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BATTLE BEYOND THE STARS (1980) Dir: Jimmy T. Murakami The sci-fi fun never stops in this marvelous bargain-priced STAR WARS-inspired space fantasy from producer Roger Corman. Along with a clever script by John Sayles and inventive art direction by a young James Cameron, there's a stirring early score by James Horner. Horner's music for BATTLE is so exceptional that it was later used in several other low-budget Corman productions. The chaotically overcrowded plot is essentially THE SEVEN SAMURAI in space. Richard Thomas is a farm boy from a small planet of gentle, robe-wearing pacifists. When their world is attacked by the laser-blasting space cruiser of heartless galactic warlord Sador (John Saxon, who seems to be thoroughly enjoying himself), Thomas embarks on a mission to recruit the galaxy's toughest and bravest fighters to come to their aid. There are enough alien cultures, mysterious planets, odd characters and imaginative science fiction ideas in this low-budget wonder to occupy an entire season of any STAR TREK teleseries. One drawback is that, in the interest of keeping things moving at hyperspeed, many interesting places and concepts are only superficially dealt with, leaving fans hungry for more details of these assorted lifeforms and their respective histories and cultures. Robert Vaughn gets to play what's basically a futuristic space mercenary version of the same character he was in THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN. Sybil Danning is super sexy as a tough alien "Valkyrie" in a great leather costume, Morgan Woodward is perfect as a wonderfully designed green lizard-man, and George Peppard has fun in his very campy role of "Space Cowboy". There's a robot factory, a dead planet, and a race of identical bald white aliens called The Nestor, who all share a single consciousness and provide some very funny dialogue. Sador's army consists of big mean mutants with lobotomy scars (one of many peculiar details that are left unexplored), and his plan is to live forever by regularly having body parts of his victims grafted onto himself to replace his own aging body bit by bit. The spaceship that looks like STAR TREK's Enterprise with breasts and has an inboard computer that talks with a silly old mama voice went a bit too far in the direction of camp for my taste, but the all-star cast of enthusiastic pros and excellent space battle effects, plus the parade of one clever set design after another, make this an endlessly entertaining, if sometimes juvenile, space adventure. If only more of the STAR WARS imitations in the '80s had shown as much imagination and offered as much Saturday matinee-style fun as this one.Read full review
Battle Beyond the Stars is a science fiction cult classic that was released in 1980 by Roger Corman. The cast included Richard Thomas, George Peppard, Robert Vaughn, John Saxon, and Sybil Danning. The movie’s budget was almost non-existent, and it shows. The special effects look more like something you’d see on TV, the dialogue is hokey, and the whole movie is cheesy in the extreme. The movie’s tag line stated “Seven futuristic mercenaries are assembled to defend a helpless farm colony from an evil overlord.” It is loosely based on the novel “The Seven Samurai” and basically tells the story of a band of villagers who are being terrorized by Sador (Saxon). One of the villagers, Shad (Thomas) journeys into space to try to recruit mercenaries to fight against Sador. He enlists Cowboy (Peppard), Gelt (Vaughn), Saint-Exmin (Danning) and others in the fight to the death. This is a movie that makes a good Saturday night popcorn flick, is full of cheese, and takes you back to a time when Star Wars was the king of the hill, and other studios were trying to capitalize on its success.Read full review
Sifi in its cheesey greatness!!!!! For years I could not remember the name of this flick because I havent watched it since the 80s. I love this movie!!!!! If you're expecting oscar level acting and effects this is not the movie for you. If you want a fun, cheesy, romp through space with a good cast then this is the flick you're looking for. The extras are cool, but you want this for the movie.....
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Great movie . My daughter even loved it
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
a good movie. worth watching
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