 | The Cavalier daily Thursday, May 6, 1971 |  |
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
Robert Duvall and Maggie McOmie in "THX 1138"
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)
| The Cavalier daily Thursday, May 6, 1971 | |