While Stephen Soderbergh remade Solaris in 2002, which starred George Clooney and did poorly at the box office, it's the 1972 version that is still a major favourite with science fiction fans.The original film, released in 1972, was a Russian film directed by Andrei Tarkovsky and was based on the Polish novel by Stanislav Lem.Solaris follows psychologist and cosmonaut Kris Kelvin who is about to leave earth and travel to the space station that is orbiting the liquid covered, planet like object called Solaris.The planet has been under study for many years but little progress has been made with the programme falling into crisis.Kelvin has been sent there to evaluate the situation.When he arrives he not met by any of the three scientist and he sees that the space station has been dangerously neglected.
When his discovers the scientists he learns that Doctor Gibarian died in mysterious circumstances and the remaining two appear dazed and confused by what has happened. He is told by Dr. Snaut not to overreact to what he might see.
Later that evening he wakes to discover a woman in his quarters - his wife Hari, who committed suicide ten years ago.
Realising that she is a vision of some sort he leads her to his spacecraft and launches her into space. But she later re-appears in his room.
He discovers from the scientists that Solaris created her from the memories he has of her; she isn't human but she has thoughts and feelings and Kelvin demands that she be treated with respect.
But the surface of Solaris has become agitated and Kelvin must decide whether or not to stay on the space station or go back to Earth.
Since it's release Solaris has gained cult status and is often classed as a movie classic as well as making Natalya Bondarchuk, the actress who played Hari, a star.
Yet despite being a reasonably faithful adaptation of Lem's book and a critical and commercial success Lem admitted to not being a fan of the Tarkovsky version of his novel.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw