Rent Silent Running (1972)
3.5 of 5 from 253 ratings
1h 25min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- In the not-so-distant future, Earth is barren of all flora and fauna, with what remains of the planet's former ecosystems preserved aboard a fleet of greenhouses orbiting in space. When the crews are ordered to destroy the remaining specimens, one botanist, Freeman Lowell (Bruce Dern), rebels and flees towards Saturn in a desperate bid to preserve his own little piece of Earth that was, accompanied only by the ship's three service robots.
- Actors:
- Bruce Dern, Cliff Potts, Ron Rifkin, Jesse Vint, Mark Persons, Steven Brown, Cheryl Sparks, Larry Whisenhunt
- Directors:
- Douglas Trumbull
- Producers:
- Michael Gruskoff, Douglas Trumbull
- Voiced By:
- Joseph Campanella, Roy Engel
- Writers:
- Deric Washburn, Michael Cimino, Steven Bochco
- Aka:
- Running Silent
- Studio:
- Universal Pictures
- Genres:
- Classics, Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
- Collections:
- 10 Films to Watch if You Like Blade Runner, Cinema Paradiso's 2024 Centenary Club: Part 3, Films & TV by topic, Films to Watch If You Like..., Giant Leap for Mankind: A History of Astronaut Films, Masters of Cinema, Top 10 Films of 1972, Top Films
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 14/11/2011
- Run Time:
- 90 minutes
- Languages:
- English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
- Subtitles:
- English Hard of Hearing
- DVD Regions:
- Region 2
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 1.85:1
- Colour:
- Colour
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
- Bonus:
- Full-length commentary by director Trumbull and actor Bruce Dern
- Isolated music and effects track
- The Making of Silent Running, a 1972 on-set documentary (50:00)
- Two video pieces with Douglas Trumbull (31:00 + 5:00)
- A Conversation with Bruce Dern, a discussion with the actor (11:00)
- Original Theatrical Trailer (3:00)
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 12/12/2022
- Run Time:
- 90 minutes
- Languages:
- English Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono
- Subtitles:
- English Hard of Hearing
- DVD Regions:
- Region 2
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 1.85:1
- Colour:
- Colour
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
- Bonus:
- Audio commentary by critics Kim Newman and Barry Forshaw
- Original audio commentary by Douglas Trumbull and actor Bruce Dern
- Isolated music and effects track
- No Turning Back - an interview with film music historian Jeff Bond on the film's score
- First Run - a visual essay by writer and filmmaker Jon Spira exploring the evolution of Silent Running's screenplay
- The Making of 'Silent Running' - an archival 1972 on-set documentary
- 'Silent Running' by Douglas Trumbull and Douglas Trumbull: Then and Now - two archival interviews with the film's director
- A Conversation with Bruce Dern - an archival interview with the film's lead actor
- Theatrical trailer
- Extensive behind-the-scenes gallery
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Reviews (2) of Silent Running
Unique science fiction - Silent Running review by CP Customer
Silent Running was years ahead of its time, promoting an environmental message. The main character played superbly by Bruce Dern, develops a fondness of his robotic companions, as opposed to his human colleagues. Unlike many of the science fiction films of the era, it lacks dramatic effects, a huge 2001 space opera theme, lasers or explosions. Instead its a much more personal and intimate take of a man faced with some difficult decisions. WALL-E was heavily influenced by Huey and Dewey, as the robots develop unique identities and overcome their limited technology.
5 out of 6 members found this review helpful.
A CGI Free Sci/Fi Classic - Silent Running review by Spoons
Ok so we know that CGI wasn't around in the 70's but that just goes to show that you don't need overblown SFX to make a great science fiction movie. Silent Running has to be the minimalist, gentlest sci/fi film ever and it's fantastic for it. Bruce Dern is fantastic and gives the viewer a real sense of isolation and the relationship between him and the two drones is strangely touching. The end scene will tug at even the hardest of heart strings. I saw this back in the 70's and it's subject matter is still relevant today. If you or you're children grew up watching overblown space/super hero epics, then I urge you to check this out. It may just change your perspective of how a real science fiction film should be made.
3 out of 3 members found this review helpful.