University of Virginia Library

CINEMA

'THX': Portrait Of Grim Future

By Paul Chaplin
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

If you're at all familiar with the
names Orwell and Huxley, you
might immediately connect those
two authors on the basis on their
futuristic novels. Both Brave New
World and 1984 presented bleak
and terrifying views of man's
future, and they are now joined by
George Lucas' film, "THX 1138."

The problem with glimpses into
the future is that we know we're
not going to feel comfortable with
what we see. Easing us somewhat,
Lucas dabbles with nostalgia by
opening the film with excerpts from
a Buck Rogers serial. These remind
us of a time when we would dream
about the future with true
optimism and hope. Can you recall
from adolescence what your
concept of a moon rocket looked
like? Not at all like those graceless
mechanical contraptions NASA
sends up every so often.

Good Photography

Lucas' film is a bit like those old
sci-fi flicks in that the visual aspect
of the film is pleasing, in a violent
contrast to the society presented.
The photography is very artistic
and graceful, with a sharp sense of
contrasts, especially between flesh
tones and antiseptic white.

The acting in the film is
exceptional, despite the limited
amount of speaking each character
does. Robert Duvall as THX and
Maggie McOmie as LUH have little
to do except look mildly terrified
and brainwashed, which is no small
chore. Donald Pleasure steals the
show occasionally as SEN, the
computer programmer who appears
to be bordering on insanity.

Continual Surveillance

The script, which is also by
Lucas, suggests that in the 25th
century anybody will be subject for
suspicion of crime and will
continually be under surveillance
by the computers. For example, if
one misses his daily drug quota, the
computers can detect the
deficiency by noting his body
functions. In addition to
controlling the physical, the
ubiquitous central power naturally
controls mental processes as well.

After THX and his mate LUH
have violated the drug and sex rules
of the system, they are joined in
crime by SEN who tampers with
the computers to force THX to
incriminate himself. THX and SEN
attempt to escape, which becomes
the primary interest for half of the
film.

"THX 1138" goes over familiar
territory and is unable to stimulate

us to believe Lucas' thoughts about
the future are fresh and new. What
distinguishes the film is the self
assurance and style exhibited by
Lucas. Witness the manner in which
the nuns and religious figures move
in a highly stylized manner, not
unlike the attendants in Peter
Brooks "Marat/Sade."

An additional "star" in the film
is Francis Ford Coppola, the
executive producer. "THX 1138" is
the first film to be produced by
American Zoetrope Productions, a
company Coppola established as a
base for low-budget pictures.

What is really remarkable about
"THX 1138" is that George Lucas
is 25 years old, a few years older
than the principal members of
America's movie audience. While
the film will not rock the world the
way Welles did with "Citizen Kane"
thirty years ago, it show that one
major studio is daring enough to
give young filmmakers an
opportunity to make films based on
their own ideas of story and style.
"THX 1138" also adds George
Lucas' name to a growing list of
promising new directors.

(Now at the Cinema)