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Review

THX 1138

  • Directed by George Lucas.
  • Written by George Lucas and Walter Murch.
  • Starring Robert Duvall, Donald Pleasence, Don Pedro Colley and Maggie McOmie.

There was a time when George Lucas didn’t rule the world. A time when secondary characters were real actors and not annoying vacuous CGI freaks. A time when Lucas had no money but plenty of talent.

THX 1138 came out in 1971 and was George Lucas’ first feature length film. It’s based on a short film he made in college which received critical acclaim from professors and students alike.

In the 25th century the human race has been relocated to an underground city beneath the earth’s surface. In this new society, individuality is forbidden. The people are given random names, their hair is shaved and their clothing is identical. In this underground city, the population is forced fed with enormous quantities of drugs in order to control their emotions and behavior. Television broadcasts violence, sex and robotic policemen beating suspects. Anything that could lead to intellectual independence is forbidden. Drug evasion is a felony and sex, the ultimate crime.

THX 1138THX 1138 (Robert Duvall), a factory worker, is imprisoned when he stops taking his medication and breaks the law by falling in love with his room-mate LUH 3417 (Maggie McOmie). While in jail he sets out to escape with an illegal programmer SEN 5241 (Donald Pleasence) and a hologram named SRT (Don Pedro Colley) in order to find LUH and escape to the surface.

When you stop and consider that this is Lucas’ first movie, you can’t help but be a little jealous at the man’s capabilities. The production quality of this film is incredible. The world imagined by Lucas is monotone (everything is white), sterile, mournful and oppressive. It’s the perfect depiction of a society that has suppressed all humanity in the way it’s governed and replaced it with bureaucracy and so called equality.

THX 1138The acting is excellent, Duvall gives an outstanding performance.

Story wise, it’s good even though the story is quite common. Totalitarianism is a very recurring theme in Science-Fiction. I loved the idea of the robotic police officers, the fact that society doesn’t trust men to enforce the law anymore but prefers robots reminded me of how today we also trust computers and constantly try to replace humans by robots in the workplace. I guess it’s also a critic to the police violence of the time. At the time the movie was written, many anti-war protests were taking place and were countered by some very brutal retaliations.

The only major flaw I could find was in the director’s cut. In the 2004 release many digital effects were added especially towards the end. I personally find them completely useless (damn you George and your CGI monstrosities) but some people argue that they bring more suspense and tension during the car chase sequence.

In conclusion, check out this movie, THX is more than some sound company it’s a very good movie. I give it a COOL.

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About The Author

Romain

Representing generation 1988, Romain was born in France and bred on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Was fortunate enough to live several years in the U.S. and in Ireland where he was raised on Super Nintendo, Jurassic Park and Star Wars. Currently studying biology in France, spending most of his time skipping class and going to the cinema.

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Article Information

  • Posted: Wednesday, February 11th, 2009
  • Author: Romain
  • Filed Under: Film, Review
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Comments

3 Responses to “THX 1138”
  1. Bruce Moyle Bruce Moyle says:

    Thanks for the review Romain,

    I have been meaning to watch this film for years but have never managed to do so. I will go hunting for a copy to finally watch it. The trailer actually made me even more interested.

    About time I actually went and checked out what George was like before Star Wars.

    February 11, 2009 at 10:48 pm
  2. Romain Ballet Romain says:

    you took out the other comments!!
    good, they were strange!!!!

    February 12, 2009 at 9:38 am
    • Bruce Moyle Bruce Moyle says:

      They where spam. Most spam gets eaten by our filter but sometimes they still get through. I check the site once or twice a day for any that get through.

      February 12, 2009 at 10:59 am

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