Dark Planet (1997)

This made-for-television sci-fi movie is set in the year 2638, and Earth is at war (again). This time, the battle isn’t between countries but between species.

On one side are the Aphas, genetically engineered perfect humans and some mutants (the less successful product of genetics experiments). In opposition are the Rebels – a faction of humans who refuse to be altered and have been forced into guerrilla warfare to survive.

The war has raged for decades, and resulting radiation storms, disease, and famine are quickly wiping out the Earth’s population.

Scientists have also discovered that a new virus that was created for biological warfare is far more virulent than expected. Within two years, it will kill every living being on the planet – and there is no way to stop it.

The only solution is to move the uninfected population to a distant world known only as “The Dark Planet” – the only known planet capable of sustaining human life.

Unfortunately, it is on the other side of a treacherous wormhole in space (and if you’re not familiar with that phenomenon, you’ll be hopelessly lost when watching).

The warring factions agree to a truce until a scouting expedition can be sent to the Dark Planet on board the starship Scylla.

Michael York lends an air of dignity to this otherwise forgettable film as Commander Winter, a battle-hardened senior officer in the Alpha forces. Harley Jane Kozak plays Commander Brendan, his opposite number in the Rebel forces.

Together, they must lead the expedition. But can the Alphas – who have always wanted the last unaltered humans exterminated – be trusted?

Australian dancer/actor Paul Mercurio (from Strictly Ballroom) overplays Anson Hawke, a dashing war profiteer and the only person who has ever survived a flight into the wormhole. Neither side trusts him but they need his skills.

The supporting cast members are largely unremarkable.

The budget was clearly tiny. Some of the special effects would have been laughable in a movie from the 1970s, let alone from the age of digital effects. The plot is padded to two hours but would have worked better as a 60-minute episode of The Outer Limits. 

Best viewed in a sleep-deprived haze as a late-late show.

Commander Winter
Michael York
Anson Hawke
Paul Mercurio
Commander Liz Brendan
Harley Jane Kozak
Salera
Maria Ford
Byron
Ed O’Ross
Fletcher
Phil Morris
Cassian
Amy Beth Cohn
First Mate
Blake Boyd
Helmsman
Rick Johnson
Alpha Male 1
Ed Evanko
Alpha Male 2
Rod Arrants
General
John Beck
Pressman
Mark Folger
Alpha Female
Karen Mayo-Chandler

Director
Albert Magnoli