FUTUREWORLD
US, 1976, 107 minutes, Colour.
Peter Fonda, Blythe Danner, Arthur Hill, Yul Brynner, John Ryan.
Directed by Richard T. Heffron.
Futureworld is a sequel to Westworld, recapitulating at the start (and reintroducing Yul Brynner's robot gunslinger in a brief dream sequence). The presentation is much the same as before (interestingly and enjoyably so) -the hedonistic Delos resort, Medieval World and Future World. But there is more theme and plot (as if the writer had been reading The Stepford Wives and looking at a rerun of The Avengers). The robots are sinister; the hero is played by Peter Fonda in his usual manner. There are lavish sets and chases, a good climax and plenty of Science Fiction message.
1. How enjoyable a science fiction entertainment? Its status as a sequel and the expectations from Westworld? How much of the quality of the original did it retain in terms of technique, imagination, exploration of themes of society, science fantasy?
2. Audience interest in and response to science fiction? Interpretation of the present by the future? The importance of science fantasy and its widening the range of science? the presentation of a future technological world? How plausible was the plot of this film, how real, how unreal? A creative exercise of imagination and fantasy?
3. The linking device from the original film, the recapitulation of the previous experiences in Westworld and Delos, the supplying of necessary information? The creation of the atmosphere for the new phase at Delos, inviting audience interest in the reopening of the holiday resort?
4. The presentation of such holiday resorts. their American style and tone, dream holidays and audience's willing suspension of disbelief? The entering this world via the reporters. the plausibility of their doing articles and television coverage, satisfying curiosity?
5. The characters of Chuck and Tracy: their media backgrounds, their previous clashes professionally, reporter types, ambitions? Their entering into the world of Delos, their being feted, the tours, the guest treatment and the audience sharing this and identifying with them?
6. Response to the presentation of Delos and its atmosphere: Westworld, Roman World, Future World? Particularly American in conception? Forenoon? Why? For the rich, a hedonistic holiday, a suspension of moral standards and values and an indulgence in a fantasy world? The propaganda prepared by the Delos organisation for helping people to enjoy their holiday? The importance of science fantasy and moral values?
7. The film’s comment on and presentation of technology: the conception of future world. the space gadgetry, the indications of technological knowledge and know-how? Engineering? Devices of space travel? The chessboard with the human images? The boxing and the sparring? The analysis and visualizing of dream sequences? The gunslinger visualised and participating in Tracy's dreams? A dream world of scientific and technological fantasy?
8. Duffy's personality and friendliness his role on the administration of Delos, his supplying of information, American PR. style? Audience sympathy for him? The ironies of the final revelation of his being a robot, of his plots and machinations for the taking over of the world? The film's comment on this kind of robot power?
9. Comment on the presentation of the Russian guests and the implication of this. their participation in the Roman World? The Japanese visitors and the implications of this background and their visiting medieval world, swords, the incident with the camera? The irony of the invitation of such guests and their becoming robots?
10. The portrayal of Frenchie, an atmosphere of suspicion? The significance of the tours? The atmosphere of drugs and things being unknown? The fact that Tracy and Chuck did not know what was going on?
11. The irony of the audience knowing what was happening, seeing the arrangements of Delos? The importance of the repair centre and the revelation about the robots, their role, the scientific preparing etc.?
12. The contribution of the tours, the displays, the sunrise sequences, Harry?
13. How crucial a character was Harry, his memories, the fact that he was a human being; not a robot, the importance of his story, his helping Chuck and Tracy and the possibility of a solution?
14. The build-up to the revelation. Duffy and his machinations? Dr. Schneider and his role and control? Chuck and Tracy leaving their bedrooms and investigating. the importance of their being pursued by the Samurai, danger of death?
15. The importance of the confrontation with their doubles? The psychology of this, the technology? Each knowing and anticipating the actions and thoughts of the other? Chuck and the various locations in which he had to fight his robot self? Tracy and the confrontation of the other self in Westworld? Fight unto death? This as an example of human being resisting technological power?
16. The build-up of tension and their escape, Duffy and Dr. Schneider trying to cope? The humour of their deception? Hope for a revelation against Delos?
17. Hopes for the future in which human beings can break through such control?
18. The serious aspects of the plot, the comic side? Themes of politics, science? Themes of pleasure and values? Science fantasy as a way of exploring the human condition?
