THE QUESTOR TAPES
US, 1973, 100 minutes, Colour.
Robert Foxworth, Mike Farrell, John Vernon, Lew Ayres, Dana Winter, James Shigeta.
Directed by Richard A. Colla.
The Questor Tapes is an entertaining piece of science fiction focusing on the creation of an android. What seems to be a film about menace and nuclear destruction turns out to be a rather optimistic picture of transcendent help for mankind. It was created by Gene Rodenberry, the creator of Star Trek, and shares the science fiction with philosophical and mystical reflection about human nature and interests. The film's dialogue resembles that of Star Trek - and fans may be able to see similarities between Mr. Spock and Questor. Robert Foxworth is effective in the central role and there is a good supporting cast.
The film goes for an atmosphere of realism until the end with its eerie special effects on Mt. Ararat. At times this kind of reflective science fiction can seem pretentious, but on the whole it is entertaining - and even uplifting.
1. The appeal of science fiction? What if ... ? The interpretation of the present via a possible future? The blend of reality and fantasy?
2. The work of Gene Rodenberry? Development of science fiction, the visual impact of science fiction? Reflection on human nature and its strengths and weaknesses? The importance of some kind of help for human nature? The theme of logic versus emotions? The complementarity of the two? As personified in Mr. Spock? Questor?
3. The visualising of technology? The skills in creating an android? The location photography: United States, Britain, Turkey? The blend of reality and fantasy? The special effects - especially at the end? Atmospheric score?
4. The possibility of creating an android? Technological skill? The nature of robots? Machines becoming human? The theme of the robot and its seeming humanity indicating the lack of humanity in mankind? Tensions about building androids? The power of the scientist, control over the workings of the android for good or for evil? Tapes and information? The erasing of tapes and the elimination of emotion?
5. Questor and his presence in the laboratory? The visualising of the android? His being programmed? Waking up? Humanising himself, seeking his creator's tapes, seeking out Robinson to accompany him to his maker? The human style for the programmed robot? His mannered mechanical way of speech? His becoming more and more human? His lacking emotions and trying to understand them? Expressions of logic? Understanding of friendship? Desire for emotions? Farrell's response to him as a friend? The audience sharing this response?
6. Robinson and his genius, cantankerous behaviour, questions? Derro and his guarding him? The escape? Getting to the airport, the flight to London - with the touch of comedy? Difficulties in England? The taxi to Lady Helena's house?
7. The background of the scientists in Los Angeles, their contribution to the project, discussions, questions? The briefing for the scientists and the pursuit of Questor? Derro and his going to London? Robinson's giving him the information? The shooting of Questor and returning him for reconstruction? Placing the bug in him?
8. Lady Helena and her background? Audience suspicions? Espionage ring -her household and attendants? Questor's plan for Robinson's getting the information via an affair? Lady Helena's behaviour? The revelation of the Centre as regards information? Questor failing to find his creator, leaving the farewell tape? His wandering in the park to observe children? The discovery of Mt. Ararat?
9. His being shot, the operation and his guiding Robinson in fixing him? Derro's watching it? The bargains?
10. The significance of the journey to Mt. Ararat? The background of visitors from outer space and their guiding of humanity? The creator and his death? The meaning of the continuity of the androids and their commission to help human beings while letting them make their mistakes? Derro's decision to leave Robinson help Questor in his mission? Derro and his flight and the bug and self-sacrifice?
11. How well did the film work as science fiction? The popularity of pop mysticism in science fiction in the '70s?
