Countdown (1967): Cast & Plot
Countdown is a 1967 sci-fi thriller directed by Robert Altman, starring James Caan as Lee Stegler, Robert Duvall and Michael Murphy. It runs 1 hour 41 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 41m (101 min)
- Director
- Robert Altman
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Warner Bros.-Seven Arts
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Countdown About?
The premise of Countdown without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
The film follows a solitary astronaut as he journeys toward the moon, tracking every tense moment of his historic mission. In a frantic race to beat the Soviet Union, NASA hurriedly trains a would‑be spaceman for a year‑long stay in a lunar shelter, leaving him isolated on the lunar surface.
Countdown Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- space sci fi
- psychotronic film
- husband wife relationship
- u.s. air force
- texas
- florida
- ford fairlane
- convertible
- ford mustang convertible
- flight commander
- sci fi thriller
- political thriller
+38 more Show fewer
- historical fiction
- space opera sci fi
- earth's moon
- science fiction adventure
- mission to the moon
- space mission
- national aeronautics and space administration 'nasa'
- airplane flight
- jealousy
- space adventure
- soviet union
- flight simulator
- space flight
- american astronaut
- pilgrim
- finding out secret plan
- survival thriller
- russians
- american flag
- project gemini
- homing beacon
- pressurized suit
- first man on the moon
- landing on the moon
- nasa control room
- physician
- soviet flag
- disabled radio
- cape kennedy florida
- liftoff
- toy mouse
- geologist
- fatal crash
- deception
- one way mission
- ending changed from source material
- power drain
- the white house washington d.c.
Countdown Cast & Characters
James Caan leads the cast as Lee Stegler, with Robert Duvall as Chiz and Michael Murphy as Rick. Directed by Robert Altman; 42 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Robert Altman
-
James Caan as Lee Stegler -
Robert Duvall as Chiz -
Michael Murphy as Rick - Mike Lally as Technician (uncredited)
Also Starring in Countdown
· 38 more- William Conrad TV Newscaster (voice) (uncredited)
- David Greene Technician (uncredited)
- Benjie Bancroft Technician (uncredited)
- Mike Farrell Houston Engineer (uncredited)
- Joanna Moore Mickey Stegler
- Charles Aidman Gus
- Robert Ridgely Little Bob (uncredited)
- Ivan Bonar Nogrady (uncredited)
- Stacy Harris Technician (uncredited)
- Ted Knight Walter Larson
- Christopher Riordan Employee (uncredited)
- George Blagoi Reporter (uncredited)
- Steve Ihnat Ross Duellan
- Ray Ballard Manager (uncredited)
- Jerry Rush Cameraman (uncredited)
- Barbara Baxley Jean
Show all 42 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Harry Ellerbe Croyden (uncredited)
- Robert Buckingham Party Guest (uncredited)
- Stephen Coit Ehrman
- Clete Roberts Announcer (uncredited)
- Bob Peoples Reporter (uncredited)
- James Johnson Technician (uncredited)
- Ray Pourchot Reporter (uncredited)
- Bobby Riha Stevie Stegler
- Charles Irving Seidel
- John Rayner Dunc
- Ron Stokes Technician (uncredited)
- Robert Cunningham Technician (uncredited)
- Arthur Bernard Coopersmith (uncredited)
- Ron Doyle Reporter (uncredited)
- Betty Bresler Ross's Secretary (uncredited)
- Frank Mathias Technician (uncredited)
- Jana Pearce Girl (uncredited)
- Garrison True Engineer (uncredited)
- Stewart Rose Reporter (uncredited)
- Sharron Frye Marion (uncredited)
- Vincent Howard Facility Director (uncredited)
- Don Rizzan Technician (uncredited)
More from Robert Altman
More films directed by Robert Altman, best-rated first: Nashville, The Player, McCabe & Mrs. Miller and The Long Goodbye.
Countdown Plot Summary
What happens in Countdown from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the late 1960s, after NASA learns that the Russians intend to launch a Moon mission in just four weeks, the agency activates the secret Pilgrim Project—a bold plan to send one astronaut on a one‑way trip to the Moon in a specially modified Gemini craft, with a shelter pod already launched and waiting to be retrieved later by another crew. Lee, James Caan, is tapped to be the first man to attempt this dangerous mission, a choice that stirs tension and pride among the team. The mission commander, Chiz, Robert Duvall, pushes Lee through a grueling training regime in the final days, partly to prepare him and partly to test whether he will quit in the face of the daunting odds.
Full summary
The whole story of Countdown, scene by scene
Countdown Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer Countdown 1967 trailer
How Well Do You Know Countdown?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays the astronaut Lee?
Cars in Countdown
9 cars on screen, including the 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 and the 1967 Ford Mustang.
-
1966 Ford Fairlane 500 Important role -
1967 Ford Mustang Important role -
1966 Ford Fairlane 500 Minor role -
1965 International Harvester Metro Van Minor role
Countdown Also Known As
10 alternative titles, including “Countdown - Start zum Mond” and “Objectif lune”.
- Also known as
-
- Countdown - Start zum Mond
- Objectif lune
- Conto alla rovescia
- Cuenta atrás
- Visszaszámlálás
- No Assombroso Mundo da Lua
- 카운트다운
- Odbrojavanje
- Compte enrere
- 太空登月记
Seen Countdown?
Movies Like Countdown
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Countdown: The Sky’s on Fire, Countdown and Countdown: Armageddon.
Countdown FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Countdown, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Countdown?
Countdown runs 1 hour 41 minutes (101 minutes).
When was Countdown released?
Countdown was released on August 20, 1967.
Who directed Countdown?
Countdown was directed by Robert Altman.
More films by Robert Altman Who is in the cast of Countdown?
Countdown stars James Caan as Lee Stegler, Robert Duvall as Chiz and Michael Murphy as Rick, among 42 credited actors.
Does Countdown have a post-credit scene?
No. Countdown has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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