Convict 762

CONVICT 762 (1997)

Directed by: Luca Bercovici
Screenplay by: J. Reifel
Starring: Shannon Sturges, Billy Drago and Frank Zargarino

Another space movie about an escaped killer on the loose, on a broken down ship, killing the crew off one by one. Hardly original. Made by the Sci-fi channel, consisting of two sets, computer effects of the variety done on a home computer and starring the guy from all those Project Shadowchaser movies. Hardly enticing. But low and behold, Convict 762 is actually pretty good. For a B-movie space flick made by the Sci-fi channel.

As mentioned it’s the common, and overused, story of a maniac killing off a motley space crew one by one. However, this time the crew is all female (no nudity I’m afraid guys) and the film actually manages to be quite tense in parts. There are a few disturbing images and the groovy music adds to the sense of dread. The lack of sets and dim lighting reveal the very limited budget but are compensated by above average camerawork that keeps the action moving. The acting is typical of this kind of flick, with Billy Drago doing his usual weirdo shtick. Zargarino is alright in his limited role (despite top billing) and the female cast acquit themselves well (if over-acting a little) in roles usually reserved for men.

I won’t go into the shoddy visual effects or the barmy ending as any hardened movie fan will no doubt be howling with laughter upon seeing them. Yet Convict 762 is pretty entertaining and nowhere near as bad as rumoured. There are certainly many worse sci-fi B-movies out there (trying sitting through The Shepherd starring C. Thomas Howell, it’s virtually impossible…trust me). Good trashy nonsense, which is not bad considering I picked it up for £1.49 in the post office while buying stamps and a jiffy bag.