Silent Running (1972)

Another classic movie I’m sorry to have suffered through.

Don’t get me wrong, there are some good ideas, just shallow and heavy handed instead of properly developed, like the producers and writers fell in love with the vision in their heads instead of the work they were producing. I don’t think this execution deserves the cult classic status it has developed.

I’d like to see it redone today. Same starting concept, but make the escape part of a network. There are lots of fleets of these eco ships, with rumors of some of the lost ships actually being commandeered and run away. Valley Forge becomes one of them; Lowell has to find them and network with them while being pursued.

I did like two aspects that were hinted at- the Berkshire’s captain seemed genuinely concerned for the people of Valley Forge and wanted to help, and the main crew noted how everyone has a job, everywhere on Earth is 72 degrees, everything is the same. Why is that? Why does Lowell want to flee, why exactly does he value nature over stability, when the wilds are hard and the rest of humanity wants to help him return? Yes, I know they’d arrest him when they discover his crimes, but they never discover those crimes, making their concern genuine. It sounds like a nice place to live in, and anyone who’s tried to live apart from others finds is very hard, very quickly. What does it lack that Lowell wants? Because, while I agree with this sentiments, the conservation angle just isn’t enough to justify what he does.

So, that’s that. Crossed off the list. 📽️