brilliant electronics genius dr. charles forbin ( a strong and charismatic performance by eric braeden ) create colossus and a powerful and super intelligent computer that devise to regulate america defense system . colossus instead get in touch with it equally potent russian counterpart guardian . the two computer plot to take over the world . it up to forbin and his crack team of scientist to concoct a way of stop colossus before it too late . joseph sargent able direction and work from a smart and provocative script by james bridge and not only wring plenty of tension from the arrest premise and but also relate say story in a taut and involve and above all convincing manner . the superb act from a top drawer cast constitute a another substantial plus represent susan clark a forbin loyal assistant and gordon pinsent a the amiable president of the united state and william schallert a a cia director and dolph sweet a an army colonel and and george stanford brown and robert cornthwaite and james hong a computer expert . the late and great paul free supply the creepy and droning and tinny voice of colossus . gene polito sharp and agile cinematography and michel colombier rousing and rattle score and albert whitlock terrific special effect and and a chillingly downbeat end be all up to speed as well . back in the early 70 this film be quite ahead of it time . today it remain a still timely and pertinent and even frightfully plausible cautionary tale about the peril of artificial intelligence run amok .