Virus (1995) (TV)

Director:

Armand Mastroianni

Writers (WGA):

Robin Cook (novel)
Roger Young (teleplay)

Release Date:

8 May 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Thriller

Plot:

Who could have deliberately released a rare and deadly African plague that is now spreading uncontrollably throughout America's largest urban areas...

Plot Keywords:

Hospital | Medical Research | Babe Scientist | Ebola Virus | Based On Novel

Cast

Nicollette Sheridan	...	Marissa Blumenthal
William Devane	...	Dr. Harbuck
Stephen Caffrey	...	Tad
Dakin Matthews	...	Dr. Dubcheck
Kurt Fuller	...	Dr. Williams
Barry Corbin	...	Dr. Clayman
William Atherton	...	Dr. Reginald Holloway
Joe Minjares	...	Dr. Newman
Ritch Brinkley	...	Restaurant Host
Greg Blanchard	...	Man in Morgue
Judith McConnell	...	Ms. Hopper
Brian Brophy	...	L.A. Reporter
Jim McMullan	...	Reporter #1
Christopher Kriesa	...	Cop
Eric Fleeks	...	Doorman

Also Known As:

Formula for Death
Robin Cook's Formula for Death (UK)
Robin Cook's Outbreak (Canada: English title)
Robin Cook's Virus

Runtime:

USA:92 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:16 | UK:15

Company:

Von Zerneck Sertner Films

Movie Connections:

Version of Outbreak (1995)

Some will find it well worth a look

Maybe there's nothing special about this film. There is little originality in the plot and its treatment, good as they are, and if you wish to be hypercritical you can easily find a few flaws and implausibilities. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it, and am glad that the main character wasn't killed off at the end. Many seem to find ultimate tragedy obligatory to avoid predictability. The genre frequently has muscle-bound macho males (no names mentioned), sometimes toting improbable weapons, blasting everything in sight as they move mindlessly in and out of tight situations. This movie has a personable young female handling tight situations with little more than her extremely sharp wits, which I much prefer, and that's not due entirely to my own gender. There is a clear plot, which develops at a smart rate and holds the interest. There is also food for thought in this film, as there are real issues underlying the story, even though it is fictional.

While not an expert in these matters, I thought the direction and photography were above average for a TVM. I was delighted to find DVDs available on the Amazon Marketplace at extremely keen prices, and have ordered a copy of the Odyssey version (Region 2, 2002). There is also a Fremantle version (Region 1, 2006). They are listed under the title 'Formula For Death' which was the title as shown on TV yesterday. I look forward to watching this again. Incidentally, searching for the DVD title 'Virus' leads to an entirely different story featuring Jamie Lee Curtis.