Roswell(film)
Roswell | |
---|---|
Genre | Drama Mystery Sci-Fi |
Written by | Arthur L. Kopit Jeremy Kagan |
Directed by | Jeremy Kagan |
Starring | Kyle MacLachlan Martin Sheen Dwight Yoakam |
Music by | Elliot Goldenthal |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
Production | |
Executive producers | Paul Davids David R. Ginsburg |
Producers | Jeremy Kagan Ilene Kahn Power |
Cinematography | Steven Poster |
Editors | David Holden Bill Yahraus |
Running time | 91 minutes |
Production companies | Viacom Pictures Citadel Entertainment |
Original release | |
Network | Showtime |
Release | July 31, 1994 |
Roswell(also known asRoswell: The U.F.O. Cover-Up) is a 1994television filmproduced byPaul Davidsbased on a supposedly true story about theRoswell UFO incident,the alleged U.S. military capture of aflying saucerand its alien crew following a crash near the town ofRoswell, New Mexico,in July 1947. Along with the Roswell crash, the film references prominentUFOlogyevents such asArea 51,alien autopsies,the death ofJames ForrestalandMajestic-12.
The script was based on the bookUFO Crash at Roswell,byKevin D. Randleand Donald R. Schmitt.
Plot
[edit]Beginning at a 30-year reunion for members of the509th Operations Group,flashbacks are presented that follow the attempts of Major Jesse Marcel to discover the truth about strange debris found on a local rancher's field in July 1947. Told by his superiors that what he has found is nothing more than a downedweather balloon,Marcel maintains his military duty until the weight of the truth, however out of this world it may be, forces him to piece together what really occurred.
Reception
[edit]The New York Timesreviewed the film as a tense drama, maintaining "an engrossing course." Criticizing the conspiracy aspect, it's noted that "What prevents this professionally fashioned hokum from being a high flier is the annoying question of how a cover-up that involved hundreds or thousands of people could have been maintained for 30 years or even 30 seconds in this expose-prone society."[1]
Varietylabeled it "a gripping fictional account." The review concludes, "Wherever the truths of the Roswell incident may lie, directorKaganpaces his story convincingly and, in the suspicions it raises about American military mendacity, unflinchingly: superior made-for-TV fare, in other words. The extraterrestrial bodies, by the way, are terrific. "([2]
The Los Angeles Timesconsidered the film "no mere sci-fi hardware yarn," adding "Roswellis not so much a space odyssey but the story of a man's lost soul, that of an Air Force intelligence officer doggedly searching for the truth. "[3]
Cast
[edit]- Kyle MacLachlanasJesse A. Marcel
- Martin Sheenas Townsend
- Dwight Yoakamas Mac Brazel
- Xander Berkeleyas Sherman Carson
- Bob Guntonas Frank Joyce
- Kim Greistas Vy Marcel
- Peter MacNicolas Lewis Rickett
- John M. JacksonasColonel Blanchard
- Nick Searcyas Mortician
- J.D. Daniels as Young Jesse Marcel, Jr.
- Charles Hallahanas Older Pilot MacIntire
- Ray McKinnonas Deputy Joe Pritchard
- Eugene RocheasJames Forrestal
- Charles Martin Smithas Sheriff Wilcox
- Doug Wert as Older Jesse Marcel, Jr.
- Cynthia Allison as TV commentator
- Hoke Howell as Bar veteran
- Bruce Ed Morrow as General
- Will Huston as Alien clown (as William Edwards)
- Layne Beamer as Soldier
- Max Trumpower as Gate Guard
- Mik Scriba as Air Mechanic
- Matt Landers asLt. Walter Haut
- George Gray III as Deputy
- Stephen C. Foster as Gate MP
- Dave Adams as Provost Marshal
- Bill Cook as Jeep Driver
- J.W. 'Corkey' Fornof as Pilot
- Charles Beck as Pilot
- Randy Gagne as Pilot
- Charles M. Kistler as Interrogator #1
- Daiton Rutkowski as Interrogator #2
- F. William Parker as Older Stanton
- Jonathan Mincks as Younger Stanton
- Peter Radon as Melvin Brown
- Gary Bullockas Eavesdropper
- Jim Hayne as Harris
- Mark Phelan as Gate Guard
- Steve Lanza as Outside Doctor
- Arthur Kopitas Inside Doctor
- Michael Strasser as Hospital MP
- Don Fischer as Outdoor MP
- Denice Marcel as Waitress
- Brandey Martinez as Waitress #2
- Lisa Waltzas Janet Foss
- John Mahon as Red Hat Vet
- Stanley Grover as Straw Hat Vet
- Warren Munsonas Yellow Hat Vet
- Hansford Roweas Chaplain
- Richard Fancyas Doctor
- Paul Davidsas Photographer
- Philip Baker Hallas Roswell General
- Lawrence Dobkinas General (as Larry Dobkin)
- Edward Penn as Civilian Advisor
- Arthur Hilleras Scientist #1
- Parley Baeras Civilian Advisor
- Bruce Grayas Admiral
References/Links
[edit]External links
[edit]- 1994 films
- 1994 television films
- Films based on non-fiction books
- Fiction about the Roswell incident
- Films set in 1947
- Films set in 1977
- Films set in New Mexico
- Films set in Texas
- Films directed by Jeremy Kagan
- Films scored by Elliot Goldenthal
- UFO-related television
- 1990s English-language films
- American television films