The Cold Equations

Starring:Bill Campbell, Poppy Montgomery, Daniel Roebuck, William R. Moses, John Prosky, Heidi Swedberg, Derk Cheetwood, Nicki Micheaux, Albert Hall
Director: Peter Geiger
Studio: Platinum Disc
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

BAD TITLE; MEDIOCRE MOVIE
Cold Equations
Immutability
Solid remake
Pretty bad made for TV and never made it!

The Cold Equations
Starring: Bill Campbell , Poppy Montgomery , Daniel Roebuck , William R. Moses , and John Prosky
Director: Peter Geiger
Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000C23HE
Release Date: 2003-08-12

Customer Reviews:

BAD TITLE; MEDIOCRE MOVIE.......2007-01-20

I haven't figured out the title for this movie, but it wouldnt matter. This made for tv movie from 1996 is a tepid character study with little action to make it entertaining.
I will credit Bill Campbell (ENOUGH, THE 4400) and Poppy Montgomery (WITHOUT A TRACE) for attempting to bring some substance into their roles; considering the weak script, they do a good job, although Poppy's character is unlikeable through most of the film. Campbell is sincere and makes us feel some empathy for him. The movie is based on a short story and obviously padded to flll its time slot, and is recommended only for true scifi fans.

Cold Equations.......2005-09-03

Very Disappointing! The original story by Tom Godwin was one that haunts the reader forever. I read it many years ago as a young teen. When in college, a professor presented the class with a booklet he asked us to read and discuss. When I read the first sentence "He was not alone", I flipped the booklet over. When asked by the professor why I wasn't reading I replied: "I've read it". He smiled and said "I understand".
The DVD version changes the focus of the story from the internal struggle of the pilot to one of rebellion against the "Evil Corporation". This was not the thrust of the original story. While the general storyline was loosely kept, the DVD lacks the tension and ghostly quality of the original opus by Mr. Godwin. I do not recommend the DVD. Seek out an anthology and read the short story instead.

Immutability.......2005-08-14

The female lead, Poppy Montgomery, is known as a member of the cast, "Without a Trace." In that T.V. series, she follows one rule: Learn who the victim is. I suggest you watch, "The Cold Equations," with this one rule in mind. Our science-fiction movie presents an immutable situation and its consequence; a "cold equation" that is neither moral or immoral, nor a law of justice or mercy. Lee's intention to stay hidden was a choice that was to lead to the death of all on board the spaceship and the deaths of all those needing the medical supplies that the spaceship was carrying. Lee was a "murderer" when, as a stowaway, she remained onboard after the spaceship launched. When Lee was confronted with the only solution to the situation - her own death - she labeled the pilot a "murderer" in a burst of borderline rage. Transferring her status of "murder" to the pilot began a lengthy period of psychological twists and turns that had the utility of merely postponing her death.

Solid remake.......2005-07-05

In 1954 Tom Godwin wrote the classic story "The Cold Equations". In 1986 noted novelist/screenwriter Alan Brennert ("Her Pilgrim Soul" a classic Zone episode and one of the best of the 80's revivals and the author of the terrific novel MOLOKA'I)adapted it for the 1986 season of "The Twilight Zone". The Zone was cancelled. CBS brought it back in syndication and story editor J. Michael Straczynski ("Babylon 5", "Crusade" and a noted novelist as well) helped get it into production in 1988. The 1988 version at 22 minutes remains the definitive adaptation of Godwin's story.Ther's also a TV adaptation from for the series "Out of This World" that was done in 1962 but, unfortunately, I've never seen this version so can't compare.

This Sci-Fi original TV movie isn't bad--it deals with the same issues that drove the original story and Zone adapation--just padded out a bit with additional material that makes it longer without making it better. Director Peter Geiger does a good job with the material. I've seen unfair criticism of the writing (the teleplay here is by Geiger with Stephen Berger who wrote "The Astronaut's Wife" along with two other writers)and acting of the TV movie. The performers do a solid job with the material they have.

Could the movie have been better? Maybe. The limited budget doesn't do it any favors and the TV format (with a minor crisis before every commercial)doesn't do it any favors either. It's a pretty solid versions although I do agree that the definitive version is the shorter Zone version (now available) scripted by Alan Brennert.

Pretty bad made for TV and never made it!.......2005-01-11

This is one bad movie. Almost the entire 93 minutes takes place inside a small space capsule with horrible acting and dialogue. Don't waste your money - I did.