I could be wrong but I think SILENT RUNNING was the first environmental science fiction film made. Done at the beginning of the environmental activist times this movie left an impression on viewers and those made aware of the film at the time of its release. I can remember seeing the ads and wanting to see the film but wasn’t old enough to drive yet. I was glad I did see it later on though.
The story involves several ships with geodesic domed platforms in space. These platforms contain all that is left of the environment from Earth. Each has several self-contained units holding what is left of plant life and animals. The planet is a wasteland now and these have been saved for posterity with the hope of one day being brought back.
The ships are manned by a four man crew. In the case of our selected ship, the Valley Forge, one man takes care of the space bound Garden of Eden, Freeman Lowell (Bruce Dern). Lowell tenderly cares for the plants and animals while the rest of the crew is more focused on killing time and wanting to get back home. They tool around in ATVs haphazardly, sometimes running through the vegetation, while Lowell focuses on nurturing what is in his care. Aiding him are three tiny droids that many will recall from the ads for the film.
Eventually the order is given for the ships to jettison and destroy the domed platforms and return the ships to earth to be used for commercial service. While his crewmates are overjoyed at the prospect Lowell is horrified. He kills the rest of the crew and tells the other ships he has a malfunction on board. His goal is to save these domes at any price possible.
Lowell names the three droids Huey, Dewey and Louie and begins teaching them how to care for the animals and vegetation onboard. He attempts to teach them how to play poked to help him pass the time. And while they can’t talk, he develops a bond with these droids that seems deeper than the one he had with his fellow crew members.
But the situation changes as Lowell must learn to help the dome continue to exist and be fruitful. And he must hurry to do so when one of the other ships returns to “save” him. What will happen with this last dome? And what will happen with Lowell?
Watching the film after all these years the beliefs behind it all seem far too simplistic. But the bad guys, the bureaucrats on Earth, seem more believable than ever. One can truly see and uncaring and uninformed group in DC making decisions like that since they seem to do so every day right now. But the extremist environmentalist as depicted by the character of Lowell, even having the first name Freeman, comes off as a bit much today.
Still the technological aspects of the film are amazing, even more so when you realize this film was made between the effects wizardry of the films 2001 and STAR WARS. Director Douglas Trumbull had done the effects works on that previous film. Now he was directing his own sci fi space film and he does an amazing job with it on that level. Dern has one of the first leading roles I can remember him in and does a great job here.
The story is a bit oversimplified and that might do it some damage with new viewers but the film still looks beautiful. And the message of trying to save the planet we have before it reaches this level remains a good one. I don’t see us reaching the point that this film projects but one never knows.
Arrow Video is releasing the film and need it be said that they once again have done an amazing job? To begin with they start with a new 2K restoration from the original camera negative, approved by director Douglas Trumbull and produced by Arrow Video exclusively for this release. Then they pack in a ton of extras to be enjoyed. These include a new audio commentary track with critics Kim Newman and Barry Forshaw, an original commentary track with Trumbull and Dern, an isolated music and effects track, “No Turning Back” a new interview with film music historian Jeff Bon on the film’s score, “First Run” a visual essay by writer and filmmaker Jon Spira about the evolution of the film’s screenplay, a 1972 on-set documentary about the making of the film, two archival interviews with the film’s director Trumbull, “A Conversation with Bruce Dern” an archival interview with the star, the theatrical trailer, extensive behind-the-scenes gallery of images, a reversible sleeve with original and newly commissioned artwork by Arik Roper and for the first pressing only an illustrated collector’s booklet with new writing on the film by Barry Forshaw and Peter Tonguette.
If you have fond memories of this film it’s one that you
must add to your collection. The same goes for fans of science fiction. Even if
you don’t want to add it to your collection, this is a classic that deserves to
be seen. And with all things Arrow, you couldn’t hope for a better version.
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