in 1972.
    • Quotes

      Tuxan: Yes, gentlemen - I tap my own phone.

    • Crazy credits
      The end credits scroll in the opposite direction to the norm.
    • Connections
      Referenced in Lovelace (2013)

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    FAQ16

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 21, 1972 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Canada
    • Languages
      • English
      • Greek
    • Also known as
      • The Alien
    • Filming locations
      • Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
    • Production company
      • Universal Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $200,406
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 36m(96 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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