Good movie. There is a Star Trek (the original series) episode that reminds me a lot of this movie - Balance of Terror.
Two ship commanders, each playing a cat & mouse game, one trying to get back home, the other determined to see that they don't. Commanders very much alike in tactics, demeanor, etc. In the end they connect and recognize humanity (can you use that term with Romulans?) in each other beyond their politics.
Icarus flew too close to the sun, but at least he flew.
Posts: 6790 | Location: North Carolina | Registered: April 30, 2003
Originally posted by mojojojo: Good movie. There is a Star Trek (the original series) episode that reminds me a lot of this movie - Balance of Terror.
Two ship commanders, each playing a cat & mouse game, one trying to get back home, the other determined to see that they don't. Commanders very much alike in tactics, demeanor, etc. In the end they connect and recognize humanity (can you use that term with Romulans?) in each other beyond their politics.
Balance of Terror is one of the half-dozen or so best TOS episodes. Hell, it's one of the best half-dozen or so episodes of all ST series'.
Posts: 7510 | Location: Idaho | Registered: February 12, 2007
Originally posted by mojojojo: Good movie. There is a Star Trek (the original series) episode that reminds me a lot of this movie - Balance of Terror.
Two ship commanders, each playing a cat & mouse game, one trying to get back home, the other determined to see that they don't. Commanders very much alike in tactics, demeanor, etc. In the end they connect and recognize humanity (can you use that term with Romulans?) in each other beyond their politics.
I actually ran across a video on YouTube today that talked about the tactics used in that Star Trek episode. Before he started, though, he said that you should watch "The Enemy Below" as they used similar tactics in the movie. He felt that the ST episode drew heavily from the movie in all aspects. Now I need to see watch this movie.
I always thought the best homage in Balance of Terror to The Enemy Below was when the two ships were floating motionless in space. Everyone on the Enterprise is tiptoing around as though sound could jump the distance to the Romulan ship. (However, what broke the stalemate is when Spock accidentally pushes a button, causing an electronic signal to reveal their position.)
I read that Balance of Terror was an intentional homage to Enemy Below. In Space!
That episode is in my top 10 favorite Trek episodes. Mark Leonard played the Romulan commander, and his acting was superb. He went on to play Sarek (Spock's father). He also played the Klingon commander in ST: The Motion Picture. I think he is the only actor to play a Romulan, a Vulcan, and a Klingon.
Fear God and Dread Nought Admiral of the Fleet Sir Jacky Fisher
Posts: 21968 | Location: Hobbiton, The Shire, Middle Earth | Registered: September 27, 2004