Three hundred years into the future, in a post-apocalyptic urban environment,, Logan 5 (Michael York) and his friend Francis 7 (Richard Jordan) lead hedonistic life. They entertain themselves with sexual liaisons and gladiatorial games in which those who do not wish to undergo euthanasia at the age of 30 vie for the illusory chance of continued life.
As “Sandmen,” Logan and Francis are charged with tracking down and killing “runners,” those who will submit to neither “renewal” (a peaceful death) nor “carousel” (a gladiatorial battle) when their time comes.
Logan is attracted to a young woman, Jessica (Jenny Agutter), who plans to become a runner, which forces him to question the fundamental principles of his society.
When his superiors force him to pose as a runner to weed out Jessica’s guerilla underground, Logan flees the city in search of a mythical place called Sanctuary, where people are allowed to live out their natural spans.
Good special effects and excellent casting, especially Peter Ustinov, as the patriarch of the rebels who recites T. S. Eliot poems from Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, elevate the movie.
The special effects include a pioneering use of laser holography.
Much of the film was shot in Dallas
Oscar Nominations: 2
Cinematography: Ernest Laszlo
Art Direction-Set Decoration: Dale Hennesy; Robert de Vestel
Oscar Awards:
Special Achievement Award for Visual Effects: L.B. Abbott, Glen Robinson, Matthew Yuricich
Haskell Wexler won the Cinematography Oscar for Bound for Glory.
The Art Direction Oscar went to George jenkins and George Gaines for All the President’s Men.
Stay away from the poor remake with Ryan Gosling.
MPAA: PG.
Running time: 120 minutes.
Directed by Michael Anderson
Released: June 23, 1976
DVD: September 29, 1998
MGM