Marooned

Marooned

Year: 1969

Runtime: 134 min

Language: English

Director: John Sturges

AdventureSci-FiDramaThriller

Stranded on the desolate surface of the moon, a solitary robot finds renewed purpose when an unlikely companion appears. Together, they must work to repair a damaged spacecraft and find a way back to Earth. Their shared mission offers a glimmer of hope for a successful return home from the lunar landscape.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Marooned yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Marooned (1969) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Marooned (1969), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Images of breathtaking natural landscapes transition into the dramatic launch of a space rocket. Onboard are three brave astronauts: Jim Pruett, Clayton Stone, and Buzz Lloyd. Meanwhile, back at mission control, Charles Keith grapples with the daunting question of whether they can execute even the simplest tasks after eight months in the vastness of space.

Once aloft, the astronauts remove their helmets, a sign of a troubling development as their backup systems mysteriously fail. Realizing the severity of the situation, Keith makes the crucial decision to abort the mission. A journalist, Vincent Van Lynn, sheds light on the intricacies of retro-fire and their expected return. The Mission Director, played by George Gaynes, asserts the urgency of employing their primary thrust due to the damage sustained by their secondary system. The communications officer, Tom Stewart, relays this critical message to the astronauts who are now facing an impending crisis.

As a tropical storm threatens to complicate their situation, the weather specialist, George Smith, warns that conditions are deteriorating. Faced with dwindling oxygen supplies, Keith reluctantly declares a 48-hour countdown for a rescue attempt, despite knowing only an untested aircraft and an inexperienced crew are available. He sternly advises against any reckless actions, particularly in attempting unauthorized repairs on the spacecraft.

In a moment of tension, the astronauts resort to taking sleeping pills, hoping that reduced movement can help conserve their precious oxygen reserves. Meanwhile, the wives of the astronauts arrive for an emotional farewell. Celia Pruett](/actor/lee-grant) struggles to express her love for Jim amidst the weight of practicality, focusing instead on insurance and their home. Teresa Stone conveys her support for Clayton’s mission and hints at future aspirations, while Betty Lloyd tries to comfort the increasingly panicked Buzz as he spirals into a fit of hysteria, breaking down as he reads a letter intended for the President.

As bad weather hinders the launch of the rescue mission, Keith faces the media, dismissing inquiries about alternative plans. However, a new strategy begins to take shape as a computer technician, Bruce Rhodewalt, tirelessly works on a solution. Meanwhile, the astronauts fight dizziness as their situation becomes increasingly dire.

The XRV, the mission’s last hope, is launched, igniting darker speculations about survival that hint at the unthinkable—sacrificing one to save two. Before any drastic measures can materialize, an attempt is made to fix the engine, but tragedy strikes when Jim’s suit sustains damage, leading to his untimely demise. Keith, burdened with the responsibility of delivering the dreadful news to Celia, feels the weight of their loss deeply.

As tension escalates, a nervous VIP, George R. Robertson, awaits updates. With rescue finally on the horizon, Buzz and Clayton make a desperate bid to open the hatch, despite Huston’s objections. In a pulse-pounding moment, Clayton pushes Buzz towards the escaping horizon, but in the chaos, he loses his grip and falls back into the rocket.

However, hope flickers as Ted Dougherty succeeds in rescuing Buzz, while another astronaut provides oxygen to the recovering Clayton. Against all odds, both men emerge from the harrowing experience alive as the story unfolds in a gripping tale of courage, sacrifice, and emotional endurance.

Last Updated: October 25, 2024 at 11:01

Unlock the Full Story of Marooned

Don't stop at just watching — explore Marooned in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Marooned is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Marooned Timeline

Track the full timeline of Marooned with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Marooned Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Marooned

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Marooned. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Marooned

More About Marooned

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Marooned: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Marooned

Similar Movies to Marooned

Discover movies like Marooned that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.