This Melodrama in space pays less attention to its special effects and hardware than to the astronauts trapped in their tin can and their wives cracking up at ground control, which is odd given that the FX are the most riveting things in the movie, winning an Oscar and putting the human contingent to shame.
Gregory Peck, Gene Hackman and Lee Grant are reliable enough in a tight spot, and the eventual involvement of the Russians in the rescue mission is an interesting move given the Cold War, but, basically, not enough happens in this two-hour plus waiting game.