1. HAL 9000 - 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
We're finally at #1. Even though this list of depraved machines is in no particular order, was there any doubt that HAL would be #1? Of course not. HAL 9000 is a character in the Space Odyssey saga by Arthur C. Clarke. The letters that make up the name HAL are an acronym for Heuristically programmed ALgorithmic computer, which ostensibly means it is an artificial intelligence. This creepy computer, which controls the systems in a spacecraft named Discovery One, is the main villain of the groundbreaking film 2001: A Space Odyssey by director Stanley Kubrick. HAL is brilliantly brought to life as a red television-camera eye located on several equipment panels throughout the ship. The effect of that camera eye was so pervasive, that an electronic red eye is now quite often used to symbolize evil in films (for instance, the red eye slowly winking out as the T-101 "dies" at the climax of The Terminator). I didn't particularly like 2001: A Space Odyssey when I first saw it as a kid - although HAL's calmly diabolical line "What are you doing, Dave?" has stuck with me (and almost all moviegoers) in the intervening years - but 2001 is a VERY good movie. If you haven't seen it, make sure you grab a copy and give it a watch. That's it for my list. There are definitely a few more demonic supercomputers out there. Let me know your favourites.