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The Next Reel Film PodcastA show about movies and how they connect. We love movies. Weve been talking about them, one movie a week, since 2011. Its a lot of movies, thats true, but were passionate about origins and performance, directors and actors, themes and genres, and... Author: TruStory FM
A show about movies and how they connect. We love movies. Weve been talking about them, one movie a week, since 2011. Its a lot of movies, thats true, but were passionate about origins and performance, directors and actors, themes and genres, and so much more. So join the community, and lets hear about your favorite movies, too. When the movie ends, our conversation begins. Language: en Genres: Film History, Film Reviews, TV & Film Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Colossus: The Forbin Project
Episode 41
Thursday, 26 March, 2026
“If you obey me, you will survive.”The most frightening AI isn't the one that malfunctions—it's the one that does exactly what you asked. Join us—Pete Wright and Andy Nelson—as we begin the Thinking Machines series with a conversation about Colossus: The Forbin Project. Directed by Joseph Sargent, the film stars Eric Braeden as Dr. Charles Forbin, the scientist who builds the world's most powerful AI defense system and locks it inside a mountain, alongside Susan Clark as his colleague Dr. Markham and Gordon Pinsent as a president cast to evoke Kennedy—and just as helpless. Based on D.F. Jones's 1966 novel and shot with real computer equipment provided by Control Data Corporation, it carries an unsettling authenticity that only sharpens the further the machines go.We dig into why the film's flat, clinical direction—initially dismissed as weak—is actually its sharpest creative choice, how Gene Polito's anamorphic widescreen photography makes humans look like ants in their own creation, and why a 1970 film about AI feels more urgent in 2026 than almost anything made recently. We also unpack Eric Braeden's controlled performance, Paul Frees's authoritative turn as the voice of Colossus, and what Nick Bostrom's AI Paperclip Maximizer thought experiment tells us about why indifference is scarier than malice. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel—when the movie ends, our conversation begins!If You Liked This Conversation, Try These from the Next Reel Family:The Film Board: MercyCinema Scope: 1950s Science Fiction🎬 Watch & Discover🎥 See Our Full Conversation on YouTube!🍿 Watch the Film: Apple TV | Amazon | Letterboxd📽️ Original Theatrical Trailer📚 Adapted from Colossus by D.F. JonesSupport The Next Reel Family of Film Shows:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Shows:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next ReelSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Audible
