Thirteen to Centaurus
Thirteen to Centaurus

Movie spotlight

Thirteen to Centaurus

1965
Movie
59 min
English

Interstellar travel at sub-light speeds: the enormous distances, isolation from human culture and the aching loneliness of space are enough to drive the strongest personality insane. Better to block all memories of human contact and to program the 12-strong crew to accept only the reality they can see and touch within their spacecraft. But a child born on "the Station" becomes insistent on learning the truth about 'Outside'.

Insights

IMDb5.5/10
Director: Frank C. BrownGenres: Science Fiction, Drama

Plot Summary

In the year 2076, a group of scientists prepares to send a team of explorers to the Centaurus star system, a journey that will take 50 years. As they prepare for the mission, tensions rise among the crew and their families, grappling with the immense personal sacrifices and the unknown future that awaits them. The film explores themes of sacrifice, human endurance, and the lure of the unknown.

Critical Reception

Thirteen to Centaurus, also known as 'Assignment: Outer Space', was a moderately received science fiction film of its era. While praised for its ambitious premise and some of its visual effects for the time, it was often criticized for its pacing and somewhat dated dialogue. Audience reception was generally mixed, with some appreciating its earnest exploration of space travel and its dramatic undertones, while others found it less engaging than contemporary sci-fi offerings.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its visionary concept of interstellar travel and the human drama associated with such a journey.

  • Criticized for its slow pacing and occasional clunky dialogue that detracts from the narrative.

  • Visual effects, while dated by modern standards, were considered ambitious for a 1960s production.

Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for Thirteen to Centaurus is not readily available.

Fun Fact

Although primarily released as 'Thirteen to Centaurus', the film was also distributed under the title 'Assignment: Outer Space' in some regions, often with slight variations in editing or dubbed dialogue.

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