Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

Capricorn One Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov December 14, 2024

Peter Hyams' "Capricorn One" (1977) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Imprint Films. The supplemental features on the release include new program with Elliot Gould; new program with Brenda Vaccaro; new program with producer Paul Lazarus; archival audio commentary with Peter Hyams; archival documentaries; vintage trailer; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

Was it a hoax? Peter Hyams’ film Capricorn One delivers a crystal clear answer. Yes. It was a big, carefully conceived, carefully executed hoax, and people at the highest echelons of the U.S. government were behind it. Where is the evidence that Capricorn One tells the truth? Well, there isn’t any. Capricorn One, just like the people it supposedly exposes, asks that you believe what it claims to be the truth is the naked truth.

As odd as it may seem, this trust-me-I-am-right attitude is precisely what makes Capricorn One a fascinating film to behold. Obviously, it implies that the Apollo 11 mission was one giant kabuki piece, brilliantly conceived and executed, that fooled millions of people because while the historic landing on the Moon was televised, virtually no one could authenticate it. It is a wild theory, but it is not utterly devoid of logic, and this is the excuse that allows Capricorn One to go on the offense with the speculating.

The speculating is paired with a proper dose of paranoia, which is not difficult to rationalize either. If powerful people at the highest echelons of the U.S. government were involved, they surely would have done anything to see their efforts succeed, including killing other people who may have questioned or tried to expose them. This makes Capricorn One quite easy to compare to the likes of The Parallax View and The Conversation, which were released a few years before it.

All films that deal with wild theories and fuel paranoia have a crucial character who digests information differently and thinks outside the box. In Capricorn One, this crucial character is newspaper reporter Robert Caulfield (Elliot Gould). After NASA launches a historic mission to Mars, Caulfield’s best friend, a NASA employee, highlights a few bizarre technical anomalies to him and disappears without a trace. When Caulfield begins looking for his friend and deconstructing his information, someone attempts to kill him, and soon after news breaks that the three astronauts participating in the historic mission have perished on the way back home. Suspecting a giant kabuki piece, Caulfield makes a risky move to expose its choreographs.

Capricorn One has more action and a lot more comedy than The Parallax View and The Conversation. As a result, its paranoia is not as intense. However, it is every bit as effective in forcing its audience to ponder what-if scenarios that, frankly, are not all that outrageous. For example, could NASA have been less than sincere in its reporting of all progress made during the Apollo 11 mission? Yes. In fact, for national security reasons, it would have been the smartest strategy. This does not force the audience to accept that the entire Apollo 11 mission was staged. But if all reporting was not factual, what exactly was embellished? Also, if something was embellished, was it done under the guidance of figures like the ones Hal Holbrook and David Huddleston play?

James Brolin, Sam Waterston, and O.J. Simpson play the three astronauts trained to reach Mars and expected to become heroes. When the mission crumbles, they instantly become targets for the U.S. government. Before being taken out at a remote location, the three steal a charter plane, hoping to reach the nearest city and reveal the truth, but run out of fuel and land in the desert. Without water and food, they split and head in different directions, but the scorching sun makes sure they slow down enough to be located by government choppers.

Hyams and cinematographer Bill Butler are a solid duo. They shot a lot of fine material on location in California and Arizona that makes Capricorn One a somewhat surprisingly beautiful film. A predictably excellent soundtrack from the great Jerry Goldsmith adds a touch of class as well.

Imprint Films' two-disc release presents two versions of Capricorn One: Theatrical Version, which is approximately 124 minutes long, and Extended Cut, which is approximately 129 minutes long.

Capricorn One Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Capricorn One arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Imprint Films.

The release presents two versions of the film: Theatrical Version, which is approximately 124 minutes long, and Extended Cut, which is approximately 129 minutes long. The screencaptures included with this article appear in the following order:

Screencaptures #1-18 are from the Theatrical Version.
Screencaptures #23-32 are from the Extended Version.

I viewed the Theatrical Version in its entirety because it is the one I prefer. However, I also spent time with the Extended Version. Even though both are sourced from older masters, they do not look identical. The Theatrical Version looks significantly better -- its visuals boast better delineation, clarity, and depth. Also, color balance and reproduction are much more satisfying on it. It is healthier, too. I would describe its overall quality as very good. However, if fully and properly restored, the Theatrical Version will look lusher and have even stronger organic qualities. At the moment, some darker areas could appear slightly softer than they need to be, while daylight footage could reveal highlights that should be more convincing. However, shadow definition is still good, and panoramic vistas with plenty of natural light still impress. Color balance and reproduction are convincing as well. Image stability is very good. The Theatrical Version is very healthy, but on the Extended Version I noticed plenty of minor cuts, scratches, and blemishes. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

Capricorn One Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Each version of the film can be viewed with an LPCM 2.0 track, but they are not identical. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned on, they split the image frame and the black bar below it.

While viewing the Theatrical Version, I did not encounter any anomalies to report in our review. I thought that the overall quality of the lossless track was very good, possibly even excellent. For example, the footage from the desert choppers follow the dingy aircraft produces plenty of strong dynamic intensity, and elsewhere Jerry Goldsmith's soundtrack cerates wonderful contrasts. All exchanges are very clear and easy to follow. So, I would say that there isn't any room for big improvements. At best, a future remix will introduce some rebalancing improvements.

Capricorn One Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

DISC ONE - THEATRICAL VERSION

• Commentary - this archival audio commentary was recorded by director Peter Hyams. The commentary is full of factual technical information about the production of Capricorn One, various things that Hyams intended to do but altered along the way or dropped, the desire to get as many technical details as correctly as possible, the different locations that were chosen, the atmosphere that flourishes in the film, etc. There are some particularly interesting comments about the quality of the writing, and the desire to avoid as many 'holes' in the narrative as possible.

• Flights of Fancy: The Politics and Paranoia of "Capricorn One" - this archival program takes a closer look at the Space Race that captivated America's imagination during the Cold War era, the Moon landing, and some of the conspiracy theories attached to it. Included in it are clips from interviews with Peter Hyams, Dr. Steven Ross, and Dr. Michael Shermer, among others. In English, not subtitled. (18 min).

• What If?: The Making of "Capricorn One" - in this archival program, some of the people that made Capricorn One talk about whether the scenario that is depicted in it is possible the bigger truth that could be a part of. Footage from the shooting of the film is included as well. In English, not subtitled. (7 min).

• On Set with "Capricorn One" - this archival program presents plenty of footage from different locations where parts of Capricorn One were shot. Peter Hyams and his crew and cast members are seen working on key sequences. In English, not subtitled. (39 min).

• Trailer - presented here is a remastered vintage trailer for Capricorn One. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).

• Photo Gallery - presented here a large gallery of original publicity and promotional materials for Capricorn One from around the world. Silent. (10 min).

DISC TWO - EXTENDED VERSION

• Conspiracy Busting - in this exclusive new program, Elliot Gould highlights his collaboration with Peter Hyams on Busting and their reunion on Capricorn One, and recalls how he played his character and how the film was received. Gould also has some interesting comments about the story that is told in it. In English, not subtitled. (18 min).

• Confessions of an Astronaut's Wife - in this exclusive new program, Brenda Vaccaro recalls how he was cast to play her character in Capricorn One and initial impression of Perer Hyams and his directing methods. Vaccaro also discusses her friendship with Elliot Gould and Hal Holbrook's acting charisma. In English, not subtitled. (14 min).

• How the Capricorn Was Won: Getting the Greenlight - in this exclusive new program, producer Paul Lazarus recalls how he became involved with Capricorn One, the casting process, the film's publicity, etc. Also, there are some quite interesting comments about the total freedom that Peter Hyams had to shape the provocative material into a solid film. In English, not subtitled. (27 min).

• A Lady of Wondrous Abandon: Remembering the Incomparable Karen Black - this new program takes a closer look at the life and legacy of Karen Black. Included in it is material with Elliot Gould, Paul Sorvino, Alan Cumming, and Juliet Lewis, among others. The program was produced by Josh Hibberd. In English, not subtitled. (8 min).

• Orchestrating a Conspiracy - in this new program, film music critic Daniel Schweiger discusses the soundtrack of Capricorn One and Jerry Goldswith's legacy. In English, not subtitled. (18 min).

• Commentary - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by critic/filmmaker Daniel Kremer and critic/screenwriter Daniel Waters.

Capricorn One Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Different variations of the kabuki piece that is at the center of Capricorn One will always be around, and to pretend otherwise is quite simply yet another kabuki piece. If you keep this in mind, it becomes largely irrelevant whether Capricorn One goes too far with its speculations without offering any credible material that they are justified. Why exactly? Because it stimulates the mind to ponder what-if scenarios, and sometimes this is all that is needed to begin uncovering truths that have been intentionally hidden. So, as far as I am concerned, Capricorn One is as affective as The Parallax View and The Conversation. This lavish two-disc set from Imprint Films presents two versions of Capricorn One with a fantastic selection of exclusive new and archival bonus features. It is Region-Free. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.