THX 1138 poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Robert Duvall, Donald Pleasence, Don Pedro Colley, Maggie McOmie, Ian Wolfe ... see more see more... , Sid Haig , Scott Beach , Claudette Bessing , Marshall Erwin Efron , Robert Feero , Irene Forrest , Gary Alan Marsh , Terry McGovern , Julie Payne , John Pearce , John Seaton , David Ogden Stiers , Eugene I. Sullivan , Gary Austin , James Cranna , Ruth Silveira , Ralph Chesse , Morris Erby , Johnny Weissmuller Jr. , Jean Durand , Marshall Efron

Based on his award-winning student short, George Lucas's debut feature cerebrally celebrates the possibility for individual freedom against all odds. In a 1984-esque white-washed future underground dy... read more read more...stopia where sexuality is banned, all humans sport shaved heads and the same shapeless outfits as they go about their work in a mandated state of sedation, listening to exhortations to "Buy and Be Happy." Black-clad robot cops chant a mantra to their victims that "everything will be all right" and automated confessional booths emit soothing therapeutic bromides. But unbeknownst to THX 1138 (Robert Duvall), his roommate LUH 3417 (Maggie McOmie) has been reducing their meds, resulting in their mutual discovery of love and THX's subsequent imprisonment for drug evasion and sexual misconduct. Determined to find the pregnant LUH, THX breaks out of prison with the help of his cellmate SEN 5241 (Donald Pleasence) and an escaped TV hologram (Don Pedro Colley). With fugitive pursuits strictly budgeted, THX only has to evade the robocops until the funds run out, but surveillance is omnipresent and THX's vehicle keeps overheating. Making the only film produced through the first incarnation of Francis Ford Coppola's independent studio American Zoetrope, Lucas and his small crew, including co-writer and sound editor Walter Murch, shot THX 1138 in northern California with no interference from distributor Warner Bros. When Warners saw the austere result, however, they recut the film before its release. Neither the studio's nor Lucas's cut was a popular success, but THX 1138's coolly minimalist style and story-telling gained fans on the college screening circuit, just as Stanley Kubrick's poetic 2001: A Space Odyssey had attracted a large youth audience in 1968. When Lucas returned to sci-fi after American Graffiti, he traded restraint for nostalgic fun in the film that guaranteed his creative freedom in Hollywood: Star Wars. ~ Lucia Bozzola, Rovi

Flixster Users

71% liked it

25,212 ratings

Critics

89% liked it

57 critics

PG, 1 hr. 28 min.

Directed by: George Lucas

Release Date: March 11, 1971

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: September 14, 2004

Get It:

Stats: 1,937 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

THX 1138 THX movie still THX movie still THX 1138 THX THX movie still THX movie still THX movie still THX movie still THX movie still THX movie still THX movie still THX movie still THX 1138 THX movie still LUH 3417 THX movie still THX movie still
Upload a Photo | View All THX 1138 Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (1,937)

  • cosmo313
    March 22, 2012
    cosmo313
    This is George Lucas's feature film debut: a startling feature length remake of a short film he made as a student in film school.

    The story is a futuristic sci-fi dystopia sort of thing in the vein of Orwell or Huxley, with some Kafka thrown in for good measure. Everything is ve... read morery bland, cold, clinical, and dominated by the color white. Everyone has a shaved head, and no one stands out from anyone else. Everyone is also under the control of mind altering drugs that regulate their behavior, thoughts, and emotions and they are always nder constant surveillance.

    One citizen in particulatr though, known as THX 1138, wants that all to end, and begins a quest to break free from this confining world and escape to a place where individuality might just be a possibility.

    The style and stroytelling are extremely minimalist, and the plot is really bare bones. There's some dialogue, but it is very sparse, so most of the world building is done through visuals and sound design, both of which are top notch. This is art directed to the nth degree, and that's what makes it really enjoyable and fascinating. If only Lucas had continued ot make more films like this, then he might be celebrated as one of the best art film directors ever. I'm not kidding.Lalo Schifrin gives a nicely haunting score, and the performances, especially from Duvall and Pleasance are pretty good.

    All in all, this is a pretty striking piece of work. It might have been nice to have a bit more explanation and backstory, but as an experimental exercise in tone and mood, and just an overall creepy and hypnotic experience in general, this is some wonderful stuff.
  • fb1341085175
    October 27, 2011
    fb1341085175
    This George Lucas breakthrough film is an interesting take on an Orwellian future, especially for its visual and aural boldness. Unfortunately, its story is as sterilized as its scenery.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    July 5, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    George Lucas' debut feature film is a dystopian society film about an underground society where people are controlled and everything is monitored. THX 1138 reminds me heavily of George Orwell's 1984. I am a huge fan of Dystopian novels/films etc. I was very much impressed with L... read moreucas' first film and I consider it a Sci Fi masterpiece and a classic. I thought it was beautifully filmed, and told. The story was well paced and featured a lot of parallels of what was going to become the now famous Star Wars trilogy. THX 1138 has an impressive cast of actors, and they have great chemistry. I loved Donald Pleasence in this film, and is one of the best actors of this period. Robert Duvall also gives a splendid performance as THX, the title character of this picture. Watching this film, you feel like you're reading a George Orwell / Aldous Huxley novel. The world that THX tries to escape from is exactly how I pictured Huxley's world in Brave New World, and it's laws and restrictions on the people living in the underground dystopia echo that of Orwell's 1984. In many ways, THX 1138 is a stepping stone for Star Wars, without it, George Lucas couldn't have crafted Star Wars. I don't believe that THX 1138 is greater than Star Wars, but I would say that both films are two of s kind. They're very different, but there is so many similarities as well. THX 1138 is a masterful film that is a classic of the genre, and with a strong story and great acting and drama, THX 1138 is a compelling film not to be missed by fans of Sci Fi or Lucas fans in general.
  • mjgildea
    May 4, 2011
    mjgildea
    THX 1138 is a tough movie to get your head around at times. Its great in the sense that George Lucas managed to forcefully get you to empathize with the title character by almost making you feel what he feels. The discombobulating first and a disorienting second act almost put yo... read moreu in Robert Duvall's head then give way to a frantic final half hour. THX 1138 is a jarring and creepy movie at points (namely anytime Donald Pleasence is on the screen in a wonderfully nutty performance) but at the same time its also brilliant and visually stunning at others. Of course, Lucas had to go back and screw with the effects again but despite its faults and the fact that I fell asleep during 3 attempts watching it before I finally got through it, THX 1138 is a great movie.
  • ajv2688
    December 26, 2010
    ajv2688
    George Lucas' first film is an interesting sci-fi story, but it leaves you flat in the end. It starts out exciting, gets confusing, and then doesn't end well. It could have been a much better movie. Maybe he'll remake it someday?
  • garyX
    December 9, 2010
    garyX
    In a Big Brother style future society where the population are controlled through sedation and a robotic police force, two of its inhabitants decide to rebel and leave their clinical, oppressive environment. Based on a student project Lucas made himself some years earlier, THX 11... read more38 is one of those 70s "concept" sci-fis sharing ideas with the likes of Logan's Run and Planet of The Apes and has been very influential in itself over the years. The idea of a subdued, barcoded and identical populace has since passed into cliche, but this film was one of the first to explore the idea and stylistically it's still marvellous. Lucas shows a great eye for composition and the production design of the robots and vehicles in particular still looks great, as does Lucas' clever choices of location. Unfortunately what is missing is any real sense of narrative momentum and emotional involvement; the plot is essentially just a long chase sequence with little explanation as to where the protagonists are going and why. Still worth seeing for some excellent visuals and sound design but there is a real sense of "Is that it?" when you reach the rather unsatisfying conclusion.
  • DrBenway
    November 5, 2010
    DrBenway
    Highly misunderstood when first released, THX 1138 is an exploration of the future and an examination of the present involving breaking away from
    a world where thoughts are controlled, freedom is an impossibility and love is the ultimate crime.

    It's only fault, in my opinion, i... read mores the lack of dialogue and loads of inaudible chatter make it seem like we're watching the actors like frogs in a jar. For me, there's enough offered in this movie to rarely acknowledge it.

    On the technical side, THX is brilliant in offering cinematography that captures a sterile, sanitized world with layers of sound that reflect the rise of empty consumerism. Obviously, George had read Brave New World, 1984 and Fahrenheit 451. People are stripped of their individuality by conditioning and drugged into a conformed society that is encouraged to "buy more". Then there are those that speak so highly of freedom who soon run back into that same prison for comfort rather than live freely.

    Photobucket
  • stevenecarrier
    November 1, 2010
    stevenecarrier
    George Lucas' only good film. Sure, the 4 "Star Wars" films he directed were great entertainment, but they were far from intellectually stimulating. "THX 1138" is sleek, stylish, sparse and probing. Full of great visuals and commentary. Compared to Lucas' legacy, "THX 1138" almos... read moret seems like a fluke for how good it really is.
  • nelsonpickens
    July 14, 2010
    nelsonpickens
    THX-1138 is a more than your average science fiction film. It's a film that says something about human society, it's also a movie distinctly set in the 1960s and at the same time a very entertaining movie.The film has a naturalistic feel at a future society which gives it a haunt... read moreing feel and let's the audience decide for themselves what they are seeing. The film does away with the need for exposition and thus it allows the movie to go on without the need to stop it excessively to make sure the audience is following.The performances are calculatingly human and provide the film with a human face amidst its haunting imagery. The images of bald humans who live their lives without thinking about much anything is a sight that stops you from time to time. However, the movie avoids dullness by being very personified by moments of absurdity and levity.Over-all there's not really anything bad you can say about the film as it is so unique in its genre. It's an impressive feat in film-making for the day and definitely an under-rated classic. It's captivating, bizarre and beautiful all at the same time. As a film it shows all of George Lucas' strengths and none of his weaknesses.
  • Chiefilms
    July 6, 2010
    Chiefilms
    George Lucas developing his science fiction chops, a lot of the techniques you can tell were used in Star Wars, such as the robotic voices and the futuristic look. A trippy movie, kind of out there, definitely has a Kubrick feel but more stripped down. Don't really know what th... read moree balls is going on in this movie, an update will be added when I figure it out.

    Update: Looks great George, just cook the chops a little longer, just throw in some American Graffiti and you'll get Star Wars.

View All THX 1138 Reviews

Critic Reviews

A.D. Murphy
June 5, 2007
A.D. Murphy, Variety

With political paternalism rampant at both extremes of the spectrum, Lucas is onto something. In any case, we'll know for sure in about a generation. Full Review

Roger Greenspun
May 9, 2005
Roger Greenspun, New York Times

I have a good many reservations about the film's ideas, but they are greatly outweighed by my admiration for a technical virtuosity that by fair means and foul achieves exceptional emotional intensity... Full Review

Leighton Klein
September 13, 2004
Leighton Klein, Boston Globe

Lucas described THX as 'an artifact from the future,' and we're supposed to struggle for understanding. That's part of its hypnotic undertow. Full Review

Desson Thomson
September 13, 2004
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

The whole thing feels like a hypnotic dreamscape, so luminously stark, from its white-on-white abstract sets to the wide-eyed, bald, near catatonic residents of this world. Full Review

Chris Vognar
September 11, 2004
Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News

It's an impressively unified vision, with sterile set design, a wonderfully crisp and creepy sound design by Walter Murch. Full Review

Peter Hartlaub
September 10, 2004
Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle

This new, highly polished upgrade is a nice gift for science fiction fans. Full Review

John Monaghan
September 10, 2004
John Monaghan, Detroit Free Press

One of those rare titles that has improved with age.

Roger Ebert
September 10, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The movie's strength is not in its story but in its unsettling and weirdly effective visual and sound style. Full Review

Colin Covert
September 9, 2004
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

If Star Wars was Lucas' vision of a Buck Rogers future, THX 1138 is his mordantly funny Metropolis. Full Review

Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Muddled and hopelessly artsy, but at least Lucas got it out of his system early on. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Brazil
    Brazil (100%)
  • Blade Runner
    Blade Runner (97%)
  • The Island
    The Island (83%)
  • The Truman Show
    The Truman Show (54%)

More Movies like THX 1138

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

THX 1138 : Watch Free on TV

THX 1138 Trivia

  • What was George Lucas' first movie?  Answer »
  • What is the title of George Lucas's first movie which he also uses for easter eggs in his dvds?  Answer »
  • Which of these movies is NOT a David Lynch movie?  Answer »
  • Name the movie which was based upon a Ray Bradbury story.  Answer »
More THX 1138 Trivia

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for THX 1138. Want to create one?

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All THX 1138 Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add THX 1138 to favorites

Recent News

Submit a Story |

View THX 1138 News

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

JDFortuneFan Skin by JDFortuneFan
11 Profiles
Add to Profile

More Skins