Synopsis
The explorer craft USS Palomino is returning to Earth after a fruitless 18-month search for extra-terrestrial life when the crew comes upon a supposedly lost ship, the USS Cygnus, hovering near a black hole. The ship is controlled by Dr. Hans Reinhardt and his monstrous robot companion, but the initial wonderment and awe the Palomino crew feel for the ship and its resistance to the power of the black hole turn to horror as they uncover Reinhardt's plans.
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Cast
- Maximilian SchellDr. Hans Reinhardt
- Anthony PerkinsDr. Alex Durant
- Robert ForsterCaptain Dan Holland
- Joseph BottomsLieutenant Charles Pizer
- Yvette MimieuxDr. Kate McCrae
- Ernest BorgnineHarry Booth
- Tom McLoughlinCaptain S.T.A.R.
- Roddy McDowallV.I.N.CENT. (voice) (uncredited)
- Slim PickensB.O.B. (voice) (uncredited)
- Gary NelsonDrone with Mask Removed (uncredited)
Recommendations
- 80
Variety
What ensues is sometimes talky but never dull. Director Gary Nelson’s pacing and visual sense are right on target. - 80
Time
It is good to see the Disney craftsmen doing what they do best on such a grand and risky scale. If one has time for only one space opera this season, this is the one to choose. - 75
TV Guide Magazine
A triumph of style over substance. - 70
The New York Times
The Black Hole is attractively unpretentious and at times quite snappy. - 60
Empire
A pretty craven attempt by Disney to cash-in on Star Wars blockbusting success, this lightweight but well-written sci-fi adventure movie is well pitched at the very young. More discerning fans of the genre would do well to smother their indignation at the levels of general plagiarism floating around the deck of the supership Cygnus. - 60
Washington Post
Despite its obviously derivative elements and lack of flair in certain areas, notably writing and casting, the movie is at worst an entertaining redundancy, a brisk and diverting pastiche of familiar science-fiction adventure hokum. [24 Dec 1979, p.C1] - 50
Chicago Sun-Times
Takes us all the way to the rim of space only to bog us down in a talky melodrama whipped up out of mad scientists and haunted houses. - 50
Chicago Reader
Gary Nelson's direction is very bad, the writing is weak, and the acting campy at best—but Peter Ellenshaw's production design strikes the right balance of vastness and seductive detail.
