| The Return of Captain Invincible | |
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DVD cover |
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| Directed by | Philippe Mora |
| Produced by | Brian Burgess Andrew Gaty |
| Written by | Steven E. de Souza Andrew Gaty Peter Smalley |
| Starring | Alan Arkin Christopher Lee |
| Music by | Richard Hartley William Motzing Richard O'Brien |
| Distributed by | Seven Keys Willara |
| Release date(s) | 11 June 1983 |
| Running time | 96 min. |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
The Return of Captain Invincible is a 1983 Australian musical comedy and superhero film starring Alan Arkin and Christopher Lee.
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The plot involves the Captain America/Superman inspired super-hero called "Captain Invincible" (also known as "Legend in Leotards", "The Caped Contender", and "Man of Magnet") who is active during World War II and afterwards. Once a popular hero to all Americans he is forced into retirement in the 1950s following the government's persecution of him.
This takes the form of a McCarthy-ish congressional investigation which accuses him of being a communist (because of his red cape). He is charged with violating U.S. airspace by flying without a proper license, impersonating a military officer and wearing underwear in public. He disappears from the public eye, moving to Australia and becoming an alcoholic.
Thirty years later, his old rival "Mr. Midnight" re-emerges and steals a secret government super-weapon – the hypno-ray. The US government asks Captain Invincible to return, and the story follows his attempts to return to super-heroing and redeem his reputation.
The Return of Captain Invincible was directed by Philippe Mora. It was produced by Seven Keys Production and Willara and distributed by Seven Keys in Australia. It was scheduled for release in America by Jensen Farley Pictures, but the company went out of business days before the scheduled national opening; it was later offered on American VHS and laserdisc by Magnum Entertainment. A widescreen DVD later followed from Elite Entertainment Inc.. It was filmed in Australia.
It features some songs with lyrics by Richard O Brien and music by Richard Hartley (who are primarily known for their prior collaboration on The Rocky Horror Show and The Rocky Horror Picture Show), including "Captain Invincible" sung by O'Brien, "Evil Midnight" sung by Lee and Arkin, and "Name Your Poison" sung by Lee during which the evil Mr. Midnight tempts the alcoholic Captain Invincible with a well-stocked bar.
The film was refused classification as an "Australian film" by the Minister of Home Affairs, prompting a series of court cases and a report in the Australian Senate.[1]
It is reportedly one of Terry Pratchett's favorite films.[2]
The Return of Captain Invincible grossed $55,110 at the box office in Australia.[3]
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