Space Is the Place

Space Is the Place

Year: 1974

Runtime: 82 mins

Language: English

Director: John Coney

MusicScience Fiction

After years of drifting in space, Sun Ra and his Solar Myth Arkestra land back on Earth and declare Ra to be the “alter‑destiny.” He meets inner‑city youths, sharing his cosmic vision while battling a devilish adversary in a symbolic struggle to protect and uplift the Black race.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Space Is the Place (1974)

Trace every key event in Space Is the Place (1974) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Time-travel confrontation in Chicago

Sun Ra travels back in time to 1943 and returns to the Chicago strip club where he used to perform as Sonny Ray. There he confronts Overseer, a pimp-overlord who controls the neighborhood. They strike a pact to settle the fate of the Black race with a high-stakes card game.

1943 Chicago (strip club)
2

Card game arranged for the fate of Black people

The two men arrange a game of cards that will decide the future of Black people. The stakes are framed as the destiny of a community rather than a simple win or loss. The scene sets a tense mood, bridging Ra's past and his modern mission.

1943 Chicago
3

Card game unfolds; Overseer gains edge but eventual outcome looms

The card game intensifies with both sides wagering the fate of an entire race. The Overseer initially seems to have the upper hand as the match progresses. The duel ultimately ends with the Overseer defeated, sealing Ra's comeback arc.

1943 Chicago
4

Ra lands in Oakland and starts Outer Space Employment Agency

Ra disembarks from his spaceship in Oakland in the early 1970s and immediately sets up an 'Outer Space Employment Agency' to recruit people for his planet. He presents music as the medium of resettlement, and his bold plan creates a buzz in the city. He aims to prove his mission by mobilizing local talent and energy.

early 1970s Oakland
5

Ra teams with Jimmy Fey to spread the message

Ra teams with Jimmy Fey to arrange radio interviews, a record album, and a major concert to spread his message. Fey helps coordinate media exposure and leverages the Overseer's connections to reach wider audiences. The plan is to build credibility and recruit supporters for the space migration.

early 1970s Oakland
6

Skepticism from local youth

Many local youths are suspicious of Ra, accusing him of faking outer-space origins to boost his record sales. They watch him closely at the youth center, unsure whether to trust his vision or his promises. The tension foreshadows the challenges Ra will face in building a broad movement.

early 1970s Oakland
7

Ra kidnapped by NASA scientists

Ra is kidnapped by a team of white NASA scientists who threaten violence to forcefully learn the secrets of his space-travel technology. The capture marks a dangerous turning point in Ra's mission, interrupting his plan to mobilize a mass migration.

early 1970s Oakland
8

Three teenagers rescue Ra and escort him to the music hall

Three local teenagers intervene and rescue Ra, guiding him to the music hall where his concert will take place. Their act reframes his mission as a community effort rather than a solo venture and restores momentum toward his broadcasted plan.

early 1970s Oakland
9

Concert night; NASA attack and a teen's sacrifice

The Arkestra performs its signature free jazz as NASA agents rush the stage to assassinate Ra. One teenager sacrifices himself to shield Ra, saving his life and turning the night into a dramatic twist of hope.

early 1970s Music Hall, Oakland
10

Mass vanishings: Oakland residents vanish to Ra's spaceship

As Ra bleeds on stage, he waves his hand and the performers vanish along with him. One by one, Black residents of Oakland disappear into thin air and reappear aboard Ra's spaceship, leaving the city in stunned disbelief.

post-concert Oakland / Space
11

Fey's split with the Overseer; Fey's black part joins Ra

Fey resists leaving Earth on Ra's spaceship, but Ra doesn't allow it. He transfers Fey's 'black part' to the ship, leaving his 'white parts' behind on Earth. Fey, now acting white, becomes aligned with Ra's mission while the Overseer loses the duel.

early 1970s Earth and Space
12

Spaceship launches; Earth destruction montage

Ra's spaceship launches into the cosmos while music fills the void of space. A montage hints that Earth has been abandoned or destroyed in the wake of Ra's departure, signaling a new chapter for the displaced Black diaspora.

post-departure Space

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 12:32

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Space Is the Place

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