In the Christian world we used BC (before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini or the year of the lord). For the secular version there is BCE (before the common era and CE (common era). In Science Fiction there is BSW (Before Star Wars) and AV (Anno Vader). So, I’m up to 2 and 1 BSW or 1975 and 1976 for my favorite Science Fiction movies. For my favorite science fiction movies of 1975 and 1976 there are twelve candidates:
1975
Death Race 2000
A Boy and His Dog
The Stepford Wives
Roller Ball
Escape to Witch Mountain
The Strongest Man in the World
The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
I’m typically not in to post-apocalyptic movies (with a few exceptions). Death Race 2000 and A Boy and His Dog don’t fit into the exceptions. The Stepford Wives never appealed to me, and James Caan in Rollerball is yet another dystopian movie where the world’s problems are solved by surrogate gladiator type events.
The 1975 choices fell to three rather quickly. That leaves two Disney entries: Escape to Witch Mountain and The Strongest Man in the World, or the rather bizarre cult classic, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” In all three cases I would recommend you see them once if you have not done so. Escape to Witch Mountain has a much better remake in “Race to Witch Mountain”. “The Strongest Man in the World” was the last of three films starring Kurt Russell as Dexter Riley that started with “The Computer wore Tennis shoes”. The trilogy humor was recycled quite a bit, so again not a winner.
I’m starting to think 1975 was another bad year for Science Fiction (and I’m right). I think I’ll go with the least undesirable choice, “Rollerball”. Can you come up with a better choice?
1976 is a bit better. I had six finalists, but it is much more competitive. “At the Earth’s Core” is a movie I wanted to like as it is based on the same title from an Edgar Rice Burroughs novel. It is pretty weak both for plot and cast. “The Food of the Gods” is more for horror affectionatos. “Future World” is a sequel to “Westworld”. Watch the original instead. “The Man who fell to Earth” was an intriguing premise and stars singer David Bowie. It probably worked better as a TV series.
My favorite movie from 1976 and I could include 1975 would be Logan’s Run. My wife and I saw it as the second feature of a double feature leading with Westworld. Both of us enjoyed this dystopian film which is lighter than most. It starred Michael York as the protagonist and Jenny Agutter as the female lead. Richard Jordan did a great job as the antagonist hunter, and it has a couple of nostalgic cameos with Peter Ustinov and Farrah Fawcett.
Of all the science fiction movies from 1975 and 1976 there are several I’m glad I watched, but wouldn’t really want to watch again (ever). “Logan’s Run” is the true exception for this period. My wife and I rewatched this film recently, and I’d watch it again every year or two and smile.
My biggest disappointment for 1975 and 1976 would have to be “At the Earth’s Core”. There have been a variety of B movies based on the premise, but none have achieved the possibilities for the film.