Movie Review: The Alpha Incident

The Alpha Incident 

Starring: Ralph Meeker, Stafford Morgan, John F. Goff, Carol Irene Newell, George 'Buck' Flower, Paul Bentzen, John Alderman, Ray Szmanda, Lawrence Ripp, Harry Youstos 

Director: Bill Rebane
Studio Film Corporation, USA, 1977. 

This movie is published as a part of Nightmare Worlds 50 movie pack box by Mill Creek Entertainment. 

Space probe returns to Earth from Mars. It brings back biological organism. Sample is sent by train for further study. Dr. Sorensen (Stafford Morgan) and whiskey drinking hillbilly conductor Hank (George 'Buck' Flower) are responsible for the cargo. Hank figures out that Sorensen is not a regular conductor. Curious Hank opens a box and breaks the vials. Dr. Jim Farrell (Paul Bentzen) and Dr. Rogers (John Alderman) find out that the organism is deadly. 

Dr. Rogers and Dr. Farrell

Dr. Sorensen

Hank

Sleazy mechanic Jack Tiller (John F. Goff), lonely secretary Jenny Moore (Carol Irene Newell) and shy station foreman Charlie Weigel (Ralph Meeker) work at Moose Point railway station. After learning about Hank's nightly adventures, Dr. Sorensen declares the station quarantined. Jack tries to escape. Sorensen shoots him in the arm. Also Hank tries to run away. 

Charlie Weigel

Jenny Moore

Jack Tiller

It is fatal to fall asleep, otherwise their brains will explode. They must use all means to stay awake even using speed. They play card games and Jack tries to pry into the the other's personal lives. At this point the movie takes a turn into "Big Brother" show. Scientists try to find a cure but The Official (Ray Szmanda, known from Menards hardware-store commercials) has also a backup plan. 

Playing cards

Oh look, it is my favourite drink, alcohol!

The Official

This is quite good small scale scifi horror. There is not much action but the story is dark and pessimistic 1970s style and the boredom of the quarantined main characters in is plausible. The zero budget look adds to the atmosphere.

Cleaning crew

The actor playing lovably dumb Hank, George 'Buck' Flower (1937-2004) seems to have appeared in many kinds of films and TV-series, from sex comedies and "Ilsa"-naziploitation flicks to John Carpenter's films (for example drunk in "Escape from New York") and "Back to the Future" (as bum Red Thomas.) Usually he performed drunks, hobos or bums. Give old Buck a cheer if you spot him on screen.

Rating: Good