Saturn 3 (1980)

Some people think this sci-fi film about the future had an influence on later sci-fi films in the eighties, such as ALIENS (1986) and ROBOCOP (1987). However, it's more realistic to believe that this awkward, very average sci-fi thriller was itself green-lit due to previous films like the first ALIEN (1979) and THE BLACK HOLE (1979). It's definitely the lesser of most of the sci-fi pictures of this period, suffering many behind-the-scenes problems which damaged it even more.


Most of the film takes place on Titan, one of Saturn's moons. There, two scientists, older Adam (Kirk Douglas) and young Alex (Farrah-Fawcett) are working on alternate forms of food for Earth's burgeoning population. These two are also lovers, even if Adam should be strictly a father-figure to Alex. Their life, though very solitary, is quite idyllic. Or, it was. Along comes Captain James (Harvey Keitel), there to ostensibly check on their progress. James, unknown to the two lovebirds, is not really James, but Benson, a disturbed psycho, having just committed a murder in the previous scene. Benson brings along some cultivated brain tissue, a main ingredient for the soon-to-be-constructed Hector, first of the 'Demigod' class of robots. Uh-oh.


Benson, either by default or accident, comes to represent the unpleasant atmosphere of this future society, since we barely see any of it other than these 3 characters. He takes strange drugs ('blues') and makes very odd remarks, such as "wanting to use Alex' body" for his pleasure, as if this is routine conversation of the future. Adam, the old guy, represents the old-fashioned past to an extent, but even he speaks of being close to his "abort-time" - the code-speak for euthanasia? There are ideas here, sure, but they're unfocused and scattered (again, due to problems while filming). Benson transfers his psychosis to the new robot and, of course, things become very unpleasant and bloody.

I really didn't see any point to much of this, except to have a robotic Frankenstein's monster-type plodding around menacingly (it is a bit creepy, with its headless appearance). And, towards the end, this seems to suggest that unwanted programming exists in mankind's future, if technological advancement continues. This was all done better in the Terminator and Matrix films.

One of the problems was that John Barry, the composer, originated this project, but he left after disagreeing with star Douglas, and Stanley Donen took over. Harvey Keitel's distinctive Brooklyn-accented voice was then dubbed over by Roy Dotrice, resulting in a dull performance. Farrah does show some skin and usually wears something skimpy, but this didn't help with the box office gross (much like with her previous films, Sunburn & Somebody Killed Her Husband). Kirk also shows a lot of skin in one scene, unfortunately, but he was in great shape for an old guy. Don't expect too much, unless you're curious to see Farrah in her prime. BoG's Score: 6 out of 10
Saturn Trivia: _
There were also filmed scenes which were removed prior to release, showing Farrah in a provocative outfit during a strange dream sequence (or drug-influenced scene). Producer Lew Grade did not like these and had them removed. There were other scenes removed, as well. In the trailer for this film, which is on at least one DVD edition, we see Farrah in that outfit.