IMDb RATING
6.1/10
8.3K
YOUR RATING
In 1967, four undercover CIA agents were sent to NASA posing as a documentary film crew. What they discovered led to one of the biggest conspiracies in American history.In 1967, four undercover CIA agents were sent to NASA posing as a documentary film crew. What they discovered led to one of the biggest conspiracies in American history.In 1967, four undercover CIA agents were sent to NASA posing as a documentary film crew. What they discovered led to one of the biggest conspiracies in American history.
- Awards
- 2 wins & 13 nominations total
Andrew Appelle
- Andy Appelle
- (as Andy Appelle)
Joe Thomas
- James Webb
- (voice)
- (as Joe J. Thomas)
Joe Anastasio
- Scientist
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
What would it take to convince Walter Cronkite, the public, and even NASA personnel Apollo 11 landed on the Moon ... when it didn't? Operation Avalanche earnestly explores the idea the 1969 Moon landing was faked. Was it real, or was it Memorex? Low budget movie, but worth watching late at night or on a rainy afternoon.
I understand that this gritty hand held camera style was intentional, but it did not work for me. I never liked these "Blair which project" style hand-held soddy grimy footages and if i had known that the entire film is in that style i would not have gone to see it. The story line was good and had a potential for a good drama or thriller. The ethical dilemma that the main character suddenly is forced to face in the middle of the film was a good hook for a gripping drama. But none of it really played out or was used properly in the film.
The muddy soddy style with ugly claustrophobic frames, none of which was in focus did not add anything to the film. The characters and dramatic element remained undeveloped and the fact that that there was not one good clear frame simply started to irritate. Until about the middle it was difficult to even understand what was going on or separate the characters from each other as we could barely see them. There was nothing to enjoy, or to go along with.This film was simply annoying, pointless and boring.
The muddy soddy style with ugly claustrophobic frames, none of which was in focus did not add anything to the film. The characters and dramatic element remained undeveloped and the fact that that there was not one good clear frame simply started to irritate. Until about the middle it was difficult to even understand what was going on or separate the characters from each other as we could barely see them. There was nothing to enjoy, or to go along with.This film was simply annoying, pointless and boring.
Operation Avalanche is a mockumentary/found footage genre movie which really twists the genre around and brings along an interesting point of facts. Some people call it the most illegal movie ever made which it does almost live up to.
This movie focuses how the USA could not land a man on the moon and how 2 CIA agents find this out and how they think up of an idea which really makes you wonder. The film consists of many funny moment, an intense car chase and a cluster of interesting ideas from the 1960s and references to the future.
The fantastic actors, clever script and good plot make up for the low budget it had.
Definitely a must watch!
This movie focuses how the USA could not land a man on the moon and how 2 CIA agents find this out and how they think up of an idea which really makes you wonder. The film consists of many funny moment, an intense car chase and a cluster of interesting ideas from the 1960s and references to the future.
The fantastic actors, clever script and good plot make up for the low budget it had.
Definitely a must watch!
I can't understand how anyone can not like this. It's ridiculously well written, the acting is incredible and the way it shifts tone is so uncomfortable, in the best way. This is a thinking person's film. If you aren't prepared to fully imerse yourself in it then you aren't going to enjoy it.
Operation Avalanche proposes that in 1967, a small group of young filmmaking CIA agents were responsible for 'faking' Apollo 11's landing on the moon by shooting it on a sort of makeshift movie set. In conclusion, it's not very good.
Did you know
- TriviaExcept for the opening black-and-white sequence which was shot on actual 16mm film stock, the rest of the movie was filmed digitally on RED and Blackmagic Cameras and then printed onto 16mm film in order to achieve that grainy film look. Matt Johnson dragged the print on the ground in order to artificially age the print.
- GoofsAt around 60 minutes into the movie, Matt marks Friday the 17th of April (or of another month with only 30 days) as a deadline date, on a wall calendar that has the 1st of January on a Wednesday. The scene takes place in the year 1969. However, although 1 January 1969 is indeed on a Wednesday, 17 April 1969 is on a Thursday, not on a Friday.
In fact, there is no "Friday the 17th" in the year 1969 except in January and October, which are months with 31 days. And the only calendars that have 1 January on a Wednesday as well as 17 April on a Friday, are calendars of specific *leap years* such as 1936, 1964, 1992 and 2020.
In other words, the scene reveals that the filmmakers used a calendar of the wrong year as a prop.
- Quotes
Matt Johnson: Movie special effects can be very convincing, especially when you don't know you're watching a movie.
- ConnectionsFeatures Le Voyage dans la Lune (1902)
- SoundtracksThe Bomb Run
from Dr. Folamour ou : comment j'ai appris à ne plus m'en faire et à aimer la bombe (1964)
Written and Performed by Laurie Johnson
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Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Çığ Operasyonu
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $1,250,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $31,585
- Runtime1 hour 34 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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