THX-1138 (1971)
Adult themes, Nudity, Low level violence
Using strong visuals and astonishing sound effects to heighten the gripping story, George Lucas gave the world advance notice of his formidable talent with his classic debut feature Thx-1138, adapted from his award winning short film with the encouragement of none other than Francis Ford Coppola.Robert Duvall is Thx-1138, a humble worker in a soulless, sprawling subterranean society where each person has a number, not a name, sex is outlawed and laws are enforced by constant surveillance and sinister, silver faced androids. His discovery that there is more to life than the state-required drug stupor and the loss of his mate to a sinister technician finally gives him the courage to recover from his nightmare world.
| Status: | Unavailable |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 84mins |
| Origin: | UNITED STATES |
| Aspect Ratio: |
| Run Time: | 84mins |
|---|---|
| File Size (Approx): | 0.8 GB |
THX 1138
by Jess Lomas, 25/09/2012 4:32:00 PM
There’s much to admire in George Lucas’ debut feature THX 1138, based on a prize-winning short the director made at the University of Southern California. The ideas at the core of this minimalist sci-fi about technician THX 1138 (Robert Duvall) and his roommate LUH 3417 (Maggie McOmie), who fall in love against the backdrop of an oppressive future society, are genuinely scary in their realism. In Lucas’ dystopian vision, people are controlled by an omniscient government through the use of mind-altering medication and indoctrination, suppressing all emotions. They work long shifts either in a dangerous job involving radiation or in the control centre monitoring society, seek atonement and guidance from an automated confession booth called OMM 0910, and are fed porn and violence as entertai...
There’s much to admire in George Lucas’ debut feature THX 1138, based on a prize-winning short the director made at the University of Southern California. The ideas at the core of this minimalist sci-fi about technician THX 1138 (Robert Duvall) and his roommate LUH 3417 (Maggie McOmie), who fall in love against the backdrop of an oppressive future society, are genuinely scary in their realism.
In Lucas’ dystopian vision, people are controlled by an omniscient government through the use of mind-altering medication and indoctrination, suppressing all emotions. They work long shifts either in a dangerous job involving radiation or in the control centre monitoring society, seek atonement and guidance from an automated confession booth called OMM 0910, and are fed porn and violence as entertainment.
When LUH becomes disillusioned with her job, she begins to reduce hers and THX’s daily drug doses and the two discover feelings of love and sexual desire for one another, culminating in the couple making love. For this illegal act LUH and THX are arrested, with THX being remanded in prison before plotting an escape with fellow prisoners SEN 5421 (Donald Pleasence) and SRT (Don Pedro Colley). It’s only when THX’s escape swings into motion that the film really picks up speed, and despite the extremely short running time of 86 minutes, the opening half an hour really demands your attention to detail, dragging ever so slightly to get to the action.
While THX 1138 was not a commercial success upon its release in 1971, it has since gone on to become a cult classic, with critical reviews applauding the movie's technical merit. If Lucas’ intent was to create an almost claustrophobic viewing experience, he has succeeded, and despite the implausibility of his future vision, the message of the struggle and basic human desires of the central characters shines through the sterile and controlling world they are enslaved in. Strictly for sci-fi nuts and Lucas fans, THX 1138 is an at times tedious exploration of a dystopian society that sheds more light on Lucas’ future projects than it does on the actual future.
3/5
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Member Reviews (20)
20 Member
Reviews
DS
says
Impressive special effects for its time. A highly rewarding film experience for anyone with an attention span and likes dystopian futuristic settings. Those who claim a poorly developed idea or couldn't follow the plot should probably return to the cheeseball acting and ewok musicals of Lucas' later films.
Posted byDavid Rochow
says
Write a review...verrrrry strange !!!!!!!!!!!
Anthony Rigby
says
Boring from the start I watched about 10min of Movie so It may get better with time.
ali
says
a poorly developed story idea that was made into a feature length movie. will take the advice of reviewer david e and read the book. it had many elements introduced eg. the consume more mantra (why? there didn't seem to be anything to buy), but most weren't fully realised and left me wondering why the hell mention it if it wasn't a plot device.
on an up note - i did appreciate the all white escape scene. always a classic.
Viewer
says
Supposedly a classic sci-fi film, I found this film to be a little too clinical and random to actually get to the crux of any real background story. The effects were, undoubtedly, state-of-the-art in their day and the actors gathered were all quite capable but, somehow, I ended up thinking that the lack of a strong and independent plot made this film feel a little bit hollow.
Ricky P.
says
Very interesting .... I notice another person's comment refers to The Island ... which by chance we had watched last week on the TV.
YES THX-1138 and The Island have a lot in common .... and I suppose Soylent Green makes up the trio. THX predates Soylent Green by two years.
YES we watched this from begining to end ... our judgement of a good movie. YES I think The Island was better.
Vera C.
says
not very easily followed, was long and drawn out, all the white void cinematically was the highlight! (which says something for the voidness of the movie!)
Stuart
says
Great insight to the mastery that is George Lucas, and a briliantly played role by a very young Robert Duvall, a battle of man vs the machine/government, can he win? does the government really know whats best? is the grass really greener on the other side?
Marek C.
says
Very slow paced and unsettling movie. This one definitely has to be watched in the 'art movie' mindset. I do recommend it mainly for the director's commentary, with which the movie starts to make a lot more sense.
David E.
says
This is one of my favourite books. If I hadn’t read the book, the movie would have been meaningless.
Colin R.
says
Ho-hum, give me Star Wars anyday. Poor old George Lucas must have been tripping when he made this one.
Mathew G.
says
Beautifully filmed and told with strong metaphor's woven into it. A movie to walk into with open and rested mind, although slow moving, is quite visually entertaining
Not for every one. But if you liked 2001 a space odyssey, chances are you will like this.
M@
Wade P.
says
Rachel O.
says
Was slow all the way though, very weird. Only borrowed it because it was Speilberg's first movie. Cinematically it was ok. The music and acting could have been improved. If it was made today it would have been called the Island (but with a better story line).
Linda R.
says
Linda R.
says
Brett S.
says
Weird movie, i dont get it.
Irene L.
says
Frightening, but hopeful, visually stark and strong
Ben
says
I enjoyed this movie greatly - for the style and ability to use genuine San Francisco locales to makes it seem futurisitc, even by today's standards. Its a shame that George Lucas has left challenging moviemaking in favour of his fairytale land of Stars Wars. Everyone has their price! Well worth a watch.
George
says
Interesting art house SF from George Lucas. The story has a "1984" theme and is set in an underground city where people a made docile by medication and kept under constant surveillance. The story line is bland and predictable but the film should be watched for its visual aspects and its portrayal of a "1984" society. The Director?s commentary enhances the understanding of the film.