Cast
View AllSean Astin
as Harrison Bergeron
Miranda de Pencier
as Phillipa
Eugene Levy
as President McCloskey
Howie Mandel
as Charlie
Andrea Martin
as Diana Moon Glampers
Christopher Plummer
as John Klaxon
Nigel Bennett
as
Peter Boretski
as
David Calderisi
as
Emmanuelle Chriqui
as
Hayden Christensen
as Eric
Cindy Cook
as
Roger Dunn
as
John Astin
as Golf Announcer
Buck Henry
as TV Producer
Crew
Director
- Bruce Pittman
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
As a science fiction narrative, Harrison Bergeron 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 Bruce Pittman 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 1995, 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 Harrison Bergeron took approximately 36 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 99 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 143 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 2394 individual shots.
- The costume department created over 196 unique costume pieces for the production.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 7 weeks before filming began.
Historical Context
- In 1995, when this film was released:
- Globalization was accelerating economic and cultural exchange.
- The internet was beginning to transform communication and information access.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While Harrison Bergeron shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Panic in Year Zero!, which focuses more on action than character development, Harrison Bergeron offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like H2S and A.I. Artificial Intelligence explore similar territory, Harrison Bergeron 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: August 13, 1995
- Runtime: 1h 39m