The Power

The Power

Year: 1968

Runtime: 108 mins

Language: English

Director: Byron Haskin

Science FictionThrillerThrillers and murder mysteriesChilling experiments and classic monster horrorShow All…

A secret project team discovers a deadly force: members are slain one by one by an invisible telekinetic power that can move objects with the mind. As fear spreads, the survivors must race against time to uncover which of them wields the lethal ability and stop the murders before it’s too late.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Power (1968)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Power (1968). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Near future

The events unfold in a near-future context tied to ambitious space program goals and advanced experimentation. The era features government-backed scientific research and secret psychic testing. The mood reflects contemporary fears about power, control, and the consequences of pushing human limits.

Location

Research center (Committee on Human Endurance), Hallson's hometown laboratory

The story centers on a high-security research center where the Committee on Human Endurance conducts psi tests and uses a centrifuge to study extreme pain tolerance. Investigations expand from the laboratory to Hallson's hometown, as clues point to a mysterious figure named Adam Hart. The setting is sterile and bureaucratic, underscoring Cold War era anxieties about hidden powers and scientific experimentation.

🧠 Mind 🧪 Science 🕵️ Mystery

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:09

Main Characters – The Power (1968)

Meet the key characters of The Power (1968), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Prof. Jim Tanner (George Hamilton)

A respected investigator who becomes the prime suspect after Hallson's murder. He endures disturbing visions and psychic attacks, and gradually uncovers that he himself may be the superhuman the tests were designed to reveal. His combination of intellect and skepticism drives the pursuit of truth amid a web of deception.

🕵️ Investigator 🧠 Skeptic 🧬 Leader

Prof. Margery Lansing (Suzanne Pleshette)

A geneticist on the Committee on Human Endurance who advocates the testing and becomes a crucial ally in unraveling the Adam Hart mystery. She remains rational and scientifically grounded as fear and intrigue mount. Her methodical approach contrasts with the growing paranoia around the experiments.

🧬 Geneticist 🧠 Scientist 🕵️ Investigator

Prof. Henry Hallson (Arthur O'Connell)

An anthropologist who designed the anonymous questionnaires and becomes one of the victims of the psychical attacks. His work anchors the idea that the human mind can be measured and manipulated. His death escalates the investigation and the stakes of the study.

🧠 Anthropologist 🧪 Scientist 🕵️ Investigator

Prof. Carl Melnicker (Nehemiah Persoff)

A physicist on the committee who argues for the testing program. He is murdered as the investigation uncovers the danger of powers beyond normal humans. His presence represents the scientific pressure that fuels the plot's conspiracy.

🧪 Physicist 🧠 Skeptic 🧬 Scientist

Prof. Talbot Scott aka Scotty (Earl Holliman)

A biologist on the committee who becomes entangled with Hart's plans and is murdered amid fears about hidden powers. His involvement highlights the ethical risk of pursuing knowledge without restraint. His fate underscores the deadly seriousness of the research.

🧬 Biologist 🕵️ Investigator 🧪 Scientist

Prof. Norman E. Van Zandt (Richard Carlson)

A biologist who is revealed to be an ally of Hart and is murdered, adding a layer of betrayal to the conspiracy. His dual role increases the distrust within the committee. He embodies the danger of hidden loyalties in high-stakes research.

🧬 Biologist 🕵️ Conspirator 🧠 Intellectual

Arthur Nordlund (Michael Rennie)

Government liaison on the committee who survives the first psychic assault but is later revealed to be Adam Hart, the mastermind behind the attacks. His dual identity exposes the extent of deception powering the plot. He serves as the pivotal antagonist until the final confrontation.

🧭 Government 🧠 Mastermind 🧩 Deceiver

Mrs. Sally Hallson (Yvonne De Carlo)

Widow of Hallson who helps connect the dots between the murder and her late husband's childhood friend, prompting the investigation. Her perspective anchors the human cost behind the scientific pursuit. She becomes an unlikely source of crucial insight.

👩‍🏫 Matriarch 🧠 Investigator 🕵️ Mystery

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:09

Major Themes – The Power (1968)

Explore the central themes of The Power (1968), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧠 Mind Control

A superhuman ability to influence others' thoughts raises questions about free will and ethical boundaries. The plot centers on discovering who among the committee may wield such power and to what end. The tension stems from the fragility of autonomy when minds can be commanded.

⚖️ Power & Responsibility

The drive to enhance endurance for the space program clashes with moral costs, including murders and deception. Characters wrestle with whether possessing extraordinary abilities justifies risking others. The story interrogates who should govern power and under what safeguards.

🧪 Science & Ethics

Psi tests and anonymous questionnaires illustrate the clash between scientific progress and ethical limits. The narrative shows how data can be misused when paranoia takes hold. The climax reveals the consequences of unchecked experimentation and oversight.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:09

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The Power Summary

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The Power Summary

The Power Timeline

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The Power Timeline

More About The Power

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