Capricorn One – The 1978 Fake Mission to Mars

In 1978, the movie "Capricorn One" depicted a fake mission to Mars where astronauts are forced to participate in a staged event after being pulled from the shuttle at the last minute. The film, made with cooperation from NASA, tapped into the growing belief in the US that the moon landings were faked. Despite the film's entertainment purpose, it fueled conspiracy theories surrounding the moon landing. The movie's production faced initial rejection from studios but was eventually brought to life with the help of British-based showbiz tycoon Lew Grade. The Watergate scandal and a general distrust of the government at the time contributed to the film's success. "Capricorn One" featured a cast including James Brolin, Sam Waterston, and OJ Simpson, and highlighted themes of government conspiracy and manipulation. The film's portrayal of NASA as conspirators added to the intrigue surrounding the moon landing hoax theory. Despite its controversial subject matter, the movie remains a captivating blend of conspiracy and action to this day.