After a collision with a comet, a nearly 8km wide piece of the asteroid "Orpheus" is heading towards Earth. If it hits, it will cause an incredible catastrophe that will probably extinguish mankind. To stop the meteor, NASA wants to use the illegal nuclear weapon satellite "Hercules," but discovers soon that it doesn't have enough firepower. Their only chance to save the world is to join forces with the USSR, which has also launched such an illegal satellite. But will both governments agree?

Sean Connery
as Paul Bradley

Natalie Wood
as Tatiana Donskaya

Karl Malden
as Harry Sherwood

Brian Keith
as Dr. Dubov

Martin Landau
as General Adlon

Trevor Howard
as Michael Hughes

Richard Dysart
as Secretary of Defense

Henry Fonda
as The President

Joseph Campanella
as General Easton

Bo Brundin
as Rolf Manheim