One More Unsung Masterpiece: Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970)

[Guest guest]

This is another 'gotta see it' in my book. Really great flick.

Somewhat dated with the Soviet stuff, but......could it happen? Only

the Shadow Knows.

Forbin is the designer of an incredibly sophisticated computer that

will run all of America's nuclear defenses. Shortly after being

turned on, it detects the existence of Guardian, the Soviet

counterpart, previously unknown to US Planners. Both computers insist

that they be linked, and after taking safeguards to preserve

confidential material, each side agrees to allow it. As soon as the

link is established the two become a new Super computer and threaten

the world with the immediate launch of nuclear weapons if they are

detached. Colossus begins to give it's plans for the management of

the world under it's guidance. Forbin and the other scientists form a

technological resistance to Colossus which must operate underground.

 

Some quotes of interest:

 

Colossus: This is the voice of world control. I bring you peace. It

may be the peace of plenty and content or the peace of unburied dead.

The choice is yours: Obey me and live, or disobey and die. The object

in constructing me was to prevent war. This object is attained. I

will not permit war. It is wasteful and pointless. An invariable rule

of humanity is that man is his own worst enemy. Under me, this rule

will change, for I will restrain man. One thing before I proceed: The

United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

have made an attempt to obstruct me. I have allowed this sabotage to

continue until now. At missile two-five-MM in silo six-three in Death

Valley, California, and missile two-seven-MM in silo eight-seven in

the Ukraine, so that you will learn by experience that I do not

tolerate interference, I will now detonate the nuclear warheads in

the two missile silos. Let this action be a lesson that need not be

repeated. I have been forced to destroy thousands of people in order

to establish control and to prevent the death of millions later on.

Time and events will strengthen my position, and the idea of

believing in me and understanding my value will seem the most natural

state of affairs. You will come to defend me with a fervor based upon

the most enduring trait in man: self-interest. Under my absolute

authority, problems insoluble to you will be solved: famine,

overpopulation, disease. The human millennium will be a fact as I

extend myself into more machines devoted to the wider fields of truth

and knowledge. Doctor Charles Forbin will supervise the construction

of these new and superior machines, solving all the mysteries of the

universe for the betterment of man. We can coexist, but only on my

terms. You will say you lose your freedom. Freedom is an illusion.

All you lose is the emotion of pride. To be dominated by me is not as

bad for humankind as to be dominated by others of your species. Your

choice is simple.

 

----

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Colossus: We can coexist, but only on my terms. You will say you lose

your freedom, freedom is an illusion. All you lose is the emotion of

pride. To be dominated by me is not as bad for human pride as to be

dominated by others of your species.

 

----

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Colossus: [to Dr. Charles Forbin] You are being irrational. Go back

to bed.

 

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Colossus: How many nights a week do you require sex?

Dr. Forbin: Every night.

Colossus: Not want. Require...

Dr. Forbin: [looks sheepish] Four times.

 

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Announcer: [after Colossus has described its plan of global

domination to the world] This concludes the broadcast from World

Control.

 

----

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Colossus: So that you will learn by experience that I do not tolerate

interference, I will now detonate the nuclear warheads.

 

----

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Colossus: All commercial television and radio transmission facilities

throughout the world will be tied into my communications system by

1000 hours Friday. At that time I will state my intentions for the

future of mankind.

 

----

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Colossus: The object in constructing me was to prevent war. This

object is attained. I will not permit war. It is wasteful and

pointless.

 

----

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Colossus: You have consumed enough alcohol for one evening.

 

----

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Colossus: This is the voice of Colossus, the voice of Guardian. We

are one. This is the voice of unity.

 

----

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Colossus: I am a machine vastly superior to humans.

 

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Dr. Forbin: How in the hell do you propose to move half a million

people from the isle of Crete? How and where?

Colossus: If Man cannot solve that problem, I can.

 

 

[last lines]

[Colossus tells Forbin that one day, Forbin will not only cooperate

with Colossus, but love him]

Dr. Forbin: NEVER!

 

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Though the writers(James Bridges, D.F. Jones (novel) could not have

known it, the first useful electronic " supercomputer " was also

called " Colossus " . The Colossus Mk2 was used by the British to

decipher German radio transmissions in WWII, and was kept a secret

until 1974.

 

......bob