Amazon.com: Charlton Heston seemed fond of starring in apocalyptic science-fiction films in the late 1960s and early '70s. There was Planet of the Apes, of course, and The Omega Man. But there was also 1973's Soylent Green, a strange detective film (based on Harry Harrison's Make Room! Make Room!) set in 2022 and starring Heston as a Manhattan cop trying to solve a murder in the overpopulated, overheated city. His roommate (a necessity in the overcrowded metropolis), played by Edward G. Robinson, tries telling him about a better time on Earth before there were no more resources or room left; but Heston doesn't care. Directed by Richard Fleischer (The Vikings), the film has a curious but largely successful mix of mystery and bleak futuristic vision, somewhat like Blade Runner but without the extraordinary art direction. This was Robinson's last film and he's easily the best thing about it; his final scene seems terribly appropriate in retrospect. Joseph Cotten makes an appearance as the man whose murder results in the revelation of a shocking secret. --Tom Keogh
Dystopian Classic We all know by now about climate change and waste heat in cities, but Soylent Green was the first to show it. The alarm about population growth had been sounded by Dr. Paul Ehrlich, and during the eco-conscious seventies, people were taking it seriously. Several films (and many books) featured overpopulation themes, but few did it better than SG. The gap between rich and poor also seems more prescient now, with the rich living in fortresses and the poor scrambling as best they can. Given those conditions, it is not surprising that New York looks like Calcutta, or that the local constabulary is corrupt as a matter of course. The film barrels along with Charlton Heston playing his other stalwart (the Hero-Heel) and Edward G. Robinson stealing every scene he's in. The McGuffin is the murder of Joseph Cotten (we never do find out why) but the murder is just the trace of a plot to lead us through this society of divided classes, scarce resources, and social management amounting to mob control. The lack of high-tech stuff has been noted - they didn't anticipate the miniaturization of electronics - but the energy problem is right in front. Energy costs, and the poor ride their stationary bikes to charge up the batteries. (I've often wondered why Sears doesn't sell that arrangement.) In short, see it twice. The first time through, follow the plot and weep for Eddie. The second time, notice the scenery along the way. Fascinating.
Soylent Green DvD I liked this movie when I saw it many years ago. When I found it out again to buy I just had to have it. I never for got the movie, once you see it , it will stay with you for a long time. Good movie if you like to think about future possibilities.
"SOYLENT GREEN" Charlton Heston, Edward G.Robinson This is an excellent science fiction movie, in my opinion Charlton Heston made two of his very best ones during the 1970's, first "The Omega Man"(1971) and the second one "Soylent Green" released in 1973. This is a great film, which in my opinion depicts what could happen as a result of global warming. However it is dissapointing to see that the great actor Edward G.Robinson who co-starred with Heston in this film is not even mentioned among the cast of this great film. In fact it was Robinson's last role in a film as he died shortly afterwards. This proves one more time, that in life you must do everything and anything except die, because if you do,in many or most cases it will not be long before you're forgotten. If there is a film in which one of Hollywood's greatest talents Edward G.Robinson should be remembered by, because it was his very last role on the screen is definitely this one, "Soylent Green". I highly recommend it.
Vegan Recruitment Film The setting of this film is 2022 Manhattan and thankfully we notice food is sold by the kilo in this time period instead of the pound so apparently Americans finally do adopt the metric system! That's the good news. The bad news about the future is the country is horribly overcrowded, food and conveniences are scarce or broken for all but the very rich and important and the government is corrupt and out of control. I would guess most people know the "surprise" ending of this science fiction/murder mystery but even with that knowledge this is an entertaining and even thought provoking film. Sure, there is a real 70's look and feel from the elevator music to the costumes and set design but that just adds some historical interest. Also there are some unnecessary action scenes toward the end of the film I could have done without that actually detract from the serious messages and themes but there's not much else to which I can object. An added bonus is the excellent acting of Edward G. Robinson in his last film role as the elderly Sol.
You Are What You Eat For me this movie was a mixed bag of goodies and stinkers. If you've managed to avoid all of the pop culture references to it then I'll not spoil it for you. The setup is that it's 2022. Charleton Heston is Detective Thorn, a sweaty cop of ambiguous character in a burned out civilization. He lives in an overpopulated New York city, but the place is representative of an overcrowded, polluted to death world. People are hungry and depend upon the monopolistic Soylent Corporation for their food. Soylent "Green" a popular new entry in the corporations suite of wretched foodstuffs. And something's rotten in Soylentville.
The good stuff: First, this is just a cool old movie from 1973. This was an age during which Western culture was wondering how much longer we human animals would be able to make it. This movie reflects the broad cultural angst about our poor stewardship of Planet Earth. It's part of history now, so it bears viewing in spite of the film's considerable warts.
Then there's Thorn's sidekick, an old Jewish character named Sol played by the legendary Edward G. Robinson. (Robinson died from cancer two weeks after filming was completed.) Thorn and Sol's expressions of mutual affection were some of the high points of the film for me. While Thorn is out running around thumping on folks trying to suss out the suspicious death of a Soylent bigwig, Sol is running his own, more efficient investigation.
Thorn's commanding officer, Simonson, was well-played by Joseph Cotten. Simonson was the steady but somewhat removed steady point for Thorn.
The bad stuff: I kept being grateful that (1) no one ever locked anything up and (2) most facilities were poorly staffed. Without out those unbelievable conditions we, the viewers, wouldn't have been treated to all the nifty visual expository stuff the film needed to show us.
Then there's the whole problem of Det. Thorn. Aside from the times he was being nice to old Sol, he wasn't particularly likeable. He was sort of an anti-hero. He'd lift stuff from folks on the one hand, then he'd get righteous about being called off on the investigation. He at times seemed lazy or abusive, and poorly motivated, then at other times ready to die for the principle of pursuit of the truth.
Still, this is a must-see movie for anyone interested in the popular Western culture and the history of environmental awareness in cinema.
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