''Alien Cargo'' is a 1999 American

science fiction Science fiction (often shortened to sci-fi or abbreviated SF) is a genre of speculative fiction that deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts. These concepts may include information technology and robotics, biological manipulations, space ...

television film A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie, telefilm, telemovie or TV film/movie, is a film with a running time similar to a feature film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a Terrestr ...

directed by Mark Haber, written by Carla Jean Wagner, and starring

Jason London Jason Paul London (born November 7, 1972) is an American actor, known for his roles as Randall "Pink" Floyd in director Richard Linklater's film '' Dazed and Confused'' (1993), Jesse in '' The Rage: Carrie 2'' (1999), and Rick Rambis in '' Out Co ...

, Missy Crider, Elizabeth Alexander and

Alan Dale Alan Hugh Dale (born 6 May 1947) is a New Zealand actor. As a child, Dale enjoyed theatre and rugby. After retiring from the sport, he took on a number of occupations, before deciding to become a professional actor at age 27. Dale subsequent ...

. In the film, a space-cargo transport ship is attacked by an unknown alien life form that manipulates all organic life into releasing their inner evil psyche. It aired on

UPN The United Paramount Network (UPN) was an American broadcast television network that operated from 1995 to 2006. It was originally a joint venture between Chris-Craft Industries (later sold to News Corporation)'s subsidiary, United Television, ...

on January 28, 1999.

Plot

After months of hyper-sleep aboard the cargo transport ship ''Solar System Shipping Vessel No.17'' (''SSS-17''), two crew members awaken: Chris McNiel and Theta Kaplan. They discover that they've been awakened from hyper-sleep, by the ship's computer, almost ten months past their scheduled time, as something has gone terribly wrong on board. The ship's internal systems are badly damaged, they have almost no fuel and their position is some way off the

ecliptic The ecliptic or ecliptic plane is the orbital plane of Earth's orbit, Earth around the Sun. It was a central concept in a number of ancient sciences, providing the framework for key measurements in astronomy, astrology and calendar-making. Fr ...

. They slowly realize that the vessel's first shift probably killed each other and caused the ship's desolation but, as of yet, they don't know why. They calculate that they have only nine hours of life-support power left and then it will fail. With the help of the ship's log they discover a space probe that one of the crew of the first shift brought on board. They then find a strange substance and begin to analyze it. Soon after the discovery of the probe and the substance they start to argue, which quickly escalates into violence. They then try to kill each other in a running struggle throughout the damaged ship. Meanwhile, the crew of a nearby deep-space research ship following a comet and which has been alerted to their predicament evaluate if they can attempt a rescue. Trapped in the freezing cargo hold, a near

hypothermic Hypothermia is defined as a body core temperature below in humans. Symptoms depend on the temperature. In mild hypothermia, there is shivering and mental confusion. In moderate hypothermia, shivering stops and confusion increases. In severe h ...

Kaplan regains her senses and realises that the strange substance must be a biological agent which induces

psychosis In psychopathology, psychosis is a condition in which a person is unable to distinguish, in their experience of life, between what is and is not real. Examples of psychotic symptoms are delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized or inco ...

but becomes inert at low body temperatures. Based upon this information the ship's computer suggests a drug which should cure the infection. After injecting herself with the cure, Kaplan manages to trap a still psychotic McNiel and treat him. The two then have to convince the reluctant research ship to try a rescue plan to slingshot the crew over. As they make departure preparations, they discover that the drug had only a temporary effect and that they are still infected and cannot risk contaminating the rest of the crew or their rescuers. They decide to transfer the uninfected sleepers over with minutes to spare before their sleep chambers fail. McNiel and Kaplan decide to remain with ''No.17'' as it hurtles towards the sun, to prevent future contamination. To while away the time left, they dismantle the probe and discover that it contains a canister of the blue contaminant. It is discovered that the probe was originally from Earth and they speculate that it picked up the virus in space and went on to accidentally contaminate an unknown alien race, who then sent the probe back where it came from as some kind of retaliation.

Cast

as Christopher 'Chris' McNiel *Missy Crider as Theta Kaplan *

Simon Westaway Simon Westaway (born 22 December 1958) is an Australian actor who has appeared in many television series, films and theatre productions. Education Westaway studied acting with PBL Workshop and John Gauchi's Theatre Workshop. Career Westaway ...

as Adam Iberra, SSS17 First Watch * Elizabeth Alexander as Rojean Page, Explorer Dolphin *

as Eichhorn, Explorer Dolphin *Warwick Young as Omer Janowitz, SSS17 First Watch *David Ross Paterson as Warren Schiedell, SSS Group Manager (as David Paterson) *Kevin Copeland as Hunt Ballard, SSS17 Sleeper *

Diana Glenn Diana Glenn (born 1974) is an Australian actress with many credits in television, film, and theatre. Early life and education Glenn has an English father, Greek mother and three siblings. She attended Melbourne Girls Grammar School and studi ...

as Leilani Griffin, SSS17 Sleeper *Theresa Wong as Yvonne Hagan, SSS17 Sleeper *Jennifer Congram as Voice of Shoshoni, SSS17 Computer / SSS Communication Central *Julian Garner as a Titan Miner *Helen Houard as Eli Follette, SSS17 Sleeper *

Rebecca Riggs Rebecca Riggs is an Australian actress best known for her role as Commandant Grayza in the science fiction television series ''Farscape''. Career Film Riggs had parts in films such as''Jerry Maguire'' and '' Raw Nerve''. Television Riggs ...

as Meryl Leonardi, SSS17 Sleeper *Sean Dennehy as Rupert O'Day, SSS17 Sleeper

External links

*{{IMDb title, 0184197
Alien Cargo at Rotten Tomatoes
1999 television films 1999 films 1999 science fiction films 1990s American films 1990s English-language films American science fiction television films English-language science fiction films Films scored by Patrick O'Hearn Films set on spacecraft UPN original films Village Roadshow Pictures films