Marooned (1969)
A gripping space survival thriller about three astronauts stranded in orbit as NASA races against time to bring them home.
Marooned - Movie Information
- Original Title: Marooned
- Release Year: 1969
- Directed by: John Sturges
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
- Age Rating (US): G
- Runtime: 2h 14m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 11, 1969 (Netherlands - AL), December 11, 1969 (United States - G), January 29, 1970 (United Kingdom - U), March 11, 1970 (France - U)
- Alternative Titles: 마룬드 (KR), Οι Ναυαγοί του Διαστήματος (GR), 鐵人第一號 (TW), Space Travelers (US), Les Naufragés de L'espace (CA), 宇宙からの脱出 (JP), Zajati vesmírem (CZ), Marooned: Havari i Verdensrommet (NO)
- Production Companies: Frankovich Productions, Columbia Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
Marooned - Plot
After spending several months in an orbiting lab, three astronauts prepare to return to Earth only to find their de-orbit thrusters won't activate. After initially thinking they might have to abandon them in orbit, NASA decides to launch a daring rescue. Their plans are complicated by a hurricane headed towards the launch site—and a shrinking air supply in the astronauts' capsule.
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Marooned - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- John Sturges
Main Cast
- Gregory Peck
- Richard Crenna
- David Janssen
- James Franciscus
- Gene Hackman
- Lee Grant
- Nancy Kovack
- Mariette Hartley
- Scott Brady
- Frank Marth
Writers
- Mayo Simon
Producers
- M.J. Frankovich
Marooned - FAQs
What is Marooned about?
Marooned follows three astronauts stranded in orbit after their de-orbit thrusters fail. With their air supply rapidly running out and a hurricane threatening the launch site, NASA scrambles to mount a desperate rescue mission. It's a tense, realistic survival thriller rooted in the anxieties of the early Space Age.
Did Marooned win any Academy Awards?
Yes! Marooned won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects at the 1970 Oscars. The film's strikingly realistic depictions of orbital spaceflight and zero-gravity sequences impressed the Academy, earning it that prestigious recognition among its three total nominations.
Where can you stream or watch Marooned?
You can watch Marooned on TCM (included with subscription) or stream it free with ads on Tubi TV. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.
Did Marooned predict real Apollo space emergencies?
Remarkably, yes. Marooned was released in December 1969, just months before the real-life Apollo 13 crisis in April 1970, where astronauts were stranded in space with failing systems. The film's premise of a NASA rescue mission for trapped astronauts eerily mirrored those actual events, giving it a haunting prescience.
Who are the main actors in Marooned?
The film boasts a stellar cast led by Gregory Peck as the NASA director, with Richard Crenna, James Franciscus, and Gene Hackman as the stranded astronauts. David Janssen plays a rescue pilot, while Lee Grant, Nancy Kovack, and Mariette Hartley portray the astronauts' wives on the ground.
Is Marooned based on a true story?
Marooned is not based on a specific true story. It's adapted from Martin Caidin's 1964 novel of the same name. However, the film drew heavily on real NASA procedures, technology, and the genuine anxieties of the Space Race era, giving it a strong sense of authenticity and documentary-like realism.
Is Marooned worth watching today?
Absolutely, especially for fans of grounded space cinema. Marooned is a thoughtful, slow-burn thriller that prioritizes realism over spectacle. Its Oscar-winning visual effects still hold up, and the ensemble cast delivers strong performances. Think of it as a spiritual predecessor to Apollo 13 and Gravity.
Was Marooned also released under a different title?
Yes. In the United States, Marooned was re-released under the title Space Travelers, which helped it reach wider audiences on television. Internationally, it was known as Les Naufragés de L'espace in Canada, 宇宙からの脱出 in Japan, and Οι Ναυαγοί του Διαστήματος in Greece, among other regional titles.
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