Before the release of STAR WARS in 1977, science-fiction films tended to focus on a less optimistic future and often with nuclear war and uncertainty between superpowers, there was a mix of crisp and clean worlds, coupled with chaos outside where the world had been desolated.
One such movie that tapped into this mindset of the 1970s was Michael Anderson’s LOGAN’S RUN. Based on a novel by William F. Nolan and George Clayton Johnson, originally published in 1967.
A domed city with tubed monorails is what greets us as the film opens in Oscar-winning special effects and there is a special ceremony known as ‘Carousel’ in which people when they reach the age of thirty are seemingly reborn and given Sanctuary.
The world is full of policemen known as ‘Sandmen’ who are given the faith that there are rebels out there known as ‘Runners’ who refuse to believe in the concept of ‘Carousel’. Logan (Michael York) and Francis (Richard Jordan) corner one such individual and eliminate them with fire-burning guns that kill.
After one such tour of duty, Logan summons a woman, Jessica (Jenny Agutter) who has come to the city to find a friend who went to Carousel and never returned. When Logan goes to the local computer and places a mystery pendant which the computer reveals is known as ‘Ankh’ and is an alternate word for ‘Sanctuary’ the computer enhances his jewel to indicate he has reached the age of thirty, instructing him to find Sanctuary and destroy it.
Logan, realizing the reality of Carousel, decides to run with Jessica, with Francis in pursuit…..
Although it is a very naïve film at times when viewed today, LOGAN’S RUN is a well-loved effort that has gained a cult status over the year and inspired a short-lived 1970s TV show with Gregory Harrison as Logan and Heather Menzies (Urich) as Jessica. It was also one of the prime inspirations for the recent Michael Bay film THE ISLAND, starring Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson.
Jerry Goldsmith provided the music.