Focus Features

Robert Wise’s The Andromeda Strain, adapted from Michael Crichton’s bestseller, predated by almost 20 years fears of the deadly Ebola virus when it hit theaters on March 12, 1971. The science fiction hit stars Arthur Hill, James Olsen and Kate Reid in its tale of a group of scientists battling a virus that causes a terrifying fatal blood disease. After discovering a small town that has been wiped out by the virus, our lab-suited heroes transport the virus to an underground research facility where they race to beat it before it beats the human race. In The Andromeda Strain, the virus comes from outer space. Today, however, there are plenty of super viruses lurking in the halls of our hospitals, making fear of deadly contagion no longer science fiction.

Robert Wise’s The Andromeda Strain, adapted from Michael Crichton’s bestseller, predated by almost 20 years fears of the deadly Ebola virus when it hit theaters on March 12, 1971. The science fiction hit stars Arthur Hill, James Olsen and Kate Reid in its tale of a group of scientists battling a virus that causes a terrifying fatal blood disease. After discovering a small town that has been wiped out by the virus, our lab-suited heroes transport the virus to an underground research facility where they race to beat it before it beats the human race. In The Andromeda Strain, the virus comes from outer space. Today, however, there are plenty of super viruses lurking in the halls of our hospitals, making fear of deadly contagion no longer science fiction.