THX 1138 (1971)

Director:

George Lucas

Writers:

George Lucas (story)
George Lucas (earlier screenplay)

Release Date:

11 March 1971 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Visit the future where love is the ultimate crime.

Plot:

Set in the 25th century, the story centers around a man and a woman who rebel against their rigidly controlled society.

Plot Keywords:

Escape | Drugs | Underground City | Drugged | Hologram

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Robert Duvall	...	THX
Donald Pleasence	...	SEN
Don Pedro Colley	...	SRT
Maggie McOmie	...	LUH
Ian Wolfe	...	PTO
Marshall Efron	...	TWA
Sid Haig	...	NCH
John Pearce	...	DWY
Irene Forrest	...	IMM
Gary Alan Marsh	...	CAM
John Seaton	...	OUE
Eugene I. Stillman	...	JOT
Jack Walsh	...	TRG (as Raymond J. Walsh)
Mark Lawhead	...	Shell Dweller
Robert Feero	...	Chrome Robot #1

Also Known As:

THX-1138 (USA) (alternative spelling)

MPAA:

Rated R for some sexuality/nudity. (2004 director's cut)

Runtime:

86 min | USA:88 min (director's cut)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:A (Nova Scotia) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | UK:15 (video rating) (1988-2003) | UK:X (original rating) | Germany:12 | UK:15 (video rating) (director's cut) (2004) | South Korea:15 (director's cut) | Brazil:14 | Australia:PG | Canada:G (Quebec) | Finland:K-11 (2004 director's cut) | Iceland:Unrated | Italy:VM14 | Singapore:NC-16 | USA:GP (original rating) | USA:R (2004 director's cut)

Filming Locations:

Alameda, California, USA

Company:

American Zoetrope

Trivia:

For the final sequence in which THX is climbing up to the surface, it is a simple perspective trick. It is not a ladder, but re-bar embedded in concrete. The actors are actually crawling along a horizontal surface. By tilting the camera to appropriate angles, it appears that the characters are climbing upward.

Goofs:

Continuity: SRT's headphones as he gets into car.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Male voice (medicine cabinet): What's wrong?
THX 1138: Nothing. Nothing really. I just feel that I need something stronger.
Male voice (medicine cabinet): If you have a problem, don't hesitate to ask for assistance.
THX 1138: Yes, thank you, I'll be alright.
Male voice (medicine cabinet): Call 3485...

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Josh Kirby... Time Warrior: Chapter 3, Trapped on Toyworld (1996) (V)

Soundtrack:

Elevator Music

a masterpiece of cinema-- true art

i just now finished watching this film, and was truly in awe throughout the entire experience. for a film made in 1971 this is truly ageless... i have always been a fan of the sci-fi films of that era ("2001" and "planet of the apes" come to mind) because rather than today's sad reliance on special effects, these stories were told through wonderful acting, superb cinematography, and intelligent dialogue. i am surprised that this film didn't achieve a 7 rating at least-- in my opinion it should be among the top 250, and is one of the finest sci-fi movies i have ever seen. wonderfully directed, has aged very well (the cars, the robots, the cityscapes, all very good), a must-see for any serious sci-fi fan. i couldn't help thinking that last summer's "the island" was a complete rip-off of this film, though "thx-1138" is far superior in every way. rent or buy the DVD-- you will not be disappointed, and may even be convinced that george lucas knows his business.