Film Review: Battle Beyond the Stars (1980)

(source: tmdb.org)

It is said that all films are derivative in nature. Arguments for that could be found in Battle Beyond the Stars, 1980 science fiction film directed by Jimmy T. Murakami. Produced by Roger Corman in an attempt to quickly exploit audience’s hunger for space opera created by Star Wars, it was also devised as a remake of classic 1960 western The Magnificent Seven, itself being a remake of Akira Kurosawa’s famous 1954 Seven Samurai.

The plot begins on Akir, planet populated by peaceful farmers who are suddenly faced with Sador (played by John Saxon), tyrannical warlord of Maldori Empire who roams the galaxy with his mighty battelship. He wants to submit Akir and gives its inhabitants ultimatum; unless they surrender the Akir will be destroyed with stellar converter within Sador’s ship. Zed (played by Jeff Correy), the last remaining combat veteran of Akir, suggest that the planet fights back with the help of mercenaries. Young pilot named Shad (played by Richard Thomas) is given Zed’s old ship and tasked with finding people willing to fight Sador for little or no pay. Shad starts on the space station where Zed’s old friend Doctor Haephestus (played by Sam Jaffe) lives, but ends up with his daughter Nanelia (played by Darlanne Fleugel) who wants to experience outside world. Shad gradually collects small band of mercenaries, each with specific skills and motivation for the job, but even with their help, there seems to be little chance that they could defeat Sador. Most, if not all of the mercenaries, are likely to die in the inevitable showdown.

With 2 million US$ of budget, Battle Beyond the Stars was the most expensive Roger Corman’s film at the time. Yet, in the context of other Hollywood big budget science fiction films, this film looked very cheap. This is most noticable in the space combat scenes where special effects, despite all the ingenuity and talent of young James Cameron, don’t look very convincing, with many shots being recycled throughout the film (and later in other Corman’s films). On the other hand, this film features interesting production design and costumes, with each of the mercenaries being given distinct style of ship. Scriptwriter John Sayles did much better work by being faithful to the template of two previous films while adding some material of his own. One such example is character of Shad, obvioudly modelled after Luke Skywalker, having romantic interest quite different from Leia Organa. Each of the mercenaries has different motivations and different characters, thus allowing very diverse cast which includes Sybil Danning as hypersexualised Valkirye-looking lady warrior, George Peppard as Earthling space cowboy and Robert Vaughn who is very effective in his role despite practically repeating his role from The Magnificent Seven. In the end, impression was more than saved by composer James Horner, whose soundtrack make this film not only sound but look much grander than it actually is. Could have this film been better or could have been improved? Some may suggest modern-day remake, and some just minor CGI-enhanced makeover like the one applied to Star Trek: The Original Series. But even without that Battle Beyond the Stars is a very entertaining film that could be recommended to the fans of good old space opera.

RATING: 6/10 (++)