Monster of the Day #3486

Well, word is the film is certainly uncontaminated by any Frankenstein.

Tonight's blue-ray feature was Arrow Video's release of "The Andromeda Strain," Robert Wise's 1971 film of Michael Crichton's novel. Along with "Colossus: The Forbin Project" it remains one of those terrifying early 70's films that they just don't seem to make any more (i.e., pretty politics free). It's so scarily realistic that it still has power nearly fifty years later.
Arrow's release is beautiful in both image and sound. There are some interesting extras, as always, so if you're a fan I recommend the purchase. It's cheap-ish on Amazon.

Andromeda Strain is one of a handful of films, I think, that is actual science fiction, rather than fantasy dressed up in science. And you're right about the politics. Now, I am 100% sure, the pathogen would be the result of a military bioweapons experiment. (Hell, they even did that in the Blob remake.)

In Andromeda, there's a very, very brief bit where some of the scientists are outraged that Wildfire was set up as a biological warfare institute. But it's quickly dismissed when it's pointed out "We don't have time for that now." So, yeah, a bit of politics but deftly dealt with. As you mention, that wouldn't happen today. I haven't seen the recent "Andromeda Strain" miniseries but I bet there's a partisan strain in it.
I don't have an interest in seeing the miniseries, honestly; the 1971 movie is perfect.