IMDb > Soylent Green (1973)
Soylent Green
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Soylent Green (1973) More at IMDbPro »

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Soylent Green (1973) -- Trailer for this classic sci-fi thriller
Soylent Green (1973) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

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Overview

User Rating:
7.0/10   14,079 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 10% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Stanley R. Greenberg (screenplay)
Harry Harrison (novel)
Contact:
View company contact information for Soylent Green on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
9 May 1973 (USA) more
Tagline:
It's the year 2022... People are still the same. They'll do anything to get what they need. And they need SOYLENT GREEN.
Plot:
In an overpopulated futuristic Earth, a New York police detective finds himself marked for murder by government agents when he gets too close to a bizarre state secret involving the origins of a revolutionary and needed new foodstuff. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
3 wins & 1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
(20 articles)
Badasses of Horror: Part Two
 (From Fangoria. 9 November 2009, 6:30 AM, PST)

AFI's 100 Years ...100 Movie Quotes
 (From Extra. 4 November 2009, 4:45 AM, PST)

User Comments:
Far deeper and intelligent than what first meets the eye more (181 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Charlton Heston ... Thorn

Leigh Taylor-Young ... Shirl
Chuck Connors ... Tab
Joseph Cotten ... Simonson

Brock Peters ... Hatcher
Paula Kelly ... Martha

Edward G. Robinson ... Sol Roth
Stephen Young ... Gilbert
Mike Henry ... Kulozik

Lincoln Kilpatrick ... The Priest
Roy Jenson ... Donovan
Leonard Stone ... Charles
Whit Bissell ... Santini
Celia Lovsky ... The Exchange Leader

Dick Van Patten ... Usher #1
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Additional Details

Runtime:
97 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Australia:M (original rating) | Australia:PG (TV rating) | France:U | UK:15 (DVD rating) | UK:AA (original rating) | Iceland:16 | USA:TV-MA (TV rating) | Canada:PG | Finland:K-18 | Norway:15 (re-rating) | Norway:16 (original rating) | Singapore:PG | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:PG | West Germany:16

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Edward G. Robinson was almost totally deaf when he made this movie, and only able to hear anyone if they spoke directly into his ear. Because of this, scenes with him talking to other people had to be shot several times before he got the rhythm of the dialogue and was able to respond to people as if he could really hear them. And because he was unable to hear director Richard Fleischer yell "cut" when a scene went wrong, Robinson would often continue acting out the scene, unaware that shooting had stopped seconds earlier. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: When Thorne is speaking to Sol in the suicide room, as the "Speaking Permitted" light blinks on and off, the audio cord on the panel changes position. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Voice over PA: First stage removal. First stage removal. Streets prohibited to non-permits in one hour. Streets prohibited to non-permits in one hour.
more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op.74: 'Pathetique': I. Adagio - Allegro non Troppo more

FAQ

How closely does the movie follow the book?
Is "Soylent Green" based on a book?
How does the movie end?
more
32 out of 40 people found the following comment useful.
Far deeper and intelligent than what first meets the eye, 19 July 2006
9/10
Author: planktonrules from Bradenton, Florida

This is a brilliant sci-fi movie that is very strange in how men and women both view the same film. I have talked to many people about the film and almost every guy loved it and said it was brilliant--while most women thought it was just disgusting and stupid! This is the only movie I know of that has such polarized views based on gender. Perhaps many women just have a lower tolerance for disgusting or depressing plots--but whatever the cause, I have always found this difference fascinating.

The film begins with a murder and a subsequent investigation headed by Charlton Heston. This is set in the near future and the head of the huge international Soylent Corporation has been assassinated. As the film unfolds, you quickly realize this is a terrible and highly inequitable future American society. The rich live in gorgeous apartments with security and all the pleasures money can buy(including "furniture"--a euphemism for paid mistresses that come along with the apartment). At the same time, the masses are dirt poor, unemployed and in many cases living in abandoned cars or apartment hallways. Overpopulation and smog have taken a severe toll and the future looks awful indeed!

Why the rich man died and the awful truth he could not live with I really should NOT discuss--it could ruin the film for you. However, the film has a great plot and acting and is super-exciting to watch. Plus, it features Edward G. Robinson in his final screen performance as the crusty sidekick to Heston. Though not for the easily depressed or squeamish, this is a great sci-fi film that is allegorical and profound.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Soylent Green (1973)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
*SPOILERS* Am I just a product of late 80's feminism? WDformerWB
Terrible Movie... incrowdcynic
How did Thorn know.... O_Pechey
Soylent Green... Now with more GIRLS! fishboy266
A Possible Future -- looking more and more likely buddy4000
overpopulation was a fear in 1973 pepegoldie
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