Target... Earth? 1980
"Is Earth Worth Saving?"
Step into the peculiar world of *Target... Earth? (1980)*, a cult-classic documentary blending science fiction and cosmic dread.
Director: Joost Van Rees
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is *Target... Earth? (1980)* about?
*Target... Earth?* explores the 1908 Tunguska Event—a catastrophic meteor explosion—as a harbinger of Earth's potential doom. It blends real science with speculative fiction, featuring expert interviews, conspiracy theories, and a retro-futuristic narrative about a space archivist documenting humanity's possible last days.
Who directed *Target... Earth? (1980)*?
The film was directed by Joost Van Rees, though details about his background or other works remain scarce online.
Who stars in *Target... Earth? (1980)*?
The cast includes the late Victor Buono as Homer the Archivist, alongside Rick Overton, and cameos from scientific luminaries Carl Sagan and Isaac Asimov. Apollo 17 astronaut Eugene Cernan and theoretical physicist Bernard J. Carr also appear.
Is *Target... Earth? (1980)* worth watching?
While unrated and obscure, this 95-minute oddity is a gem for fans of offbeat sci-fi and 1970s conspiracy culture. Its campy charm and genuine scientific cameos make it a curiosity worth tracking down for those who love retro cosmic dread—just don't expect polish.
How long is *Target... Earth? (1980)*?
The film runs for 95 minutes.
About Target... Earth? (1980) — A Meteor, UFOs, and the End of the World
Step into the peculiar world of *Target... Earth? (1980)*, a cult-classic documentary blending science fiction and cosmic dread. Directed by Joost Van Rees, this offbeat film dives into the chilling mystery of the Tunguska Event—a massive explosion in 1908 that flattened a Siberian forest—and ponders whether Earth is doomed to repeat its fate. With a patchwork of stock footage, eerie Moog synths, and a Dr. Who-inspired closing theme, the movie oscillates between sober science and UFO conspiracy theories. Victor Buono takes the stage as Homer, an archivist aboard a space station guided by an eerily HAL-like computer named Ino, weaving philosophy and apocalyptic dread into a surreal narrative. The atmosphere is a nostalgic trip through 1970s paranoia, where cosmic threats feel as tangible as the oddball experts and government warnings filling the frame.
Far from a dry documentary, *Target... Earth?* leans into its low-budget charm, mixing scholarly cameos—including Carl Sagan and Isaac Asimov—with fringe theorists to paint a portrait of humanity teetering on the edge of annihilation. The film's DIY aesthetic and quirky tone make it a time capsule of Cold War-era anxieties, where the universe feels both fascinating and foreboding. Is the sky falling? The movie isn't just asking—it's practically yelling it, wrapped in synth-heavy dread and retro futurism.