Outland (1981) is an absolute hidden treasure. Near future, gritty, working class scifi with heavy western influences. Definitely worth the watch.

I used to be listening to a Stuff To Blow Your Thoughts episode final evening on the moons of Jupiter after they referenced this film.

Any synopsis on-line comprise spoilers, so I might simply not search for the synopses and simply watch it.

Principally, it's this:

A suspenseful neo-western takes place on an intrastellar mining facility. A brand new Marshall is positioned on Io to take care of regulation and order amidst the wild west that’s the Jovian system.

There aren't any killer robots, no area aliens. It feels very a lot blue-collar, working-class science fiction that’s closely grounded in actuality. Gravity performs an element within the film as it’s 1/6 that of Earth. Sadly, there are some dated components: what occurs to the human physique when uncovered to a near-total vacuum.

In actuality, for these curious: you’ll lose consciousness in about 15 seconds because the water on the surface of your physique boils off (like small fizzy bubbles). Then after a couple of minutes, you’ll perish, however your physique would stay consumption. Regardless of what Whole Recall and Hollywood assume lol.

However, exterior a number of dated physics points, it's fairly strong. I actually loved it.

Quickly he finds himself at battle with the nefarious operations supervisor, Sheppard (Peter Boyle), and combating for his life in opposition to a group of employed killers out to silence him completely. Units for the movie have been constructed at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, the place Ridley Scott’s Alien had been shot two years earlier, and there are hanging visible similarities between the 2 photos; they virtually seem to exist throughout the similar universe.

The entire environments in Outland are weathered and worn – equipment appears to be like used, flooring soiled, the air hazy with industrial smoke. Hyams does a beautiful job reaching a dingy, blue-collar environment. He’s at all times harbored a choice for darkness and shadow; few mainstream studio filmmakers have demonstrated such a passion for low-light ranges.

supply

Trailer, however comprises spoilers.

For those who like this theme of working class on instrastellar objects, right here're a number of books you may like:

• One Method by SJ Morden (Mars)

• Leviathan Wakes by James SA Corey (Ceres, Mars, and Earth)

• Chilly as Ice by Charles Sheffield (Earth, Ganymede, and Europa)

• The Martian by Andy Weir (Mars)