Westworld (1973)
January 8th 2011 17:37
Michael Crichton has been hailed as one of the best science fiction writers on the late 20th century, and he racked up classic after classic with the likes of “Jurassic Park” and “The Andromeda Strain” to his name. Not to many folks realize Crichton has had a modest career as a film maker, where he wrote and directed some of the 1970's better sci-fi films. Saddly forgotten to time is the 1973 sci-fi thriller “Westworld” featuring Yul Brynner and James Brolin.
Westworld takes place at a decadent (and expensive) theme park in the near future, where though the use of sophisticated androids guests can experience medieval times, a pre-christian Rome, or the wild west. The high tech computer controlled park boasts that everything is made to run perfectly, but near the beginning we hear a technician warn that no one truly knows how the Androids work as they were designed and built by computers, but in typical sci-fi fashion he's soon dismissed. Inevitably, the robots go haywire (betcha saw that coming) and our heroes Peter and John, two hapless schmucks just out for a relaxing vacation, find themselves fighting for their lives as the epitomes “Gunslinger” played by the immortal Yul Brynner begins tracking them down.
One can't help but see similarities between this film and Crichton's later bestseller “Jurassic Park” and wonder if he had some kind of traumatic experience at a theme park. Still, the similarities are ultimately superficial, as Jurassic Park is more a story about the dangers of science gone to far and “Westworld” is more just about action. Crichton directed this movie with a spectacular flair, taking advantage of all the meager but impressive special effects of the day, along with crisp and effective scene setting. Yul Brynner as the Gunslinger is a highlight here, playing the part of an unstoppable, merciless machine comes naturally to Brynner, who plays the roll so convincingly you genuinely fear him despite the fact the costumer recycled Brynner's outfit from “The Magnificent Seven.”.
The movie was among the more successful sci-fi films of the 70s but
that's sort of like bragging about being the best kick boxer in Iowa. There really wasn't and whole like of completion and being that it was running against the likes of “Planet of the Apes” and the first few Star Trek films, it's a wonder anyone remembers it at all. Despite it's modest box office turn-outs it did spawn a Sequel “Futureworld” and a short lived television spin-off “Beyond Westworld”. An extended version of his film (recorded from an NBC broadcast) has made it to the bootleg market, but the regular cut would be far superior to anyone wanting to watch this classic. I have to say I enjoyed Westworld, as a sci-fi, a western AND a thriller. Like many of the movies I review it can be a little hard to find, but given the chance you won't be disappointed with a trip to Westworld.
I really Miss those groovy old 1970's Movie posters
One can't help but see similarities between this film and Crichton's later bestseller “Jurassic Park” and wonder if he had some kind of traumatic experience at a theme park. Still, the similarities are ultimately superficial, as Jurassic Park is more a story about the dangers of science gone to far and “Westworld” is more just about action. Crichton directed this movie with a spectacular flair, taking advantage of all the meager but impressive special effects of the day, along with crisp and effective scene setting. Yul Brynner as the Gunslinger is a highlight here, playing the part of an unstoppable, merciless machine comes naturally to Brynner, who plays the roll so convincingly you genuinely fear him despite the fact the costumer recycled Brynner's outfit from “The Magnificent Seven.”.
I've always wanted to get in a shootout with a robot
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