Cast
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Charlton Heston
as Detective Robert Thorn
Leigh Taylor-Young
as Shirl
Chuck Connors
as Tab Fielding
Joseph Cotten
as William R. Simonson
Brock Peters
as Chief Hatcher
Paula Kelly
as Martha Phillips
Edward G. Robinson
as Sol Roth
Stephen Young
as Gilbert
Mike Henry
as Kulozik
Lincoln Kilpatrick
as The Priest
Roy Jenson
as Donovan
Leonard Stone
as Charles
Whit Bissell
as Gov. Santini
Celia Lovsky
as The Exchange Leader
Dick Van Patten
as Usher #1
Crew
Director
- Richard Fleischer
Producer
- Walter Seltzer
- Russell Thacher
Reviews
Crazypiglady
This story takes place in the bleak future of 2022 but it feels very much like 1973. There are some moments of inspiration but a number of tricks have been missed in imagining a dystopian future, notably race, gender and technology. I know that dystopia is supposed to be worse but it looks rather like 1973 instead of an degraded 2022. The story is good but almost everything else is dated. As such, it seems it may benefit from a remake but I think the reason it hasn't been remade is probably because it has actually be rebooted a number of times in other films and its actually a fairly simple plot.
Dec 31, 2022
Thematic Analysis
As a science fiction narrative, Soylent Green explores potential technological and societal futures, raising important questions about humanity's place in the universe and our evolutionary trajectory. The film stands apart from other sci-fi works by presenting a vision that is both thought-provoking and visually distinctive.
Director Richard Fleischer brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1973, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Soylent Green took approximately 7 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 97 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 125 minutes long.
- The costume department created over 255 unique costume pieces for the production.
- The screenplay went through 14 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 7 weeks before filming began.
Historical Context
- In 1973, when this film was released:
- The Watergate scandal changed public perception of political institutions.
- Environmental awareness was growing as a social concern.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While Soylent Green shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike The Hills Have Eyes Part 2, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Soylent Green subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Gamer and The Cry of the Owl explore similar territory, Soylent Green stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: April 18, 1973
- Runtime: 1h 37m
- Revenue: $3,600,000
