Rating: 
Summary: Colussus: It Deserves Better
Review: Probably one of the best Universal Sci Fi films of the seventies. I have been anxiously awaiting its release on DVD. Now it has, and lo and behold it is given a slap dash treatment.
What a shock to see it released in a pan and scan format. Watching the VHS copy shows much cropping of images and the overall fuzziness of the p&s process.
Universal could have released the DVD with a dual format and preserved the widescreen visuals that Sargent filmed. That way the uninformed could watch the p&s version and all of us fans could enjoy the widescreen presentation.
Hopefully the "brains" at Universal will read this and other negative reviews of this DVD and take the necessary corrective actions! I will await the second release.
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty Good "What If" Flick
Review: Tha most powerful computer in the world (Colossus) decides that it's time to take over humanity when they try to shut him down. I think people are unsatisfied with this movie because it does not resolve things in the end. No happy ending here. The computer wins. There are no splashy special effects but they are not needed as the excitement is in the story telling.
It is unfortunate that this dvd was released if full screen format. I eagerly await a second release with the widescreen format. Still, you should probably get the dvd in case that doesn't happen. I'd hold on to your vidoe tape as well though. It has all of the subtle nuances that may be missing on the dvd version.
Eric Braeden (of Young and the Restless fame) does a great job of portraying the brooding scientist who tries to beat Colossus at its own game. If you've never seen this movie please view it. - This text refers to the dvd version.
Rating: 
Summary: Based on a novel by D.F. Jones
Review: The Colossus movie scenario is sort of a combination of "War Games" in the sense of getting out of hand and the novel "This Perfect Day" in which all of society is regulated.
The use of good, but not over the top, actors gave an eerie feeling of reality to this film.It is 1966 with the complexities of nuclear war we must turn to artificial intelligence to handle the multitude of factors in a reasonable time. We must keep in mind that this computer "Colossus" (named after the real life machine by Turing) can only do our bidding.
What is this? Colossus has discovered another entity in Russia (Guardian), and requests to converse with it. Well we can always pull the plug (yeah sure.) To counter the threat of being socially separated the computers threaten to launch nuclear missiles. At the U.S. and Russia. Getting increasingly pushier Colossus, after requesting voice recognition and voice synthesis (a spooky sixties version of voice synthesis), goes on to regulate the lives of the people who created it; of course it is for their own good.
One can put up with nuclear war if need be, but regulating lives is intolerable. Something must be done. Watch and see what unique solutions are planned. Will they succeed? Who are you rooting for?
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous, Little Known Sci-Fi Flick
Review: While Colossus: The Forbin Project may not have aged well in terms of some of the computer technology displayed in the film, it is nonetheless an excellent movie. The premise is similar to the Terminator movies. All of America's defense capabilities are wired into a defense computer called Colossus. One of its first acts is the discovery of its Russian equivalent, named Guardian. In an ill-advised move, the political powers that be allow the two computers to talk to each other. They quickly decide that man is both a threat to them and a temporarily necessary evil. When the leaders of America and Russia decide to pull the plug on their chit-chat, the two machines set about asserting their will (by launching missiles at each other's country). The remainder of the movie details the efforts of humanity to outwit and disarm the machines. The outcome is solemn and very serious. This is one of those terribly unappreciated movies that is almost never shown on television. Fortunately, I bought the tape several years ago and have enjoyed many times since purchasing it. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful movie, even in full screen
Review: Yes, this is a cheesy, full screen release of a movie that deserves so much more. There are no DVD extras whatsoever, and even a menu screen with chapter titles isn't provided. (I can use my DVD player remote to select chapters by number, but they aren't titled.) If you already own this movie on VHS, you will probably want to wait for a fancier DVD release... IF such a release is ever made! Last time I checked, this sci-fi gem was pretty obscure, and I doubt that a nice 2-disc set is coming out anytime soon.
I discovered this movie from an internet list of great computer movies, and checked out the VHS version from the library. I have also read all the Colossus books --there are three of them, with the first volume providing the basis for this movie-- by D.F. Jones. Jones' book is pretty silly and pulpy, and whoever wrote the screenplay for this movie deserves a medal for distilling it into such a taut, fast-paced thriller. This is a classy movie through-and-through. The cinematography is beautiful (even in full screen), the acting is well-cast and of the highest quality, and even the clothing, by famed designer Edith Head, is eye-catching and unique. Check out some of those outfits Susan Clark wears!
This movie stands out from the "computer out of control" pack not only with its A-grade production, but with the courage of its convictions. Colossus is portrayed as a being of genuine super-intelligence (the humans try to defeat it in many clever ways), and its moral standing is more ambiguous than you might think. Colossus may do some nasty things in its fight to survive and assert control, but it also saves the human race from itself-- which is a message that is as meaningful today as it was at the height of the Cold War. "All you lose is the emotion of pride," as Colossus states in its memorable address as "the voice of World Control." I don't want to give out too many spoilers, in case someone reading this hasn't watched the film in a long time (if it all!), but that speech had me cheering for Colossus all the way.
This DVD is priced to sell, and is an excellent pick-up for anyone who likes super-intelligent or powerful artificial intelligences on screen. The technology is dated (particularly the opening titles, which feature the real computer that the studio used for payroll!), but fashionably so. The blinkenlights and tape reels are as one with the classy mod clothing and interior design.
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