I have a soft spot in my heart for Disney’s The Black Hole.
Released in 1979, it’s a weird mix of designs. Maximilian (above) is still a pretty intimidating robot. He also is responsible for a shocking death scene…at least for a 7 year old kid in the early 80s. He drills through Anthony Perkins on a whim. There’s no blood or gore, but Perkins’ reaction to having his sternum shredded is spot on.
At least I think it is. I’ve never seen it done in real life.
Given the time, and that it was Disney (The Mouse used to do super-safe family stuff, kids), it’s a very memorable movie moment.
In contrast to the imposing Maximilian, the other robots are kind of campy. V.I.N.C.E.N.T and Old Bob have eyeballs for crying out loud.
I love this movie for it’s weirdness. And for Roddy McDowell’s soothing voice as he plays V.I.N.C.E.N.T. while Ernest Borgnine hobbles around doing Ernest Borgnine things. I used to see this movie on the Disney Channel when I would stay home sick from school. It made me feel a little bit better.
Except for Norman Bates getting drilled to death. That part still creeps me out a bit.
The Black Hole gets 4 out of 5 nostalgia stars. It would have 5 but I still don’t get that LSD trip of an ending.