Demon Seed (1977)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Donald Cammell

Writers:

Dean R. Koontz (novel)
Robert Jaffe (writer) ...
(more)

Release Date:

30 September 1977 (West Germany)

Genre:

Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

Julie Christie carries the "Demon Seed."

Plot:

A scientist creates Proteus--an organic super computer with artificial intelligence which becomes obsessed with human beings, and in particular the creators wife.

Plot Keywords:

Scientist | Computer | Artificial Intelligence | Rape | Machine

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Julie Christie	...	Susan Harris
Fritz Weaver	...	Alex Harris
Gerrit Graham	...	Walter Gabler
Berry Kroeger	...	Petrosian
Lisa Lu	...	Soong Yen
Larry J. Blake	...	Cameron
John O'Leary	...	Royce
Alfred Dennis	...	Mokri
Davis Roberts	...	Warner
Patricia Wilson	...	Mrs. Talbert
E. Hampton Beagle	...	Night Operator
Michael Glass	...	Technician
Barbarao	...	Technician
Dana Laurita	...	Amy
Monica MacLean	...	Joan Kemp
Peter Elbling	...	Scientist (as Harold Oblong)
Georgie Paul	...	Housekeeper
Michelle Stacy	...	Marlene
Tiffany Potter	...	Baby
Felix Silla	...	Baby
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Michael Dorn	...	Bit (uncredited)
Robert Vaughn	...	Proteus IV (voice) (uncredited)

Directed by
Donald Cammell

Writing credits
Dean R. Koontz		(novel "Demon Seed")
Robert Jaffe		(writer) and
Roger O. Hirson		(writer)

Produced by
Herb Jaffe	....	producer
Steven-Charles Jaffe	....	associate producer (as Steven C. Jaffe)

Original Music by
Jerry Fielding

Cinematography by
Bill Butler		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Frank Mazzola		(as Francisco Mazzola)

Casting by
Jennifer Shull

Production Design by
Edward C. Carfagno

Set Decoration by
Barbara Krieger

Makeup Department
Don L. Cash	....	makeup artist
Frank Griffin	....	special makeup
Lee Harman	....	makeup artist
Dione Taylor	....	hair stylist

Production Management
Michael I. Rachmil	....	unit production manager (as Michael Rachmil)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Alan Brimfeld	....	second assistant director (as Alan Brimfield)
Edward Teets	....	assistant director (as Edward A. Teets)

Art Department
Bill Wainess	....	property master (as William Wainess)

Sound Department
Jerry Jost	....	sound
William L. McCaughey	....	sound (as William McCaughey)
John Riordan	....	sound editor

Special Effects by
Tom Fisher	....	special effects
Terry W. King	....	special effects (uncredited)
Glen Robinson	....	special mechanical effects (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Ron Hays	....	electronic visual designer
Ron Hays	....	electronic visual development
Jim Liles	....	optical supervisor

Stunts
Julie Ann Johnson	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Colin J. Campbell	....	gaffer
James R. Connell	....	camera operator
George Hill	....	key grip
John R. Shannon	....	still photographer (uncredited)

Animation Department
Richard L. Froman	....	electronic animator
Bo Gehring	....	synthavision animator

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Sandy Cole	....	costume designer: Julie Christie
Joie Hutchinson	....	costumer: women
Bucky Rous	....	costumer: men

Editorial Department
Gary Bell	....	associate film editor
Freeman A. Davies	....	associate film editor (as Freeman Davies Jr.)
Frank Mazzola	....	montage (as Francisco Mazzola)

Music Department
Dan Carlin Sr.	....	music editor (as Dan Carlin)
Jerry Fielding	....	conductor
Harry V. Lojewski	....	music supervisor

Other crew
Grant Bassett	....	genigraphics animatior
Jordan Belson	....	special proteus monitor footage
Dixie J. Capp	....	assistant video coordinator
Oga Danylo	....	secretary to producer
Kathy Green	....	technical consultant
Regina Gruss	....	publicist
Domenic Iaia	....	technical associate
Mary Meacham	....	title designer
Christopher Outwater	....	laser consultant
Lee Ritenour	....	electronic performances
Brent Sellstrom	....	video coordinator
Robert Stewart	....	technical consultant
Ian Underwood	....	electronic performances
Marshall J. Wolins	....	script supervisor (as Marshall Wolins)

Production Companies

• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Distributors

• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1978) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1979) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Living Colour Entertainment (2009) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (VHS) (also laserdisc)
• Vídeo Arte (19??) (Brazil) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Computer Science Department, University of Utah  delta wing computer animation
• Image West Ltd.  facilities
• Level-Seven  tetralinks
• MacGillivray Freeman Films  aerial footage
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)  titles and opticals
• Wang Laboratories Inc.  computer equipment
• Wang Laboratories Inc.  technical support

Also Known As:

Proteus Generation

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Singapore:NC-16 | Iceland:16 | Netherlands:16 | Argentina:16 (re-rating) | Argentina:X (original rating) | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Norway:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:16

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

Dr. Harris' futuristic-looking car was actually a production car, unmodified at the time of filming - a Bricklin SV-1. The Bricklin was built in Canada but intended for the U.S. market, featuring high performance and a number of innovative safety features. Fewer than 3,000 were produced during its short run from 1974-1976.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Mrs. Harris is trying to get the little girl out of the car for her session, a sound man can be seen through the back window behind her.

Quotes:

Proteus IV: I want to study man: his isometric body and his glass-jaw mind.
Alex Harris: Ambitious program, but at the moment all the terminals are occupied.
Proteus IV: Construct one.
Alex Harris: I'm sorry. Request denied.
Proteus IV: Dr. Harris, when are you going to let me out of this *box*?

Movie Connections:

Featured in Donald Cammell: The Ultimate Performance (1998)

Artificial Intelligence Terrorism

Demon Seed is a solid, independent science fiction thriller, regretfully overshadowed by the tragic fade of its director Donald Cammell. He was a devoted filmmaker who never really could depend on much support from both critics and distributors. His career started in a minor key, with `Performance' suffering from a lot of re-editing. Similar problems with his last film `Wild Side' drove him into committing suicide.

Don't let the technical mumbo-jumbo at the beginning of `Demon Seed' trick you…The first half hour leads you to believe this film is a theoretical suspense-thriller but in fact, the premise is more simple and appealing to a wider audience. `Proteus' is the name of a super computer, designed by scientist Alex Harris, in order to help him with his research. Yet, Proteus is so smart he soon develops an own will. Continuously growing stronger, Proteus perpetrates Alex's house and keeps his wife as a hostage. Proteus's goal is to impregnate Suzan (Julie Chrisie)…

Proteus is like a feared computer-virus in a pre-internet era! A super computer thinking & handling for itself! Which is, according to me, a very successful horror formula. The absence of a villain in the shape of a man helps increasing the tension. The setting of the over-protected house is great and causes uncomfortable feelings of claustrophobia. Julie Christie (the female star of `Don't Look Now') is great and almost carries the entire film. The visual effects in `Demon Seed' may look a bit dated by now, but the film still contains one of the greatest decapitations ever and…an outstanding ending! I swear to you…if you thought the whole movie was only so-so, the last 5 minutes will make you think more highly of it.