Outland is a classic of science-fiction film but not generally well known, probably because it didn't spawn a franchise. It was a peer with other great films of the late 70s and early 80s like Blade Runner, Alien, Star Wars. Having enjoyed Foster's novelization of Alien, I found a yellow-paged mass-market paperback printed in 1982 and breezed through it in no time. This is a thinking-persons science-fiction. There are no aliens, no magical technology, very believable if gritty near future, not a ton of stupid action. It's best remembered for the depictions of uncontrolled decompression in the vacuum of space causing the body to explode - this turns out to be myth, still it made for some gruesomely memorable scenes.

Overall I found the novel as good or better than the movie. Sean Connery wasn't the right cast. The story is based on High Noon and it involves a man of no great potential rising unexpectedly to overcome forces larger than himself. But Connery is not that kind of actor, he arrives already a great man by association (James Bond!), of course he will prevail. The novel in this regard is more successful. Overall, really great classic science-fiction that is worth reading as well as watching, particularly for more recent fans of Moon. ( )

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