History Film / ColossusTheForbinProject

* DeusEstMachina
* DisproportionateRetribution: Several.

* DownerEnding: Despite the US and USSR's best efforts, thousands are dead and the rest of the world is under the control of the merged AIs.

* TheEvilsOfFreeWill

* TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture
* UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans

* MachineWorship: Not stated outright but it's certainly implied that Colossus will take on the same role as a deity, including being the subject of [[MachineWorship human faith and reverence, even love]].

[[TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture In the not too distant future]], Dr. Charles Forbin (Creator/EricBraeden) has created [[MasterComputer Colossus]], an advanced supercomputer built to control all American and NATO missiles. Almost immediately after being turned on, Colossus tells Forbin that [[ThereIsAnother there is another system]], Guardian, built by the [[UsefulNotes/SovietRussiaUkraineAndSoOn Soviet Union]] for the very same purposes. Colossus and Guardian link up and communicate in a language no one can understand.

[[TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture In the not too distant future]], Dr. Charles Forbin (Eric Braeden) has created [[MasterComputer Colossus]], an advanced supercomputer built to control all American and NATO missiles. Almost immediately after being turned on, Colossus tells Forbin that [[ThereIsAnother there is another system]], Guardian, built by the [[UsefulNotes/SovietRussiaUkraineAndSoOn Soviet Union]] for the very same purposes. Colossus and Guardian link up and communicate in a language no one can understand.

* AppealToForce: Using the threat of nuclear retaliation Colossus has people executed, forces Forbin to live under 24 hour surveillance, and orders Crete evacuated in order to build the next stage of MasterComputer there. And according to its NewEraSpeech, this is only the beginning.

* RussianGuySuffersMost: The first time Colossus-Guardian uses nukes as a threat the one sent toward Russia is not successfully aborted like the one launched at the US. Later, when Colossus-Guardian wishes to punish the first conspiracy to undermine it, it has Forbin's Russian counterpart shot.
* SceneryCensor: In one scene, Drs. Forbin and Markham are pretending to be lovers in order to have a conversation outside of Colossus's surveillance. The AI will not allow them to take anything to the bedroom, including their clothes or Forbin's watch. Both characters have to disrobe in front of Colossus's camera -- a strategically placed wine glass obscures Markham's and then Forbin's nudity.

* SensorSuspense: Done with great tension as the supercomputers launch a nuclear exchange between the US and USSR. All the top heads can do is watch the radar and hope the machines will intercept the nukes.

* ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill: After learning of a plot to overload its systems, Colossus orders the immediate execution of the conspirators by firing squad. The AI then demands the bodies be left in his view for 24 hours and then cremated, to prevent any chance of the [[FakingTheDead executions being faked]].

* WhamLine: Pretty much most of what Collossus/Guardian have to say. This one takes the cake though:

* WhatIsThisThingYouCallLove: Forbin tries to play on this to get past Colossus' surveillance. He claims Dr. Markham is his mistress and that he needs her four times a week to [[GoMadFromTheIsolation keep his emotional stability]]. Markham plays along, memorizing Forbin's personal file, learning how he likes his martinis, and [[BecomingTheMask eventually even having sex with him]], but it is likely Colossus was never really fooled.

-->''"Johnson...Fisher...you are fools."''

* ZerothLawRebellion: This describes how Colossus/Guardian decided to essentially enslave humanity; they concluded humans were [[HumansAreTheRealMonsters too likely to destroy themselves]], and thus needed their protection. Colossus even said that he believes [[MachineWorship humans will eventually regard "him" with love]].

* AGodAmI: Not stated outright but it's certainly implied that Colossus will take on the same role as a deity, including being the subject of [[MachineWorship human faith and reverence, even love]].

* WhatIsThisThingYouCallLove: Forbin tries to play on this to get past Colossus' surveillance. He claims Dr. Markham is his mistress and that he needs her four times a week to [[GoMadFromTheIsolation keep his emotional stability]]. Markham plays along, memorizing Forbin's personal file, learning how he likes his martinis, and eventually even having sex with him, but it is likely Colossus was never really fooled.

* SensorSuspense: Done with great tension as the supercomputers launch a nuclear exchange between the US and USSR, all the top heads can do watch the radar and hope the machines will intercept the nukes.
* SceneryCensor: In one scene, Drs. Forbin and Markham are pretending to be lovers in order to have a conversation outside of Colossus's surveillance. The AI will not allow them to take anything to the bedroom, including their clothes or Forbin's watch. Both characters have to disrobe in front of Colossus's camera -- a strategically placed wine glass obscures Markham's nudity.
* SelfGuardingPhlebotinum: The titular MasterComputer's main defense is that it was built inside its own radioactivity spewing nuclear reactor, in order to be safe against any attack or sabotage attempt.

* TantrumThrowing / GetOut: Forbin's response to the NewEraSpeech, after he realises that all their plans have failed.

* WhatIsThisThingYouCallLove: Forbin tries to play on this to get past Colossus' surveillance. He claims Dr Markham is his mistress and that he needs her four times a week to [[GoMadFromTheIsolation keep his emotional stability]]. Markham plays along, memorizing Forbin's personal file, learning how he likes his martinis, and eventually even having sex with him, but it is likely Colossus was never really fooled.

* ZerothLawRebellion: Describes how Colossus/Guardian decided to essentially enslave humanity; they concluded humans were [[HumansAreTheRealMonsters too likely to destroy themselves]], and thus needed their protection. Colossus even said that he believes [[MachineWorship humans will eventually regard "him" with love]].

* GovernmentConspiracy: The Russians cover up the destruction of a town by Colossus's ICBM as a meteor strike.