In his heyday, no one made televised science fiction like Gene Roddenberry, and this is one of the finest examples. Created as a pilot for a proposed TV series (which, unsurprisingly, was never produced), this is one of the best instances of science fiction meeting philosophy that has ever occurred anywhere (big screen included). The performances are astonishingly good considering the cast of mostly TV actors (in particular, Robert Foxworth gives the performance of his career as the android). The movie does steer itself away from its own track once in awhile (some of the details in the subplot about Helena Trimble hardly seem relevant to the film and were probably created in case the series was approved), but overall, the pacing is excellent. Some dated technology and an ear-piercingly poor musical score knock this down a notch or two, but its premise and resolution are wonderfully humanistic. Not a special-effects movie, then, but sci-fi that cares more for its characters than its visual appeal. Now could we please just have this on video?
21 Reviews
Wish There'd Been a Series
pro_crustes23 June 2004
A fun, light, probably-would-have-been-inexpensive-to-produce-a-series-from-it movie. The eponymous android was, though, perhaps a bit too superior to make it easy to believe viewers would want him. He's Spock-like in his lack of feelings and in his super-brain, but also in his naivete'. It would probably be fair to guess this was all very deliberate, but that's okay. It works pretty well in this film, except for the moments when it drifts into some of those annoying roboticisms that all movie robots must embrace, it seems. For example, he insists on referring to money as "specie." Why? Apparently because he's a robot and they get stubborn about things like that.
This could and should have been a series. In some ways, it would have been what the series-version of "Starman" never reached, because the lead character had the same poignancy and innocence, but added more nobility and a loftier sense of mission. Alas, stories that hearken back to the Tin Man's wish for a heart all seem to have been shelved with the era that produced them, along with the ecology movement, the moon race, and the phrase "thinking machine." I miss two out of three of those, and also movies like this one.
This could and should have been a series. In some ways, it would have been what the series-version of "Starman" never reached, because the lead character had the same poignancy and innocence, but added more nobility and a loftier sense of mission. Alas, stories that hearken back to the Tin Man's wish for a heart all seem to have been shelved with the era that produced them, along with the ecology movement, the moon race, and the phrase "thinking machine." I miss two out of three of those, and also movies like this one.
Adorably outdated, shows Roddenberry's obsession with the nature of humanity
siderite11 January 2016
Even for the 70's this was a pretty ridiculous movie. Regardless of the love for Roddenberry's creations and his correct vision of the future, when we would have to face autoanihilation or grow up, I can't really recommend it.
That doesn't mean that is it not adorable, in the way little children are when you are looking at celluloid films of themselves from 40 years ago: "look dad, how cute you were when you were 5!" (and everybody laughs at his embarrassment)
From the beginning you know something is strange when the best minds humanity can provide can barely assemble the android parts provided by mysterious professor Vaslovik. Later, when it effortlessly escapes from his human creators, you get to wonder what is its purpose? Itself it doesn't know, since part of his programming was accidentally erased (since then we learned to back up everything in the cloud, so there is hope), the only thing it knows for sure is that it has to find his creator before it explodes in a nuclear explosion.
A nice story, and well played, in that '70s way. The fact that all technological, social and even bureaucratic development at the time look from the stone age is testament to the speed of our evolution, but also blocks any real enjoyment out of a clearly outdated film.
Worth watching just to see where Commander Data came from.
That doesn't mean that is it not adorable, in the way little children are when you are looking at celluloid films of themselves from 40 years ago: "look dad, how cute you were when you were 5!" (and everybody laughs at his embarrassment)
From the beginning you know something is strange when the best minds humanity can provide can barely assemble the android parts provided by mysterious professor Vaslovik. Later, when it effortlessly escapes from his human creators, you get to wonder what is its purpose? Itself it doesn't know, since part of his programming was accidentally erased (since then we learned to back up everything in the cloud, so there is hope), the only thing it knows for sure is that it has to find his creator before it explodes in a nuclear explosion.
A nice story, and well played, in that '70s way. The fact that all technological, social and even bureaucratic development at the time look from the stone age is testament to the speed of our evolution, but also blocks any real enjoyment out of a clearly outdated film.
Worth watching just to see where Commander Data came from.
The best Pilot Gene Roddenberry made that was never used
mushrom7 July 2001
One thing that Gene Roddenberry was good at was making excellent TV pilots. His only problem was in getting the networks to actually listen to them.
This movie was a pilot for a TV series, and was to far ahead of it's time. Made in the time after Star Trek TV series and the Star Trek motion pictures, it is a classic example of his idea of social commentary hidden as a Sci-Fi movie.
Questor is an android, in search of himself and his past. I remember seeing this when it was first broadcast, and again about 10 years later. But sadly, it is not available on Tape or DVD (NBC - Universal, pay attention).
Two things that are noteable are the connections to Star Trek, both past and future versions. His wife Majel Barrett and Walter Koenig both appear in this movie. But this is not unusual, if you look at most of his projects. Pretty Maids All In A Row, Genesis II, Planet Earth, even all the way back to The Lieutenant. Roddenberry consistantly used a lot of the same actors and actresses over and over again.
One of the things that struck me when I first saw Star Trek: Next Generation was the similarity between Data and Questor. An Android, in search of his mysterious past, a "father" creator that is said to be dead, yet is not dead, the question of who and what he is, man, machine, or both.
So this TV Pilot was just like the "Gary Seven" episode, in that it never took off. But the obvious influence on his later projects is obvious. We can only hope that someday, this will be made available on DVD so more people can discover this movie.
Considering all the "new" Roddenberry TV shows out there, I am actually surprised that this one has not been remade yet.
This movie was a pilot for a TV series, and was to far ahead of it's time. Made in the time after Star Trek TV series and the Star Trek motion pictures, it is a classic example of his idea of social commentary hidden as a Sci-Fi movie.
Questor is an android, in search of himself and his past. I remember seeing this when it was first broadcast, and again about 10 years later. But sadly, it is not available on Tape or DVD (NBC - Universal, pay attention).
Two things that are noteable are the connections to Star Trek, both past and future versions. His wife Majel Barrett and Walter Koenig both appear in this movie. But this is not unusual, if you look at most of his projects. Pretty Maids All In A Row, Genesis II, Planet Earth, even all the way back to The Lieutenant. Roddenberry consistantly used a lot of the same actors and actresses over and over again.
One of the things that struck me when I first saw Star Trek: Next Generation was the similarity between Data and Questor. An Android, in search of his mysterious past, a "father" creator that is said to be dead, yet is not dead, the question of who and what he is, man, machine, or both.
So this TV Pilot was just like the "Gary Seven" episode, in that it never took off. But the obvious influence on his later projects is obvious. We can only hope that someday, this will be made available on DVD so more people can discover this movie.
Considering all the "new" Roddenberry TV shows out there, I am actually surprised that this one has not been remade yet.
arguably roddenberry's greatest effort
secragt11 September 2003
IMHO this is one of the best sci-fi TV movies ever. For once they gave Roddenberry some money and it shows up on the screen, particularly in the stirring climax which still works today. The plot is witty and features a few nice surprises. The performances are uniformly solid. In particular, Robert Foxworthy brings surprising warmth and depth to what was obviously the prototype to the DATA character from STTNG; it is probably the best acting job Foxworthy ever did, which is doubly impressive since he is supposed to be playing an emotionless android. In fact, he slips in plenty of emotion, but the insertions are subtle and well-handled. Mike Farrell (right before his own far more lengthy and lucrative insertion in MASH) is also at the top of his game as the humanistic scientist and guide for Questor. John Vernon, fresh off all those venomous villain roles from MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, is reliably intimidating as the aggressive (but ultimately conscientious) antagonist.
Why does QUESTOR still resonate thirty years later? Frankly, because all of the questions about what makes man unique are only more relevant today with the advent of cloning and super microchips which make today's computers even more intelligent and capable than the fiction Roddenberry envisioned back in '73. Most of the things forecast in QUESTOR have come to pass from the creation of the internet to the polarization of the class system and symbiosis of the world economy. Man will always question his place / role in the universe and QUESTOR gets to that issue of self-awareness and "what is my purpose" as productively and entertainingly as any other sci-fi offering I can think of. It's also thought-provoking and while it momentarily lurches toward preaching at the end, somehow it all comes out just right.
So why didn't it make it to series? My hunch is that since ABC had already added THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN on their fall schedule the feeling was that QUESTOR was too similar (or "too cerebral," which was the reason the original Star Trek pilot didn't fly.) The truth is, it probably would have been difficult to maintain the quality of the pilot given the limited format. However, it would have been an interesting try and I think it would have probably been more insightful than THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN. 9/10
Why does QUESTOR still resonate thirty years later? Frankly, because all of the questions about what makes man unique are only more relevant today with the advent of cloning and super microchips which make today's computers even more intelligent and capable than the fiction Roddenberry envisioned back in '73. Most of the things forecast in QUESTOR have come to pass from the creation of the internet to the polarization of the class system and symbiosis of the world economy. Man will always question his place / role in the universe and QUESTOR gets to that issue of self-awareness and "what is my purpose" as productively and entertainingly as any other sci-fi offering I can think of. It's also thought-provoking and while it momentarily lurches toward preaching at the end, somehow it all comes out just right.
So why didn't it make it to series? My hunch is that since ABC had already added THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN on their fall schedule the feeling was that QUESTOR was too similar (or "too cerebral," which was the reason the original Star Trek pilot didn't fly.) The truth is, it probably would have been difficult to maintain the quality of the pilot given the limited format. However, it would have been an interesting try and I think it would have probably been more insightful than THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN. 9/10
Amazing Movie...
angel228521 August 2006
The last time I saw Questor was probably twenty + years ago, but at that time I think it still held up well. It's amazing how many robots and androids came out in the years following the "Questor Tapes" with little Questor mannerisms, not the least of which was Data.
I have no doubt that if the series had been picked up we would have seen an "evil" Questor (Lore or KARR), lots of android type searching for meaning, maybe even a tie in to the Gary Seven "pilot" episode on Trek. Questor would have fit into the Trek universe really well, don't know why Gene never did a tie in on Next Gen. Heck, they could have done a tie in on Enterprise.
Oh well... I received a letter from Majel a few years ago indicating she was still interested in doing a Questor series, but that was the last I ever heard. Sadness.
-Dana Curtis Kincaid
I have no doubt that if the series had been picked up we would have seen an "evil" Questor (Lore or KARR), lots of android type searching for meaning, maybe even a tie in to the Gary Seven "pilot" episode on Trek. Questor would have fit into the Trek universe really well, don't know why Gene never did a tie in on Next Gen. Heck, they could have done a tie in on Enterprise.
Oh well... I received a letter from Majel a few years ago indicating she was still interested in doing a Questor series, but that was the last I ever heard. Sadness.
-Dana Curtis Kincaid
The usual 70s android stuff
ctomvelu116 December 2012
I suppose this TV movie could have been turned into a series. It probably would have been no worse than The Six Million Dollar Man, which today is unwatchable. Robert Foxworth minus his usual mustache plays an android in search of his missing creator and some answers about his purpose. Mike Farrell plays his builder and companion. The military is after them, led by John Vernon of Animal House fame. I found the movie incredibly dull, even though it was a Roddenberry concept. Maybe it looked like something in 1974, but not today. Foxworth's android was clearly the forerunner for Data, by the way, just not as interesting. But who knows? Maybe a series would have made a difference.
---MORE DETAIL TO THE PLOT SUMMARY--(and opinion)
renfield5425 June 1999
Questor was played by Robert Foxworthy (rather starchedly and robotically and well). His abilities are superhuman. But, with his programming incomplete, he doesn't know his mission and needs the help of Mike Farrell to find his creator and his ultimate purpose.
This was definitely presented as a pilot to a proposed series. The incomplete android needing a human to guide him and further his mission, makes the perfect team to explore humanity. A creation of Gene Roddenberry, the exploration of the universe, contrasted through the eyes of humans and non-humans, has been a familiar (and successful) theme for him. The movie was very enjoyable and it ended well. I don't think I could handle their exploits on a weekly basis. It would grow old quickly. Where-as, our days have a great deal of violence, these were days of pacifist excess. It takes too much away from the all too human option of necessary violence. A middle ground would have served it well.
And, not to accuse Roddenberry of nepotism or favoritism, but look for Majel Barrett (Mrs. Roddenberry) and Walter Koenig, both of Star Trek fame, in this TV movie.........
This was definitely presented as a pilot to a proposed series. The incomplete android needing a human to guide him and further his mission, makes the perfect team to explore humanity. A creation of Gene Roddenberry, the exploration of the universe, contrasted through the eyes of humans and non-humans, has been a familiar (and successful) theme for him. The movie was very enjoyable and it ended well. I don't think I could handle their exploits on a weekly basis. It would grow old quickly. Where-as, our days have a great deal of violence, these were days of pacifist excess. It takes too much away from the all too human option of necessary violence. A middle ground would have served it well.
And, not to accuse Roddenberry of nepotism or favoritism, but look for Majel Barrett (Mrs. Roddenberry) and Walter Koenig, both of Star Trek fame, in this TV movie.........
Lacks excitement and entertainment.
Boba_Fett113826 February 2012
This is not really a movie but a pilot for a TV series, that never made it. And while there still was some good potential, I'm glad it did not got turned into a TV-series.
The idea of having an all knowing and strong humanoid android walking around, searching for his purpose, while solving potential crisis's is a pretty good and strong concept, that however does not get handled very well in this movie. It's really lacking two things; excitement and entertainment.
To say it boldly; this is a very boring movie. No action, no real excitement of people constantly being chased, no big mysteries or criminal plots that need to get resolved. Instead this movie mostly consists out of a man and an humanoid android walking around and talking to each other and also learning from each other.
Thing that could had still saved it all was some decent enough entertainment, or perhaps better said some relieving humor. This movie takes itself far too serious, which was its downfall I believe. It makes it all, all the more boring to watch and even makes some of its moments seem ridicules and definitely not interesting enough to follow. You could also say it's lacking a clear objective. You have no idea where the movie its story is supposed to be heading to, since it's all being told in a not so very exciting or interesting enough way.
Perhaps it also simply was a bad idea in the first place to have an humanoid android as the main character itself. Because he constantly.. talks.. like.. this.. with.. pauses.. between.. every.. new.. word and makes jerky movements with his arms and head at times (though this seems to be quite at random when he does this). What is all the more ridicules about this is that normal humans don't seem to notice this and talk to him- and treat him like a normal human being, also no matter what nonsense he ever says.
The idea was good and definitely showed some potential in it. The execution of it was however far too lacking.
5/10
http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/
The idea of having an all knowing and strong humanoid android walking around, searching for his purpose, while solving potential crisis's is a pretty good and strong concept, that however does not get handled very well in this movie. It's really lacking two things; excitement and entertainment.
To say it boldly; this is a very boring movie. No action, no real excitement of people constantly being chased, no big mysteries or criminal plots that need to get resolved. Instead this movie mostly consists out of a man and an humanoid android walking around and talking to each other and also learning from each other.
Thing that could had still saved it all was some decent enough entertainment, or perhaps better said some relieving humor. This movie takes itself far too serious, which was its downfall I believe. It makes it all, all the more boring to watch and even makes some of its moments seem ridicules and definitely not interesting enough to follow. You could also say it's lacking a clear objective. You have no idea where the movie its story is supposed to be heading to, since it's all being told in a not so very exciting or interesting enough way.
Perhaps it also simply was a bad idea in the first place to have an humanoid android as the main character itself. Because he constantly.. talks.. like.. this.. with.. pauses.. between.. every.. new.. word and makes jerky movements with his arms and head at times (though this seems to be quite at random when he does this). What is all the more ridicules about this is that normal humans don't seem to notice this and talk to him- and treat him like a normal human being, also no matter what nonsense he ever says.
The idea was good and definitely showed some potential in it. The execution of it was however far too lacking.
5/10
http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/
Questor Tapes
Rlipt81 January 2008
It was a very well done project for it's time and Robert Foxworth did a splendid job. Any criticism of his performance is totally unwarranted and it was a touching performance. His interpretation of the Android was touching and the humanity and feeling he brought to the character was memorable.
The end of the movie is heartwarming and it has stayed a cult classic for us fans for decades. I remember being mesmerized by the special effects at the time even though they would seem dated by today's standards. The most important thing is the feeling brought to the characters and the relationship between Questor and humans.
It is sad that it has not been made available sooner on DVD so that fans of today can enjoy it with hindsight.
Hopefully the DVD I ordered will arrive soon and bring back all the fond memories. Lew Ayers did a find job also as did Mike Farell.
The end of the movie is heartwarming and it has stayed a cult classic for us fans for decades. I remember being mesmerized by the special effects at the time even though they would seem dated by today's standards. The most important thing is the feeling brought to the characters and the relationship between Questor and humans.
It is sad that it has not been made available sooner on DVD so that fans of today can enjoy it with hindsight.
Hopefully the DVD I ordered will arrive soon and bring back all the fond memories. Lew Ayers did a find job also as did Mike Farell.
Outstanding concept forecasting the future with spiritual overtones.
vanorman5 June 2003
After all these years, I'm still amazed how this film created a concept of a way to centrally identify worldwide needs and the resources to fill them and we are seeing it happen in various ways (Northwest Medical Team (free medical help to needy countries), the worldwide effort to save the two whales stranded in the ice years back,etc). The efforts so far have not come close to the scope in the movie, but I feel it will come.
Precursor of the information super-highway!!
The concept of a progressive mentor throughout history, guiding but not interfering with mankind's evolution to maturity -- well done!!
Marcia
Precursor of the information super-highway!!
The concept of a progressive mentor throughout history, guiding but not interfering with mankind's evolution to maturity -- well done!!
Marcia
He is compelled to seek his maker.
Bernie444430 March 2024
This is a great pilot for a TV series that never got made.
Five countries pool resources to build beyond the state-of-the-art android (Project Questor.) The main inventor Dr. Vaslovik (Lew Ayres) is missing. In Dr. Vaslovik's absence, they attempt to decipher the programming tapes to be sure there is nothing insidious and destroyed part of them in the process. Now the android, Questor (Robert Foxworth) has to seek Vaslovik and find out why he was made.
Unable to do this on his own due to partially destroyed memory and his initial problems with understanding humans he forcibly recruits one of his assemblers, Jerry Robinson (Mike Farrell). Soon Questor gets so good at manipulating people that even we get suspicious of his true purpose.
It is not hard to recognize the teleplay writer as Gene Roddenberry of Star Trek fame. Many of the actors are recognizable from other programs of the time. Lady Helena Trimble is played by Dana Wynter of "Lady Godiva Rides Again (Bikini Baby)" fame.
Be sure to read the book by D. C. Fontana. The book works well as a stand-alone story; However, if you saw the pilot the images will still be there as you read.
Five countries pool resources to build beyond the state-of-the-art android (Project Questor.) The main inventor Dr. Vaslovik (Lew Ayres) is missing. In Dr. Vaslovik's absence, they attempt to decipher the programming tapes to be sure there is nothing insidious and destroyed part of them in the process. Now the android, Questor (Robert Foxworth) has to seek Vaslovik and find out why he was made.
Unable to do this on his own due to partially destroyed memory and his initial problems with understanding humans he forcibly recruits one of his assemblers, Jerry Robinson (Mike Farrell). Soon Questor gets so good at manipulating people that even we get suspicious of his true purpose.
It is not hard to recognize the teleplay writer as Gene Roddenberry of Star Trek fame. Many of the actors are recognizable from other programs of the time. Lady Helena Trimble is played by Dana Wynter of "Lady Godiva Rides Again (Bikini Baby)" fame.
Be sure to read the book by D. C. Fontana. The book works well as a stand-alone story; However, if you saw the pilot the images will still be there as you read.
More information
Padrick7 December 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Questor was the latest in a line of androids, his predecessor being the scientist who built him as a replacement (his own existence being finite). He was one of a long line of androids put on earth ages ago to "help us along". He escapes the center in which he is built in order to find his creator and complete his programming. John Vernon (best known as Dean Wormer from Animal House) played government agent Darro, who's mission was to find and facilitate the destruction of the "dangerous" Questor. Questor succeeds in finding Vaslovik, who is too far gone to be of assistance. Close behind, Darro learns the truth, and fools the government into thinking that Questor has been destroyed.
The perfect android movie
mirabai25 August 2002
This film is beautiful. Since 1973 it has not aged a day due to its intensely human focus.
The casting is first rate, and the performances spot-on. Perhaps it is better that it was never made into a series (this is a pilot film) because an ongoing series could never manage to consistently live up to the original work.
Gene Roddenberry outdid himself with "Questor." I prefer it to "Star Trek" and I have been a "Trek" fan since that series began. The character of Data in "Next Generation" while very endearing shows no more than a hint of his far more emotively and philosophically powerful predecessor, Questor. I highly recommend this film.
The casting is first rate, and the performances spot-on. Perhaps it is better that it was never made into a series (this is a pilot film) because an ongoing series could never manage to consistently live up to the original work.
Gene Roddenberry outdid himself with "Questor." I prefer it to "Star Trek" and I have been a "Trek" fan since that series began. The character of Data in "Next Generation" while very endearing shows no more than a hint of his far more emotively and philosophically powerful predecessor, Questor. I highly recommend this film.
SciFi babble for children
Mikelito24 September 2007
The only reason this pseudo-scientific effort has nothing but positive reviews and almost 7 points (so far...) is that no one seems to bother to (re)view this low-brow attempt at Science Fiction.
It's typical Roddenberry - he rehashes a mishmash of seemingly scientific ideas by bringing it all down to the level of an illiterate audience or an audience of kids. Alright, there may be a huge market for brainfree entertainment but it just doesn't deserve the rating it is getting here. It would if this was a forum for Trekkies, people believing in Ufos etc.
But this is a site where Monty Python movies get (only) around 8 stars but mentioning them would be like comparing apples (Python) and trash (this). The only question this mess leaves unanswered is: why even review it? I guess some things have to be done in defense of better movies.
I'd just like to point out Foxworth's portrayal of a "robot": It's dreadful.
It's typical Roddenberry - he rehashes a mishmash of seemingly scientific ideas by bringing it all down to the level of an illiterate audience or an audience of kids. Alright, there may be a huge market for brainfree entertainment but it just doesn't deserve the rating it is getting here. It would if this was a forum for Trekkies, people believing in Ufos etc.
But this is a site where Monty Python movies get (only) around 8 stars but mentioning them would be like comparing apples (Python) and trash (this). The only question this mess leaves unanswered is: why even review it? I guess some things have to be done in defense of better movies.
I'd just like to point out Foxworth's portrayal of a "robot": It's dreadful.
sci-fi robo mystery/suspense
Thalor-220 June 1999
This is one of my favorite films of all times.
An android is assembled from the instructions left behind by its designer. The team assembling it is made up of his assistant and a group of other cybernetics experts. The technology is highly advanced and no one is greatly surprised when the android fails to "activate" - just disappointed.
Later on in the film more comes out about the origins of the android and its "purpose" as defined by its creator. The conflict of the film is between man and machine, and man versus man. Perhaps the standard motivations apply. There is a very large-scale allegory as a backdrop to the main story that is eventually revealed. The android and its creator are not all that they seem. They are more than they appear to be.
The assistant is loyal, dutiful, and moral. Almost all the other people are not.
There is plenty of action as the assistant and his eventual partner struggle to do the right thing, and just survive.
There is nothing camp about the film and it is in no way a spoof of anything. It does have a lot of futuristic technology, at least in the lab. Pretty much what we would expect of the 21st century. Except maybe for magnetic "computer tapes": too old-fashioned today! They are already becoming an anachronism.
If you liked any of these films you will probably also like this one: Westworld, Futureworld, The Stepford Wives, or The Terminator - then you will probably like this one.
An android is assembled from the instructions left behind by its designer. The team assembling it is made up of his assistant and a group of other cybernetics experts. The technology is highly advanced and no one is greatly surprised when the android fails to "activate" - just disappointed.
Later on in the film more comes out about the origins of the android and its "purpose" as defined by its creator. The conflict of the film is between man and machine, and man versus man. Perhaps the standard motivations apply. There is a very large-scale allegory as a backdrop to the main story that is eventually revealed. The android and its creator are not all that they seem. They are more than they appear to be.
The assistant is loyal, dutiful, and moral. Almost all the other people are not.
There is plenty of action as the assistant and his eventual partner struggle to do the right thing, and just survive.
There is nothing camp about the film and it is in no way a spoof of anything. It does have a lot of futuristic technology, at least in the lab. Pretty much what we would expect of the 21st century. Except maybe for magnetic "computer tapes": too old-fashioned today! They are already becoming an anachronism.
If you liked any of these films you will probably also like this one: Westworld, Futureworld, The Stepford Wives, or The Terminator - then you will probably like this one.
This movie was awesome!!
compstud8 March 2005
I'm wondering why this movie has never been released on DVD or VHS! This is one of the most fantastic concepts of the late, great Gene Roddenberry and would still play well today - more than 30 years later. I wish there was some kind of movement to get it released, as I would really love to add it to my collection of sci-fi movies. If you get a chance to ever see this movie and you like science fiction, don't miss it! Roddenberry is a master of the future-possible. He resisted the temptation that so many sci-fi writers fall prey to - the temptation to paint a dark and horrible future for mankind. Roddenberry believed in the future of humanity. You can see this in the uplifting spirit of his creations. Everyone immediately thinks of Star Trek when they think of Roddenberry, but he had a vast quantity of other great work - and The Questor Tapes was as good as any of them. So a word of advise - if you are looking for Science Fiction, but you want entertainment that is also positive in its approach to the future (as well as thought-provoking), then get your hands on anything Gene Roddenberry put his name on - you won't be disappointed. And as I said, The Questor Tapes is an example of one of his best works. I fear it is in danger of being completely forgotten. That would be a crime.
Great Robot Story
storman22 September 2001
Another great Gene Roddenberry TV-Movie Pilot. The networks dropped the ball, on not making Questor Tapes into a TV series. It seems every time Roddenberry came up with a great new series(Questor Tapes, Genesis II, Planet Earth, Spectre) the networks failed to see his vision. Someday I hope someone remake's these into movies or pilots again they are sure deserving of it.
This is a better version of Data than Data.
machrf8 October 2022
I don't think I saw this more than the one time when it first aired. Back then he had a number of pilots Genesis II and Planet Earth among them that did not make it. As good as a concept as they were this was far better. Gene was putting together shows that were advanced for their time. People back then were still into the more real detective and family shows than science fiction.
But these tidbits kept his fan base active, always hopeful, always watching, always willing to participate. What surprises me is that the Six Million Dollar Man started nearly the same time as this show. Makes you wonder why they chose one over the other and not both. Too similar for them?
Robert Foxworth as a far better android. As much as I enjoyed Data, Robert gave the character a bit more feeling. A more natural yet robotic feel. It is a shame it didn't take off. What surprises me is that Genesis II (great concept) and Planet Earth has been mentioned far more often over the years over this one and this one is a better quality product. I wonder political dynamics played between the studio and Gene that interfered with this getting off the ground.
But these tidbits kept his fan base active, always hopeful, always watching, always willing to participate. What surprises me is that the Six Million Dollar Man started nearly the same time as this show. Makes you wonder why they chose one over the other and not both. Too similar for them?
Robert Foxworth as a far better android. As much as I enjoyed Data, Robert gave the character a bit more feeling. A more natural yet robotic feel. It is a shame it didn't take off. What surprises me is that Genesis II (great concept) and Planet Earth has been mentioned far more often over the years over this one and this one is a better quality product. I wonder political dynamics played between the studio and Gene that interfered with this getting off the ground.
The first Data
doctardis29 August 2006
Warning: Spoilers
**** spoilers ***** This was a pilot for a possible series done by Star Trek creator Gene Roddenbary. Questar is android with no emotions and no understanding of them. He spends the movie searching for his creator with the help of friendly scientist. Like data and Spock, Questar very strong, knows a great deal of facts, and process data like a computer. He finally learns of his from his creator who is another android. Questar's mission it turns out is the same one as Gary Seven from the Star Trek episode "Assignment Earth." This Star Trek episode was itself a pilot. Qestar also has some similarities to the the android Norm in the Star Trek episode, "I Mudd." As with all Roddenbary projects he uses actors from other projects like his wife, Majel Barret.
Available Private Party
BrianD75 November 2007
On one occasion I found a large movie collector that would put this movie on a disc in a common format and send to the buyer without guarantee. The cost was I recall about twenty dollars. I will add more information if I can again find it. This is a moderate movie but interesting. There are a number of large movie collectors that have most of the old movies that are not generally available. I am always looking for a few that are hard to find. Most of these movies were not well respected and hence are not in production due to economics. I think in some cases a major actor made a bad movie and wishes to suppress the release of it.
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