PROTOTYPE

US, 1983, 100 minutes, Colour.
Christopher Plummer, Frances Sternhagen, David Morse.
Directed by David Greene.

A modest and engaging science fiction feature from the television producers Levinson and Link. It has a good cast led by Christopher Plummer and Frances Sternhagen. The film was directed by David Greene, director of several feature films and mini series.

The film is about the making of an Android and its potential abuse by the Pentagon. However, the film focuses on the relationship between the maker and the very human Android. The film indicates that the scientist sees the Android as a substitute son. The film interweaves the film and novel of Frankenstein and uses it, with feeling, for the solution to the film.

There is an atmosphere of science and technology, a questioning of such developments and there potential abuse by the military but the film has a very strong humane feeling which makes it interesting and enjoyable.

1. An enjoyable film? Realism? Fantasy? Contemporary science fiction?

2. The modest production and its success? The atmosphere of laboratories and technology? The contrast with ordinary domestic sequences? Special effects? The humane qualities of the film? A piece of Americana? The musical score and its plaintive tone, especially at the end?

3. The film's interesting contemporary technology, the work of scientists, work on robotics and androids? the success of the making of Michael Smith? Audiences first response to him? Suspicion that he was an Android? His relationship with Carl Forrester? His being taken home, the conversation and meal with Dorothy? The incident in the Department Store, his fascination with the machines, his taking the toy and being accosted by the police? His return to the laboratory, the discussion with Carl, his being heightened in sensibility, his rest? The skill of the scientists in making such an android? A pleasant personality? His being programmed, computers, reading skills? His being taken by the military? The tests? including the capacity for accurate shooting? Carl Forrester's reaction, kidnapping him, taking him with him to his Alma Mater, taking him back to his origins? Their staying in the apartment? the New Year toast? being together, fishing, the human discussions? father and son relationship? the pursuit? the encounter with Chris in the bookshop, Carl's reaction, Michael's awareness of feelings, sharing? his confusion? The sequences of his discovery of information, copying behaviour for example with the books under his arm? his discussions about the film of Frankenstein, the buying of the book, reading the story, recounting the ending? his being a good creation rather than an evil one? his wanting to have freedom and decision making? Dr. Pressman catching up? his being in the garage and his decision to follow Frankenstein's judgement? his farewell to Carl? the human qualities and his urging him not to embrace him and feel the metal? A skilful characterisation of an Android?

4. The importance of the Frankenstein parallel? Michael's watching the end of the film on television? Carl's comment about the film's trivialising science and making them jokes? Michael's buying the book, feeling it was more serious? his recounting Frankenstein's decision to stay in the Arctic? His following the same method for his own destruction? his hope that Carl would make another Android? perhaps like him? the bond between scientist and creature? father-son relationship?

5. Christopher Plummer's style as Carl Forrester? the academic, his arrogance and intensity, his certainty? the initial outing with Michael, in the shop, his reaction to the security officer? testing Michael with Dorothy? returning him home? Gene Pressman's exhilaration? Arthur Gerard’s decisions? The collaboration with the staff, the party? his keeping working? the military and their decisions? his getting his staff to run tests? the discussion with General Keating? the speculation about military uses of such androids? his decision to kidnap Michael? the collaboration of Gene? taking him away, his memories of his own school, his gropings with robotics, computers? his growing into a creator? making a good creature? his care and concern for him, his reassuring him? noting him as a good listener? the fishing sequence? the Happy New Year sequence? Protecting him from the Frankenstein story? yet hearing it from him? his anger at Michael's meeting with Chris? the pathos of the farewell? Carl’s relationship with Dorothy, the bonds of many decades of marriage, his taking Michael away and leaving her? An interesting characterisation of the equivalent of Dr. Frankenstein?

6. Gene and his support, his helping in the kidnapping, the phone calls, the pressure by General Keating and his defiance, Arthur Gerard’s pressure and the financial grant, his trying to deceive Carl, his helping him at the end? the sketch of the scientific staff?

7. Arthur Gerard and his control of the project, notifying Washington, interview with General Keating, clash with Carl, the visit to Dorothy?

8. General Keating and the Pentagon, the suave military style and its shrewdness, in avoiding answers? military potential for robots in war? as assassins?

9. Dorothy and her love for Carl, the meal sequence, her support of Carl, her own work, not having children? trying to support him in his troubles? the telephone calls beings tapped, her warnings? the discussions with Arthur, Gerard? her knowing the truth? her feeling that Carl loved Michael more than her at this stage of his life? a sympathetic portrait?

10. The encounter between Chris and Michael, the discussion, the human response to the Android, the suggestion of the possibilities for romance and relationship? and the affect on Michael?

11. Themes of science, technology, the skills of scientists and their experiments, ultimate responsibilities, attachment to their projects, necessary detachment? the possibilities of exploitation by Government and the military? the parallels drawn between the making of an android and the making of nuclear bombs? the comments about Oppenheimer and his responsibilities and those of the President? a parable warning about the developments of science and the relationship with Government?