Review of THX 1138 (1971) by Manny C — 22 Sep 2009
Long before he did Star Wars or even American Graffiti, director George Lucas adapted a short film he did in uni for the big screen. It wasn't very well received at the time, but it would eventually find a cult audience.
After this, Lucas would eventually find his feet, and work his way on the road to eventual success. It's a pity he never tried anything like this since. Set in a white underground future dystopia, where it's an Orwellian society where everyone's emotions are kept in check by manatory medication, their names are like codes and everyone is bald.
A nuclear reactor employee THX 1138 (Robert Duvall) one day stops taking his medication when his female roommate LUH 3417 (Maggie McOmie) also stops. As a result, they start feeling emotions such as love, and are soon both arrested for having unauthorised sexual activity and failure to take their medication.
THX soon plans to escape from the city, but it seems almost impossible. Lucas' vision of what the future may have in store for us seems quite realistic, it's very experimental, and is a world away from what Star Wars would have to offer audiences.
It does require patience, but it does pay off in the end with an amazing car chase. If only George would get back to stuff like this.
This review of THX 1138 (1971) was written by Manny C on 22 Sep 2009.
THX 1138 has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
