THX 1138 (The George Lucas Director's Cut) [Blu-ray]

First, I manage to find "Fahrenheit 451", then "V For Vendetta" comes out...and to top it all off, the very first stereo, pre-recorded tape I bought for my VCR was "1984"! What's next, am I going to buy the director's cut of some future feature production of "The Matrix Encounters A Brave New World While Neo Writes a Canticle For Liebowitz"? MAN! Three for three here, as I groove to a movie I've seen maybe three times since I originally viewed it back in 1970.I did notice that Lucas has added a few scenes and things since the original ran...I don't remember those creatures at the end attacking Duvall's THX. Weren't they dwarfs in the original? Anyway, the copy that they used for stock had very good color for so old a film but there is one scene in a holding room that is so high key, you can't tell what's happening outside of what's communicated by the characters' faces. I can't believe that's Marshall Efron playing the goonish character in that scene.The late Donald Pleasance is suitably creepy, (was there any OTHER mode for Pleasance?) as the computer hacker that tries to get 1138 as a roommate and the girl that plays LUH 3417, Maggie McOmie, is good as well. Whatever happened to that large-eyed beauty? Check the extras. Don Pedro Colley, who made a short career of co-starring in minor sci-fi films in the early 70s, plays the escaped hologram that makes a fool out of himself when he and THX find a means of escape near the end of the movie.This is one of those movies that definitely benefits from a big-screen presentation, for I remember feeling more immersed in the antiseptic world of the film when I saw it in the theatre. That choral ending when THX emerges triumphant from the underworld city was felt a lot stronger. This film, however, is still a first rate first film, and would have been for ANY director...in fact, I defy anyone to find me a first-time director of the 60s or 70s that had this auspicious a debut! Frank Perry, maybe? Arthur Penn, perhaps? As far as I know, NO first director had: a sci-fi premise for his first flick, especially as well produced a one as this, OR someone at the level of Lalo Schifrin doing the music. Lucas apparently has a real knack for getting premiere musical talent for his movies. Witness "Star Wars", where he got what still has to be the most impressive movie scoring of the last 70 years out of John Williams, or getting the legendary Wolfman Jack for "American Graffitti". One of these days, Telarc or Seraphim is going to have "The Star Wars Suite" on their labels, done by the Concertgebouw Orchestra with Herbert Von Karajan IV conducting. (In fact, they probably already DO!) The "Star Wars" scores are literally that good! Just remember, The London Philharmonic did the originals!Getting back to the movie, what I think "THX 1138" suffers from more than anything, is that there is minimal emotional involvement with the characters...the world we are subjected to in it is so antiseptic, so cold and calculated, that we tend to feel and think and OBSERVE things just like we think the characters do. The relationship between THX and LUH could have had more development, for instance. We could have felt more compassion for THX or the hologram, too...Since no one's got a back story, we can't latch onto anything. It would have been nice if the whole WORLD of "THX 1138" had a back story, but none was supplied! For instance: what caused everybody to go underground? A nuclear winter brought on by a third world war? A plague? Global warming? WHAT??! It's a shame we're not told this, but all in all, it is STILL a heck of a first movie for Lucas...or anyone!

This is a true movie, with little of the lengthy exposition and contrivance of contemporary films, especially science fiction. It shows, doesn't tell, and the story is deep and compelling without needless fluff or dialogue. Truly an amazing film.

REAL...Unlike, Stars Wars this film has a plausible thesis that could be a human reality in our universe especially, in Europe. Star Wars was a wonderful Sci-Fi fantasy world that tells a timeless story...however, Its main thesis is not plausible by the current laws of economics, laws physics or understanding of human potential. Even though the harsh reality dictated to the Star Wars crew that they had to create the universe of SW out of miniatures, Lucas has an entire corporation that was formed to draw up serious engineering plans and conceptual designs not only for the realistic sake of the film but, in a fantastic belief that the Star Wars universe could actually be conceived in his lifetime. Unfortunately, for Sci-Fi geeks and dreamers (like myself), Economists and Physicists will tell you that the laws of physics and economics seriously impede the feasibility of SW becoming a reality within, even our lifetimes, to a near zero probability...Sorry. (basically by human development standards we have, as a human race, BARELY reached the moon and are basically orbiting the Earth in little tin cans after 59 years of the space program; compare this to the monolithic vision of Lucas's star cruisers, destroyers, and moon-sized space stations). I dreamed of it as well but, I am a degreed Economist and Physicists...after a study of global economics and general understanding of current technological standards, the numbers just aren't there...But THX 1138 was a brilliant induction of a real and rational thesis...this reminds me of parts of the contrived Nazi government, the Communist Bloc and the DDR of the 60's 70's and 80's. Or maybe this film is part of a broader suggestion by Lucas and Coppola via the Star Wars Universe proposal, on the current state of human development and potential. I term this as a strange state of "human degeneration" with respect to ambitions and our untapped potential. Humans seem to be becoming, more and more, less ambitious and regressing backward with respect to where we could be through a collective perception of a dream for the future e.g., "what if we really do possess the human potential to make a Star Wars Universe into a reality through creative design and innovation?This film can be perceived, in multiple facets, which provides a wonderful versatility, as either a possible future reality, a real place in Earth currently, or as an admonished warning to the what the United States could become if the nation doesn't do a serious U-turn away from an extreme socialist agenda...I love Robert Duval's and Donald Pleasence's performances (I also love most of their works) in this film because they seem so involved in the philosophical implications of this reality and Maggie McOmie was absolutely stunning. I did struggle with the extreme secularization of Jesus Christ and the society's use of him to basically brainwash people into over-consumerism but unfortunately, Lucas and Coppola touched on a correct and currently dangerous modern behavior and perception of the Lord Jesus. Definitely, an Orwellian 1984, nightmare; this one is for those who are both enthralled with social behaviors and terrified of what a super state has the potential to dictate to its citizens...I also love, experiencing, the early evolution of the Star Wars sounds that resonate through this film because I was introduced to Star Wars ( A New Hope) long before THX 1138...

THX 1138, like Star Wars, doesn't explain its world so much as simply evoke it. No reason is given for why the dystopia presented here has risen, and none is needed. The plot is basic Orwellian stuff: a man (THX 1138, played by Robert Duvall) and woman (LUH 3417, played by Maggie McOmie) fall in love against the backdrop of a society which prohibits such feelings. They rebel and are punished. This story has a more optimistic ending than 1984 though, which makes sense coming from George Lucas, the man who created the world's most famous space opera.The back of my copy describes this film as a "compelling examination of the present", but it isn't really. Besides vague references to materialism (a disembodied voice compels our hero to buy more) and religion no points are made or analogies drawn. It's more of an audiovisual experience, and on that level it succeeds wonderfully. The atmosphere Lucas creates would be perfect for a hospital, but nightmarish to live in. In this vision of the future people live in underground cities which are barren and sterilised. Everything is technology, and robot policemen enforce state laws. My favourite shot is a lizard sitting before a system of wires which connect people to an automated voice that serves as their deity. The animal's cold indifference symbolises the state's.THX is an assembly line worker. He builds robots (who in their unfinished state look a bit like C3PO), handling dangerous materials which sometimes explode and cause casualties. LUH, his roommate, illegally replaces his drugs with placebos, and he discovers that he's in love with her. They have sex, which is intercut with horrified lawmakers watching on a secret camera. THX is sent to prison, which provides the film's most fascinating set. Prison in this world is an endless white, empty expanse with no walls or anything else besides a few benches. The effect is uncanny, giving the impression that the prisoners are nowhere. Try as I might, I couldn't make out a single wall or anything which broke the reality of the image.Donald Pleasance also stars, as a fellow citizen who befriends THX. I was a bit confused by his character. At first I thought he was one of the lawmakers in this world, arranging for THX to be his roommate after observing his attachment to LUH, but then he ended up in prison for tampering with the computers. No matter; Pleasance brings pathos to the character, who's something of a tragic opportunist. Don Pedro Colley plays a hologram who's developed human thought processes and helps THX. His story arc was also genuinely moving. All the supporting characters are actually better developed than THX, the hero, another quality this film shares with Star Wars.I guess you could argue that Lucas doesn't quite go all the way with his dark vision because of the happy ending, but it doesn't matter. THX 1138 is a sensory experience, and stuns you with strange, stark images of a human race reduced to living like ants.

I ordered the US import and I have to say, contrary to some previous comments and reviews, I had absolutely no problems with it, the disc played perfectly (and my Blu-ray player is a fairly old one).Also the picture quality was much better than I had been lead to believe!The whole package is excellent, with great special features. The film itself is one of those that needs to be seen a few times - it's decidedly grim of course but rewards repeat views.

Real Sci-Fi

Was looking forward to watching this. Really weird. Watched 10 mins.

Ever wondered what happened before Star Wars ? Well, there's American Graffiti and there's THX 1138. This DVD has the director's cut as well as the school project George Lucas made back in the day. It's like stepping back into time. Glad i got this one to add to my collection just to see what happened before Star Wars as a genuine Star Wars fan, Rebel Legion member.