Operation Ganymed

The storyline is 3 ships travel to Ganymede (moon of Jupiter); about 18 people go, about 4 come back. Don is mentally unstable since he was felt responsible for the deaths of 2 crew members that went to collect samples of organic compounds for him (proving life was on Ganymede). About 1/3 of the movie is in space returning to Earth, 1/3 flash back to Ganymede, and 1/3 hiking through the desert when they force on a landing on (what may/may-not be) Earth after they aren't met when they return to Earth's orbit. The dubbing was one of those classic "ha! you are a crazy person, yes a crazy person, and I say that without malice, I do, it's just that you are a crazy person." who's responsible for that dubbing? Some of the on-Ganymede effects were well done, but in general it seemed like the cinematography was done as a high-school drama project. 10 minutes spent with the camera trained on someone rapelling down some rocks. At the end, you really don't have a clue what it was all about. Was Don crazy? Were they on Earth? Did Earth still exist? Were they in Mexico? Did 14 really die on Ganymede? Why did no one meet them on their return? And considering they were out of water all the time, how did they keep getting more?

Conceptually a fantastic drama of deep space astronauts and the experiences they endure. But it comes up short in execution, even State made Soviet SF is more watchable. The soundtrack is absolutely awful and should in no way be a part of this film. Pacing of the action is slow and dreary. Visually looks like a 16mm film school project. Granted we have great actors in this movie, but they alone cannot save the movie. It's something that needs to be seen if only for comparison purposes.

This had the potential to be a great movie. I think the English dub was bad and the direction could have been better, but if you are sci-fi freak and like post-apocalypse type themes watch this movie. Operation Ganymed at times creates a chilling mood and that is what makes sci-fi a great escape from the reality a living on this miserable rock called Earth. (The planet is fine is just happens to be infested by scum called humans.)

I've read about the atrocious English language dub, but my copy of the film is the Dutch rental video with the original German dialogue and it sounds fine. The film itself is gritty and realistic in tone. Five astronauts return from years in space only to find a seemingly desolate Earth. No radio signals, deserted ruins, sparse vegetation etc. At loss at what to do next they decide to head North, but without sufficient food and water supplies, how long will they last? The line between reality, hallucinations due to dehydration (and possible radioactive sickness) and flashbacks to their exploration of Jupiter moon Ganymedes is constantly blurred. Recommended.

Scifi is about ideas, not special effects. We have all suffered through the big CGI science fiction extravaganzas, rolling our eyes because the characters and plots are so lame. This unknown gem is very bare of special effects, but rich on story and the concept is very frightening. It's low, low budget, and shows it, however, the drama is brilliant and richly textured. After a many year mission to Ganymed, the astronauts return home.to a terrifying situation, and that's when their real struggle for survival begins. It's a story that will haunt me for awhile. Very well done, and very refreshing.