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Soylent Green (film)

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Soylent Green (film)
NameSoylent Green
CaptionTheatrical release poster
DirectorRichard Fleischer
ProducerWalter Seltzer
ScreenplayStanley R. Greenberg
Based onMake Room! Make Room!, Harry Harrison
StarringCharlton Heston, Leigh Taylor-Young, Chuck Connors, Joseph Cotten, Brock Peters, Paula Kelly, Edward G. Robinson
MusicFred Myrow
CinematographyRichard H. Kline
EditingSamuel E. Beetley
StudioMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer
DistributorMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Released1973, 04, 19
Runtime97 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$3.4 million
Gross$3.6 million

Soylent Green (film). Directed by Richard Fleischer and starring Charlton Heston, this 1973 American dystopian science fiction film is a landmark of the genre. Loosely adapted from the 1966 novel Make Room! Make Room! by Harry Harrison, the film is renowned for its shocking climax and its stark depiction of overpopulation and resource depletion. Set in a grim 2022 New York City, it follows a police detective's investigation that uncovers a horrific societal secret.

Plot

In the year 2022, New York City is an overcrowded, polluted metropolis where most of the population survives on processed food rations from the powerful Soylent Corporation. NYPD detective Robert Thorn (Charlton Heston) investigates the murder of a high-ranking Soylent executive, William R. Simonson (Joseph Cotten). Assisted by his elderly researcher friend, Sol Roth (Edward G. Robinson), Thorn uncovers evidence that the world's oceans are dying and real food is vanishing. The investigation leads Thorn to Simonson's "furniture," a woman named Shirl (Leigh Taylor-Young), and puts him in conflict with Simonson's bodyguard, Tab Fielding (Chuck Connors). As Thorn digs deeper, Sol discovers the ultimate truth about the company's newest product, Soylent Green, leading to a desperate and iconic final confrontation.

Cast

The film features a notable ensemble led by Charlton Heston as the cynical detective Robert Thorn. Veteran actor Edward G. Robinson, in his final film role, delivers a poignant performance as the erudite Sol Roth; Robinson died just twelve days after filming concluded. Leigh Taylor-Young portrays Shirl, a "furniture" woman kept by the elite. Supporting roles include Chuck Connors as the menacing Tab Fielding, Joseph Cotten as the murdered executive William R. Simonson, and Brock Peters as Thorn's police lieutenant. Paula Kelly appears as Martha, another piece of "furniture," and Whit Bissell has a small role as the Governor of New York.

Production

The screenplay by Stanley R. Greenberg significantly altered Harry Harrison's novel, introducing the central conceit of Soylent Green and its infamous secret. Producer Walter Seltzer and director Richard Fleischer aimed for a gritty, realistic feel, filming on location in New York City and at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. The climactic riot scene utilized over a hundred extras from the New York City Police Department. The score was composed by Fred Myrow, and the cinematography was handled by Richard H. Kline. The production is also remembered for the moving final scene between Heston and the ailing Robinson, which was largely improvised.

Themes

The film is a potent exploration of Malthusian fears, focusing on the consequences of overpopulation, environmental collapse, and corporate malfeasance. It critiques class stratification through its depiction of a society where the elite, like the character William R. Simonson, live in luxury while the masses subsist in squalor. Themes of police corruption, the loss of historical knowledge, and the ethical limits of utilitarianism are central to the narrative. The concept of state-sanctioned euthanasia at the "Home" is presented as a bleak solution to societal problems, reinforcing the film's dystopian critique.

Release and reception

Released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on April 19, 1973, Soylent Green was a modest box office success, grossing approximately $3.6 million against a $3.4 million budget. Initial critical reception was mixed; some reviewers praised its provocative ideas and Heston's performance, while others found it melodramatic. However, the film's shocking twist ending became instantly iconic, cementing its place in popular culture. It was nominated for a Nebula Award for Best Script and won a Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film in 1975. Over time, its reputation has grown significantly as a prescient and influential work of dystopian cinema.

Legacy

Soylent Green has attained a lasting legacy as a cult classic and a touchstone in discussions of dystopian fiction and environmentalism. Its final line, delivered by Charlton Heston, is one of the most famous in film history. The film's depiction of food scarcity and ecological disaster has grown more resonant, often referenced in debates about climate change and sustainability. It influenced later works in the genre, including films like Blade Runner and The Matrix. The title "Soylent Green" itself has entered the lexicon as a shorthand for disturbing truths about consumption and societal decay, ensuring the film's enduring cultural impact.

Category:1973 films Category:American science fiction films Category:American dystopian films Category:Films directed by Richard Fleischer Category:Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films