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| Space... the garden frontier, as Bruce Dern becomes the new intergalactic 'Noah' in Douglas Trumbull's odd ball sci-fi gem, Silent Running. Images: Universal/Fabulous Films. |
Before the arrival of the epic space fantasy Star Wars, whose explosive debut in May 1977 changed the face of Hollywood and special effects filmmaking forever, sci-fi/fantasy films of the early seventies were of a very dark, apocalyptic sort, their grimness and violence channeled through the likes of recognised icon productions such as Beneath the Planet of the the Apes, Soylent Green, The Omega Man, Rollerball, and Logan's Run. But sandwiched in between such cinematic 'disturbia' and A New Hope, would be a charming little sci-fi great that hauntingly combined a well-meaning moral/ecological message distinctly from the era of 'Flower Power' alongside terrific special effects work that continued on from the strong realism pedigree showcased back in 1969 with 2001: A Space Odyssey. By 1972, American effects legend Douglas Trumbull, in his acclaimed directorial debut, would give us the unique Silent Running, out now on nice price DVD, courtesy of Universal/FABULOUS FILMS.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-OBV49gvmk
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| Lovell and his 'Drones' work in perfect harmony... |
A man for all acting seasons, and still a genre-crossing legend with his recent work for Quentin Tarantino in particular, Bruce Dern is a man on his own unique mission portraying intergalactic farmer/botanist Freeman Lovell, deliberately disobeys Earth orders to abandon/destroy his unique space travelling agri garden dome modules filled with the planet's last bio-life, additionally tendered by three charming 'drone' robots- Huey, Louie and Dewey (played brilliantly by paraplegic actors inside the bulky costumes). so as to instead carry out their own self-mission of preservation and ultimately peaceful duty further out into space- as an all new 'ark' of life. And that's the basic plot in a nutshell, with a few dramatic complications and humorous interludes between Lovell and the Drones along the way, that never outstays its welcome and is always totally watchable, concocted by a competent screenplay trio - Deric Washburn, Michael Cimino (of The Deer Hunter fame) and soon legendary TV series creator Steven Bochco, beautifully realized with charm, terrific cinematography (by Charles F. Wheeler) and aforementioned special effects work bringing to effective life and wonder the picturesque and geodesic space garden vehicles journeying silently through space. Further relaying the overall message of beauty and hope for the film are two memorable songs performed by another legend, this one in the field of seventies music: Joan Baez.
An intellectually pleasant movie and a different kind of genre experience (which would have visual influences on future films like the original Star Wars saga), Silent Running's status as a true sci-fi gem has increased with fans over the years, and rightly so. Its UK DVD release bearing the film's original theatrical trailer and all-new reversible sleeve art by Chris Thornley, it's a distinct and worthy addition to any film collector or sci-fi enthusiast's shelves...
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