First long movie of George Lucas, it is in fact a remake of the short movie Electronic Labyrinth THX 1138 4EB also directed from George Lucas in 1967 (I will post it in the short movie part soon)
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This film was made as a result of George Lucas' student film short project at USC, entitled "THX-1138:4EB". Having won significant praise and attention for what was, at the time, an unconventional short, Lucas was given the opportunity to direct a feature-length version starring Robert Duvall, produced by his mentor Francis Ford Coppola under his newly formed production company American Zoetrope. Zoetrope was a financial failure, as was "THX-1138", but the attention was enough to win Lucas the opportunity to make "American Graffiti", the success of which paved the way for the opportunity to make "Star Wars"
This movie was re-edited in digitally restaured. It was impossible to find it on dvd before 2004. Some scenes have also been added
I only discovered it a year ago and ever since, this is one of my favorite sci-fi movie. I think it is a masterpiece that too few people know
A piece of visionary art
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*** This comment may contain spoilers ***
Viewers may leave this film confused and upset due to the vastly different nature and mood of this film as compared to the more commercially successful films of Lucas' empire. However, keeping a few points in mind while watching the film should help viewers better understand Lucas' abstract commentary on society in the 1960s.
Although often compared to Orwell's haunting vision of the future in 1984, a better comparison probably comes from Huxley's Brave New World; for in that story, just like this one, love serves as the agent of individual freedom from a society desperately attempting to make everyone "fit in." In this society, people are no longer grown; they are engineered.
However, despite this apparent pessimism, Lucas fills the story with satirical elements mocking the ability of humans to suppress individuality and freedom. Notice the robotic police walking mindlessly into the walls. Observe the philosophical inmates uselessly debate the solution to their dilemma as THX 1138 simply walks away from the unwalled prison. In the first place, this upholds the American value of individual initiative and utilitarian actions over and above the seemingly "useless" actions of philosophers. In addition, this indicates that the true prison lies in their minds. The oppressiveness of this society is largely an illusion, much like the character who follows THX during his "breakout." This scene fits within the larger whole in which an ordinary man achieves freedom over an oppressive society simply by keeping his wits about him. THX doesn't do anything special. He isn't an action hero. He's just an ordinary man who decided he wanted to be free and took the requisite steps to do it. Lucas highlights this element of the story from the very beginning with the inclusion of a preview of a Buck Rogers serial at the opening of the film. Thus, many viewers become confused that the chase scene at the end doesn't achieve the same element of excitement of Lucas' later films. However, Lucas never aims for this quality. The result of the chase is never meant to be in doubt. The important element here comes when the robotic police decide to give up the chase when it becomes too expensive because to continue would be "inefficient." (Side note here: Huxley described inefficiency as "the sin against the holy ghost" in the modern world and in Brave New World in particular).
Additionally, keep one question in mind; who controls this society? The police are robots with minimally human facial features, thus lending them a decidedly inhuman air. We see no one person or group of people pulling the strings like the puppeteer in Pinochio. Instead, everyone simply does his or her job as the inhuman commentator drones on over the loudspeaker encouraging people to "buy and be happy." Finally, be sure to get the DVD and listen to the commentary. George Lucas and the co-writer explain many references to changes in 1960s society that might otherwise seem obscure or senseless. The fact that THX buys the red object simply to throw it away serves as a criticism and a commentary on the wastefulness of our consumer society. The white jumpsuits wore by all citizens take their inspiration from Mao's Cultural Revolution in the 1960s, just as the trial criticizes certain facets of life in America during the Cold War.
In THX 1138, Lucas presents a vision of a seemingly dark and oppressive society. However, Lucas skillfully lifts the curtain to reveal the illusion and the decidedly "in"human wizard behind the curtain. Furthermore, in making a hero out of an ordinary man who simply "keeps his wits about him," Lucas mocks the ability of certain totalitarian elements to control people and completely suppress individual freedom. Keeping these elements in mind may greatly enhance ones experience in watching THX 1138, a film I personally consider a masterpiece and perhaps Lucas' best film.
Sun Mar 23, 2008 11:57 am
