Lifepod (1993 film)

Last updated
Lifepod
GenreMystery
Science Fiction
Thriller
Based on Lifeboat
by Alfred Hitchcock
Written by Jay Roach
Pen Densham
Alfred Hitchcock (story)
Harry Sylvester (story)
Directed by Ron Silver
StarringRon Silver
CCH Pounder
Robert Loggia
Jessica Tuck
Ed Gale
Adam Storke
Stan Shaw
Kelli Williams
Composer Mark Mancina
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers Scott Brazil
Pen Densham
Richard Barton Lewis
John Watson
Producers Tim Harbert
Mark Stern
Jay Roach (co-producer)
Joe Montrone (associate producer)
Bob Weber (associate producer)
Robert A. Halmi (senior producer)
CinematographyRobert Steadman
Editor Alan Baumgarten
Running time90 minutes
Production companiesTrilogy Entertainment Group
RHI Entertainment
Original release
Network Fox Network
ReleaseJune 28, 1993 (1993-06-28)

Lifepod is a 1993 television film reworking of the Alfred Hitchcock film Lifeboat . It starred Ron Silver, Robert Loggia, Kelli Williams & C. C. H. Pounder, with Silver also directing. It aired on Fox Network in June 1993. Lifepod moved the action from an ocean-bound lifeboat on Earth to a spacecraft's escape pod, with the characters the survivors of a sabotaged spacecraft. [1]

Contents

Plot

On Christmas Eve 2169 AD, a ship traveling through space suffers a critical malfunction. [2] Eight passengers and crew escape to a lifepod, just before the spaceship explodes, killing all others on board.

The survivors attempt to broadcast a distress signal and wait for rescue. As the days wear on, the lifepod suffers a series of setbacks and malfunctions: air and heat become limited, along with food and potable water. As supplies dwindle, the survivors debate how to conserve their supplies and whether they should prematurely end the life of a critically injured survivor who is consuming a disproportionate amount of supplies.

One morning, the survivors wake up to discover their critically injured crewmate dead. The survivors realize there is a killer hiding among them on the lifepod. Eventually the survivors realize that it's possible that one of the people in the Lifepod could have sabotaged the spacecraft, and who wouldn't balk at killing the others to keep themselves alive. [3]

Cast

Reception

In Creature Feature, the movie got 3 1/2 stars out of 5, praising the pacing and the effects. [4] Variety liked the opening sequence and found that Silver mixes action and characters well enough to emphasize their specialties, but not their individuality and that the movie was overall just OK. [5]

Production

This was the first time Silver had directed a movie. Produced by Trilogy Entertainment and Pen Densham. Designed as a homage to Lifeboat, not a remake. [6]

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References

  1. Vagg, Stephen (March 25, 2023). "A Brief History of Hitchcock Remakes". Filmink.
  2. "Film: Lifepod". TV Tropes. 28 June 1993. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  3. freecinemamovierev1ZA469Y5P227118735iews.blogspot.com/2018/06/lifepod-90s-sci-fi-mystery-and-suspense.html
  4. Stanley, J. (2000) Creature Feature: 3rd Edition
  5. Scott, Tony (28 June 1993). "Fox Night at the Movies Lifepod". Variety .
  6. "A Direct Approach : ACTOR RON SILVER HELMS a HOMAGE TO HITCHCOck's 1944 THRILLER 'LIFEBOAT'". Los Angeles Times . 27 June 1993.