With Forbidden Planet and THX 1138 coming out on Blu-ray this week, this Tuesday is a very good day for science fiction lovers. Both films were visionary and represented the beginning of an era in sci-fi film. Forbidden Planet was the beginning of science fiction films with solid story and big budgets. THX 1138 was George Lucas’ first feature film, a director who would in later years have the big budgets (though perhaps not as solid of stories). The original THX 1138 was a minimalist art film about the future, and it represents the enormous potential and talent of George Lucas. The Blu-ray release, however, represents the best and worst of George Lucas.
THX 1138 is set in a frightening totalitarian society where every movement is being monitored by a theistic government. People confess their sins to government-run confessionals, work government-assigned jobs, take heavy sedatives to keep them docile, and cannot have sex. Also, all humans are expected to “buy, buy, buy” colored blocks, and instead of police forces, there are robots with silver heads. THX 1138 (Robert Duvall) is just another worker on the assembly line, but he is growing dissatisfied with his life. His roommate LUH 3417 (Maggie McOmie) has gone off of her sedatives and has been giving THX placebos instead of his regular medication. One night, they have sex, and from then on, neither one of them wants to go back to life as it was before.
The world of THX 1138 has no color. Aside from the assembly line and the futuristic cars, there are few indications that this is the future. Every person wears the same uniform and has a shaved head. Aside from the police robots, there are no R2D2s or CSPOs wandering around. It is hard to believe that this future world came from George Lucas.
If the surroundings are stark, human life is even more hopeless. Humans have nothing to do but work, buy blocks, and watch holographic televisions. Their work is dangerous, and their personal lives are incredibly dull. Workers are reminded to be happy because of the progress of their work team or because they had less deaths on the job than another work team.
For me, this film sparked conversations about individuality vs. the wellness of the whole society, the overuse of drugs to correct social problems, and the role of religion in government. I absolutely loved it. My problems with the Blu-ray release are not with the original film. The problem is that George Lucas cannot leave his own films alone.
Throughout THX 1138, Lucas has added in CGI effects from cars to outside shots of the city and some comically bad CGI monkeys. This might not bother some people, and some folks might argue that if he made the film he has the right to go back and change it. While I was watching the film, though, I found the added CGI to be a distraction. Lucas’ effects people can try all they want, but CGI effects do not blend in naturally with an older film. It almost became a game, find the CGI.
Another problem with adding in CGI is that future generations will talk about this film’s role in shaping the science fiction genre, and they will want to watch it. Now that it has been released on Blu-ray, this version will outlive older film and VHS copies. Future movie viewers will not have the chance to experience THX 1138 in the same way that so many current filmmakers did when they were growing up.
When I look back on THX 1138, the images that stick with me will be the low-tech effects. I will remember the river of people that really consisted of 12 extras running through the shot over and over again. I will think about Robert Duvall in the fetal position, trying to protect his body from his robot captors. I will remember THX climbing out of the ground and standing with his figure silhouetted by the sunset. None of the memorable scenes were created with CGI. While CGI certainly has its place in film, it was wholly unnecessary in THX 1138. I humbly ask George Lucas that if he decides to change another one of his movies to please include both versions on the Blu-ray copy. Otherwise, my hat is off to young George Lucas. He made an extraordinary film.
Blu-ray Bonus Features
The Blu-ray copy is packed with special features including the Lucas’ student film that THX 1138 is based on, a featurette looking back at the making of the film, and a series of audio “master classes” with Walter Murch. The featurette is certainly worth a look, and the audio “master classes” are fascinating for people who really love film.
"THX 1138" is on sale September 7, 2010 and is rated R. Action, Adventure, Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi, Thriller. Directed by George Lucas. Written by George Lucas, Walter Murch. Starring Don Pedro Colley, Donald Pleasence, Ian Wolfe, Maggie McOmie, Robert Duvall.
