The 1970s started with mostly slocky B movies or even worse remakes of remakes that were more horror than science fiction. The 1970s did begin to come forward with some classics and near misses though.
1970 brought us “Colossus: The Forbin Project”. This is a largely forgotten film, but its theme shows up more and more with computer advances and the development of AI. The concept of the film is a supercomputer built over a large area, reminding me of the basement computer at the NSA in the 70s. The Russians meanwhile have built their own version of a massive supercomputer. The two merge and basically take over the world, forcing peace.
“No Blade of Grass” also came out in 1970. This was a British film that focuses on environmental changes where agricultural production is ruined by nature itself. Certainly not the first dystopian movie where civilization breaks down as it focuses on a family’s attempts at survival as they try to flee to an oasis of hope.
1971 brought us “A Clockwork Orange” by Stanley Kubrick and making Malcolm McDowell a star. Frankly I did not like this movie and would ignore it on a Favorite science fiction movie but it has become a cult favorite.
“The Omega Man” was also put out in 1970. It is the second film based on the 1954 book “I am Legend”. This one starred Charlton Heston and frankly of the three versions of the book I’m aware of, still stands as my favorite, but I haven’t seen it since the 1970s so I’m not sure how well it holds up.
My favorite movie from 1972 was “Silent Running”. Remember, we’re talking 1972, but the film focuses on the premise that all forests on Earth are extinct because of ‘careless environmental exploitation’. The remaining forests are on bio-domes in space aboard massive space freighters. The crew are ordered to destroy each of the domes and return the ships to commercial use. The protagonist (Bruce Dern in his best role) refuses to do so and does anything he deems necessary to save the last forest. Interesting film I’d encourage you to look up if you haven’t seen it.
Still full of B movies and cheap remakes, 1973 brought us four movies of note. First, “The Day of the Dolphin”. Starring George C. Scott and dolphins it identifies the intelligence of dolphins, although little more that well trained dogs, that can carry weapons of destruction toward waterborne targets. Very well made film.
Second, perhaps Woody Allen’s best film, “Sleeper” where Woody Allen’s character is cryogenically frozen and defrosted 200 years later into a dystopian future.
Third, the original “Westworld” movie. My wife and I saw this one together and she couldn’t sleep for nights afterward. Yul Brynner should have won a best actor award for this one.
And finally, “Soylent Green was also made in 1973. Another early dystopian film, with a few surprises in a stable society. Charleton Heston was the main protagonist, but the film is stolen by Edward G. Robinson, famous for his 1930s gangster movies.
So what did I miss? What was your favorite movie from these four years of film?