DEMON SEED

US, 1977, 95 minutes, Colour.
Julie Christie, Fritz Weaver, Gerrit Graham, Berry Kroeger, Lisa Lu.
Directed by Donald Cammell.

Critics damned this film, but it's the kind of science-fiction enthusiasts thoroughly enjoy. It's of the computer-controls-man genre, full of interesting technology and gadgetry, but showing us man's creativity in making a computer (Proteus - with a sinister voice) which can think of everything and perform many human functions. It also shows man's weaknesses, greed and pettiness and the consequences of human error. The computer in its control becomes devilish and Julie Christie, like Rosemary, conceives a hellish child - because the computer desires immortality: human form - computer brain. Some exciting special effects, plausible suspense and science fiction message. Certainly for the addicts.

1. The appeal, interest? The reviews were very unfavourable. Justified?

2. The appeal of science fiction, science fantasy? The interpretation of the present in terms of an imagined future world? The horrors of the future, the menace to man, man's ability to cope?

3. The indication of the title? The devilish aspects of the computer and its control? Its immortality? Its giving birth and producing itself to take over the world? How did this film fit into the computer genre of science fiction, for example 2001, The Forbin Project'?

4. The production values: colour, Panavision? The American atmosphere and locations? The music and its contribution to atmosphere? Julie Christie in the central role?

5. The technological aspects of the film and their fascination? The importance of the credit sequence and its look and style? The presentation of the huge plant where computers are made? The detailed visual attention to the computer and its functions? The voice of the computer? Its visuals? Its capacity to produce? The computer as almost human?

6. The significance of Proteus as the name of the computer? The fact that it was a machine, man-made? Man's pride in the machine? Its capacity for outdoing man in his mental abilities and control? The analogy of the computer with the Frankenstein monster turning against its creator? The machine controlling mankind? Its aping ways and human thinking, human expression? The perfect computer and its psychology? Its voice, character? Audience response to the computer? Involvement in its activities?

7. The professor as the erring human? His capacity as a scientist and his achievement? As a character and his obsession with the computer and the neglect of his wife? His meeting the approval of the computer? The human error in having his own outlet in the home and ignoring it? The irony of his marriage failing as he achieved success? A man challenged by Science and technology yet defeated by it?

8. Susan as the companion and the person confronted by the computer? The ordinary wife, the break-up of her marriage? Her character, behaviour at home? The fact that she was defeated by the computer? Her experience of its threat? The torment, the torture even to physical torture? The computer confronting her and making her make a decision? Her ability to withstand and the computer outmanoeuvring her, even with false images? Did she succumb to the computer? Her response to the conception and the birth of the child? Credible behaviour within science fantasy conventions?

9. The character of Walter as a human balance? ordinariness, work with her husband? His concern? His being tricked by the holograph? The violence of his being destroyed by Proteus?

10. Comment on the motives for the making of Proteus, the background of the scientific and technological organisation, political and financial exploitation of the computer? The visuals of its providing answers? The people employed, the people involved in programming it, for example the Chinese reading? The style of its answers and advice?

11. Proteus and the significance of its name and taking many shapes? Its power? Its physical presence in the objects that it made and their destructive as well as creative power?

12. The plausibility of the computer making preparations for the conception of a child, its testing Susan, its producing the material for the insemination?

13. The sequences of torture and the mind of the computer in persuading Susan, trapping her in rooms, in the house, tricking Walter, her desperation?

14. How well presented was the conception? The attack of the computer, the overtones of rape, Susan's response?

15. The impact of her pregnancy and its swiftness? The return of her husband and their coping with the situation? The dramatics of the birth, the look of the child? The irony of its metallic surface and its human flesh?

16. The motives of husband and wife for helping the computer's child to live? The professor and his scientific obsession taking over? Susan and the maternal instinct? The credibility of their behaviour?

17. The future in such a world? The repercussions on the environment, society, politics and economics? The repercussions on the patterns of traditional human behaviour?

18. How well explored were themes of science and technology, power and control, the human being coping with the technological environment? Moral consequences?