Battle Beyond the Stars (1980)

Director:

Jimmy T. Murakami
(more)

Writers:

John Sayles (story) &
Anne Dyer (story) ...
(more)

Release Date:

13 November 1980 (West Germany)

Genre:

Sci-Fi

Tagline:

A battle beyond time, beyond space.

Plot:

Seven futuristic mercenaries are assembled to defend a helpless farm colony from an evil overlord.

Plot Keywords:

Outer Space | Mercenary | Mad Scientist | Spacecraft | Psychotronic

Awards:

4 nominations

Cast

Richard Thomas	...	Shad
Robert Vaughn	...	Gelt
John Saxon	...	Sador
George Peppard	...	Cowboy
Darlanne Fluegel	...	Nanelia
Sybil Danning	...	Saint-Exmin
Sam Jaffe	...	Dr. Hephaestus
Jeff Corey	...	Zed
Morgan Woodward	...	Cayman
Marta Kristen	...	Lux
Earl Boen	...	Nestor 1
John D. Gowans	...	Nestor 2 (as John Gowens)
Steve Davis	...	Quopeg
Lawrence Steven Meyers	...	Kelvin 1 (as Larry Meyers)
Lara Cody	...	Kelvin 2
Lynn Carlin	...	Nell (voice)
Julia Duffy	...	Mol
Eric Morris	...	Fen
Doug Carleson	...	Pok
Ron Ross	...	Dab
Terrence E. McNally	...	Gar (as Terrence McNally)
Galen Thompson	...	Min
Whitney Rydbeck	...	Saunders
Tom Henschel	...	Talking Android
Richard Davalos	...	Yago (as Dick Davalos)
Nate Esformes	...	Dako
Lanny Broyles	...	Tembo
Rob Reece	...	Kalo (as Robert Reece)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ansley Carlin	...	Wok (uncredited)
Daniel Carlin	...	Pez (uncredited)
Dallas Clarke	...	Askew (uncredited)
Brian Coventry	...	Alien Extra (uncredited)
Rick Davidson	...	Alien Extra (uncredited)
James Dunaway	...	Stretcher-bearer (uncredited)
Kerry Frank	...	Alien Extra (uncredited)
Kathy Griffin	...	Alien Extra (uncredited)
S.A. Griffin	...	Lettress (uncredited)
Gary D. Robbins	...	Alien Extra (uncredited)
Kimberly Sommer	...	Kintwarna (uncredited)
Dan Vincent	...	Alien Extra (uncredited)

Directed by
Jimmy T. Murakami
Roger Corman		(uncredited)

Writing credits
John Sayles		(story) &
Anne Dyer		(story)
John Sayles		(screenplay)

Produced by
Ed Carlin	....	producer
Roger Corman	....	executive producer
Mary Ann Fisher	....	associate producer

Original Music by
James Horner

Cinematography by
Daniel Lacambre

Film Editing by
Allan Holzman
R.J. Kizer

Casting by
Lisa Mionie

Art Direction by
Charles Breen
James Cameron		(as Jim Cameron)

Set Decoration by
John Zabrucky
Forrest Chadwick		(uncredited)

Costume Design by
Durinda Wood		(as Durinda Rice Wood)

Makeup Department
Karoly Balazs	....	hairdresser (as Charles Balazs)
Sue Dolph	....	makeup artist
Ken Horn	....	prosthetic assistant
Karen Kubeck	....	assistant makeup artist
Michael Lavalley	....	prosthetic assistant (as Mike La Valley)
Steve Neill	....	prosthetic makeup
Cliff Raven	....	makeup artist: Quopeg's tattoo
Thom Shouse	....	prosthetic assistant
Rick Stratton	....	prosthetic makeup

Production Management
Michael Bennett	....	production manager
Gale Anne Hurd	....	assistant production manager (as Gale Hurd)
Aaron Lipstadt	....	assistant production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Frank Martinez	....	second assistant director
Don Keith Opper	....	second assistant director (as Don Opper)
James Sbardellati	....	first assistant director (as Jim Sbardellati)

Art Department
Francesca Bartoccini	....	property master
Robert Bovill	....	art department
Chris Brightman	....	art department
Forrest Chadwick	....	carpenter foreman
Jim Childs	....	visual consultant
Sharon Compton	....	art department coordinator
Dick Davis	....	leadman
Doug B. Dick	....	construction coordinator (as Doug Dick)
Don Dixon	....	visual consultant
Tim Duffy	....	special props
Jim Dultz	....	property master
Alec Gillis	....	art department
Alex Hajdu	....	assistant art director
Gene Hamm	....	props
Kenneth Wayne Hanis	....	art department (as Ken Hannis)
David Hodges	....	art department
Robert Johnson	....	art department
Roger Kelton	....	art department
Charles Kern	....	art department
Sam Kirson	....	visual consultant (as Sam Kearson)
Antony Pedicini	....	art department
Tim Rafelson	....	art department
Guy Smith	....	art department
Paul Strong	....	art department
Phil Thomas Jr.	....	art department
Phil Thomas Jr.	....	construction supervisor (as Phil Thomas)
Judi Trevor	....	art department (as Judith Treavor)
Christopher Tyner	....	art department
Jan Ferris	....	designer: jewelry and some props (uncredited)
Jan Ferris	....	set designer (uncredited)
Dory Forma	....	props (uncredited)
David Halver	....	assistant art director (uncredited)
Sam Kirson	....	set designer (uncredited)
Jay Koiwai	....	painter (uncredited)
Rick Moore	....	graphic artist (uncredited)
Mark A. Shelton	....	art department electrician (uncredited)

Sound Department
Gary C. Bourgeois	....	sound re-recording mixer
Joseph Geisinger	....	boom operator (as Joe Geisinger)
Alan Howarth	....	special sound effects (as Alan S. Howarth)
Ron Judkins	....	sound mixer
Steve Rice	....	dialogue editor
David Lewis Yewdall	....	supervising sound editor

Special Effects by
Frank DeMarco	....	pyrotechnics
Roger George	....	pyrotechnics
Hal Miles	....	special effects technician (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Larry Albright	....	lighting pieces
Ed Banks	....	gaffer: special photographic effects
Stephen Barncard	....	effects lighting and props
Chris Brightman	....	additional photography: special photographic effects
Isabelle Brightman	....	rotoscope/animation/graphic effects
Steve Caldwell	....	camera operator: special photographic effects
James Cameron	....	additional director of photography: special photographic effects (as Jim Cameron)
James Cameron	....	miniature design and construction (as Jim Cameron)
Tom Campbell	....	additional photography: special photographic effects
Tom Campbell	....	engineering: miniature design and construction
Jo Carson	....	production manager: special photographic effects
Brian Chin	....	miniature design and construction
Chuck Comisky	....	producer/supervisor: special photographic effects (as C. Comisky)
John Cruz	....	effects lighting and props
Chuck De Cola	....	effects lighting and props
George D. Dodge	....	director of photography: special photographic effects
Marcia Dripchak	....	optical effects supervisor
Steven Elliott	....	rotoscope/animation/graphic effects (as Steve Elliott)
Judith Evans	....	rotoscope/animation/graphic effects
Michele Ferrone	....	production manager: special photographic effects
Randall Frakes	....	additional photography: special photographic effects
Deborah Gaydos	....	rotoscope/animation/graphic effects
Alec Gillis	....	miniature design and construction
Daniel Gross	....	rotoscope/animation/graphic effects
Doug Hall	....	effects lighting and props
Kenneth Jones	....	technical director: special photographic effects (as Dr. Ken Jones)
Rob Maine	....	additional photography: special photographic effects (as Robert Maine)
Austin McKinney	....	additional director of photography: special photographic effects
René Meunier	....	optical lineup
Josh Morton	....	additional director of photography: special photographic effects (as Joshua Morton)
John Muto	....	rotoscope/animation/graphic effects
Eric Peterson	....	additional photography: special photographic effects
Tony Randel	....	editor: special photographic effects (as Anthony Randel)
Jack Reed	....	effects lighting and props
Peter Regla	....	optical consultant
David Riley	....	additional photography: special photographic effects
Maury Schallock	....	supervisor: model design and construction
Dennis Skotak	....	director of photography: special photographic effects
Dennis Skotak	....	miniature design and construction
Robert Skotak	....	miniature design and construction
Robert Skotak	....	special designs/effects creations
Dan Slater	....	optical consultant
Dan Smith	....	camera operator: special photographic effects
Carolyn Strauss	....	additional photography: special photographic effects
Pat Sweeney	....	additional photography: special photographic effects
Jonas Thaler	....	optical editorial (as Jon Thaler)
Pat Thompson	....	miniature design and construction
Melissa Tripp	....	assistant editor: special photographic effects
Paul Turner	....	effects lighting supervisor
Nina Vlahos	....	editor: special photographic effects
Gary Wagner	....	additional photography: special photographic effects
Susan Welsh	....	assistant editor: special photographic effects
Barry Zetlin	....	rotoscope/animation/graphic effects
Rob Maine	....	miniature process projection (uncredited)
Mike Warren	....	optical effects (uncredited)

Stunts
Kenny Bates	....	stunts (uncredited)
James Rekart	....	utility stunts (uncredited)
Gene Witham	....	utility stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
John K. Adams	....	electrician
Ben Batzdorff	....	key grip (as Ben Batzdorf)
Michael Bolner	....	best boy
Greg Callahan	....	electrical supervisor
Paul Elliott	....	camera operator (as Paul Elliot)
Steven Finestone	....	first assistant camera (as Steve Finestone)
Grant Frant	....	grip (as Grant Fratt)
James J. Gilson	....	rigging gaffer (as Jim Gilson)
Brenda Haverstock	....	electrician
Paul Hodara	....	photographer: "Dial-A-Date" projections (as Paul Sterling Hodara)
Paul Hodara	....	still photographer (as Paul Sterling Hodara)
Arthur Holtz	....	gaffer
Robert Hutchinson	....	electrician
Larry Markart	....	second assistant camera
Tom McGrath	....	grip
Terry Moore	....	electrical supervisor
David W. Nims	....	grip (as David Nims)
David O'Connell	....	electrician
Craig Storper	....	grip

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Jan Ferris	....	jewelry designer
Timaree McCormick	....	assistant costume designer
Sara Nelson	....	wardrobe assistant
Daniel Orlandi	....	wardrobe assistant

Editorial Department
John K. Adams	....	assistant editor
Debra Chiate	....	assistant editor (as Debbie Chiate)
Jeff Shank	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Greg Fulginiti	....	music engineer (uncredited)
David Newman	....	conductor (uncredited)

Other crew
Todd Allan	....	production assistant
Jane Covner	....	unit publicist
Mike Fairman	....	production assistant (as Mike Farman)
Clark Henderson	....	craft service
Amy Kenney	....	production assistant
Sharon Kirkpatrick	....	script supervisor
Betsy Magruder	....	production coordinator
Wade Meyer	....	production assistant
Eric Morris	....	dialogue director
Gregory Orr	....	production assistant
Tom Plant	....	auditor
Charles Skouras III	....	production coordinator
Rob Snyder	....	production assistant
Carolyn Strauss	....	titles
Petro Vlahos	....	technical advisor
Mark L. Witzer	....	production assistant (as Mark Witzer)

Thanks
Peter Anderson	....	special thanks
Eli Cyngiser	....	special thanks
Walt Dodge	....	special thanks
Edi Murway	....	special thanks
Ease Owyeung	....	special thanks
Jack Rabin	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• New World Pictures

Distributors

• New World Pictures (1980) (USA) (theatrical)
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1982) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• International Film Distributors (Canada)
• New Horizons Home Video (USA) (DVD)
• New Horizons Home Video (USA) (VHS)
• Orion Pictures Corporation (non-USA)
• Warner Home Video (2006) (Germany) (DVD)
• Warner Home Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)

Special Effects

• New World Effects (miniature photographic effects) (as New World Studio)
• Hal Mann Laboratories (visual effects matte processing) (uncredited)

Other Companies

• Cuttlefish  special props
• West Hills Community Chorus  voice effects
• Elicon  motion control camera system
• Ryder Sound Services  re-recording studio
• Modern Props  computers and technical hardware
• PMW  special thanks
• Image 3  special thanks (as Image-3)
• Movie Magic  special thanks
• Rhino Records  soundtrack available on

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Germany:12 (2005, DVD rating) | Australia:PG | Norway:11 | UK:PG | USA:PG | West Germany:12 | Finland:K-16 (1989) (uncut version) | Finland:K-12 (1980) (cut version)

Company:

New World Pictures

Trivia:

The main body of the Hephastus space station was made from a plastic terrarium salvaged from a garbage dumpster

Quotes:

[as "Hammerhead," Sador's dreadnaught, is approaching Akir]
Yago: This is Akir, a planet of stone with a single green spot.
Sador: Let's see it. What about their forms?
Yago: Comparable with ours. They have a solar technology. No known defense capacity.
Sador: Interesting. Let's check that...
[to Shad and the other Akira]
Sador: ...
[shouts]
Sador: Hear me, beings of Akir. I am Sador of the Malmori. I have come with my forces to conquer you. If you resist, I will crush you. I possess a stellar converter, the most powerful weapon in the universe. You cannot resist me. I want your planet to be my colony. Your harvest comes in seven risings of your red giant. I shall return then, and you will accept me as your master. If you do not submit, your planet and all life on it will be burned to ash...
[shouts]
[...]

Movie Connections:

Edited into Not of This Earth (1988)

Star Wars clone? Yes, but cheesy sci-fi fun!

Battle Beyond The Stars was one of the better Star Wars clones. The special effects weren't "great" even back in 1980, but they add to the low budget flavor of the movie. You have to remember that this movie had a substantially lower budget for special effects than an "A" picture like Star Wars. Early detailed models by James Cameron (TERMINATOR/TITANIC) are the high point of the special effects. A lot of people got their career start on this film, and Cameron was only one of many.

The script for Battle Beyond The Stars had a lot of things going for it, from the aliens to the quirky characters. I found the race of Nestor to be the most interesting concept of all. Just the thought of a race of beings that can hear/feel/think together as one conscious entity could be a great movie plot in itself.

The excellent casting of actors and actresses was another strong point in Battle Beyond The Stars. John Saxon, George Peppard, and Sybil Danning especially shine through in their acting performances in my opinion.

Battle Beyond The Stars is, quite simply, one of those movies that's so cheesy that's it's something special. It's a fun movie that never takes itself too seriously, and I don't either. I guess that's why I still enjoy it after all of these years.