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THX 1138 [VHS] [1970]
 
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THX 1138 [VHS] [1970]

VHS ~ Robert Duvall
3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (25 customer reviews)

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Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review
George Lucas's enigmatic feature film debut expands on a student film he made at USC. Created under the wing of producer Francis Ford Coppola, this movie is a bleak vision of a world in which technology, not man, is the ultimate dictator. Efficiency overrides every other aspect of human life, as people are reduced to code names and their lives are contained, monitored and manipulated for the sake of the system. Featuring unsettling performances by Robert Duvall, Donald Pleasance and Maggie McOmie, THX 1138 does not attempt to explain how things became this way; rather, it utilises the alienation of its characters, the stifling white-on-white imagery of its sterilised society, and the claustrophobic, droning sound design to emphasise the dangers of a world reliant on soulless technology. Even though this is not a film one will want to take in repeatedly, THX 1138 merits attention because it is that rare film that uses images and sounds--rather than relying heavily on dialogue--to communicate its dark prophecy. --Bryan Reesman

Synopsis
A chilling drama set in a computer programmed, drug controlled society in which one couple reduce their drug intake and set out to break all the rules. Based on a story by George Lucas.

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

THX 1138 [VHS] [1970]
78% buy the item featured on this page:
THX 1138 [VHS] [1970] 3.7 out of 5 stars (25)
Silent Running [DVD] [1972]
7% buy
Silent Running [DVD] [1972] 4.5 out of 5 stars (25)
£3.87
Soylent Green [DVD] [1973]
6% buy
Soylent Green [DVD] [1973] 4.4 out of 5 stars (18)
£2.98
1984 [DVD]
5% buy
1984 [DVD] 4.1 out of 5 stars (28)
£4.87

 

Customer Reviews

25 Reviews
5 star:
 (13)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:
 (3)
2 star:
 (3)
1 star:
 (4)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.7 out of 5 stars (25 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Consumption is being standardized -BUY THX 1138 -, 11 Jan 2005
By Mr. J. G. Mcrobert-thompson "scaryjim_" (Wiltshire UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: THX 1138 [DVD] [1970] (DVD)
THX 1138 is a film based in a future dystopia similair to 1984 -

The people of the future are drug users doped up to keep them productive as workers and emotionless - willing to do whatever ordered . It is quickly established that humans are now produced in labs and are given 'serial numbers' instead of names (THX 1138 being Robert Duvall, the main protagonists name) . THX is feeling strange and we find out this is because in an act of defiance his 'mate' LUH is replacing his sedatives with placebos - so he is essentially becoming more human .

The story follows THX'S awakening and fight to escape .

The main thing that differentiates this film from others in the genre is the dream like quality and almost white washed look of the film - This is such a great thing because it makes the film less dated. Everything is bright white and all the characters are bald - none of those 70's haircuts to detract from the story and mood! Although there is obviousely a plot the film is more like a series of memorable set pieces and if you are like myself you will find yourself muttering all the excellent quotes much to your confused friends dismay . Key scenes such as the robotic confession box where THX relays his problem to a badly synched tape recorder and a glowing portrait of ohm are excellent. The sound and look of the motorbikes chasing THX through tunnels ... There are some excellent 'what IS happening ' moments - the film is quirky as hell . Lucas nerds will notice the similaritys between the officers electric shock sticks and the light sabres ..

The other amazing thing about this film is the unique sound - in the double disk edition is an excellent featurette documenting how it was made . There are no cheesy theremins here , it truly is a real piece of work . Alot of the sound you here on the film are messages being relayed from characters through radio - there is just something about the crackling frequency -wobbling audio, and the music is spacey and haunting . I haven't seen the original but can guess at a couple of inserted scenes involving cars but i think thats it . In my opinion though this film hasn't aged badly at all when compared to other late 60's early 70's sci fi . I was apprehensive because of Lucas's new star wars twaddle (although this is his first film and pre dates the trilogy ) but was very happy . It is not a fast moving film , i wouldn't even call it a thriller thriller - there won't be surprising revelations and clever plot twists. Everything is calculated up to the ending because this is the society of the future . Consumption is being standardised - buy more - buy more and be happy .

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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Jolly Good., 5 Dec 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: THX 1138 [DVD] [1970] (DVD)
This was a blind purchase for me. But it turned out to be a right one. I've been a fan of Mr. Lucas for some time. But this demonstrates his work well. I think after star wars, he should definatly go back to making original films.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Weirdddd...., 29 Jul 2005
By Ms. J. S. Evans (Halifax, West Yorkshire United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: THX 1138 [DVD] [1970] (DVD)
That just about sums up how you'll feel after watching this film. It's just so odd. I'm a Star Wars fan, hence why I decided to take a look at this in the first place. It's Lucas' remake of his first film originally made at college. Now, I'm not a film student, I just like being entertained. This film certainly did that - you keep watching and watching, just to try and work out what on earth is going on. You follow the life of THX-1138 - a name given to a man who works in some kind of stark white underground factory, and is forced to take pills to keep him subdued/brainwashed into conforming. Sex is forbidden, however, all humans in this world are assigned a roomate to share their room (read: cell) with. THX shares with a woman, who he has feelings for. She stops him taking the pills, they have sexual relations, and are punished. The ending is excellent (I won't put it here) and whilst you are always unsure exactly as to the film's meaning, you can't just turn it off. It looks beautiful - crisp and clean and very futuristic. I don't think its aged at all. Robert Duvall is wonderful, although I still don't understand who or what Donald Pleasance was supposed to be. Well worth watching to the end. Concentration is key though.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars Seriously why? Why would anyone want to watch this?
This film is an utterly pointless waste of time and life...it's like an 82min version of one of those really abstract pretentious perfume commercials where you don't actually know... Read more
Published 14 days ago by Simon

1.0 out of 5 stars why did I buy this?
Couldn't watch it all the way though, and won't bother again. I suspect this is going to end up in a charity shop (too ashamed to sell it) when I do my annual DVD cull.
Published 1 month ago by Paul

2.0 out of 5 stars Stick to the original
Just buy the original movie (if it's available). Just like with star wars Lucas has messed with the original and messed it up. The added cgi car chase is just unwatchable. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mr. Cs Price

5.0 out of 5 stars visionary
For sci-fi fans in general. This movie shows Lucas as a genious. Beautifull images and great entertainement, a must buy
Published 4 months ago by Joao Pedro O. Marque

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant film, dumb director
I saw THX1138 in the seventies, and I've loved it ever since, but I've occasionally wondered, as many others must have done, how such a well-judged, understated, serious film... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Dorothy's Tiny Head

5.0 out of 5 stars THX
I watched this movie as a kid and thought it was very frightening. Re-watching it 30 years later was really interesting. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Markus Gossas

5.0 out of 5 stars This is Not Star Wars
I think a lot of people who seem to almost stumble on to this film, think they are getting an unseen episode of the Star Wars Saga. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Sussman Pro

5.0 out of 5 stars "Can you hear me? Stay calm. Everything will be all right."
Bar a few exceptions (Bladerunner being the obvious one) I find the notion of the director's cut a highly suspicious enterprise, especially from a director whose post-70s output... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Demob Happy

2.0 out of 5 stars Zzzzzzz...
I decided to rent this on DVD after Amazon recomended it to me after purchasing Terry Giliam's "Brazil". Read more
Published 15 months ago by ossian

1.0 out of 5 stars dull
Booooring! We love films with this theme normally but THX is all art and no substance, no information about anything or anybody is given making it impossible to connect with the... Read more
Published 16 months ago by E. Higgs

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