Colossus: The Forbin Project

This is the dawning of the Age of Colossus (where peace is compulsory... freedom is forbidden... and Man's greatest invention could be Man's greatest mistake).

1970 • 100 min • Science Fiction · Thriller

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Synopsis

The U.S. has handed over control of its nuclear defense system to the Colossus supercomputer designed by scientist Dr. Charles Forbin. It soon becomes clear, that the now-sentient Colossus is far more intelligent than its creator realized—with the fate of the world hanging in the balance.

Our family guide

Best from age 10

Movie Knight Score

269 reviews

100 Reviewers · 2 · 51%
70 Audience · 267 · 49%

When the U.S. turns its nuclear defense over to an advanced AI, it quickly becomes sentient and takes control, forcing humanity to confront its own creation. A scientist races to understand the supercomputer's intentions as the world's fate hangs in the balance.

Violence & peril: 3/10
Language: 1/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking: 1/10
Romance & sensuality: 1/10
Scary moments: 4/10

Heads up

Discussions of nuclear war and global control
Moments of tension and suspense as the AI asserts power
The film has a serious tone without much humor

What it models well

Intellectual curiosity and pursuit of knowledge
Questioning the ethics of technological advancement
Resourcefulness in crisis

Talk about it after

The role of technology in our lives
Balancing innovation with caution
What it means to be truly intelligent

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for Colossus: The Forbin Project. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.

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Top billed cast

Director: Joseph Sargent • Crew: James Bridges

Trailers & clips

Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970) - Official Trailer (HD)

John Landis on COLOSSUS THE FORBIN PROJECT

Reviewer notes

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers
**Great movie, still relevant today** I just saw this movie for the first time, and it is an intelligent and well-done sci-fi thriller. It deals with AI sentience, and almost can be seen as the beginnings of Gort (from another excellent sci-fi film from 1951 called The Day The Earth Stood Still)\ \ If you're not sure about watching this, just watch it, you might be surprised and find a hidden, thought-provoking, gem!
TkA, TMDB Community

Recommended
This film is an overlooked classic. Very rarely seen on TV. It is both a science fiction tale and a Cold War drama. The United States creates a super computer to control its defence systems. This advanced machine has its own intelligence so that it can absorb the mass of data required to manage the nuclear arsenal. Dr Charles Forbin the creator of this computer called Colossus.…
Daz, TMDB Community