This movie came out pre-Star Wars, and is a more cerebral, content based story. No shiny, flashy explosions here, just solid writing. I still watch it several times a year to remind myself of what we'll-written science fiction once was. Eric Braeden is a solid lead, and I consider this one of his best roles.

I read many of the reviews so I see no need to repeat the many interesting as well as questionable observations.I read the book shortly after seeing the film when it first opened in NYC so of course I was excited especially because I had recently started my next career - computer software development on mainframes (by the way they still exist and going strong). The movie title when it opened was simply "Colossus". Sometime later they titled the film "The Forbin Project" which I would think was done to improve the film's marketing.I was and still am a movie buff, a futurist, and a lover of science fiction.Most of the criticisms in the IMDb reviews tended to be concerned with its level of computer technology and its datedness, however, in my opinion these tend to miss the strength of the story. Similar to many SCI-FI stories, the specific mechanism of how the technology manages to do what it does will always have technical weaknesses and be out of sync with our times as well as its times, however, when well thought-out as this was, the story's fundamental ideas/concepts will continue to be interesting and thought provoking.Being a futurist I had been thinking about machine advances well before I came across this story so what I liked about this story was leaving mankind with what appeared to be an insoluble problem. When I left the theater I considered the problem and could not come up with a solution other than alien intervention or in desperation I had hoped the heuristic Colossus might develop over time a kinder solution for mankind.. I was pleasantly surprised when I read the sequel "The Fall of Colossus". Any remake I think should include the full story - a wild and still scary end.One review did raise an interesting technical issue that I think has merit. Namely, station troops next to all the missile sites around the world armed with low tech weapons that can destroy the ICBM's as they leave their silos (what about the nuclear submarines - not in this story). Of course planning and coordinating this effort without ever using electronic communications before and during this operation is questionable. I think that even if this solution seems workable, I would be confident that the author could address this "hole", e.g., the launches could occur over an extended period and thereby overcome this "hole". I raised this example because it seems to me the strength of the story is not fundamentally destroyed by this possible "hole". I had considered many other technical issues that have not been presented, but again, for me these "weaknesses" do not weaken the story.Please see and enjoy the film and read "The Fall of Colossus".PS. Where can I find the complete original version DVD?

Dr. Forbin (Eric Braeden) is the lead designer of the supercomputer Colossus that is put in control of America's nuclear arsenal. It is situated under a mountain in charge of its own security. It soon discovers its secret Soviet counterpart, the Guardian. The two computers join up to become a new supercomputer and threaten to launch nuclear weapons unless the world follows its plan for humankind and the world. Forbin and others try to resist. The computers threats becomes deadly and more unforgiving.The premise is unrealistic but it's cold war paranoia and also computer paranoia. This is a movie in love with set designs more than any dialog writing or acting. The acting is terribly stiff and the direction is pretty stiff also. It's reminiscent of an older form of sci-fi. The basic idea of the computers taking over the world gets better treatment later on. I do like the unhappy ending. This is a movie in need of action and more realism.

Yes, the movie came out in 1970, so the computer stuff and general surroundings are dated. But, luckily, legendary Visual Effects artist Albert Whitlock is on hand to provide some very key effects at the beginning to help us buy into the film's premise of a very powerful computer just going online.This computer, Colossus, is given complete control over the United States' defenses. As you can imagine, that doesn't end up being the greatest decision ever made!What follows is for you to see. This really is a great movie, and needs to be seen for not just Sci-Fi fans, but thriller fans.Director Joseph Sargent helmed many good films, my favorite of which is another thriller, "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three." That also should be seen!All the attributes work: film score, cinematography, acting, etc. And, the ending has quite a nice kick. Recommended!******** (8 Out of 10 Stars)