Real-world elements used to portray the fictional computer in Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970) [closed]

Real-world elements used to portray the fictional computer in Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970) [closed] - Workplace with modern laptop with program code on screen

The opening sequence of "Colossus: The Forbin Project" (1970) starts with close-ups of electronics, progressing up to a console of an IBM 1620, and eventually to a giant hall where "Forbin" (Eric Braeden) is first seen. I am curious specifically about two things:

  1. Something that looks to me like a giant multi-platter disk drive (behind a tall glass enclosure)... movement can be seen (what looks to me like read/write heads seeking in and out)... is that what it is, and if so, was it actual computer equipment of the day, or a studio-built/commissioned prop?
  2. The hall of "computer banks". I have no doubt that much of the "hall" is painted matte, although patterns of flashing lights can be seen, and the whole hall appears to light up in a sequence. How was that shot put together? What parts of the shot were physical props and what was artwork and/or visual effects? And for the props, what was existing equipment and what was studio-constructed? I am excluding from my question the large "console" bearing the embossed "COLOSSUS" name at the top - it's not all that mysterious what is going on there.





Pictures about "Real-world elements used to portray the fictional computer in Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970) [closed]"

Real-world elements used to portray the fictional computer in Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970) [closed] - Upset ethnic man holding head reading information on laptop in park
Real-world elements used to portray the fictional computer in Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970) [closed] - Happy African American man holding sheets of paper in front of laptop
Real-world elements used to portray the fictional computer in Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970) [closed] - Computer display with statistics of COVID 19 cases



What films shows have been influenced by Colossus?

The sentience of Colossus that's depicted would be a strong sci-fi staple that would continue to flourish throughout the 70s and 80s and beyond, with films like Westworld, The Terminator (the rise of Skynet in particular), WarGames, and The Matrix, to name a few.

Where was Colossus the Forbin Project filmed?

The exterior scenes of the Colossus control center were filmed at the Lawrence Hall of Science museum at the University of California, Berkeley. In some countries (such as the U.K.), the film was originally titled simply as The Forbin Project, though the U.K. DVD release is titled Colossus: The Forbin Project.

Was there a sequel to Colossus the Forbin Project?

This is the second volume in "The Colossus Trilogy" and a sequel to Jones' 1966 novel Colossus. The trilogy concludes in 1977's Colossus and the Crab....The Fall of Colossus.Hardcover first editionAuthorDennis Feltham JonesGenreScience fictionPublisherPutnamPublication date197412 more rows

Is Colossus the Forbin Project on Netflix?

Can I stream Colossus: The Forbin Project on Netflix? Colossus: The Forbin Project is not currently available to stream on Netflix.



Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970) - Official Trailer (HD)




Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Rodrigo Santos, Ketut Subiyanto, Ketut Subiyanto, Sharad Bhat