This almost forgotten sci-fi classic of German film history is a real insider tip and will soon be celebrating its HD premiere on Blu-ray.
The German film and television landscape is famous for anything but impressive science fiction films, which, as we all know, is more typical of Hollywood cinema. However, with Operation Ganymede in 1977, director Rainer Erler, who later became known primarily for the organ trafficking thriller Fleisch, succeeded in creating a true classic whose bitter mise-en-scène can still have an impact today.
On February 22, the dystopian sci-fi film about a desperate group of astronauts with a German star cast will also be released in high definition on Blu-ray for the first time and can now be pre-ordered from Amazon . On board is brand new and exclusive bonus material, including audio commentaries, interviews and a booklet in a slipcase with reversible cover. Alternatively, there is also a slimmed-down DVD version .
This is what Operation Ganymede is all about
The most ambitious project in human space travel ends in disaster when, four and a half years after the launch of spaceships on their way to Jupiter, only five of over 20 astronauts return to Earth. Although they have spectacular evidence of the existence of extraterrestrial organisms on board, they are unable to make radio contact on the blue planet.
After the emergency landing on the Pacific coast of Mexico, they are not celebrated as heroes as they had hoped, but have to embark on a seemingly hopeless march through the desert in search of rescue. The hardships and hopelessness break the morale of the men, who find themselves in a constant fight for life and death, while a terrible suspicion spreads.
