Plot
Number 5 of a group of experimental robots in a lab is electrocuted, suddenly becomes intelligent, and escapes.
Release Year: 1986
Rating: 6.3/10 (21,154 voted)
Director:
John Badham
Stars: Ally Sheedy, Steve Guttenberg, Fisher Stevens
Storyline Number 5, one of a group of experimental military robots, undergoes a sudden transformation after being struck by lightning. He develops self-awareness, consciousness, and a fear of the reprogramming that awaits him back at the factory. With the help of a young woman, Number 5 tries to evade capture and convince his creator that he has truly become alive.
Writers: S.S. Wilson, Brent Maddock
Cast: Ally Sheedy
-
Stephanie Speck
Steve Guttenberg
-
Newton Crosby
Fisher Stevens
-
Ben Jabituya
Austin Pendleton
-
Howard Marner
G.W. Bailey
-
Skroeder
Brian McNamara
-
Frank
Tim Blaney
-
Number 5
(voice)
Marvin J. McIntyre
-
Duke
John Garber
-
Otis
Penny Santon
-
Mrs. Cepeda
Vernon Weddle
-
General Washburne
Barbara Tarbuck
-
Senator Mills
Tom Lawrence
-
Howard Marner's Aide
Fred Slyter
-
Norman
Billy Ray Sharkey
-
Zack
Taglines:
Something wonderful has happened... Number Five is alive!
Release Date: 9 May 1986
Filming Locations: Astoria, Oregon, USA
Gross: $40,697,761
(USA)
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Did You Know?
Trivia:
Number 5's full designation is "SAINT Number 5". The acronym SAINT stands for "Strategic Artificially-Intelligent Nuclear Transport".
Goofs:
Audio/visual unsynchronized:
When Crosby manipulates the robot arm to play the keyboard, the keys the robot fingers are pressing do not correspond to the notes that we hear.
Quotes: Number 5:
Many fragments. Some large, some small.
User Review
Underrated
Rating: 9/10
I'm sorry, I can't see why this film has been given such a low rating.
This film is wonderfully life-affirming through the character of robot
Jonny 5 (the scene where he realises what it means to be alive through
crushing a grass hopper is beautifully portrayed), Ally Sheedy brings a
bucket load of positive energy to the character of the naive but loving
Stephanie, and to top it all there is a subtle but powerful comment on
American militarism. There is a real emphasis on quality screen writing
here which only comes through on a small ratio of films. The characters
could easily have become 2 dimensional stereotypes, but instead given
some interesting dialogue and motives (science, military etc). Yes it
is cheesy, and I think many people label it as a cheap and tacky 80's
movie, but having watched it again recently I think history may well
judge it a minor classic.
0