The DVD, put out by Universal, has no features, and not even a menu. It's just the film in a 1.33:1 format, chopped down horribly from its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio, thus causing pan and scan to cut off many key elements at the edges of the frame. And once it's done the film simply starts playing again. What a shame, for this film, which has stuck with me for over thirty years (the last time I saw it) deserves much better treatment.

Yes, there are the usual sorts of implausibilities in a film like this: such as the American military industrial complex and the CIA having few qualms about relying on a supercomputer - one that is sealed off and untested. Also, why didn't Forbin program Colossus with something like Asimov's Three Laws Of Robotics; a Hippocratic-like injunction to 'do no harm' to humans? And there is not even Murphy's Law in the film, which could accidentally kibosh Colossus, even if Mankind could not, much less the concept of viruses, bots, nor spyware. Nor is the concept of GIGO ever insisted upon, for surely a flawed man like Forbin could not have created a perfect thing?

And what of the non-computer controlled technology? Even if the nuclear missiles could be auto-launched by Colossus and Guardian, surely fighter planes could shoot them down, as 1970's technology was far short of what we have today. And the easy compliance of the Soviets seems too wish-fulfillment, as well. But the sparkling dialogue and tense War Room scenes (ala Dr. Strangelove) more than make up for those lapses. Then there is the spare, atmospheric electronic score by Michel Colombier, which never gets too emotional. It's a great match for the theme and acting in the film, even if Albert Whitlock's special effects are passé.

Why the film did not become a hit is likely for several reasons: a) its low profile cast (although Braeden's performance here should have made him a big star), b) the long shadow of HAL 9000 from 2001, which was still playing in some theaters two years after its release, and c) the dour ending - a great display of artistic integrity, but always a risky box office choice. Other films with downer endings — Planet Of The Apes or Soylent Green — at least had a big star like Charlton Heston to get crowds in the door, despite word of mouth over the non-Hollywood endings. Yet, that great word of mouth is why the film has never been forgotten, and is considered a cult classic. Its ending is also very much like an episode of The Twilight Zone, with the moral, Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it.