HOLOCAUST 2000
Italy/UK, 1977, 102 minutes, Colour.
Kirk Douglas, Simon Ward, Agostina Belli, Anthony Quayle, Virginia Mc Kenna, Alexander Knox, Adolfo Celi, Geoffrey Keen, Massimo Foschi, John Carlin.
Directed by Alberto De Martino.
Holocaust 2000 is an Anglo -Italian production written and directed by Albert De Martino. Kirk Douglas takes the leading role and is supported by a predominantly English cast in the central roles. It is interesting to know that the diabolical aspects of nuclear power are similar to the attitude towards nuclear fear in Douglas'son's The China Syndrome which was released a year after the present film. The present film is apocalyptic in tone from its title, reference to the end of the millenium in the year 2000 and the overtones of St. John's revelation where particular prophecies are linked with the development of nuclear power and the incarnation of the devil. The plot is quite derivative from such horror classics as Rosemary's Baby with the incarnation of the devil and especially to both parts of The Omen. This film is violent in parts especially with gory deaths. However, it is an interesting hypothesis about the presence of evil in the world and a strong plea against nuclear reactors and their dangers. The film also boasts a striking score by Ennio Morricone, the prolific Italian composer whose work for Exorcist II: The Heretic was in a similar vein.
1. An enjoyable and interesting film within the occult and demonic genre of the 70s? The apocalyptic overtones? The connection with big business, multinationals, nuclear power in the 70s?
2. The Italian production and writing? The Italian approach and feel for the situations, especially in a British setting? The British finance behind the film and the stars for the production? The use of colour, desert locations, English locations, wide screen?
3. The importance of the special effects? The decor: ordinary 1970s life, the background of nuclear technology, the dream sequence and its reality and surrealism, the artistry, the use of symbolism, black and white clothing for Angel etc.? The contribution of the score?
4. How plausible was the plot? Apocalyptic fantasy? Audience interest in the Book of Revelation and its symbols, the fundamentalist interpretation, audience Approach to prophecies and their fulfilment? The apocalypse in its time, the artistic representations in manuscript and in caves? The role of the Church in the interpretation of the prophecies? The fact of their fulfilment in this nuclear situation? The effect on audiences who believe in such prophecies, on those who don't? The hypothesis of linking scripture with nuclear scares and power? Accidents consuming the world in biblical fire? The significance of the title?
5. The Catholic background, the scripture manuscripts, the interpretation, the role of the Church, Caine and his encounter with the Monsignor on the plane, the study of the manuscript, the picture of the power station plan and the devils, the cave? His help with the interpretation? The examples of Christ-figures and antichrist-figures - in reverse? The incarnation of Satan? The Christ and Satanic imagery? The biblical imagery - especially at the end?
6. The use of the Christ image, the name of Jesus, the photo, the manuscript, computer results. Angel and his name and character, his role in Caine's life, the Devil-figure in the dreams? The fulfilment of the antichrist-figure? Overtones of liturgical music and atmosphere?
7. The background of madness, the assassin and his killing of Caine’s wife, his being put in the asylum, the attack in the asylum, Caine’s later presence there, the convergence of the madman on Caine and his escape, Caine's own madness in promoting the nuclear power station? The importance of madness for revealing the truth?
8. Audience response to nuclear questions in the 70s? The pros and cons as explained in the film? The atmosphere of the 70s? British and American Money and development, the use of plant and technology in eastern countries? collaboration of East and West for satanic power? Industry, technology, energy crisis, progress, the value of risk? The computers, the independent safeguards etc.? The nuclear power and the diabolical?
9. Kirk Douglas and his presence in the central role? The significance of his name of Caine? The impact of his presence at the beginning, the exploration, the blasting of the ground, the cave and the photo, Sarah's warning? His decision to go ahead with the project, his relationship with his scientists, with Angel in the project? Sarah's continued presence especially at the assassination at the airport? The liaison with her? The importance of the lyrical leva scenes, her pregnancy and the fear that her child was the antichrist? Caine becoming a killer, his threats to the child and to Sarah, the birth of the child and its being a girl? His being imprisoned in the asylum, persecuted and brutalised, escaping and opting for peace? The comparison with his relationship with Eve and their discussions at the party. Eve's power and her wanting to stop the nuclear project? (And the irony of her son Angel continuing it?) The presence of the demonstrators and his reaction to them? Their slogan about children living in the future? Caine's relationship with Meredith and the project, discussions about the supernatural? Meredith and his warnings and leaving the message in the computer? The relationship with the Board, the liaison with Hyers and getting his approval for the project, the ominous meeting with him and the coming in of the tide? The impact of Harbin's death on him? The Monsignor and his help, the Monsignor taking his place and being killed? The gradual awakening of his conscience, his desperation to stop the project? His relationship with Angel, their communication, his pride in Angel's plans, his testing them out, Angel sitting in his chair, his threatening to kill him? The torment of Caine? His opting out at the end and going to an almost biblical-looking setting with Sarah and the child? Would his child have a future in Angel's world?
10. The importance of the dream sequence and the range of its vlsuals, the naked man being pursued by the Devil, tormented by the nuclear dragons and demons? The assassin figure being the Satan? The beach with the overtones of the encounter with Myers? The dragon's head? Sarah's presence? The nuclear holocaust and explosion? The significance of the symbolism of the dream and its placement within the film?
11. Angel as a character? As Caine's son, at the party, socialising, relationship with his mother and his animosity towards her later, with his father? His smooth manner, his connections and plans? The deadliness of his plans and his wanting to unleash power on the world? The computer's Information about him? His taking over from his father? The changing from white clothes Into black? His option to destroy and purify the world for a new satanic-kingdom?
12. The character of Meredith - the contemporary scientist, rationalist, his views on religion and superstition, his skill in working the computer, the warning to get out of the computer centre, the information given, his desperate phone call, the violence of his death? Myers and his collaboration with Caine, his disappearance, his warnings and the ominous scene on the beach?
13. The woman in the film? Eve and her biblical name, her antagonism towards Caine, wanting to stop the project, the significance of her death? The contrast with Sarah, her love, her support of Caine, encounters with Angel, the difficulties of giving birth, the success of bringing a child into the world? The symbol of the mother of the living? Eve the mother of the dead?
14. The significance of the assassin and his becoming Satan in the dream, his presence in the asylum? The doctor and the initial attack and his committing Caine at the end?
15. The world of multi-nationals, big business, international travel, deals, offices, cars and arrangements, plant and technology? The film's critique of these?
16. The human issues in the setting of the incarnation of evil?
