Main Cast: Richard Thomas, Robert Vaughn, George Peppard, John Saxon, Darlanne Fluegel
Release Year: 1980
Country: US
Run Time: 105 minutes
Plot
Produced by Roger Corman and scripted by John Sayles, Battle Beyond the Stars is a cheerfully blatant imitation of The Seven Samurai (or at least the American remake The Magnificent Seven). A peaceloving planet is attacked by malevolent aliens. The powers-that-be hire a group of mercenaries, headed by George Peppard, to protect the planet from harm. Peppard's contingent includes squeaky-clean Richard Thomas Jr. and statuesque Sybil Danning. John Saxon goes through his usual paces as the villain, while the supporting players include such dependables as Sam Jaffe, Jeff Corey, and, from Magnificent Seven itself, Robert Vaughn. Keep an eye out for Julia Duffy as "Mol". A deft blend of standard sci-fi action and knowing "inside" humor, Battle Beyond the Stars was one of Corman's biggest hits of the 1980s-not to mention an endless supply of stock footage for future New World Productions. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Here's a little test. If you know who Tom Savini is but have never heard of Krzysztof Kieslowski, then this delightfully naked rip-off of Star Wars (1977) from Roger Corman -- that master of cheesy, no-budget "filmmaking" (a term that can only be carefully, loosely applied to his darkly lit, stiffly performed oeuvre) -- is a treasure-trove of delights for you, a discerning appreciator of Z-grade entertainment. Here are the top ten aspects of this 1980 relic that you may savor on repeated viewings: (1) Whip smart despite his drive-in sensibilities, Corman decides not to directly rip off Star Wars -- which is, of course, precisely his intention -- but to rip off an example of classic Japanese cinema from the 1950s, The Seven Samurai (1954), in much the same way that Star Wars rips off an example of classic Japanese cinema from the 1950s, The Hidden Fortress (1958). How many of Corman's typical ticket buyers got the joke back then? Probably not many, which makes it even funnier. (2) The utterly perplexed, slightly crushed, and disappointed performance of "John-Boy" himself, Richard Thomas, clearly wondering how whiny no-name whelp Mark Hamill was cast as Luke Skywalker instead of him. A good question, Richard. A good question. (3) That space ship that looks like it was cast directly from a mold of a Victoria's Secret catalogue model's torso? Designed by James Cameron. Hmmmm. He does write strong female roles...(4) John Saxon, typically chewing up the scenery and spitting it back out as venomous darts in the role of the villain. Ah, Saxon. Where is the next generation's Saxon? It could've been Michael Ironside, but his energy seemed to dissipate at the same time as his ER guest-starring role. (5) The hilariously disturbing thought that Mel Brooks' Spaceballs (1987), which is intended as a wicked spoof of George Lucas' fantasy universe, is eerily similar in both tone and content to this film. (6) The realization, when seen in the reflected glory that is George Peppard's train-wreck of a performance as a space cowboy, of how extremely good an actor Harrison Ford really is. (7) Although you won't be able to detect his artistic fingerprints much except in the credits, the simple, pleasurable thrill of knowing that John Sayles wrote this screenplay. And that the money he made -- as well as checks for penning dual Jaws (1977) rip-offs Piranha (1978) and Alligator (1980) -- probably funded the production of Return of the Secaucus Seven (1980), itself to be ripped off later as The Big Chill (1983). Somehow, this has all got to be related to Kevin Bacon. (8) Robert Vaughn plays the same character here he portrayed in The Magnificent Seven (also a rip-off -- er, homage -- to The Seven Samurai), and even his dialogue is essentially the same. Possibly the man's easiest payday ever. (9) Budget for hair? $0.00. (10) Sybil Danning, in an era before silicone or saline, ushering nearly as many young boys to the cusp of manhood as did Tina Louise in Gilligan's Island. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
Sybil Danning - St. Exmin; Sam Jaffe - Dr. Hephaestus; Morgan Woodward - Cayman; Steve Davis - Quopeg; Earl Boen - Nestor No. I; John McGowans - Nestor No. 2; Larry Meyers - Kelvin; Lara Cody - Kelvin; Lynn Carlin - Nell; Jeff Corey - Zed; Julia Duffy - Mol; Eric Morris - Feh; Marta Kristen - Lux; Doug Carleson - Pok; Ron Ross - Dab; Terrence E. McNally - Gar; Don Thompson - Cush; Daniel Carlin - Pez; Ansley Carlin - Wok; Whitney Rydbeck
Credit
James Cameron - Art Director, Charles William Breen - Art Director, Dorinda Rice Wood - Costume Designer, Jimmy T. Murakami - Director, Allan Holzman - Editor, Robert J. Kizer - Editor, Roger Corman - Executive Producer, Paul Turner - Lighting, James Horner - Composer (Music Score), Sharon Compton - Production Designer, Daniel Lacambre - Cinematographer, Ed Carlin - Producer, Roger Corman - Producer, John Zabrucky - Set Designer, Chuck Comisky - Special Effects, Kenneth V. Jones - Special Effects, John Sayles - Screenwriter, Anne Dyer - Short Story Author
Several of the effects shots and clips were re-used for other films throughout the 1980s, including Bachelor Party; additionally the space ship model was re-used in the film Space Raiders.
The farmers of the peaceful planet Akir (named in honor of Seven Samurai director Akira Kurosawa[5]) are threatened by the space tyrant Sador. Sador's ship carries a weapon called a stellar converter, which literally turns planets into small suns, destroying all life on their surface. He threatens to use the converter on the planet unless the people of Akir submit to him when he returns to Akir in several days. Zed, the last Akira warrior, but now old and blind, suggests they hire mercenaries to protect the planet. Lacking any valuable resources the Akira can only offer food and shelter in payment. Unable to go himself, Zed offers his ship, Nell, for the job if they can find a pilot. They find the pilot, an Akira young man named Shad, who volunteers to recruit the mercenaries.
Shad's first stop is an the run-down Hephaestus space station which repairs androids. Expecting to find potential allies, instead Shad finds only two people alive among the androids, the old Doctor Hephaestus kept on life support, and his beautiful daughter Nanelia. The Doctor attempts to keep Shad there against his will to mate with his daughter. Unable to abandon his people Shad escapes, with Nanelia following in her own ship. Although her ship offers no weapons, her computer systems are highly advanced and might be used in the coming fight.
Shad comes across a space cowboy, a human from the planet Earth. He is essentially a space going truck driver who was late delivering a shipment of handguns to a planet which Sador recently destroyed. Shad helps save cowboy from hijackers. Lacking the fuel to carry the weapons home with him, cowboy offers to deliver them to Akir. Shad talks him into staying on to teach the Akira to use the handguns.
Shad's second stop is on a planet known for criminal activity in Zed's day. He discovers a nearly abandoned world being used as a hideout for Gelt, a wealthy assassin who became too well known. Gelt cannot show his face on any civilized planet without being hunted. He gladly offers his services in trade for the ability to live among the Akira without being hunted.
Chad is approached by Saint-Exmin, a member of the Valkyrie warriors. She is a pushy young adventuress looking to prove herself in battle. She pilots a small, but fast ship. Shad finds her annoying and wishes she would go away, but she tags along.
Shad is lastly approached by a set of five alien clones who share a group consciousness named Nestor. These aliens say their life is incredibly dull, since their whole race share one mind. In order to be entertained, they have sent five members in a ship to join Shad's cause. Nestor asks no payment, saying they are completely self sufficient.
While awaiting Shad's return Nanelia is captured by a reptilian slaver named Cayman of the Lambda Zone. Caymen possesses a powerful, if old ship with an odd crew of aliens. She quickly recruits Cayman to their cause when he learns that they are looking for mercenaries to fight Sador, saying all he wants in payment is Sador's head.
The band of seven ships makes their way back to Akir where they are greeted with caution by the natives, who are not used to violent lifeforms. In the course of the battle, the mercenaries are killed one by one, but are successful in destroying most of Sador's forces and the stellar converter. With only Shad and Nanelia left in Shad's ship, they are captured in a tractor beam by Sador. The pair escape in an lifepod with Nell destroying herself to blow up Sador's ship.
Cast
Richard Thomas - Shad, a young Akira farmer who looks for mercenaries to save his people.
Robert Vaughn - Gelt, an experienced assassin with a price on his head looking for a place to hide. Vaughn played Lee in The Magnificent Seven, who is essentially the same character as Gelt.
John Saxon - Sador, leader of the evil Malmori raiders. Very old, keeps himself alive using transplants to renew his body. His character is similar to the character of Calvera from The Magnificent Seven.
George Peppard - Space cowboy, the only character from Earth. George Peppard was originally considered to play Vin, Steve McQueen's character, in The Magnificent Seven.
Darlanne Fluegel - Nanelia, Dr. Hephaestus beautiful android mechanic daughter and Shad's love interest.
Sybil Danning - Saint-Exmin, a Valkyrie warrior looking to prove herself in battle.
Sam Jaffe - Dr. Hephaestus, an old man on life support who wants his grandchildren to inhabit his space station.
Jeff Corey - Zed, a blind old Akira who used to be a warrior. Former pilot of Nell.
Morgan Woodward - Cayman of the Lambda Zone, a Zymer and slaver who has a score to settle with Sador for destroying his people.
Marta Kristen - Lux, an Akira who works the early warning system and starts a relationship with cowboy.
Earl Boen - Nestor 1, usually speaks for the five clones.
John Gowens - Nestor 2.
Lynn Carlin - Nell (voice) computer of Shad's ship, protective of the kid, who she thinks is "wet behind the ears".
Larry Meyers - Kelvin 1, one of Cayman's crew, communicates by radiating body heat.
Julia Duffy - Mol, an Akira woman who is kidnapped by the Malmori.
Production
Prior to production, a Hollywood trade paper[who?] announced that John Wayne would star in the film, under the direction of Ingmar Bergman. In all likelihood, this was a joke either by the trade paper or the film's publicist[citation needed]. At the time of its release, it was the most expensive film produced by Roger Corman.[6] Much of the budget allegedly went toward paying the salaries of George Peppard and Robert Vaughn[citation needed], since screenwriter John Sayles was known for low-budget productions[7] and the movie was produced in Corman's own studio, his "renowned lumberyard facility" in Venice, California.[8]
Roger Corman hired James Cameron as a model maker in his studio, and after the original art director for the movie had been fired, Cameron became responsible for the special effects in Battle Beyond the Stars, or, as Cameron later put it, "production design and art direction."[9] This was Cameron's first "big break" in the entertainment industry, and it helped propel his career.[10] While he initially worked on camera rigging, he soon started working on special effects, and designed spaceship's corridors, for instance—out of spray-painted McDonald's containers.[11] Cameron was detail-obsessed to the point of micro-managing every little detail, and hardly slept for weeks while working on the movie; his hard work, however, paid off since it opened the door for his later success.[12]
The production sound mixer, also responsible for special effects (such as Robert Vaughn's "laser shot," which was based on Clint Eastwood's .44 Magnum from Dirty Harry[13]), was David Yewdall, a regular contract-worker for Corman films.[14] Yewdall later remarked on the "film's frugal sound editorial budget" in his Practical Art of Motion Picture Sound, and explained some of the movie's sounds: each of the seven spaceships had its own sound. The Nester ship's sound was made from human voices generated by the community choir from his hometown college in Coalinga, California; Robert Vaughn's ship was based on the recording of a dragster.[15]
Recycled material
The spaceship used in the movie was recycled for another science-fiction movie blasted by critics, the Roger Corman film Space Raiders.[16] Footage from the movie was used in later movies and games: a clip from the movie (in 3-D) is shown during the movie theater fight scene at the end of Bachelor Party,[17] and footage was also used for the laser disk game Astron Belt.[18] The soundtrack was later recycled by Corman for Raptor and other movies.[19]
Reception
Battle Beyond the Stars grossed $1.7 million in its opening weekend,[20] and reportedly earned $11 million fairly quickly.[21]
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