When an unusual phenomenon is detected at the outskirts of the solar system, alarm bells ring over the Earth. The decision is made to investigate the situation to determine what steps need to take place to ensure that the Earth is not in danger. The phenomenon is referred to as Orion’s Loop. A previous Italian spaceship sent to investigate resulted in most of the astronauti dying of an unusual form or radiation and mental stress. The Loop is heading straight for Earth.
The soviets decide that they need more information on the Loop. To that end, a Russian scientific crew, under the assistance of the United Nations, is assembled. The ship they are sent on is called the Phaeton. Their mission is to investigate the anomaly and find out what it is, if it is dangerous, and if it can be stopped.
The crew consists of Commander Pavel Belov (Leonid Bakshtaev), Navigator August Goris (Gennadi Shkuratov), Flight Engineer Mitya Tamarkin (Anatoliy Mateshko), Doctor Maria Dementieva (Lyudmila Smorodina), and Cybernetic Engineer Alexander "Sasha" Sagansky (Vitali Doroshenko). Due to the radiation concerns, the crew is enhanced by five androids that look like their human counterparts. They are to be used for more dangerous operations should the radiation become a problem.
As they get closer to the anomaly the crew experience hallucinations and visitations of an advanced society that claim to be peaceful. They explain that the Earth is in the path of what they call a “glass virus” and the Loop is being sent to protect the planet from the virus, however, the holograms themselves prove to be dangerous when in proximity to the crew. The cosmonauts must decide if the aliens are telling the truth or if they are actually hostile and aim to destroy the Earth.
“Orion’s Loop” AKA “The Orion Loop” AKA “Petlya Oriona” was released in 1981 and was directed by Vasili Levin. It is a Soviet Union science fiction film.
It was a rather slow and confusing movie. The special effects are a mix of good and OK, especially considering that it is an 80’s film. It is basically done as a straightforward science fiction story and not as the usual propaganda machine that invades a lot of Russian films. It’s a decent film, but the confusing presentation of the story sometimes makes it a little boring.
As a plus, there are a few interesting camera angles, matte paintings and set designs that add texture to the movie.
The film was written by two real-life Soviet Cosmonots, Alexi Leonov and Vitaly Selivanov, both of whom discuss the possibility of extra-terrestrial life in its prologue. Also featured in the prologue are chief scientific consultant Roald Sagdeyev, astrophysicist and consultant, Losif Shklovsky, and USSR Academy member and consultant Nikolai Kardashev.