The Noah's Ark Principle (1984)

Synopsis
In 1983 when this film was shot, the imaginary, far-distant future was set in 1997, when the evil manipulation of a laboratory in space was planned with the idea of controlling the climate of the area around Saudi Arabia. With this new twist on climate-control, Western forces could invade that country literally under cover. But if the climate alteration were to happen, it would cause flooding to rival the biblical deluge, and so the plan must be stopped at all costs. The commander in charge of the space lab refuses to follow through with the project, causing Houston ground control to send up another two astronauts to take over the military objective. The space lab then becomes the scene of a battle between the forces of good and evil that will determine if a second Noah is going to be needed on earth. Neophyte director Roland Emmerich in this diploma film for the Munich film and Television School might have spent more time on the storyline, tying up several loose ends and filling in where needed to add a bit more suspense and excitement to the telling. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide