THX 1138 (DVD, 2004, Special Edition Director's Cut/ 2-Disc Set)

A cult classic like no other. George Lucas's first feature film is a bleak look into the future. Robert Duval stars with a strong support cast. Amazingly visionary for a 1971 film. I'd recommend both the original on VHS tape as well as the updated DVD version. They are different and I think that the unaltered VHS version portrays more of the original feel of the movie. Botht the VHS and DVD are highly recommended.

This was an excellent movie. It is an early George Lucas (pre Star Wars) movie that develops some interesting themes in a futurist society which seeks to control the emotions of humans. Much better than I had expected, this movie entertained the whole family which normally doesnt stick to the sci-fi as much as they did to this movie. This version I saw (the 2004 DVD with some additions/updates from the director) was very well done. One thing I noticed was that Star Wars fans might see some familiarities in style and character by looking at this movie and the robotic control of the humans. Very interesting stuff. Highly recommended for late teens on up. Please note there are a few adult themed scenes.

I own many Star Wars/George Lucas items however I had never seen this movie!!! I am glad that I got to see this version. The background information on Lucas, Coppola, American Zoetrope, was in depth and invaluable!!! They even show the female actors reactions to getting their heads shaved!!!! The filming of the chase scene was incredible!!! I really think anyone would love this movie. Just watch the first few minutes and you will see why Lucas has been referred to as a genius.

THX 1138 is Director George Lucas' visionary look at a quasi-utopian world in the future, where society lives in a giant, underground bunker. in effect, the government or the powers that be--whoever has control over all of the people (which is un-clear)--control the people, but keeping everyone under a constant state of heavy sedation. each and every person has a code name or designation, instead of a regular name. in the film, the leading role is played by a young Robert Duvall, who's designation is THX 1138. the plot revolves around the fact that everyone lives in this somewhat robotic society, but THX 1138 (Duvall) is human, and so he wants to get out, because he sees how weird and messed up everything is. it's hard to explain, but it's a thinking man's (or woman's) film. in the closed off society it is a crime to engage is sexual activity and it is also considered a crime if any said person refuses to take their daily doses of mind-controlling medication. The problems that i had with this film was that, from the very beginning, this film just dragged it's feet the entire way, until the end. which is to say: THIS FILM IS SLOW AS HELL. i kniow Lucas was trying to drive a point home, but it gets so boring, that it's almost just absurd. i know a lot of people like this film, but i have to say, i hated it........and that's saying something, coming from a big Robert Duvall fan. But i think that's more of a reflection on Lucas, than Duvall. in any case, at the end of the day, it was a neat, futuristic, psychological, intellectual concept, that was marred by horrible execution. at best, this is a rental...maybe. check it out if you're really interested, but to be honest, the trailer was more exciting than the whole film itself. it's kind of deceiving. 3/5 stars.

---Silenthillvictim :D

this is a movie that is imprinted itself onto my psychi.i cannot begin to explain all the aspects of that statement without saying this.the cop with the shiney face,the tunnel chase. is well,robert duval bald?profetic.and donald pleasences role too.the bald heads and white washed sceneries have stayed vivid since my first view of this alternate future.im glad i bought this dvd.this one is the directors cut with the bonus dsc and comentarys and trailers with interviews too.i also paid 10.00 less than the local comic store price.thank you boston.and thank you g.lucas for i think ,your most intreaging story and film.

I have not had a chance to view this movie as yet , I'm sure that it will be as good as all my friends say it is.

Lucas takes a look at many things in this sci-fi film that mirrors today's problemed world: consumerism, religion/government, sex (THX), love (LUH) and the search for the meaning of life itself.

Set in the future, THX finds himself needing more from his existence, besides the govenment's mandatory prescribed drugs that he's told to take on a daily basis and the useless material products that are purchased and then disintegrate shortly after. More drugs, more buying, more drugs, more buying.

The government sees everything, even in your own home, and when THX finds himself feeling love for LUH for the first time after not taking his drugs, he decides to escape from his "normal" life.

What ensues is a great cast of creepy characters including Donald Pleasence's character, SEN.

Some of the things that are pretty cool but not really necessary are the little added scenes of CGI. They're nice and all, but the original movie didn't really need it.

If you don't "get it" or think it's boring the first time you watch it, I definitely suggest watching it again and thinking the second time. It really is art imitating life imitating art. Made in 1970 and Lucas was already on the right track about our future world. I don't think we're far off from this reality now.

Wow, I viewed this movie when it first was released, it was amazing then and after all these years its still an outstanding movie.

We love George Lucas and thought it would be interesting to see his early stuff. It was so boring we forced ourselves through to see if the end would redeem it. It did not. The extra disc info tells that this was cutting edge at the time and why it was filmed at all. The extra disc with history and interviews is a bit interesting.

George Lucas of Star Wars fame made this debut film in college. It comprises a medely of anti-utopian and utopian models in conflict for carrot and stick management of the herds of people who overpopulate the Earth in the far future. Numbers, THX1138, instead of names are people's distinguishing point, and our hero THX1138 is at odds with a system that is beyond his ability to control. Things are not 'right' with his biology, or his need to feel important to someone, somewhere.

Nevertheless, he finds a changing set of support groups gives his life bearing. He stumbles from one scene to another bereft of control, seeking meaning and control. He finds some meaning, but control is elusive and temporary. Futuristic scenes and backgrounds are excellent, supporting cast is varied and at more than sufficient. We find our hero gaining at least appreciation for the complex world that surrounds him.

In the end, which is distinct from the amorphous beginning with a clear arrival at the destination, light and freedom. Freedom from the world that manipulates the masses of humanity, but which he has through great risk discovered. No idea of what to do with freedom is clearly expressed, and a new beginning is marked, both for the star, and the director.