Soylent Green, Directed by Richard Fleischer and starring Charlton Heston

  A really intriguing movie that had caught my attention as a child was the movie Soylent Green by Richard Fleischer and starring the notable Charlton Heston. From my recollection of the film as a young kid, I remember the intense finding of human beings turning into this green colored crackers and providing it to the population for a supplement of nutrition. The reason why this is happening, is the fact that the world has turned into the decimated planet that is shown in this science-fiction novel/film. I watched the film last night and from a more in depth analysis of the film, you get the erie understanding of what is taking place in regards to the background of the film. The intense lack of food, no plant growth, and the population trying to sustain of living was astonishing. Charlton Heston plays this gritty detective who investigates the death of a top official of Soylent Corp. Further investigation leads to the understanding of what Soylent Corp. is producing without anyone having any knowledge. To further indulge about the synopsis of the film without ruining it for future viewers who haven’t watched it yet, the film does an excellent job of covering the suspense of what goes on behind Soylent Corp. before unveiling the revolting acts. I believe the film follows the work of other various science-fiction films during its time, so I do in my opinion think it has a very good conventional aspect during its era. In various reviews I have read, some stook out than the rest, in following the sensation that played in various parts of the film. A review written by Robert Ebert, who had the same emotional standpoint of the film stated, “The movie looks good. A lot of money apparently was spent on it (which is nothing new for director Fleischer, whose credits include “Dr. Dolittle” and “Tora! Tora! Tora!” – about which the less said, the better). The most impressive scene is one of the last, when Robinson decides the time has come for him to die. He goes to “Home,” a gigantic euthanasia center, where he gets 20 minutes of his favorite color (orange) and wrap around movies of the way life used to be on Earth. His acting here is tremendously dignified, and all the more poignant when we realize this death scene was his last.” (1) Ebert elaborates on the “poignant” sadness of the characters last moments in the film, concluding how Ebert voiced in his review that it was his last bit of moments. Overall, Charlton Heston is one of my favorite actors of his era. Through the various films Heston has played in, Soylent Green is one of the ones that stand out with Planet of the Apes as well. I would recommend the film to anyone who has seen his films, because not a lot of people who has seen for an instance, Planet of the Apes have seen Soylent Green. It’s a fantastic film and I look forward to reading the novel next whenever I complete the novel I am reading now.

2 Comments

  1. Sydney says:

    Hello Liam,

    I have heard many mentions of Soylent Green before and knew that it was people, but I had no idea it was such a complete dystopia. Your description of it reminds me of a mix between Mad Max:Fury Road and the book Brave New World. I can’t believe you watched it as child but I too remember watching films I probably shouldn’t have.

    1. Liam Dunne says:

      Hi Sydney,
      My father put it on one time when I was young and it has stuck since then as one of those post apocalyptic movies. I’d recommend watching it, because it is a classic!

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