The Cassandra Crossing is a 1976 disaster thriller film directed by George Pan Cosmatos. The story revolves around a group of passengers on a train traveling from Switzerland to England, who become trapped when a terrorist infected with a deadly virus boards the train. The passengers are forced to stay on the train as it is rerouted to a quarantine camp in Poland, but they soon realize that the virus is spreading rapidly and they may never make it out alive.
The Cassandra Crossing boasts an impressive cast, including Richard Harris, Sophia Loren, Burt Lancaster, Martin Sheen, and O.J. Simpson. The performances are solid, and the action sequences are well executed. The film also tackles themes of political corruption and government cover-ups, adding an interesting layer to the story.
Despite receiving mixed reviews upon release, The Cassandra Crossing has gained a cult following over the years, thanks in part to its star-studded cast and thrilling premise. While it may not be a cinematic masterpiece, it’s an entertaining disaster film that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.
As for awards, The Cassandra Crossing didn’t receive any major nominations or wins, but it did receive a nomination for Best Supporting Actor (O.J. Simpson) at the 1977 Golden Globe Awards. Nevertheless, the film remains a popular choice among disaster movie fans and has stood the test of time as a classic example of the genre.
| Directed by | George Pan Cosmatos |
|---|---|
| Produced by | Carlo Ponti Lew Grade |
| Screenplay by | Tom Mankiewicz Robert Katz George Pan Cosmatos |
| Story by | Robert Katz George Pan Cosmatos |
| Starring | Sophia Loren, Richard Harris, Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, Martin Sheen, O. J. Simpson, Lee Strasberg, |
| Music by | Jerry Goldsmith |
| Cinematography | Ennio Guarnieri |
| Edited by | Roberto Silvi Françoise Bonnot |
| Production companies |
ITC Entertainment C. Cinematografica Champion s.p.a. |
| Distributed by | AVCO Embassy Pictures |
| Release date | 18 December 1976 (Italy & Japan) / 9 February 1977 (USA) / 31 March 1977 (UK) |
| Running time | 129 Minutes |
| Countries | Italy United Kingdom West Germany |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $3 million or $6 million |
| Box office | $15,300,000 (Japan) SEK 152,111 (Sweden) |
