THX 1138

US, 1970, 93 minutes, Colour.
Robert Duval, Donald Pleasence, Maggie Mc Omie.
Directed by George Lucas.

THX 1138 is fascinating, if depressing, science-fiction. It is a very good attempt at a visual "1984" or "Brave New World". The plot is a variation on these themes, set in the 25th century where men, with computer indexes for names, live underground in a completely mechanised world where feelings are illegal and all life is functional. Nature is absent.

George Lucas, who wrote the screenplay as well as directing the film, uses many of the techniques and unusual styles of underground movies to excellent effect. Cutting and juxtaposing of images creates an eerie world along with the marvellous design and colour of the sets. Most of the sequences are patterned in a stylised way which contributes to the impersonal yet compelling tone of the film. The actors, despite the fact that they represent depersonalized humans, make a significant impact. The stylishness of this production, the literacy of the film and its pessimistic vision will probably make it a fashionable science-fiction feature for some time to come.

1. What was the basic message of this film?

2. Was it an effective 1984-style parable?

3. How successful were the filming and editing techniques in creating an atmosphere for the film?

4. A lot of the techniques of underground and experimental movies were used in this film. How effective and appropriate were they?

5. Comment on the use of colour (and white).

6. Comment on the impact of the musical score.

7. What is the quality of life in the 25th century? What is wrong with it? What kind of physical environment is there - nature is absent?

8. What has happened to the human race? Is it well-off?

9. Discuss the role of the computer in this future and man's relation to it - the seeking of computerised advice, the use of television screens and computer card information, the lack of privacy?

10. How were men and women depersonalised - their names, the control of emotional and sexual relationships (sexual partners as functional; room companions computerised), their work, their conversation, their clothes, their impersonal baldness.

11. Comment on the robot~police controlling people.

12. Why was THX arrested?

13. Comment on his imprisonment, his trial, torture, his being used as a scientific guinea pig.

14. What was the significance of the cinema technique transferred to this 25th century and the nature of the chase?

15. What happened to THX's room companion and his helper?

16. Why did authority give up chasing THX - was it too costly? Was this the measure of his importance?

17. What was the impact of the whole film - its story, its techniques, its vision of the human as a mechanised body lacking almost all spirit and any manifestation of spirit being crushed or rendered useless?

18. If this is how we might be, wouldn't it be better if we destroyed the universe?