THE CLONE MASTER
US, 1978, 96 minutes, Colour.
Art Hindle, Robyn Douglass, Ralph Bellamy, Ed Lauter.
Directed by Don Medford.
The Clone Master is an entertaining science fiction thriller - in the form of a television movie pilot. The focus is on scientific investigation, corrupt businessmen investing deceitfully in such bio-chemical experimentation - under the guise of government aid. The possibility of cloning is taken for granted and some of its implications presented. The film veers between thriller and the science fiction aspects of cloning, especially the psychological and personal implications. The cast gives its best - and there is a strong early performance by crusty Ralph Bellamy as the scientist pushing the cloning. The ending is somewhat inconclusive - anticipating television episodes rather than rounding off the film. Perhaps average in its presentation, but interesting in its implications. One thinks of such other films as The Boys from Brazil with Ira Levin's frightening insights into the possibilities of cloning Hitler.
1. Impact of the film as television thriller? Science fiction? Its success as a series pilot?
2. Production values: the apparatus of scientific investigation and experimentation? Plant, equipment? The university background? Washington and the Pentagon? The interests of international big business? Colour photography? Special effects - especially for Simon and the clones? Dramatic pace? Musical score and atmosphere?
3. The issues of the film - the possibilities of cloning? Explanations given? Possibilities? Plausibilities? The scientific jargon? The possibilities of exact replication? How facile was the presentation in the film? The optimistic consequences? The honourable scientist being replicated? The possibilities for corruption - especially by big business interests? The consequences of the clones - as in the summary of the film? Audience response to cloning?
4. The film as science fiction? The possibilities of biochemical technology? The commitment of scientists? The finance needed? Government support? Company support? The possibilities of violence, conspiracy, murder? The film as a thriller?
5. The focus on Simon as hero? His skill at his work? Work with Ezra? The encounters with Harry? The concealing of the truth - especially from Bennett? The irony of Bennett's identity? The encounter with Salt - explanations, suspicions? The visit to Washington? The help from Gussie? The build-up to the time for the cloning? (The effect of the hours remaining being given throughout the film?) The replication? The initial encounter with No.l? The relationship of father-child? The other clones? Their participation in the Washington adventure? The telepathy contact? The fire and the finale? Their going throughout the world? Their being images of Simon?
6. The interesting aspects of Simon being replicated - the clones accepting their status? The possibility of control to each clone - but their not being able to communicate by telepathy with each other? A control over the clones? The supremacy of the father figure?
7. Ezra as the intense and crusty scientist? His pushing the experimentation? His cover? Clash with Harry? His eluding capture? His being taken - and the story of his death?
8. Gussie and her initial attack, her background and knowledge, participation in the experimentation, in the climax?
9. Salt as villain - Harry and Salt both listening through the bug to Simon and Ezra? The confrontation with Harry? Salt's incapacitating Harry? Harry indicating his name at the hospital? His posing as a government agent - effectively? His smooth touch? The arranging of the meeting in Washington - and the fake group? The confrontation? The fire? His defeat?
10. Bennett as seemingly honest detective? The irony of his being in Salt's power? Salt's other cronies - especially the woman scientist and her posing as the secretary?
11. The scientific sequences - especially of the cloning? Their effect? The optimistic tone taken by the screenplay?
12. The action adventure - Harry and his being gassed, the taking of Ezra, the fire in the location and the escape by Salt?
13. The plausibility of this kind of material? Its popularity in television programmes. Its effect on popular audiences in their understanding of cloning and its possibilities? Acceptance of cloning?
