NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Imprint Blu-ray (September 2024): Imprint have transferred Peter Hyams' Capricorn One to Blu-ray. This package includes both the theatrical cut (123 minutes) transferred in 2.35:1 and the a rarely-seen 128-minute extended cut on separate dual-layered Blu-rays. In 2019, film material from the 129-minute version was discovered at the National Film Archive of Japan and it starts showing the Japanese title (before showing the English one):

We compared LionsGate DVD to the ITV (UK) Blu-ray and 2015 Shout! Factory Blu-rays HERE and below. Strangely we have lost the large captures. But it is easy to see that this new Imprint 1080P 'theatrical cut' is equal or superior, although the extended cut from the Japanese source is fraught with marks and color issues (green/yellow on the top of the frame etc.).

NOTE: We have added 50 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Imprint use linear PCM 2.0 stereo tracks (24-bit on theatrical but 16-bit on the extended cut) in the original English language. Capricorn One has launch-related, planes, helicopters, an amazing, out-of-control, car scene... that all carry depth. There is a highly-lauded score by Jerry Goldsmith (Kingdom of the Spiders, The Don is Dead, Link, Breakout, The Salamander, The Mephisto Waltz, Seconds, Hoosiers, The Blue Max, Breakheart Pass, The Omen) that adds drama to this conspiracy thriller. Imprint offer optional English subtitles on the theatrical cut (none on the 'Extended') The Blu-rays are Region FREE.

The Imprint Blu-ray offers the older commentary by director Peter Hyams on the theatrical cut. He says it is the first time he had seen the film since it was released. He talks about the credits and opening score (Jerry Goldsmith) and how it took a number of years to get any backing, the shot of his wife's ass, casting and much more. It's good. The commentary on the 5-minute longer 'Extended Cut' is new (2024) and by film historian / filmmaker Daniel Kremer (Sidney J. Furie: Life and Films) and screenwriter Daniel Waters (Heathers.) They talk about the disjointed story, the actors, Hyams, the excellent Goldsmith score, what is added in this Japanese cut, amusingly they talk about Hal Holbrook playing the heavy and him also being 'deep throat' in All The President's Men plus Robert Walden (playing Elliot Whitter, who goes missing, in Capricorn One) was also Donald Segretti in that film. They talk about Karen Black replacing Candice Bergen - about Elliot Gould (The Silent Partner) - David Huddleston (Hollis Peaker) who would go on to play 'The Big Lebowski' in The Big Lebowski. Daniel mentions Hyams stating "Some people have AFI Lifetime Achievement awards; some people have multiple Oscars; my bit of trivia is that I've made films with two leading men who were subsequently tried for the first-degree murder of their wives" referring the O.J. and Robert Blake (Busting.) They mention Hyams' trademarks that appear in multiple of his films; 'CON-AMALGAMATE', he always has a character named 'Spota' and appearance by actor James Sikking (RIP 2024.) It's a wonderful commentary - fun and educational. I really enjoyed it. On the theatrical cut disc are vintage featurettes including the 17-minute Flights of Fancy: The Politics and Paranoia of Capricorn One, the 7-minute What If?: The Making of Capricorn One and a 38-minute On Set with Capricorn One showing location footage. That first Blu-ray also has a theatrical trailer and photo gallery. The second Blu-ray with the "Extended Cut" has many new supplements. Conspiracy Busting is a new 18-minute interview with 86-year old actor Elliott Gould where I loved him sitting in front of his DVD/Blu-ray collection. Confessions of an Astronaut’s Wife has a dozen-minute interview with actress Brenda Vaccaro recalling the film. How the Capricorn Was Won: Getting the Greenlight is a new 27-minute interview with producer Paul Lazarus (Westworld, Futureworld.) A Lady of Wondrous Abandon: Remembering the Incomparable Karen Black has her 2013 eulogy by Elliott Gould and, lastly, Orchestrating a Conspiracy has movie music guru Daniel Schweiger on the Capricorn One score by Jerry Goldsmith.

Peter Hyams' Capricorn One is filled with silly conspiracy plot holes and huge time-gaps... that we easily accept. It's kind of an addictive film. Hyams reflected on the Apollo 11 Moon landing, "There was one event of really enormous importance that had almost no witnesses. And the only verification we have ... came from a TV camera." There are some amusing this about Capricorn One; that it has both of Barbra Streisand's husbands; Elliott Gould (from 1963-71) and James Brolin ​(since 1998) as heroes of the story. Like most, I admit to always liking this faked-Mars-landing thriller - especially the angle of TV journalist Gould tracking down the truth and informing astronaut Brubaker's "widow" (Brenda Vaccaro.) The Imprint Blu-ray package has two versions of the film - even if the longer one is more a curiosity. A commentary for each version - loved the Kremer / Waters one - and new interviews; Gould, Vaccaro, Lazarus plus more. Fans of the film need this complete edition. Certainly recommended!   

Gary Tooze