Review of The Omega Man (1971) by Danny R — 19 Oct 2011

A striking adaptation of Richard Matheson's novel "I Am Legend," that has become a sci-fi cult classic. Charlton Heston in a superlative performance plays Colonel Robert Neville, a government researcher who has survived the the ultimate biological weapon, which has released a deadly plague that ravaged humanity due to a apocalyptic war between China and Russia that has infected the entire world, he alone has survived because of an experimental vaccine that he injected himself with when his helicopter crash landed, the other survivors are plague victims that have mutated into nocturnal, light-hating, pale skinned, white-eyed psychopaths, who are led by the sinister Matthias, played superbly by veteran character actor Anthony Zerbe, who delivers a compelling performance as the charismatic infected leader of the murderous mutant hordes who called themselves "The Family.

" Matthias is hell-bent on destroying Neville who is the last remnant of the old civilization that produced the plague, and caused the punishment that befall mankind. Neville rides around the sunlit city streets that was once Los Angeles in his convertible car foraging for supplies, but he must make sure he returns to his fortified townhouse before sundown, for that is when Matthias and his mutations wake-up and hunt for him.

Neville by chance discovers that he is not alone, in a department store he meets a feisty young Afro-wearing, gun-toting black woman named Lisa, nicely played by Rosalind Cash, she is member of a band of rural uninfected survivors that includes some heathy young children and her friend and co-guardian of the kids Dutch, well played by Paul Koslo, who have avoided Matthias and his "Family," together with Lisa, Dutch, the children and Neville hope to escape to the mountains and fine a cure, but Matthias will never give up his quest to kill Neville.

Some excellent action scenes, superb cinematography by Russell Metty and a good moody score by Ron Grainer, it is very amusing to look at the dated costumes, decor, vehicles, 8- track tape players and slang speech of that time period, which makes this gem of a movie all the more enjoyable.

"The Omega Man" remains an entertaining, thought-provoking pure piece of 70s pop culture. Highly Recommended.