Next to H.G Wells, Philip K. Dick, Aldous Huxley, Michael Crichton is one of the world’s most brilliant Science Fiction writers. Famously known for his novels, which have sold over twenty million copies worldwide, Crichton’s work has always been a startling mix of fiction and science, all wrapped around compelling cautionary tales that transcend generations. With the tools to meld it all together, few realize that Crichton actually received an M.D. from Harvard Medical School in 1969, but instead of practicing, he pursued his passion for writing.
An interesting career path, one could argue that while as a doctor he may have saved lives, as the author, he was also assisting humanity with writings that always provoked thought and hopefully opened the eyes of those paying attention. Most famously recognized for the 1990 novel Jurassic Park, it would develop into a motion picture in 1993 that took the world by storm. One of many Crichton novels adapted into film/television, others easily recalled include 1973’s Westworld (later adapted into a hit HBO series in 2016) and 1995’s Congo. However, before everything, there was 1971’s The Andromeda Strain, a striking and ingenious, far too overlooked Sci-Fi gem.
Based on Crichton’s 1969 novel of the same title (which was his first published under his own name and on The New York Times Best Seller List), The Andromeda Strain immediately caught the attention of Universal Pictures, which purchased the rights to make it into a motion picture. Moving ahead, they brought on Nelson Gidding (a screenwriter who specialized in film adaptations such as 1958’s I Want to Live! and 1963’s The Haunting) along with Academy Award-winning Director Robert Wise (famous for films like 1961’s West Side Story and 1965’s The Sound of Music). Two great selections, what made it more compelling is Wise’s past work in Horror and Sci-Fi with such legendary features as 1945’s The Body Snatcher, 1951’s The Day the Earth Stood Still, 1963’s The Haunting, and later on 1979’s Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
The film also enlisted a talented cast, including Arthur Hill, James Olson, Kate Reid, and David Wayne. Together, this group of accomplished actors/actresses made up a group of hand-selected scientists called on to decode an unknown virus which crashed down to earth via a government satellite into a remote town, instantly killing everyone except a crying baby and an older man. Hunkering down in a top-secret underground laboratory called Wildfire, they are racing against time to figure out what the organism is and how to stop it from spreading before it is too late.
An engrossing plot, The Andromeda Strain has a tension that builds as the film moves along. With that in mind, there is no denying that it has a relatively slow pace. Still, if you pay attention, there is enough stimulation in the science being portrayed that is educational and entertaining. Furthermore, in the final thirty minutes, you cannot help but feel your heart race as the scientists find the virus completely inconsistent and impossible to follow.
Bringing it to life more is the fact that the visual effects of Douglas Trumbull (who worked on 1968’s 2001: A Space Odyssey) were revolutionary for the time. Unfortunately, the film was not a massive box office success at the time, receiving mixed reviews, but it still received two Academy Award nominations. Aging extremely well and visionary, it remains striking some fifty-four years later with a 4K Ultra HD format release set for May 13, 2025.
A limited-edition release from Arrow Video, the new 4K Ultra HD transfer is a stunning restoration from the original camera negative. Crisp, clean, and full of dynamic contrast, it follows up on the 2019 Blu-ray Arrow Video release with a 4K transfer. Each standing out ahead of the 2003 DVD release, this new release is the first time that The Andromeda Strain is available in a 4K Ultra HD disc format. So, if you have the equipment, it is well worth it.
Beyond the apparent quality of the picture and sound, you also get lovely extras including featurettes, a great collector’s book, a slipcase, and a reversible sleeve with the original and newly commissioned art. It is a great way to check out The Andromeda Strain if you have not seen it in many years or happened to overlook it. Right up there with some of the most startling Science Fiction films made in the last century, Cryptic Rock recommends the limited edition 4K Ultra HD release of The Andromeda Strain from Arrow Video, giving it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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