Language : English
Director : George Lucas
In a futuristic society set underground all human life is controlled, by who is left delightfully vague though. They are doctored with drugs and everything, including their emotions, is controlled. THX 1138, played brilliantly by Robert Duvall (way before ‘Godfather’), refuses to take his prescribed dose of drugs. Further he commits the ultimate crime of falling in love, and having sex, with LUH 3417 (Maggie MacOmie). They are both thrown into prison where they meet SEN 5241 (Donald Pleasance of ‘Oh! God’, ‘The eagle has landed’, ‘The great escape’ fame) and together plan to escape. There are some amazingly stark visuals shot against a totally white background. The film ends with THX 1138 breaking free into the outer world, and a new sunrise. The escape scene is simply brilliant. The film is visually brilliant and a must-watch more for the fact that it is one of the first few directorial ventures from George Lucas rather than cos’ it is a great film. Thanks to my cousin for sourcing this from the US of A 🙂
THX 1138 produced by Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘American Zoetrope and was edited by George Lucas himself. THX 1138 was a remake of George Lucas’ student film. This film was made before he made ‘American Graffiti’, the ‘Star Wars’ series and also produced the “Indiana Jones’ series.
Brought to mind ‘Gattaca’, ‘KPAX’ and ‘A Clockwork Orange’, all films in the same genre methinx. Also watched a Kannada film ‘Savari’ thanks to a good friend who probably was settling scores. The lesser I talk about this ‘Siddartha-take’ the better. Watched Ranjith’s ‘Tirakatha’, loosely based on actor Srividya’s life. Definitely worth a watch.
Useless trivia : Interestingly the screenplay of ‘THX 1138’ is jointly written by George Lucas and Walter Murch. Walter Murch has been Sound Editor for films like ‘American Graffiti’, the brilliant ‘The Conversation’, ‘The Godfather II’, Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘The Rain people’ etc.
The title THX 1138 was from George Lucas’ San Francisco phone number 849 1138. And oh yes if it makes a difference to you the opening credits scroll down instead of up.
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