Three astronauts -- timid and sensitive Howe (a sound and likable portrayal by Tim Choate), brash Jordan (a fine performance by Kate Lynch), and abrasive Walker (well played to the jerky hilt by John Walsch) -- on board a satellite orbiting the planet return to earth after a nuclear holocaust has destroyed civilization. With barbarism now the harsh norm, our trio must adapt quickly to this brutal new world or perish. Writer/director Paul Donovan starts the story out strongly on the space station: It's quite gripping and intense, with a potent feeling of dread and plenty of gut-wrenching claustrophobic suspense. Alas, the narrative rapidly degenerates into an utterly routine and predictable survival of the fittest formula premise complete with such stock clichés as savage cannibals and a nefarious group of fascist swine lording it over the other survivors in a prison labor camp. Moreover, Kevin King proves to be a laughably unconvincing main villain as evil adolescent brat Gideon Hayes; this kid not only sorely lacks the necessary hard sinister edge to be remotely frightening or intimidating, but also seems far too young and boyish to be the leader of a small army. Fortunately, ever-reliable character actor Maury Chaykin contributes a spot-on leering turn as lecherous kilt-wearing loner kook Vinny while Lenore Zann provides a winning surplus of sass and spirit as plucky teen J.J. In addition, Howe makes for a refreshingly wimpy and unconventional reluctant hero. The crisp cinematography by Douglas Connell and Lee Krizsan works wonders with both the modest budget and the desolate sylvan Nova Scotia locations. Chris Young's rattling score does the moody trick. Plus there are a few loopy distinctly Canadian touches -- a space station that's stocked with soft-core porn! -- which lift this one a notch or two out of the ordinary. An overall decent end of the world sci-fi thriller.

I saw this one when it first came out, back in the 80s and was looking for it to watch it again. I didn't think it was all that bad, I thought it was actually entertaining. The WW3 aftermath was much more realistic than in most other post-apocalyptic movies of the time. The beginning of the movie was really good but lost some steam towards the 2nd half. I especially liked the beginning, when the crew realized in horror that a nuclear war had broken out on the Earth below. Just as they are trying to decide if they should go back or not, the decision is made for them and they end up crash landing.Yes, the acting was mediocre at best, but that is to be expected in a low-budget movie with largely unknown actors. Taking that into consideration I thought it was done quite well. Compared to some of the stinkers that received high praises by the movie critics, this one would have been Oscar material. I would rather watch this one several times than having to watch Last Days all the way through one more time.*SPOILER* I vividly recall one scene, where the guy with the broken back is strapped to a board and being teased with a steak.

Three astronauts operating an American satellite in space orbiting the globe, carrying a package of warheads, during a turbulent time on Earth as nuclear is a penetrating threat where war is imminent. When an American thermonuclear warhead lands in Russia, supposedly released by terrorists, which doesn't explode, chaos ensues, and the astronauts, faced with the fact that their loved ones and friends will perish, can only look on as the Earth is plunged into worldwide war. Someone from the ground below on Earth, after the nuclear devastation ends with most of the world dead from the nukes landed or dying from radiation in the air, triggers a program which forces the astronauts to land. Landing on a beach, the doctor Jordan(Kate Lynch)is knocked unconscious, while Captain Walker(John Walsch)is removed from the crash-landed capsule by cannibals which cook him over a fire, as astronaut Howe(Tim Choate) tries to find help. Awaiting Howe and Jordan will be a militant group under the command of baby-faced teenager Gideon Hayes(Kevin King)who operates a make-shift concentration camp(..he was the son of a military man, and successfully survived a helicopter crash, leaving him a broke-backed satellites specialist and girlfriend)with other school chums as gunmen. With Gideon's lieutenant Lacey(Jeff Pustil), a pathetic goon who relishes his powerful role which puts him in position to bark orders(..when in truth he'd be mincemeat if left in this world without such company), they take the remaining astronauts hostage, and the rest of the film shows their attempts to break free from his totalitarian grip. We are also shown that, despite most of the warheads having released from the satellite, one has remained lodged in it's chamber counting down to it's explosion time.Maury Chaykin has an amusing role as a filthy civilian named Vinny who, for a time, threatens Howe's life if he doesn't take him to the space capsule full of food, before taken prisoner by Gideon. Lenore Zann is Gideon's Achilles' heel, ex-girlfriend JJ, for whom he still covets despite her rejections. Amusingly, JJ was Vinny's "prisoner"(..but basically, she was using his booby-trapped abode as a hide-out from Gideon)who attempts to help Howe escape. I enjoyed the opening of the film inside the capsule with our astronauts showing their emotions at what was transpiring on Earth. The last portion of the film, once we enter Gideon's concentration camp, kind of ruins an otherwise interesting premise..the idea of astronauts crash-landing on a nuclear devastated world. Gideon, played by King who looks all of 17, as a leader is a bit of a stretch..it's hard to believe that he, Lacey, or any of these teenage clowns, with(..or without) guns could operate a camp of any kind. Gideon is quite a despicable bastard..a kid obviously born with a silver spoon in his mouth and the world at his feet(..there's one scene where he promises his satellite specialist a cooked steak if he reveals a certain password, going back on his word once getting what he desired). But, would such a military brat survive a nuclear devastated world becoming a feared leader over slaves? Bah, I doubt it. I think the film has it's moments, and certainly isn't the worst movie every made as claimed during the user comments. I found it minimally entertaining, being a sucker for post-apoc sci-fi..but, it could've been much better with a more believable story(..and a more realistic villain(s))and focused direction. To start so well, and fall so short is a bit disappointing. I truly feel the film would've served better if the story remained centered on the three astronauts and their adapting to a devastated world.

I bought this film at a used movie sale. I remembered the title and the poster from way back, and for some reason I had it mixed up with another apocalyptic flick called "Twilight's Last Gleaming". Also I saw the name Tim Choate. I recalled he was "Zathrus" on the show "Babylon 5". I should have saved my money. Very poor production values, although the orbital weapons platform parts looked pretty good for a bad film, the rest of the film is hazy and crappy, and poorly lit. There is no real dialog, it is just bad. The film was made with Canadian Government tax dollars and they put in several things to show the flag, like the weirdo in the kilt who made booby traps with Canadian Government issued Social Insurance cards. Go figure! The characters are terrible, the acting is laughably bad, this film just stinks. You can't even say that it is so bad it's good, it is a lazy effort that makes no sense at all. And Tim Choate's best work was on "Babylon 5" under all that make up.