Film Review
Silent Running isn't so much a
space odyssey as a space
oddity
- a lavish sci-fi film with pretty well just one character (and two
impossibly cute but mute robots) and a message so simple it can be understood by
children of kindergarten age. A classic of its genre, the film is
as renowned for the quality of its effects work as for its
environmentally minded theme, and was well ahead of its time in both of
these areas. It was the first film to be directed by Douglas
Trumbull, whose work as special effects supervisor on such films as
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
and
The Andromeda Strain
(1971) helped to redefine the sci-fi movie in the late '60s, early
'70s.
For a time when science-fiction was generally still looked down upon by
the critics,
Silent Running
is surprisingly sophisticated, both in its characterisation and in its
treatment of a topical subject (man's destruction of his own
ecosystem). The intelligent screenplay was written by Michael
Cimino, Deric Washburn and Steven Bochco, who would subsequently
collaborate on the multi-Oscar winning Vietnam drama
The Deer Hunter
(1978). The film's stunning visuals are complemented by a
haunting score from Peter Schickele (better known as P.D.Q. Bach), who
also co-wrote (with Diane Lampert) the film's two songs
Silent Running and
Rejoice in the Sun, interpreted by
folk singer Joan Baez.
With environmental issues assuming ever great prominence,
Silent Running probably has a
greater resonance today than it did when it was first seen. This
fact accentuates the film's subtle poignancy and makes it easy for a
modern audience to identify with the principal character (superbly
portrayed by Bruce Dern) as he makes one last effort to salvage the
sublime wonders of nature. With its languorous pace and minimum
of sensational plot developments, the film is a refreshing alternative
to most traditional sci-fi offerings.
Silent Running may be a sweet,
beguiling little film, but it pricks our conscience with the force of a
nuclear-powered pneumatic drill, reminding us what we risk losing if we
do not change our ways.
© James Travers 2010
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.
Film Synopsis
At the beginning of the 21st Century, every species of plant on Earth
has become extinct. The last remaining specimens of plant life
are housed in large dome-like structures attached to space freighters
orbiting Saturn. The only member of the freighters' four-man crew
who cares about the plants is Freeman Lowell. He alone is
confident that one day the domes will be sent back home to re-forest
planet Earth. Imagine then his horror when his superiors order
the domes to be destroyed by nuclear explosives and the freighters
returned to Earth! Once four of the domes have been blown up,
Lowell goes berserk and kills one of his colleagues in a fight.
He then blows up his two other fellow crewmen whilst they are setting
the charges in dome number five. To cover up his murderous
actions and buy himself some time, Lowell sabotages his own freighter,
sending it out of control. After a hazardous passage through
Saturn's rings, Lowell sets the freighter on a course away from the
Earth. With the help of the two remaining robotic drones, Huey
and Dewey, Lowell heads for deep space, determined to preserve the last
specimens of plant life...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.