The 1980 Apocalypse Movie That Truly Deserves Our Respect

[@IchibanOyabun]

Virus was a very underrated movie! Probably one of my favorite “Apocalyptic” movies! All 155 minutes! ❤ Definitely a must see movie!👍

[@terrytalksmovies]

I agree. It defines the genre perfectly, too.

[@captlazer5509]

To be fair, Ghostbusters was initially written by Dan Aykroyd, whose family and himself are deep into the paranormal. Plus Aykroyd lived in NYC for years while on SNL. Harold Ramis also grounded the craziness in his script writing. That is one heck of a writing team! Still like Evolution, just needed a tighter script.

[@terrytalksmovies]

I agree. The script and Duchovny were the problem. The concept was good.

[@rsacchi100]

Good point. When comedy is close to the truth it's much better.

[@Thurgosh_OG]

@@terrytalksmovies I liked Duchovny in a comedy film, he was supposed to be the serious one in the group, which you get in most comedies and I think he played the humour pretty well.

[@ianburns9365]

I found Virus around 15 years ago. I put it in my top ten apocalyptic films, along with Testament, Malevil and On The Beach.🥰

[@terrytalksmovies]

It definitely belongs there.

[@Thurgosh_OG]

Have you seen the UK film 'Threads'? Now that is a serious, apocalyptic film.

[@theundeadkaiser1512]

What's the meaning behind the movie the message

[@marSLaZZ66]

From "Evolution", i remember "Mazel Tov !! It's a boy !!" 😂🤣😂🤣

[@terrytalksmovies]

There are some good lines but none of them were delivered by Duchovny.

[@dougm9157]

Evolution was the very first DVD I purchased when I first got a DVD player back in the day. I think your analysis is spot on -- as usual :)

[@terrytalksmovies]

Thanks, Doug. 😀

[@bgarvey21]

Great to see you reviewing two movies I enjoyed. Evolution is one of my guilty pleasures. I enjoyed Virus also and while I thought it was well written and thought provoking, the subject is one that I don't think I would want to rewatch. I thought it was interesting that you reviewed a movie that dealt with trying to repopulate the earth 2 days after I was reading about the Toba Super volcano explosion 75,000 years ago. The fact that DNA extrapolation think that there were only 3,000 to 10,000 humans left on earth. It is amazing we didn't go extinct then. Keep up the great reviews I look forward to all your videos.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Yep. There was that crazy genetic bottleneck in the human species and it wasn't that long ago, either.

[@Brunoburningbright]

The Neanderthals survived and would probably still be here now in our stead.

[@hellraiserx44]

Virus is the most underrated movie I’ve ever seen, a total masterpiece of science fiction

[@terrytalksmovies]

Absolutely yes. It was ambitious and bleak AF.

[@hellraiserx44]

@ I became so obsessed over the movie I spent the $30 to get the book it’s based on, I’m debating on if I wanna get one of the vhs tapes, only because it’s the US cut

[@splashthemusic]

I remember watching 'Virus' in the early 1980's on VHS video. It was late Friday night after being to the Pub and just put it on while having another drink. And in the end we enjoyed the drink and the film.

[@terrytalksmovies]

It deserves more respect.

[@MarcColten-us2pl]

Of course, We’re not exactly strangers to apocalypse and global death. I’m sure you remember “On The Beach”, where you were the last to go. It didn’t have the gruesome images of Virus but it was still a very sad and affecting movie. The scenes with the naval officer explaining to his wife that they would have to give a suicide pill to their baby before they take them, so it won’t suffer. Then the wife goes insane and starts packing to take the baby back to England, which no longer exists. And the ending “There is still time, brother”.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Yep. Filmed here in Melbourne.

[@johnbayer9795]

@@terrytalksmovies And apparently set in *1964*.

[@dirtfarmer7070]

I read this book.

[@daleeasternbrat816]

I remember my parents going to see this flick in 1959 when I was 3. I saw the movie in 1964- 65 when it came on TV. I can never hear the Australian National Anthem without feeling sad. 200 drug stores to choose from. On the Beach has a prequel. Dr. Strangelove.

[@RD-lt3ht]

❤Fellow Ozzie here. I remember the 1st part of Virus, screened as a TV mini-series, but I never got to see the end of it -- scenes from that 1st part still haunt me! Would love to see it in it's entirety in HI-DEF.❤❤❤

[@terrytalksmovies]

I need a blu-ray of it.

[@GinjaNinjaJK]

Sounds like I need to see Virus. Im a huge fan of apocalyptic films and this just sounds mind-blowing! Thanks!

[@terrytalksmovies]

My pleasure. It's on YT but look for the two hour 36 min version.

[@gamertrojan4038]

Ah virus, seen quite a few times. There are several versions popping up on KZbin from time to time. Definitely worth a watch.

[@terrytalksmovies]

You want the version that runs 2 hours 26 minutes, if that helps.

[@brandonlordbaltimore5182]

I loved Evolution! Saw it when it was released and innumerable times since. The chemistry between the cast members is incredible. It's one of those rare movies that you can watch over & over even though you know exactly what's going to happen. I give it 👍👍👍😏

[@terrytalksmovies]

I still maintain that Duchovny brings down the ensemble cast.

[@jackfriend4u]

nice take! you make Evolution sound a lot more interesting than i thought at the time- enough so i want to see it again! but yeah, definitely some missed opportunities. Tippet's "Mad God" is to my mind a genuine big A -Art film- but then i also think Tarantino's "Death Proof" is one of the greatest chick flicks ever. I remember thinking i got (thankfully) more than i asked for with "Virus" but hadn't seen it for a couple of decades, but yes, absolutely, another forgotten film worth seeing...and i need to see it again! definitely worth some serious Blu-ray remastering attention. felt like "On The Beach" but not given nearly that story's love.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Yeah both On The Beach and Virus have an elegiac melancholy about them but Virus goes in harder to the tragedy.

[@bartholdy74]

I like the sound of Virus. I’m going to seek it out, thanks. When you said that Evolution was originally intended as a dark sci fi, I wish they had made that, instead. I think I like the ideas behind it more than the film itself, even if it is a bit of harmless fun. I also thought the way Julianne Moore’s character was accident-prone like Inspector Clouseau felt a bit forced, but that might just be me.

[@terrytalksmovies]

If you find Virus, you want the 2 hour 36 minute version.

[@maxpayne2574]

I agree Moore's character is just not funny.

[@angelica6645]

Great as always Terry, thank you. I'll hold off on Virus as it's a bit on the nose at the moment here with the rise once more of covid, but you are so right on Evolution - I remember despite its positive elements (thank you Phil Tippett) it being a palpable misfire. Duchovny appeared to be cast solely on his X Files role & little else. It wouldn't be the only time a director wouldn't have a clue as to the substance of his film, a shame as Reitman had such a great cast (apart from the aforementioned), a decent original idea & such terrific fx.

[@gypsumfantastic23]

What great timing. I just finished watching Virus two hours ago!

[@terrytalksmovies]

Synchronicity! It's in the zeitgeist. 😉😀

[@mrdsjenzie]

evolution is a LOT of fun, light hearted, dotty ... and sometimes even a bit scary you mentioned METEOR, one of my favourite movies, Orpheus itself is the MAIN character of that ... brooding, looming, kills many many people ... the soundtrack is fantastic when it's onscreen! and it has one of my very favourite lines in anything, and i don't even PLAY baseball!!!

[@terrytalksmovies]

I agree. Meteor is fun but Virus plays at a deeper level entirely.

[@nahkohese555]

There was another movie named Virus, released in 1999, which starred Jamie Lee Curtis, which has nothing at all to do with the 1980 movie. People searching for one might find the other and get confused. The 1980 Virus did get a US Theatrical release, although very limited, but it was the full version. I saw it at the local Drive-In theater, and it was the second movie on the bill. It was only there for 1 or 2 weeks, then it was gone. I couldn't find it again until it turned up on cable a few years ago. If you pay attention to the description of the virus and how it works, its essentially an airborn, fast acting version of AIDS. Because it's not the virus that kills you, it just destroys your immune system so that even a common cold will kill you. It's kind of scary to think about how many new diseases have been "discovered" in the last couple decades and wonder just how many might actually be science projects that escaped the lab . . . When the 1999 Jamie Lee Curtis movie came out, my first thought was "Remake!", but as I said, it has nothing in common with the 1980 movie except the name.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Jamie Lee Curtis didn't speak highly of the 1999 Virus. Not her favourite film.

[@ThatJohnKillion1970]

I remember The Movie Channel in the early 80's advertising 'Virus' nonstop, but I don't remember ever watching it.

[@terrytalksmovies]

It's worth it.

[@billsinkins361]

Thanks for the review, I'd never heard of Virus. An obscure plague movie I DO remember from decades ago is the German film The Hamburg Syndrome (Die Hamburger Krankheit) that played on "multicultural" TV in Canada.

[@terrytalksmovies]

I hear good things about that. I'll have to track it down.

[@FAMUCHOLLY]

I enjoyed Evolution, but never heard of Virus. I think I will try to find a copy based on your recommendation Terry; thanks!

[@terrytalksmovies]

My pleasure.

[@richardkempton1894]

They have both versions of Virus on Tubi in the US (not sure how Tubi works with regions) now.

[@Nightinglass]

Julian Moore played Clarice Starling in Hannibal (2001). Jodie Foster played against Buffalo Bill in Silence of the Lambs

[@terrytalksmovies]

Which is exactly what I said in the video.

[@Nightinglass]

@@terrytalksmovies sorry, I must’ve have a brain fart then haha

[@terrytalksmovies]

@@Nightinglass it's all good.

[@patrickbrady5887]

Really enjoy the sf reviews. Thank you for this.

[@terrytalksmovies]

My pleasure. Glad you like them.

[@roysnider3456]

I love Evolution, Decovny and Jones play well off of each other.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Orlando Jones does the heavy lifting there.

[@Ckapter]

Evolution being described as ‘fun’ is probably the best term for it. I love it, but it’s not great. Fun is just the right term!

[@terrytalksmovies]

It had potential to be more.

[@rvhill69]

I remember seeing the full version of the 1980 Virus on the Z channel back in the day.

[@terrytalksmovies]

100% worth a rewatch.

[@neilbrown9922]

I just found Virus on KZbin, at the uncut length, so the Japanese version. There was also a 1999 movie of the same title.

[@terrytalksmovies]

It is a definite hidden gem.

[@GreenCrim]

Saw this in '85 aged 10. Freaked the hell out of me.

[@terrytalksmovies]

I can understand why. It's confronting to an adult, let alone a kid.

[@stevenvenn]

Thanks for the recommendation on “Virus.” I love end of the world/post-apocalyptic movies especially with a cast that’s stacked like this! I had never heard of this one before and I was surprised to discover that parts were even shot in Canada (who doesn’t love the Tax Shelter years? 😂 Changeling, I’m looking at you). There are a lot of Canadian tv actors in this film even including my second cousin Mike Tough as the sailor who has “an appointment” with Olivia Hussey. Great recommendation! Henry Silva, SO EVIL!

[@terrytalksmovies]

Wow. The appointment scene is very confronting from a modern viewpoint.

[@benjaminfranzuela5847]

I had a chance to watch “Virus” on tv and KZbin. The “complete” version which included scenes after the nuclear explosion. Great movie depicting the horrors of man and its consequences. A must watch film I should say.

[@terrytalksmovies]

I agree, Benjamin.

[@markstramtrainbuscapades1729]

Saw "Evolution" when it first came out and felt that it had a "Ghostbusters" vibe, but, yeah, David Duchovny isn't Bill Murray! I read an interview with Duchovany at the time, and he said he had a desire to work with the Director, and was trying to distance himself from "The X Files", which he'd just left.....and hadn't realised it was a sci fi movie!

[@terrytalksmovies]

He wasn't a good fit for the role.

[@kjamison5951]

I’m putting Virus on my ‘to watch’ list. Thanks, Terry!

[@terrytalksmovies]

Go for it. Totally worth a viewing.

[@TimStCroix]

I've read somewhere that the minimum population for viability makes some unnecessary assumptions and that if we adjust the parameters it's possible with only 16 people, 8 of each biological gender, and luck. First, every member is carefully chosen for both genetic diversity AND healthy genes with no hidden land mines present. They must also all be at the prime age, 16-17 years old. Second, a draconian breeding program is instituted that, of necessity, prohibits monogamy. Every child born of each of the starting population's women must have different fathers, preferably one from each of the men. From there the program is carefully managed with assigned pregnancies. No one, man or woman, will have a choice of who their genetic partners will be. Even with that some measure of inbreeding will be inevitable but with care it can be minimized to a point that the population remains viable. As far as luck goes, if not enough of one gender are born in the first generation for each starting parent (best would be exactly 50-50) it's bye bye humanity. Likewise if Darwin rears his ugly head and too many die before they can pass on their genes to enough members of the next generation, and any number of other unforeseeable issues that can arise. Time and the passing of generations will see natural mutations increase diversity. After the population grows to a few hundred (or thousand?) they can return to the almost laissez-faire system we have today.

[@terrytalksmovies]

People are really focusing in on that part of the movie... and it's the most uncomfortable bit.

[@MarcMcKenzie-qb6or]

Thanks for giving VIRUS the spotlight. The original novel by Komatsu--first published in 1964, believe it or not!--was translated into English in 2012. It is very good, and the film is quite faithful to it, although the ending is slightly different.

[@terrytalksmovies]

You can send the link to [e-mail] if you like. Thanks!

[@Laceykat66]

I like Evolution but I have to agree with you on its weaknesses. It is a fun film that does not take itself seriously and that overcomes various weaknesses. Most sci-fi today is done by producers who don't really know science they just have a flag to burn. That is what made this film so fun. It harkens back to movies like Gassss (1970) and Death Race 2000 (1975).

[@terrytalksmovies]

Both good films, though I haven't watched Gasss in a while.

[@Lord_Funk]

I still have my old VHS rental release of Virus from the 80's which I bought from a rental video store as they were clearing out old stock back then, to make shelf space for newer releases. I can't remember which ending it has, since I haven't watched it in a few decades. It was a rental store in Europe, so it could either be the US release ending, or maybe a different one? Is there any blu-ray version available where one can chose which ending one wants to watch? I have always liked post-apocalyptic movies, ever since I saw the old 70's series from British Broadcasting Corp called just "Survivors" about a virus spreading from China as a Chinese scientist travels the globe by airplane. The old intro really popped into my mind during 2020 for obvious reasons. There was a new remake of it made in the early 2000's. It was ok'ish. Not as good as the old series though and it was never completed. It just left on a cliff hanger and was cancelled.

[@terrytalksmovies]

I watched Soderbergh's Contagion during lockdowns. Might've been a tactical error.

[@Lord_Funk]

@@terrytalksmovies Eheh! Yeah, I bet that didn't cheer you up at the time. 😜

[@DansTravels5823]

Evolution is enjoyable though I haven't seen it in ages. Not familiar with Virus but will definitely check it out.

[@terrytalksmovies]

I hope you can find Virus. Look for the 2 hr 36 min version.

[@uroborous01]

Dammit! I wish you had detailed the full end. I’m probably never going to be able to dig this thing up from the aether so as to see the full version.

[@terrytalksmovies]

It's on YT so you can find it. Make sure you watch the 2 hr 36 minute version.

[@KelebrimbearX]

There are 5 Toho sci-fi/horror movies from 1954 to 1960 which I recommend. Four film makers, Tomoyuki Tanaka (producer), Ishiro Honda (director), Eiji Tsuburaya, (special effects), and Akira Ifukube (music) are involved in these films in various combinations. I think of these 4 film makers as the ‘Big 4’ in Japanese tokusatsu film making and all 4 have worked together many times, most notably on 1954’s Gojira. The movies are: 1955 Tomei Ningen (The Invisible Avenger); 1956 Jujin Yuki Otoko (Half Human); 1958 Bijo To Ekatai-Ningen (The H-Man); 1960 Densō Ningen (The Secret of the Telegian); and 1960 Gasu ningen dai 1 gō (The Human Vapor). Jujin Yuki Otoko (Half Human) is interesting because there is debate about whether it was ever released in theaters, but the movie has definitely been banned ever since due to it’s negative depiction of the Ainu. The film was released in the US though with a bunch of American actors added. I have a fairly high quality bootleg of the original Japanese version. Its origin is a mystery. My best guess is that when the movie was screened at a film retrospective in 2001, someone made a copy of the print, subtitled it, and sent it out into the world of bootleg media. It was very cool watching it knowing I was seeing something that very few others have seen.

[@terrytalksmovies]

They're all great films. That's why I did the pilgrimmage to Toho Studios in 2019. There's no tour there but it's an iconic place in cinema history.

[@KelebrimbearX]

@@terrytalksmovies I'd always been a huge fan of Dai Kaiju movies. A few years ago I read a biography of Ishiro Honda which led me to all the other sci-fi/horror films that Toho produced that didn't involve giant monsters. Matango is another. I'm also a avid collector of the music of Akira Ifukube.

[@blatherskite3009]

It's the only apocalyptic film I'm aware of where the world gets obliterated _twice_ - and by different means. Discovered the film years ago - as "Virus" - in one of those cheap DVD box-sets, and it stood out as something special despite being a shoddy pan & scan print, and the short version. Made it my business to seek out a nice cinemascope print of the long version. Well worth it. Also still waiting on a Blu-ray. The DVD version that I got was in some 3-film "Sonny Chiba" collection, alongside Bullet Train and Golgo 13, so the other films were pretty good too. Had to import it from the US of A, so it's probably region-locked. It's a very nice print of the full-length version, with English subtitles for the Japanese dialog. iirc, the full-length Japanese version of the film is considerably longer than the US version - not just an extended ending, but many scenes within the film which concern Japanese characters and have Japanese dialog. The American edit of the film ditched most of that, only retaining some of the dialog-free imagery. The Japanese version is called "Fukkatsu no hi" - literally "Cost of Resurrection" The US version is about 1h40-something long, while the Japanese version is 2h35m. So nearly an hour longer, and it's a very different experience. Much more elegiac, and all the better for it. I mean, who wants their post-apocalypse to be "light"? You're supposed to dwell on that stuff and feel it :)

[@terrytalksmovies]

It's definitely something special and not spoken about much.

[@creech54]

Watched "Virus" today (the long version), on Tubi. Thanks for the recommend! A really good movie! A little long, but I enjoyed it all the same. Could have used some English subtitles in some scenes, but I don't think I missed anything all that important.

[@terrytalksmovies]

That's a good summary of it.

[@adambenton9673]

I've only ever been able to read about Virus. I haven't even had the privilege of seeing the neutered US version, hopefully the real thing is available here in the States. I'll keep my eyes open. I'm a huge fan of Battle Royale.

[@terrytalksmovies]

I suggested on Twitter that Umbrella or Imprint put it out on blu-ray.

[@adambenton9673]

@@terrytalksmovies Let me know if they do, I'll snatch up a copy

[@toddboughn5168]

There's an epidemic movie I saw on TV when I was a kid (late 70s/early 80s) that scared the hell out of me. Don't remember much about it, but one scene stuck out. One of the characters handled something that was infected (a bird if I remember correctly) and stuck his hands in a fire. Sound familiar to anyone?

[@terrytalksmovies]

Not sure. Anyone?

[@Tekwyzard]

@@terrytalksmovies The Stand?? A film/mini series of a Steven King book. The scene described by the OP rings a bell from that.

[@terrytalksmovies]

@@Tekwyzard thanks, that could be it. @toddboughn5168 does this sound right?

[@martinmowbray4304]

I saw virus on u tube a few weeks ago. Never saw or heard of it before. It was pretty good.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Better than many other movies from 1980.

[@johncipolletti5611]

I love the movie Evolution. The action and scenes are great. The theme is so real. A catastrophic happening is misread by the government. Science finally saves our butt! Can you say Covid?

[@terrytalksmovies]

Yep, I know what you mean. Too many governments ignoring the science on a large number of issues.

[@bethd1480]

I vaguely remember Evolution, just the trailer I think, I know I didn't actually see that movie. Never heard of Virus, but it is on KZbin, at least if I found the right one - it's about 2 1/2 hours long, and have it in my too watch list, glad you don't spoil endings, even on these old movies and a lot of people haven't heard of them. George Kennedy is one of the great character actors who could also be a lead. For your"Z" episode, he was in a movie from 1970 called Zig Zag, which I really like, it's a thriller movie.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Zig Zag is a solid movie. If you have the 2.5 hour version of Virus it's the full version.

[@miguelgonzalez6213]

Wow. Your summation of what works and what didn't work in "Evolution" perfectly encapsulates how I felt about it. Saw it on DVD, back in the early days of Netflix, then again a few times streaming. Has a few LOL moments, but not consistent enough. Biggest drag, as you mentioned, was Duchovny's energy not matching anyone else. Even Julianne Moore has way better comedic timing than Duchovny. A better choice might have been Colin Ferrell, who we now know has an incredible ability to morph into comedic, sad, or even costumed and scary characters. He may go down as the Lon Chaney of our time.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Colin Farrell wasn't a star when Evolution came out. Now, I agree with you.

[@Bent-Ed]

I must be the only person on earth that never got the "magic" of Ghostbusters. Virus is terrific though

[@terrytalksmovies]

I thought it was okay but I've never been a stan for it.

[@alejbr4]

this movie is on tubi and ive been thinking about watching it, then i forgot....im glad your vid popped up in my suggestions!

[@terrytalksmovies]

Cool. Just make sure it's the 2 hr 36 minute version, otherwise there's a version on KZbin that's the full deal.

[@TheRealNormanBates]

How do you feel about Soderberg’s *Contagion?* In regards to *Virus (1981),* I would also recommend *Catastrophe 1999 (1974),* also known as *The Last Days of Planet Earth.* It has a wonderful score composed by Isao Tomita. I would also recommend *No Blade of Grass.*

[@terrytalksmovies]

I've already covered No Blade Of Grass on the channel. Contagion is a solid piece of speculative cinema. It didn't get all the details right for the IRL pandemic but it was an honest attempt.

[@rodmandealerman3297]

13:29 Is that Cindy Williams? It sure looks like her. IMDb credits don't list her though.

[@terrytalksmovies]

She might've been an extra.

[@ScottForrest420]

I loved this movie. I kind of liked Duchovny's dry humor.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Fair enough. 😀

[@rogervandusen8361]

Leave it to Japan to provide a grim vision of the future. Their own near apocalypse back in 1945 left a deep impression.

[@terrytalksmovies]

It left a deep impression on me, too when I stood at ground zero in Hiroshima in 2019. Hiroshima is now one of the most graceful, beautiful cities in Japan.

[@leebronock887]

The population dynamics of "Virus" sound similar to the similar problems posited in Frank Herbert's book "The White Plague," from 1982. Did Herbert see "Virus" first, or is this a case of parrallel evolution? Stay safe.

[@terrytalksmovies]

You too, Lee. The population issue is an interesting one.

[@dogzdad123]

Terry: Evolution is a movie, that left no lasting memories except for Phil Tibbett’s work (when budget is decent…ala Starship Troopers) and product placement for a dandruff shampoo when viewed on video. “Virus” on the other hand is very disturbing movie… populated with reliable B actors in supporting roles. Glenn Ford as the stalwart POTUS and Henry Silva chewing up the scenes at his usual nastiness. The Japanese versions are on KZbin and Tubi in widescreen decent resolution. But this movie failed due to its “buzz-kill” ending…like most TOHO apocalyptic fare. (To be fair, if its a kid friendly themed Godzilla film…it always ends with happy children among the ruins of Tokyo watching their kaiju swim off into the sunset) Great Review!

[@terrytalksmovies]

Also, I think the US summer market in 1980 was into fluffier fare than a grim, grounded movie like Virus.

[@dogzdad123]

@@terrytalksmovies Terry: I think that disaster movies were pretty much killed off by then (Airport 1979). And the public was ready for something new. A year later we were introduced to Indiana Jones.

[@emitindustries8304]

I've seen "Virus", and it is good, and tough. The only part of the movie that I thought was not realistic was one of the survivors walking from Washington DC to the tip of Argentina, in a month or so.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Based on what I saw, it took him six years.

[@kimrice394]

Yes totally underrated movie!

[@terrytalksmovies]

I agree

[@cornjobb]

i like this movie, always have. it's one of those films that you know got fiddled with and edited multiple times, maybe even a bunch of reshoots to make it work. what's on screen, however, is, not really funny, but very likeable and charming. the creature work is outstanding, i love the part near the end where they realize they need selenium to kill the creatures and end up scouring the town for selsun blue dandruff shampoo.

[@terrytalksmovies]

It's Head and Shoulders but it works.

[@tobyhines7587]

Terry great SiFi Friday! I stopped Video and watched 1st movie on tubi, then came back and watched video. Stopped again and watched Virus on Freevue restored version I hoped it was complete, But was still just US version. But awesome movie a lot of great OG stars. Thanks for posting. Also loving the hidden gems series.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Thanks Toby, me, too.

[@lurkerrekrul]

A few times in the past, I've seen a US, or maybe Canadian pandemic movie made in the 70s or early 80s, but I can't remember what it was called. It was well made, but very low budget. As I recall, there were no big action scenes, just scientists trying to figure out a cure and people dying from the disease. One scene that I recall is that one person was trying to call a lab to give them important information, but when the scene switches, it showed that everyone at the lab was dead. Also, maybe a view out a window of a lab in a remote area with people, or maybe animals outside all dead. Does anyone recognize this description?

[@terrytalksmovies]

Anyone got any idea?

[@lurkerrekrul]

@@terrytalksmovies After some Googling, I'm pretty sure the movie I'm thinking of is Plague (1979). And I was right, it's a Canadian movie. There's a copy here on KZbin and I just skimmed it, but didn't see the phone call scene. Then again, I was just looking at the little thumbnails that pop up when you move the mouse along the seek bar, so I could have missed it. I'm reasonably sure that's the movie I remembered though.

[@calebarmahk6984]

Virus is available on 4K disc. A Japanese edition, full and uncut. I'm sorry I can't help you find it - but I've posted two previous comments that got autodeleted for describing where to go and which keywords to search under if you want THIS Virus on the short list of results. I remember when you could include links in comments. Alas ...

[@rstainforth]

Aww I have a real soft spot for Evolution

[@terrytalksmovies]

Don't let me yuck your yum. Enjoy what you enjoy. 😀

[@andreaslermen2008]

I watched both. Evolution is a nice little movies to have a fun time with. Guess someone forgot to tell Duchovny that this isn't a X-Files Episode. Virus has, in my opinion, a bit of weak start. The typical Cold War story, were everyone who knows about the GDR would say: this will never happen. After that, the movie takes a deep dive into the darkness. Not a easy watch, but good.

[@terrytalksmovies]

I agree, Andreas. It's honest and tough and uncompromising.

[@fuzzballxp]

I love offbeat, not very popular movies (Howard the Duck for example.) I loved Evolution. No, it's not the greatest, but it's just weird enough for me. Virus is also an amazing movie, imo. Not weird, not offbeat, just flat out thrilling.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Howard The Duck is fun, except for Jeffrey Jones, of course.

[@damrat]

Terry comes very close to hitting the nail on the head of why Evolution didn’t work 100% for me. Like Terry, I really liked the movie, but what kept pulling me out of loving it territory was the fact that Evolution is really a beat for beat remake of Ghostbusters. Peel out ghosts and patch in "alien" beasts. The comedy beats are the same. The music beats are the same. The plot moves forward in exactly the same cadence. It’s almost like Reitman took every scene in Ghostbusters and rewrote it for Evolution, and you can’t help but feel it, even if you don’t explicitly realize it. It’s an uncanny valley feeling that you can’t shake free of.

[@terrytalksmovies]

The movie had such potential, but it wasted it.

[@MegalonJonesSlattery]

'Virus' is sooooo good. Obviously, you've got to track down the Japanese version with subtitles.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Definitely on my wishlist.

[@Badger_Scott]

I live in the US. I’m unable to find Virus with the added scenes and included extended ending. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[@terrytalksmovies]

KZbin. 😀

[@johnmanale3105]

Just added to my watchlist.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Cool!

[@johnmanale3105]

Just realized I had already seen Virus on tv or cable years ago.

[@taker68]

Duchovny might be similar to Shatner, a limited actor who was near perfect for one role. I'm a big X-Files fan but can't say I ever saw DD in anything else that he shined in. I saw Virus as part of a Sonny Chiba set (I think he's briefly in the film) with that extra ending you mentioned. I thought at the time that no way can 8 women re-populate the Earth. They would need to get pregnant again as soon as they give birth. And one assumes the arrangement they make is to keep the men's spirits up.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Yep, it's the weakness in that part of the movie. The inbreeding would be monstrous a few generations in.

[@PeterNebelung]

@@terrytalksmovies Not to mention that very shortly they'd be back in the middle ages as far as birthing goes. All the drugs would be gone, no antibiotics, no bandages etc. And who would replace the doctor? The doctor was already middle aged, so the kids would have to grow up fast and be trained fast. Where the ship was going to land was way out in the boonies, so what infrastructure would they have?

[@terrytalksmovies]

@@PeterNebelung not insurmountable problems. Training the experts of the next generations would be a high priority and simple antibiotics are not difficult to produce. Retaining knowledge would be important.

[@PeterNebelung]

@@terrytalksmovies 8 Women and a couple dozen men will create a tribe of drooling idiots in a few generations. There is not enough genetic diversity to prevent it. Not to mention that they couldn't enter any settlement without risking picking up the virus. Given the climate of Tierra del Fuego, food would be hard to grow as the temperature is less than 20C at the hottest part of the year, and only for part of December and early January.

[@paulwhiston1836]

The dvd of virus I have is very murky and dark and rough picture quality and it makes it harder to watch and enjoy. Think it's the longer version at least

[@terrytalksmovies]

I'm told the full version is also on KZbin somewhere.

[@rsacchi100]

Attempts to get around the 49-49 theory with an 855-8 reality would seem to get a good basis for a science fiction movie. One method could be using time to advantage; one child per man with men chosen with preference to the oldest. The numbers get interesting as would how such a society might evolve.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Inbreeding would kill the human race anyway. The final couple of generations would die out very quickly.

[@rsacchi100]

@@terrytalksmovies 49 x 49 = 2,401. 855 x 8 = 6,840. More complicated than that of course. As with any theoretical calculation like this, there is the X-factor. With a small number of humans in a relatively small area, there are a lot of other things that could wipe out the race much quicker than a couple of centuries.

[@terrytalksmovies]

@@rsacchi100 the numbers Frederic Marin came up with a couple of years ago are fairly solid. They've been peer reviewed.

[@rsacchi100]

@@terrytalksmoviesFrederic Marin works on the principal of a replacement population, one for one. Practical for the closed biosphere of a space ship. To sustain a species on a planet, the replacement scenario is delaying the inevitable. Frederic Marin doesn't take into account in vitro fertilization. The first successful in vitro fertilization took place in 1978. That makes it possible in "Virus: The End" (1980), certainly possible in any intergenerational space mission. It seems a credible option in a present day science fiction story.

[@palmercolson7037]

I saw Evolution when it first came out and liked it. Orlando Jones as the other professor and Sean W Scott and most of the other cast were good in roles and the roles were well written. Julianne Moore didn't seem to have a good character to play: a serious person who was clumsy and not much else. She tried though. You're right about Duchovny. The plot and the special effects were good. They kept the creatures as being dangerous which helped keep the movie exciting. A good summer movie.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Yes but I still maintain that Duchovny drags it down.

[@mutantfmj]

saw Evolution it was good for times, But Ghost Busters was great because Aykroyd, Ramis and Murray all of which had been doing and writing comedy before SNL formed. Saw Virus while I was stationed in Okinawa Japan 1986-1993.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Okinawa looks beautiful. You're right about Aykroyd, Ramis and Murray. The skills were honed for a long time.

[@alexstrang9823]

Ive been meaning to watch Virus for years (will do)....how does it compare (in your opinion) to Prophecies of Nostradamus?

[@terrytalksmovies]

Nostradamus is manure. Virus is something special.

[@sueneilson896]

Just watched virus on KZbin. Pretty impressive movie.

[@terrytalksmovies]

I agree. 😀

[@sueneilson896]

@@terrytalksmovies …except the phone call to the child sequence. The adult reaction was so anime like that it was comical. Might have been ok in Japan… but had to laugh.

[@terrytalksmovies]

@@sueneilson896 it was over the top but the concept of that scene is really good and hard core.

[@sueneilson896]

@@terrytalksmovies ..Agree, difficult concepts embraced with gusto in Virus.

[@kjmiller1959]

VIRUS sounds amazing!

[@terrytalksmovies]

It's something very, very different.

[@tvmasterc]

I love Evolution!

[@terrytalksmovies]

I love it. My whole ancestry did it consistently for half a billion years. 😀😉

[@cloneofclark4374]

I saw Evolution in the theater. I wanted to demand my money back. Only movie to have that effect on me. So bad.

[@terrytalksmovies]

I blame Duchovny.

[@roseblite6449]

My dad and I both enjoyed 'Evolution', but yeah it could have been better with someone besides Duchovny. He didn't have good comedic timing in the movie. I'll have to check out 'Virus' directed by Haruki Kadokawa, it's been a while but I think I saw it back in the day. If it's the one you are talking about that I saw, I'll have to see if I can find the one with the extra 15 minutes. I always enjoy extra content for movies.

[@terrytalksmovies]

I hope you enjoy Virus. It surprised me.

[@flyingsodwai1382]

I saw Evolution when it was new. I forgot about it till you started talking about it. I'ts utterly forgettable.

[@terrytalksmovies]

I respect that viewpoint. It was ephemeral AF.

[@vsgfilmgroup]

That was their first mistake. Should have marketed Virus as Japanese horror, not sci-fi. Could have been The Ring almost 20 years ahead of schedule.

[@terrytalksmovies]

No, the audience was geared to the big summer blockbusters at that stage and so the suits in Hollywood were riding that wave of spectacular mediocrity.

[@dantillson8702]

I love Evolution as it is, but learning that it was originally intended as a dark no-humor-intended sci-fi, I think it would have been better, were it done right.

[@terrytalksmovies]

100% It was a missed possibility.

[@RaymondErdey]

I watched Evolution.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Fair enough.

[@colinwatt9387]

I've seen Virus but it was so long ago the only thing I remember is that it was bleak. Time for a rewatch.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Definitely, Colin.

[@jerryjohnson6810]

i loved it myself.

[@terrytalksmovies]

I agree.

[@kimberlyborowiak9779]

Virus sounds good. I have s oft spot for J-Horror/Sci Fi as it is interesting seeing things from a different point of view

[@terrytalksmovies]

Definitely. Other cultural viewpoints freshen up any science fiction narratives.

[@paulboger7377]

Evolution is an enjoyable leave your brain at home, movie!!

[@terrytalksmovies]

But it's not difficult to see how it could even be better.

[@paulboger7377]

@@terrytalksmovies David Duchovny was a bit wooden in the film.

[@inanimatecarbongod]

I've only ever read fairly bad notices for Virus, but they seem to have been mainly of the American version... if Wiki is right, the entire 156-minute film was dubbed to English for a showing at Cannes before getting about three quarters of an hour hacked off and going straight to video in the US (and the TV version apparently lost another 15 minutes on top of that). Never seen the film but do have the novel, which I should read at some point...

[@terrytalksmovies]

The full movie should be checked out.

[@robbybee70]

David D. is deadpan style

[@terrytalksmovies]

Yep, a tightly wound character.

[@Azphreal]

You should do a thing om the UK show threads.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Threads is a shocker. I'd have to be in the right mood for that one.

[@thrashpondopons8348]

Thanks for cluing me in on the MRN (Minimum Repopulation Number) for the Human Race! Always wondered about that! Never realized you needed equal numbers Male & Female... Guessing so as to avoid (for want of a better word) inbreeding!

[@terrytalksmovies]

Yep you need the genetic diversity and each first generation woman would need to have children with different men.

[@williamthompson286]

A problem I've always had with the original Ghost Busters is the complete disregard for public safety the team has when operating their clearly dangerous "technology". A lot of the laughs in the movie are generated by this.The one person alarmed by their callous behaviour is the film's villain an E P A agent. The near apocalypse at the end is mostly caused by the Ghost Busters.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Yep, but they eventually fix their own stuff-up. 😀

[@calebarmahk6984]

How about the warp drives on Star Trek? If something goes wrong the ship's engine explodes like a nuclear bomb. Really dangerous technology that would never get approved in a million years is a staple of science fiction. Hey, at least with Ghostbusters you could argue that, since the release of the imprisoned ghosts was part of a prophecy, it would've happened no matter what anyone did.

[@simonm7133]

I remember being in France and seeing a trailer for this movie in 1980. I have seen both the original version and the edited one and the edited version is a mess. The original is a grossly underrated film which is deeply disturbing. On the negative side the script was obviously translated from Japanese into English and could have done with some 'colloquial' help as some of it is stilted and clunky. Also, a couple of the castings were a little bit off. Henry Silva I felt was not a good choice as the mad colonel although I think his script let him down (see earlier comment) and Chuck Connors was hopelessly miscast as a British submarine commander. But that aside, the movie was a courageous and serious effort to present a frightening scenario that is not beyond the realms of possibility as we have witnessed in recent years.

[@terrytalksmovies]

It's a gutsy movie alright but the casting director made a number of poor choices.

[@rsacchi100]

SciFi comedy seems especially difficult.

[@terrytalksmovies]

A science fiction comedy that's both good comedy and good science fiction is a balancing act.

[@rsacchi100]

@@terrytalksmovies have you, or are you considering a science fiction comedy list.

[@AdrianSimmons-ol5rc]

Oh man, I saw "Virus" on T.V. in the late 80s-- it must have been the Japanese version, because it had the extra bits at the end. Jeez... so bleak. I watched it again with my college friends four, maybe five years later, and it was as good as I remembered it. That said, like "Leaving Las Vegas", it is a good movie but I don't know if I got it in me to watch it again.

[@terrytalksmovies]

There are a number of movies like that. Martyrs is a good movie but I don't need to watch it again.

[@captainlengthwidth6692]

I really like Virus, it is, as you said, it's a hard watch in places. The ONE thing I really did have trouble with was Chuck Conners as a British Naval Officer. That. Was.Just Wrong. Made the film harder to watch but for all the wrong reasons. Not the best bit of casting ever but for the most part the cast's recognisable jobbing actors turn in some really interesting non-formulaic performances.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Even Chuck Connors performs well. You can hand-wave the casting by saying the character was Canadian.

[@stevenvenn]

Most definitely not a Canadian (as a Canadian I can say we don’t really sound that British).

[@dennisforbes2532]

I thought Evolution was a really fun movie. I loved it. Virus was OK, but so many other movies did it better. P.S. I saw "Battle Royale" and loved it.

[@terrytalksmovies]

For me, Virus is brutally honest.

[@zorglubmagnus455]

Hi @Terrytalksmovies, thanks for all the videos. I recommend checking out French author René Barjavel who wrote several really amazing science fiction novels. I'm really surprised that they didn't form the basis for many movies at least in their direct forms. They might have inspired some. Maybe that would be an interesting video. The one most related to your presentation of "Virus" is Le Grand Secret (1973) and Ravage (1943).

[@terrytalksmovies]

Thanks for the tips! 😀

[@zorglubmagnus455]

btw the english title of "Le grand secret" is terrible - totally the kind of thing you'd pick up on. I let you guess why. @@terrytalksmovies

[@zorglubmagnus455]

the books sort of traumatized me growing up. the problematics and treatments are really striking.@@terrytalksmovies

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

Watching "VIRUS: DAY OF RESURRECTION" on KZbin right now -- looks like the Japanese version (dialog in English) -- 2:35 long.... Pretty decent so far....

[@terrytalksmovies]

It is. For 1980 it's particularly good.

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

@@terrytalksmovies-- I saw it a few years ago online/streaming, but I think that that was the US version -- this version so far seems to be unedited, shows as 1080p and looks very good. The embedded subtitles are Japanese and there are English subtitles added. The scenes in Japan and in the Japanese antarctic station feel very 'Japanese' in the acting and directing -- where the US scenes (Whitehouse) don't quite have that feel. But very sober and gripping....

[@WarDog793]

I loved _Evolution_! Didn't mind that it was obviously too much like _Ghostbusters_. Too bad Reitman or the producers put most of the really funny cuts in the freaking preview! A friend of mine and I were laughing our asses during the climax. Duchovny really could have put more into it, but that's his style.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Duchovny's style didn't suit the role. He's okay in other flix but not this one.

[@WarDog793]

@@terrytalksmovies Agreed. I liked him in _The X-Files_ and some other things, but he didn't seem suited for comedy. Or maybe it was what was written for his character. Sometimes the comedy was forced or just lame. Like I said, a lot of the really funny bits showed up only in the preview. I *loved* Orlando Jones, however. He was hilarious.