H.G. Wells' The Shape of Things to Come (1979). The Power of Science.

#70s #70smovies #scifi
Stam Fine Reviews exhumes a 1979 Canadian Science Fiction Adventure, H.G. Wells' The Shape of Things to Come, which for some reason has almost nothing to do with H.G. Well's book, The Shape of Things to Come.
Stars Barry Morse, Carole Lynley, Nicholas Campbell, Eddie Benton (Anne-Marie Martin), and Jack Palance.
It's not an especially amazing film by any stretch of the imagination and bares little resemblance to a far superior 1936 film Things to Come that actually adapts the book.

[@AllenUry]

I had the misfortune of seeing this film during a "sneak preview" at the IPMS (International Plastic Modelers Society) national convention in Louisville, KY in 1979. It remains a scar on my psyche. About halfway through the film, someone in the audience shouted "If this is the shape of things to come, we're all doomed." It was the only time the crowd burst into applause.

[@kaykutcher2103]

No hurray it's finally over applause when it ended? That was dad's experience.

[@orangelion03]

So did any of our fellow modelers recognize the CF-100 Mk 5 tip tanks at 5:57?

[@ladymecha8718]

9:52 the geodesic dome, was/is located at Ontario Place. It was a theatre, and became a IMAX theatre later, that allowed 180 degree screenings. It’s been used in Canada for many science-fiction future settings. Just some trivia from Ontario native.

[@merlin262005]

The shots of crowds running around glass hallways are also from O.P. as well as, I suspect, the "New Washington" command centre. The shots of Delta-whatever and post-apoc Earth look like the sand pits west of Hamilton. Less than a day's drive from O.P. Towers sure didn't spare any expense with this one.

[@mikesilva3868]

​@@merlin262005I have seen this movie uncut its unwatchable 😅

[@ozymandiasultor9480]

What?? That is not on the Moon? Well, that is a surprise...

[@adorkability]

Great video! I forgotten all about this movie! And now, unfortunately, I remember it. 😂

[@daverage4729]

I remember this being on the tv once years ago. I knew it was terrible, but I love a bit of crappy sci-fi...and this qualifies. So weird seeing Barry Morse and Jack Palance in it.

[@fazole]

Jack Palance really wound up in some odd places. I even caught him one time on late night German TV, appearing in a soft core Emmanuel film dealing with an Indonesian girl and her cobra! 😂

[@RichardEKranz]

@@mikavirtanen7029 Stam Fine should do a review of Without Warning.

[@williammitchell4417]

Jack was also on Buck Rogers with a similar character.

[@thomriley1036]

Justine (1969) and Hawk the Slayer are tied for my favorite Jack Palance performances.

[@williammitchell4417]

@@thomriley1036 I still can't forget Jack's acting in Batman. He was a bad guy and it showed.

[@clumb1698]

@@williammitchell4417 "On the other hand, he had a tremendous singing voice"

[@jcwoodman5285]

Thank you for subjecting me to this😊

[@rubberneckinc.8937]

As always a great video. Also a devastatingly accurate review. You truly nailed it. Woof this is not a good film. Little surprised you didn't include the clip of Jack Palance having the styrofoam rock hitting him in head. Epic.

[@SpeedyDeath]

Originally, the film was to have been produced by Sylvia Anderson! The plan was to shoot in England, and Anderson engaged Mike Trim (who contributed some production drawings) and Barry Morse who was eager to work with his Space: 1999 producer. Anderson bailed for unknown reasons and Trim walked with her.

[@marcbrasse747]

Still makes more sense then the average Space 1999 script.

[@Rhubba]

1979 was a watershed year for movie watching. I was a kid back then and everything on TV and the movies was brilliant to a child's mind. Yes, some things like 70s Dr Who looked cheap but you went along with it. But 1979 was the year where a few clips from The Shape Of Things To Come were shown on Saturday morning kid's shows, I thought it would be the new Star Wars so I went to go and see it. And that was when the scales fell from my eyes: There were bad films out there and I had just cost my parents good money to go and see them. I compounded the situation by also seeing The Humanoid with Richard Kiel that same year. Watching those two movies scarred me for I now knew there were shoddy movies made by hacks out there.

[@thedonal]

I taped this off the TV as a kid and watched it numerous times (as I did with everything back then, and now!). I've thought about it once or twice since, but can remember very little of the plot. I seem to remember the ship rocking left and right to show they were at light speed? Still- always enjoy a turn by Jack Palance...

[@TheHandOfFear]

That random geodesic dome is actually CineSphere, the first permanent IMAX theatre in the world.

[@2lost2worry]

Thankyou.. I was never able to make it through watching the whole movie! :)

[@kennethmartin1300]

Here in America I really loved it on T.V. 'Nicki' (Carol) had to run around in an upside down cruise liner in "Poseidon Adventure", while 'Kim' (Eddie) did a GREAT turn (as briefly screened by Stam) in the "Twiki is Missing" ep. of 'Buck Rogers' (VERY worth the watch).

[@ashroskell]

Well done! You finally found something I never saw and hasn’t been swiped from my personal childhood and early adulthood. So, you’re not living in my head, then? . . . Mmmm . . . Wait! Those red uniforms? From the production set of V right? I might have watched this if I’d ever heard of it, just for the Jack Palance performance. He went through a decade of stinkers until City Slickers rescued his fortunes in the early 90’s. It still looks like it’s, “so bad it’s good,” value might be worth it with friends and beers?

[@sanctumsanctorum4130]

I've been trying to track this film down for years!! I saw it when I was very young... all I could remember about it was there was a blonde woman, some robots which made a weird sound and a ship misremembered as "Silver Streak". My memories of it are intercut with scenes of other low budget science fiction movies (Star Crash) that were around at the time. Part of me believes that elements of those movies were edited together to make another movie but the more likely answer is I'm wrong and just misremembering. Now if only I could remember the other bits I can remember so I can track down those films haha

[@robertcringle4865]

I saw this movie in the theaters and wished I hadn't.

[@dougmhd2006]

As your review progressed, certain things began to register in my brain. 'Made in Canada'. 'Looks like it was assembled by people who had little to no experience with science fiction'. 'Cheap sets, props and special effects'. 'A handful of recognizable actors to give it a thin veneer of competence'. And then you mentioned "The Starlost", and it all became clear. Somewhat.😊

[@lindariker2108]

Watched the MST3K only months ago... and yet it took me a while to remember that I'd seen this film before. It left zero permanent wrinkles on the old gray matter.

[@TitusAnjohnicus]

Jack Palance always gave a f*ck. From Shane to Hawk the Slayer to that time at the oscars. If that man had nothing else, not even a pot to piss in, he always held on to one last f*ck and if you needed it, he would give it.

[@JeffreyCuscutis]

I saw this in 1979, but the only things I remembered was the spaceship and the title. My subconscious must have made me forget it to protect me.

[@reb3102]

I actually paid to watch this in the theater when it was originally released! I saw it again recently when Rifftrax did it.

[@MarkWarbington]

I was just thinking that this would make great Rifftrax fodder. 😁

[@troubadour723]

I was wondering if MST3K or Rifftrax had a go at it. It's got strong Space Mutiny vibes.

[@ScipioAfricanusI]

The Shape of Things to Come, the 1936 version is fantastic! One of my favorite Sci-fi films!

[@DylanPank71]

Arthur C Clarke said in interviews that he told Stanley Kubrick to watch the '36 _Things to Come_ as research when preparing _2001 A Space Odyssey_ . Kubrick subsequently told him "I'm never going to watch a movie you recommend again."

[@montylc2001]

I tried watching this on TV and just a third into it switched to Gilligans Island.

[@ianmcsherry5254]

The 1930s film is still great, for its time. I have the blu ray.

[@FlambartPhotography]

In Wells' prophetic tome, a vision's spun, "The Shape of Things to Come," a tale begun, A future's canvas, where dreams and fears unite, In words that stir the mind and hearts alight. From war-torn days, the narrative takes flight, A world rebuilt, in knowledge's dawning light. The clock of time, it winds and winds once more, Revealing what the future holds in store. A Utopia, perhaps, or dystopian turn, In Wells' hands, the future's fires burn. With pen and prose, he paints a vivid scene, In "The Shape of Things to Come," what might have been. A timeless tale, from past to future cast, As present's shadow on the future's vast, In Wells' style, we glimpse what's yet to be, And ponder the shape of things that we shall see. - Flambart the Flamboyant

[@americansupervillain4595]

11:26 How did that scene miss the cutting room floor?

[@maube8007]

That's the geodesic dome with the IMAX theatre inside. I saw The Princess Bride there. It's too bad Ontario Place is being torn down to build a spa.

[@Alkeeros]

I'm curious how the movies/shows are selected for this channel. When something is this bad it's a wonder it's even included. But folks do enjoy hearing someone explain that a thing was truly awful. Keep up the good work, Stam!

[@TheDukeofMadness]

Like Lawnmower Man and Quantum of Solace, they only used the title. But this was watchable, in an Overdrawn at the Memory Bank kind of way.

[@filmcochon]

My girlfriend noticed that the band fighting alongside governor Niki had "lawn darts", painted aluminum, at the tip of their weapons. When you say dirt cheap you can get any cheaper than that!!!!

[@toomanyaccounts]

lawn darts were banned due to how dangerous they were

[@raybearoz]

Heading to Adelaide and Brisbane Supanova, so ready to use the Paul Blart line!

[@ashroskell]

Btw, I think I recognise that leading man (the young fella) from Star Trek III? Isn’t he the one Lt Uhura stuffs in the cupboard when they’re rescuing McCoy? Never seen him in anything else. I know. Not important in any way, and barely even relevant. But I’m thinking of applying for a job as a piece of facial recognition software, so I can sit on my arse all day, drinking coffee and people watching in a place of national importance, like Parliament Square, Scotland Yard, or the front entrance of a Wetherspoons.

[@SteveMacSticky]

Beautiful Anne Marie martin

[@tycannah4271]

Your reviews are always spot on.

[@bigbadhodad3894]

I'd watch it just for Jack Palance, , ,

[@NieR.Amanda]

This was filmed... and that's about all that can be said for it.

[@6581punk]

Somehow this passed me by, when I saw the video title I was hoping for something good that I'd missed. Oh well :)

[@StuartRaweakaStuOz]

I like this film because of the Space 1999 connection. I found this film really late - in the last 12 months!

[@mcal27]

Somebodies been watching Pluto TV! It’s all over there right now! :)

[@l.a.gothro3999]

"Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh/The shape of things to come!" - The Headboys, 1979.

[@borusa32]

Jack chews the scenery with more gusto in the dodgily titled Buck Rogers: Planet of the Slave Girls. Billy,billy,billy! He was just getting warmed up for his bravura performance as Vultan in Hawk the Slayer.

[@kevinlong6482]

As ever another great review!

[@RyanConway602]

( that's a HG Wells joke for those of you that don't get it ).

[@RichardEKranz]

Fun review. I do thing the forward pod of that main ship in this film is a piece from the 1966 AMT Star Trek model kit Space Station K-7. Did you do Without Warning as someone mentioned in the comments? It falls into the Bad its Good catagory.

[@RyanConway602]

I remember watching that as kid in the 80's. It was shit then, still shit now.

[@Canoby]

Anyone else notice how the hero space ship looks like the Ralph McQuarrie USS Enterprise design they ultimately didn't use for Phase II/TMP, that would eventually be used as inspiration for the USS Discovery? It even has primary hull separation like a proper Starfleet ship (granted it's greebled more like a Star Wars ship).

[@securityrobot]

It was a model built by Brick Price for Project UFO, and somehow it ended up in this movie slightly altered.

[@Canoby]

@@securityrobot Really the making of this film sounds a lot more entertaining than the film itself

[@Blindgenxgamer]

Another great video, sir!👏

[@troubadour723]

Your example of Blake's 7 shows that a tight budget can still be used to advantage if the creative team is competent and talented. Tight schedules are usually the result of poor planning and decision-making on behalf of studios and can always short-circuit the quality of any work. But this one was just made by some very untalented people. The entertainment industry seems to attract quite a few of them.

[@securityrobot]

Oh I don’t know I wouldn’t call Joe Viskocil untalented - he did a good job blowing - up the Citadel model at the end.

[@kaboombox1581]

Morris, Palance, and Lynley needed a paycheck.

[@alphan13091999]

I'm sure I saw this at matinee screening at a small cinema during Australian school holidays

[@nunyabizness6595]

Wait. This was a theatrical movie? Not a tv movie? It looks like an episode of Buck Roger's. Which Palance was a guest star on. And Morse was on season 1 of space 1999. 😮😮😮

[@2001davebowman]

Uhhhhh….. yes, it’s that bad! I’m ashamed to say I went to the “pictures” to see it. Those were the days when I’d have seen anything space related. Just because… SPACE! But this was a complete disaster. I think it’s Jack Palace’s last film. That’s the highlight.

[@joelellis7035]

I think the clips showing some of the actors in this movie appearing also in Season 1 of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century says it all. An American sci-fi television show could attract the same talent as a Canadian sci-fi feature film.

[@ThatSockmonkey]

I think it's a real shame that Film people have never really gotten their heads around SF. So many great ideas, so poorly executed, that you could melt a geniuses mind just by showing clips of 70s and 80s SF movies, and it hasn't gotten better. Prettier, but not better.

[@MattMcIrvin]

The only thing I remembered about this was Jack Palance wearing the Lucite tank on his head.

[@danielwillens5876]

Hilarious! And it was a weird line reading by the actress (whose name I forget) who made me realize she played a part in a Man From UNCLE episode.

[@ferociousgumby]

If they can't spell "its", I don't want to watch it.

[@Wes-u7y]

Jack Palance played a similar character in Buck Rogers down to the cape

[@darrensmith6999]

OH DEAR!!! Jack Palance the American Brian Blessed !

[@ricardocantoral7672]

Jack Palance in a late 70's Sci-fi flick ? The LOLs are basically guaranteed.

[@stvdagger8074]

For maximum LOLS in the Late 80's he did 2 other fantasy/sci-fi films that also have no relation to the books they are named after : "Gor" & "Outlaw of Gor"

[@whiskeyvictor5703]

Looks like it would fit into a movie night including Buck Rogers in the 25th Century...or The Starlost (*shudder*).

[@andyf4292]

is that Dory De'roe off Sledgehammer?

[@forfluf]

Didn't Jack Palance have a huge rock to land on his head in this one?

[@reb3102]

As the building is collapsing, pieces of dust and debris are falling all around him. He looks visibly miserable. One big chunk of debris hits him on the head and he very noticeably winces. It's a beautiful, natural moment of not acting!!

[@Scimarad]

There's nothing quite so funny as the scenery bouncing off of Jack Palance's head:)

[@jamesmurray8558]

I saw this in Washington St. From Canada t.v

[@FAMUCHOLLY]

Barry Morse and Jack Palance in this stinker?!?! Wow!

[@alanmoss3603]

It's still better than 65!

[@geekynerd7346]

I thought this was going to be about the 1936 version.

[@lietkynes1971]

I rented this from my local Australian video store in the 80s with 6 other science fiction movies and ... well .... this was fast forward and skip worthy.

[@jwc00789]

Anne-Marie Martin was the ONLY reason to watch this movie. It's can be worth a few laughs though.

[@JasonReed-lz8sz]

It has some good music!

[@readhistory2023]

Next up Laser Blast!

[@michaelaurban4120]

PEW PEW PEW!

[@marcbrasse747]

Not THAT bad. Just bad. And I always liked the ship design.

[@nunyabizness6595]

"The time is the time after tomorrow." Well that's confusing.😂😂😂😮

[@TankUni]

So...a couple of days from now? That would put it at next week, and I think I could make it then.

[@DevlinDomini]

“It’s time for RiffTrax.”

[@Derpy1969]

Poor jack got clonked on the head at the end.

[@barrymurphy1337]

We watched this one as a 'special' treat in the school hall in the early 1980's, projected onto the wall. Easily the dullest, most boring sci-fi movie I've ever seen, and I've watched Star Trek: The Motion Picture lol! Just to think, we could have picked The Blues Brothers instead, sigh.

[@torchwood00]

The Shape of Sliders

[@1monki]

"has almost nothing to do with H.G. Well's book" About to say, I've seen Well's film _Things to Come_ and this isn't it.

[@bobbybates2614]

I saw the original black and white movie of shape of things to come

[@RetroRobotRadio]

Honestly I'm a little tired of people ragging on movies because they're low budget and not as good as Star Wars. Not every movie has a massive budget or a top and writer and cast. They are still quite enjoyable.

[@davidnelson5533]

It is a bit like the end of the shape of things to come kind of continued from there

[@SamLowryDZ-015]

Spooky. I watched the 30s film last weekend Not even Dr Bergman can save this Lost in Space knock-off

[@richardhussey-cq2se]

Lynda Mason Green had a small role in this before War Of The Worlds 1988-1990.

[@StamFine]

funny you mention that...

[@richardhussey-cq2se]

@@StamFine Why?

[@crazyd4371]

Like how they manage to get a mini Death Star in the control room!!!

[@williammitchell4417]

This reminds me of Logan's Run.

[@DocRobAC]

I don’t think The Shape of Things to Come - the book is one that can be filmed, though the Korda film is very good, it isn’t really the book either.

[@lemdixon01]

So not even a propaganda piece, unlike the original film and book.

[@wyldemusick]

ARGO's basis in reality was even more wonky -- they set it up as an adaptation of Roger Zelazny's LORD OF LIGHT wuth art by Jack Kirby

[@johnswift376]

Canada should be ashamed

[@ironjade]

I paid good money to see this crap. Why, I have no idea. Wells' estate eventually got the title changed to remove the name of the book.

[@markdriscoll8119]

I only remember being an OG science fiction fan and being mad they suckered me into watching this horrible thing by sticking HG Wells name on it. I was looking forward to the actual story in the book. False advertising!

[@docbrown6550]

I've never heard of that one.

[@RetroRobotRadio]

People who say this has nothing to do with the original Shape of Things To Come simply lack imagination. Original story ended with Wars on Earth and eventually the colonization of the moon. This literally picks up at that point as it opens. It's not an adaptation of the novel, it is a sequel!

[@kevanhubbard9673]

Very Buck Rodgers uniforms and the woman lead even looks a bit like Erin Grey.

[@tskmaster3837]

"No one sets out to make a bad movie on purpose." I wish people would stop saying this, we all know it's done. "It's art, it's all art! No one makes a work of art as a tax write off!"

[@huntercallan1458]

In those days, filmmakers and their investors got a lot of support and grants from the Canadian government and provincial counterparts. The results were really cheesy and badly produced schlock like this and Defcon 4, amongst many others. The exterior of Barry Morse office is the old Ontario Place Cinesphere that was built less than 10 years before. I used to work in the film industry and worked with a few of these background actors. Bad direction and low budget along with government funding equals horrible quality….

[@ricardocantoral7672]

At the very least, we got a very good thriller out of this era called The Silent Partner.

[@u83rj1]

Ahh, you didn't even show the shot of a piece of falling styrofoam bouncing off Jack Palances head.

[@equusquaggaquagga536]

😃

[@blito3wot]

lol....i remember this movie.....best Canadian government investment scheme to help Canadas film industry....thanks Trudeau...the senior one.