This is a combination of modern Horror and old Twilight Zone style science fiction.The story is fairly well told. In the 1980s, the idea of the living machine was not overused. It's an age old idea, as life is given to an inanimate object. In this case, there is an attempt to explain it as a scientific plausibility when a "witch" is incorporated into a ship.The movie tries to take both worlds, to satisfy the Horror crowd with witchcraft and "possession", and the Science Fiction crowd with the other possibility.And that's a minor point, but still a point I would rather the movie take sides on instead of intentionally and obviously grab at multiple audiences. Still, knowing that, one can't blame them.The story is fairly well told, a bit engaging. Most of the characters are quite likable, and we can believe their experiences and reactions. I am very surprised at the low rating on IMDb. I am a tough grader, with 5/10 being an average, decent film, and thought my 6/10 was low, but clearly, since I am a tough grader, and not a huge fan of this sort of film making, I am very suspect as to the motives of those who rate this film so low, especially since there were multitudes. You can infer a logical conclusion from that, one you can't prove, but know to be true.I didn't care much for the background sound, and it was a large reason why I didn't rate it higher. A film should be relaxing and easy to watch. I do understand that this is geared to the masochistic Horror crowd, but not totally. In any event, it is uncomfortable viewing, with inadequate Sound effects. The story itself receives a passing grade.

Having recently revisited George RR Martin's haunting and intelligent novella NIghtflyers in his anthology Dreamsongs, I decided to finally put in the effort to find a copy of this mostly unknown film adaptation. I didn't even have to read the few reviews out there to know it most likely was not going to be fantastic; the fact that it has never been released on DVD combined with the author's warning about the quality of this film was enough of a hint towards what to expect. Still, I went in with a open mind and hoped to enjoy a probably mediocre rendition of a great novella. And there were good parts to it; that classic atmosphere of loneliness that only 80's sci-fi seems have to it, aided by a enjoyably camp and moody synthesizer score. And the very few scenes that used dialog lifted straight from George's novel got across a tiny bit of the engrossing story and character of the novella. Other than that, the story and characters get mostly butchered, sad to say. The story becomes both extremely simplified and extremely convoluted, and the strange editing doesn't help. A staggered set-up quickly dissolves from intro into a prolonged climax that takes up the time that could have been used for a proper second act, destroying the chance for any real character to develop. And the films ending itself is perhaps the greatest disservice to the novella it was based on, being mostly non-sensical and maintaining only the smallest resemblance to the original story. So yes, not a great movie by any stretch, not even a good movie. And certainly not a good adaptation. But still, I'm glad I saw it.Seeing Uncle Phil from Fresh Prince in a space suit made it all worthwhile.

I revisited this 80s sci-fi flick last night. This has a lot of things going for it, most notably the effects work by Fantasy II Film Effects. Yes, the same group that toiled on ALIENS and THE TERMINATOR worked on this and their miniature work is exceptional. The sets and sound design are also great. Unfortunately, the rest of the movie is just kinda blah with some bad 80s hair and clothes to date it. Something must have gone down during the filming because director Robert Collector, of RED HEAT with Linda Blair fame, took a pseudonym on the final film. A crew hires the spaceship The Night Flyer from Captain Royd to go and investigate something in space. What they don't know is the ship is controlled by a computer that houses the spirit of Royd's dead psychic mother. Before you can say Oedipal complex, crew members are being wasted left and right. Catherine Mary Stewart (NIGHT OF THE COMET) is the female lead and doesn't get to do much other than give a hard stare when things go wrong. Rocker Michael Des Barres shows up as a psychic whose head ends up bisected when he is on the wrong end of a laser. Worth checking out once I guess which shows you how much of a sucker I am for watching it twice. Based on a novel by George R.R. Martin.

This sci-fi/horror film is very unusual.I really don't want to spoil it but it has a slow beginning and middle but the climax is a long intense ending!If you haven't seen this movie before than give it a chance,it'll be a different experience for the sci-fi and horror film fan!