The Astronaut
Synopsis
An elaborate deception emerges when an American astronaut is lost on a mission to Mars. Space agency officials fearful of losing public support and government funding decide to cover up the accident by employing an exact double for the lost astronaut. The ruse begins to unravel when the wife of the lost astronaut realizes she is living with a different man. Although angered by the deception, the woman has fallen in love with the replacement and plans to keep the secret. They both have a change of heart and decide to reveal the secret when they discover a new Mars mission is underway.
Top Cast
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Jackie Cooper
Kurt Anderson
Monte Markham
Eddie Reese / Col. Brice Randolph
Richard Anderson
Dr. Wylie
Robert Lansing
John Phillips
Susan Clark
Gail Randolph
John Lupton
Don Masters
Walter Brooke
Tom Everett
James B. Sikking
Astronaut Higgins
Paul Kent
Carl Samuels
Loretta Leversee
Toni Scott
Ray Dimas
Freddie
Patsy Garrett
Boy's Mother
Tom Hallick
Agent Wilson
John S. Ragin
Walters
Paul Micale
Beachgoer
Richard Stahl
Fred, Beachgoer's Friend
Bob Harks
Photographer (uncredited)
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Robert Michael Lewis
- Screenplay & Story
- Gerald Di Pego, Charles Kuenstle, Robert Biheller
- Original Score
- Gil Mellé
- Original Title
- The Astronaut
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 13m
- Production Studios
- Universal Television
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Robert Michael Lewis
Gerald Di Pego, Charles Kuenstle, Robert Biheller
Gil Mellé
Les Green, John Kaufman
Harve Bennett
Department Leadership Roster
Robert Michael Lewis
Director
Harve Bennett
Producer
Gil Mellé
Original Music Composer
Les Green
Editor
John Kaufman
Editor
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
NR: Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Astronaut.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring The Astronaut.
03, Sci-Fi
BD Release: 1971-1975
Movies released in 4K Blu-ray format - 1971-1975
Sci-Fi Cinema in the 1970s
Science fiction movies from the seventies (1970-1979), including TV movies as well as stand-alone mini-series. This list uses a fairly strict definition of science fiction, and therefore does not include most films that deal with fantasy, the supernatural, or super heroes. Films that fall more under the umbrella of horror (like a lot of zombie and pandemic films) have also been omitted.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Astronaut
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Astronaut about?
An elaborate deception emerges when an American astronaut is lost on a mission to Mars. Space agency officials fearful of losing public support and government funding decide to cover up the accident by employing an exact double for the lost astronaut. The ruse begins to unravel when the wife of the lost astronaut realizes she is living with a different man. Although angered by the deception, the woman has fallen in love with the replacement and plans to keep the secret. They both have a change of heart and decide to reveal the secret when they discover a new Mars mission is underway.
Who directed The Astronaut?
The Astronaut was directed by Robert Michael Lewis.
Who stars in The Astronaut?
The principal cast of The Astronaut includes Jackie Cooper, Monte Markham, Richard Anderson, Robert Lansing, Susan Clark.
When was The Astronaut released and how long is it?
The Astronaut was released in 1972 with a total runtime of 1h 13m.
Who composed the musical score for The Astronaut?
The original motion picture soundtrack for The Astronaut was composed by Gil Mellé.
What is the age rating and content advisory for The Astronaut?
The Astronaut holds official age classifications: US: NR (Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.).