What was the fate of the 'astronauts'
The character played by James Brolin survived, but as I recollect we only saw the capture of the other members of the fake mission. Was an explanation ever made as to their ultimate fate?
shareA bullet to the back of the head, no doubt
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Yeah, I don't think there's any doubt that they would be killed. That's why they were braving the harsh desert in the first place.
shareI've always thought they were killed - but maybe not. Wouldn't they have captured all three before adding murder to the crime?
shareNo way they could get away with killing the final survivor, he was surrounded by way too many witnesses at the end. I am wondering this, what kind of SUING RIGHTS would this guy have? And the beans would be spilled by him, I wonder what would happen to the corrupt officials who murdered 2 astronauts and lied to the american people? Man I would love to see that!
shareWhile their rights to sue would likely be about the same as today, it is much less likely they would have aactually done so. Peolpe were FAR less litigious back then. I can't remember exactly when the law changed, but it was right around that time that it became legal for lawyers to advertise on TV. Prior to the 1970's they couldn't.
shareIf the other astronauts were indeed not executed by the pilots, but just captured - where did they take them? They surely were not in one of the helicopters, for they were built for two people, do I remember that correctly? Besides - they definitely tried to kill Brolin´s and Savalas´ characters, not capture them. Why should they treat them differently than the other two astronauts?
shareBecause they would likely only kill them once they had all three. Or if they had two they could then shoot to kill the third knowing they could then kill the other two. It would be foolish for the conspirators to add murder to their crimes without being as sure as possible it was necessary or they could get away with it.
shareFrankly, I think you overrate their moral criteria...
shareOh I don't think any moral compulsion would hold them back. It would be pure self interest; no reason to take on the risk of punishment for murder if murdering one or two of them was potentially pointless.
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Trajanc I think you nailed the most logical answer. My first impression was that they killed each one on sight, but you convinced me otherwise. Knowing that the bad guys aren't just vindictive criminals but rather people with political motivations, they wouldn't do anything rash.
Definitely their ultimate plan would be to kill all 3, but not until they rounded them all up. With the first 2 being captured, I'm sure that's when the order was given to shoot Bru if trying to escape. Then they would wax the other 2 at their leisure.
Alive or dead the other two astronauts could've been in the back of the helicopters.
The Hughes 500 series helicopter, was normally equipped to carry four people. (Two in the front and two in the back!)
And 500 series helicopters made in and for Asian markets, (Where people are a bit smaller.)
We're often sold as a five place aircraft! (Two in the front and three in the back.)
{More than likely thay would have been put in the aircraft, as it would be the quickest and surest way to prevent anything, from being left behind, and later identified! Like; uniforms, dental work or serialized medical prosthetics! }