Test pilota Pirxa

Watch Test pilota Pirxa

  • 1978
  • 1 hr 44 min
  • 6.4  (991)

Test pilota Pirxa is a sci-fi movie that was released in 1979, directed by Marek Piestrak from Poland. Despite its age, this movie has aged gracefully and offers futuristic concepts that are still relevant today. It is an adaptation of "The Hunt for Pirx" short story by Stanisław Lem. The film is set in the 21st century when space flight is now common, and artificial intelligence is a standard feature. The movie revolves around a team of astronauts led by Pirxa, played by Sergei Desnitsky. The team is selected for a crucial expedition, which involves testing a new android crew member, the LE-XX model, designed to replace human crew members. However, the spacecraft starts experiencing mysterious malfunctions, which pose a significant threat to the whole expedition.

Despite being set in outer space, Test pilota Pirxa is an introspective movie that tackles significant issues such as the human condition, morality, and what it means to be human. Pirxa, who is skeptical of the LE-XX model and its abilities, begins to wonder if the robot is capable of feeling emotions, making ethical decisions or if it has a soul. For Pirxa, the mission becomes a journey of self-discovery as he confronts the reality of the limitations of the human mind and the role of artificial intelligence in space exploration. This aspect of the film gives it a deeper and more thoughtful character than just a sci-fi action spectacle.

The movie's production design, sound, and visual effects are for the most part imaginative despite the obvious limitations of the era. The spacecraft, exterior and interior, is built to match Lem's description, an industrial box with small windows, which, notably, seems to reflect on the lack of individualization and the dull reality of the 21st-century space lifestyle. The spaceship halls offer an equally clean and simple design, as does the LE-XX android. These design choices suggest a minimalist view of the future, one in which technological advancements only fuel a more efficient, but mundane, lifestyle.

The plot is spiced with suspenseful and dramatic scenes that keep the audience intrigued. For instance, the hostile entity or "something" that keeps sabotaging the ship poses a constant threat to the crew, forcing them to work together to solve the problem. The tension builds to the moment when the crew is required to go outside the ship to effect repairs, and the viewer is made to grapple with the dangers and uncertainty that come with space exploration.

The acting is top-notch, with Desnitsky delivering a superb performance as Pirxa. His portrayal of Pirxa as an unlikable, stubborn captain who becomes more vulnerable and introspective throughout the mission is impressive. The supporting actors, Boleslaw Abart and Vladimir Ivashov, who play the other crew member and the android, respectively, are also excellent in their roles.

Overall, Test pilota Pirxa is an intelligent, thought-provoking sci-fi film that explores human nature and the relationship between humans and technology while maintaining a firm grip on suspense and adventure. The film's slow pace, minimalist design, and existential themes may not appeal to all sci-fi fans, but it is undoubtedly a classic of the genre that deserves more recognition. Its themes are still relevant today, and its value lies in its ability to engage its audience and leave them thinking about the deeper implications of the technological future that surrounds us.

Test pilota Pirxa
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Description
  • Release Date
    1978
  • Runtime
    1 hr 44 min
  • Language
    Czech
  • IMDB Rating
    6.4  (991)
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