Silent Running (1972)

 

Before 'Star Wars' changed the game and gave the world some more upbeat science fiction, the 70s were more a time for downbeat and sometimes rather depressing postapocalyptic stuff. Good films in their own right, but you don't exactly leave with a happy feeling. This also goes for 'Silent Running', which has a clear message and an ending that makes you feel pretty sad, actually. But it is still worth a watch, even if does has a few downsides.

In the future, the Earth is pretty much devoid of plants and animals. Most of the planet has become a climate-controlled, industrial complex, where everything is the same. Food is synthesized, but poverty doesn't exist anymore. Near Saturn, three massive ships are floating, each carrying several bio-domes containing the last of plant and animal life. But when the crews receive word that they can return home after they jettison and destroy the domes, one astronaut takes umbrage at this. 

Our protagonist, Lowell Freeman, can't fathom that someone could so callously destroy the last remnants of original life, as he feels closely connected to the plants and animals he has taken care for. So he kills his fellow astronauts and fakes an emergency, so he can pass to the other side of Saturn with the ship and the last remaining biodome. This all seems to work and he even reprograms the drone workers to help him and help take care of the garden. 

But then a message comes through that the other ships have found him and are coming to rescue him, something that Lowell might not want... 

Yes, the environmental message is strong with this one. But that's okay. It's not as if corporate greed has ever done something awful to the environment, has it? 

I couldn't lay on more of the sarcasm if I tried.

So yes, a powerful message, but the film as a whole doesn't quite get it across as well as it tries to. See, the film is almost painfully slow. Like, really slow. As such that wouldn't be too much of a problem, '2001' is also slow, but this one doesn't have that much going on to warrant a full length film. This could have worked just as easily (or perhaps even better) as a short film of about 45 minutes. Now it rather drags. That is not the fault of Bruce Dern, who plays Lowell. After about ten minutes, he has to carry the entire film and he does so wonderfully. You understand his motivations completely and they don't make him out to be some hippie saviour, as he is clearly a man with faults. 

The cinematography is also top notch, but seeing as our director is Douglas Trumbull, known for poineering quite a lot of science fiction in the special effects department, this isn't a real surprise. But the entirety is shot in a rather mundane fashion and Trumbull does tend to linger a bit long on certain shots. 

Fun fact: the drones are played by people that have lost their legs. You can tell sometimes, but it still is a pretty cool idea and the drones do have a bit of a personality. 

The soundtrack is filled with songs sung by Joan Baez, and they are good, but once again: the themes and lyrics do little to make you feel better. In fact, they amplify the sadness and inevitability of it all. I get that this is where they were going for, but you don't always want to feel sad or cry with a picture. 

'Silent Running' is a decent film with a very clear message, but it's pacing does work against it being a much more appreciated film. Nevertheless it remains worth a watch, just be aware that it is slow.