At the end of this blog entry, I will post a youtube video link of Moviedrome Presenter Alex Cox introducing George Lucas 1971 cult science-fiction film THX 1138. You can read Cox’s transcript here. The episode’s original airdate was June 25, 1989 (read here). Although my favorite film directed by George Lucas is still American Graffiti, I do admire THX 1138 for all of the ideas that Lucas touches upon in his script – even If the results are not always entirely successful. At the very least, it does give us a glimpse of what Lucas would expand upon in his iconic 1977 science-fiction space opera Star Wars.
Here is a youtube video link to Alex Cox’s Moviedrome intro to THX 1138
Here is a youtube video link to the film’s original theatrical trailer
I went to see that film at the cinema, and thought it was quite strange at the time. However, it has haunted me ever since with remembered images, a sure sign of powerful film-making.
Best wishes, Pete.
I enjoyed the background trivia to this film, how Lucas couldn’t think of a suitable title so named it after his car registration. It also occurred to me that John Milner’s car in American Graffiti has the registration THX138. Duvall and Pleasance are two of my favourite actors, always watchable, interestingly the cast also features Johnny Weissmuller jnr. son of Tarzan.
Nice one JC.
Here’s the first paragraph of my review for THX 1138. Finding out pretty recently it was 1989 and Moviedrome that introduced it to me.
“Oh I do love a good dystopian future portrayed in film. THX 1138 is one of my all time favorites. Having caught it sometime in the late 80’s. Randomly switching the telly on after returning from a night on the tiles. Oblivious to its director being that bearded guy who blew my mind with his spectacular space romp as a kid. Just sat, fuzzy headed on the sofa. Transfixed by this white claustrophobic contained city! What the hell was I watching? No internet to search out what this film with the baldies was. Lucky I did know two of the actors. Still it was some years before I got to watch it again and discover it was directed by George Lucas.”
Big respects to Alex for introducing it to me even if we beg to differ on it’s greatness 🙂
https://wolfmanscultfilmclub.wordpress.com/2019/01/27/thx-1138-1971-george-orwell-lucas-science-fiction-dystopian-future/
Even on a low-budget, it’s look at the future is still visually neat, though I would not want to live in a world like that 🙂 Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
I too found all of that trivia interesting 🙂 Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
You know when you said that it was in 1989 when you first saw the film, then I got the feeling that it was Moviedrome that introduced you to it 🙂 I shall read your review right now 🙂 Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
Yeah I would later realise I’d seen it on the Moviedrome showing but had missed the intro. Feel in love with that film ever since.
Now, this is a film I’d like to see…
THX 1138 is most notable for serving as George Lucas directorial debut – American Graffiti would come out two years later in 1973. The original Star Wars would come out in 1977 – four years after Graffiti and 6 years after 1138. Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂