The Alpha Incident
The Alpha Incident (also known as The Alien Incident, and Gift from a Red Planet) is a 1978 American science fiction horror film directed by Bill Rebane and starring Ralph Meeker, Stafford Morgan, John F. Goff, Carol Irene Newell, and George "Buck" Flower.
The Alpha Incident | |
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Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Bill Rebane |
Produced by | Herbert L. Cohan (associate producer) Michael D. Graves (executive producer) Woody Jarvis (associate producer) Barbara J. Rebane (executive producer) Bill Rebane (producer) |
Written by | Ingrid Neumayer (original screenplay) |
Starring | Ralph Meeker Stafford Morgan John F. Goff Carol Irene Newell George "Buck" Flower Paul Bentzen |
Music by | Richard A. Girvin |
Cinematography | Bela St. Jon |
Edited by | Bill Rebane |
Production company | Studio Film Corporation |
Distributed by | Studio Film Corporation |
Release date |
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Running time | 95 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Premise
A space probe returns to Earth from Mars, carrying with it a deadly organism which has the lethal potential to destroy all life on Earth. Being transported across country by train, the micro-organism is released when a nosy train employee inspects the cargo. This results in the entire train station being quarantined. Those who happen to be trapped wait for the government to find a cure, while trying not to fall asleep because that's when this unseen killer strikes.
Cast
- Ralph Meeker as Charlie
- Stafford Morgan as Dr. Sorensen
- John F. Goff as Jack Tiller
- Carol Irene Newell as Jenny
- George "Buck" Flower as Hank (also as Buck Flower)
- Paul Bentzen as Dr. Farrell
- John Alderman as Dr. Rogers
- Ray Szmanda as The Official
- Lawrence Ripp as The Guard
- Harry Youstos as Alvin
Release
Home media
The Alpha Incident was released for the first time on DVD by Mill Creek Entertainment on August 30, 2005 as a part of its Chilling Classics: 50 Movie Pack. On August 15, 2006 it was released by Digital 1 Stop, as a part of its Nightmare Worlds: 50 Movie Pack. Mill Creek re-released the film on four separate occasions as a part of various multi-film packs in 2007 and 2008. On August 24, 2010, the film was released as a part of a multi-film pack by Tnt Media Group. On September 21, that same year it was released as a single-feature by Synergy Entertainment.[1]
Reception
The Alpha Incident received mostly negative reviews upon its release. Alan Jones from Radio Times rated the film a negative one out of five stars, calling it "[an] over-talky feeble fable".[2] Dan Budnik from Bleeding Skull also criticized the film as being "overly talky", while also criticizing the film's underwritten, and unlikable characters, and sluggish pacing.[3] On his website, Fantastic Movie Musings and Ramblings, Dave Sindelar similarly criticized the film's unlikable characters, with character interactions being "repetitious and tiresome". Sindelar also criticized the film's poor acting, and dialogue.[4]
References
- "The Alpha Incident (1977) - Bill Rebane". Allmovie.com. Allmovie. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
- Jones, Alan. "The Alpha Incident – review". RadioTimes.com. Alan Jones. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
- Budnik, Dan. "Alpha Incident, The (1978) – BLEEDING SKULL!". BleedingSkull.com. Dan Budnik. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
- Sindelar, Dave. "The Alpha Incident (1978)". FantiasticMovieMusings.com. Dave Sindelar. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
External links
- The Alpha Incident at the American Film Institute Catalog
- The Alpha Incident at AllMovie
- The Alpha Incident on IMDb
- The Alpha Incident at Rotten Tomatoes