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Soylent Green
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Soylent Green (1973) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 20 | slideshow) Videos (see all 2)
Soylent Green (1973) -- Trailer for this classic sci-fi thriller
Soylent Green (1973) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

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Overview

User Rating:
7.0/10   14,170 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Stanley R. Greenberg (screenplay)
Harry Harrison (novel)
Contact:
View company contact information for Soylent Green on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
9 May 1973 (USA) more
Tagline:
It's the year 2022... People are still the same. They'll do anything to get what they need. And they need SOYLENT GREEN.
Plot:
In an overpopulated futuristic Earth, a New York police detective finds himself marked for murder by government agents when he gets too close to a bizarre state secret involving the origins of a revolutionary and needed new foodstuff. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
3 wins & 1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
(20 articles)
Badasses of Horror: Part Two
 (From Fangoria. 9 November 2009, 6:30 AM, PST)

AFI's 100 Years ...100 Movie Quotes
 (From Extra. 4 November 2009, 4:45 AM, PST)

User Comments:
A classic even after 30 years more (181 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Charlton Heston ... Thorn

Leigh Taylor-Young ... Shirl
Chuck Connors ... Tab
Joseph Cotten ... Simonson

Brock Peters ... Hatcher
Paula Kelly ... Martha

Edward G. Robinson ... Sol Roth
Stephen Young ... Gilbert
Mike Henry ... Kulozik

Lincoln Kilpatrick ... The Priest
Roy Jenson ... Donovan
Leonard Stone ... Charles
Whit Bissell ... Santini
Celia Lovsky ... The Exchange Leader

Dick Van Patten ... Usher #1
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
97 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Australia:M (original rating) | Australia:PG (TV rating) | France:U | UK:15 (DVD rating) | UK:AA (original rating) | Iceland:16 | USA:TV-MA (TV rating) | Canada:PG | Finland:K-18 | Norway:15 (re-rating) | Norway:16 (original rating) | Singapore:PG | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:PG | West Germany:16

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Among the buildings in the matte "skyline" in the background of the early scene where Gilbert crosses the drainage ditch, one can see the Marina City towers (Chicago) and the Transamerica Pyramid (San Francisco). more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: When Thorn is in the Soylent Green factory, he knocks two factory employees off the catwalk. A stunt mattress can clearly be seen sticking out from underneath the conveyor belt where the second one lands. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Voice over PA: First stage removal. First stage removal. Streets prohibited to non-permits in one hour. Streets prohibited to non-permits in one hour.
more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op.68: 'Pastoral': I. Allegro ma non Troppo more

FAQ

A Note Regarding Spoilers
What is "soylent green"?
Is "Soylent Green" based on a book?
more
77 out of 91 people found the following comment useful.
A classic even after 30 years, 15 August 2003
10/10
Author: Loadmaster from Dallas, TX

This was Eddie Robinson's 101st film and his last, and he died of cancer nine days after shooting was complete. All of which makes his key scene in the movie all the more poignant.

Although some of the hair and clothing styles are a bit dated (also note the video game shown in the film), but the subject of the film is pretty much timeless. Heston said he had wanted to make the film for some time because he really believed in the dangers of overpopulation.

Several things make this film a classic. The story is solid.

The acting is top-notch, especially the interplay between Heston and Robinson, with nice performances also by Cotten and Peters.

The music is absolutely perfect. The medley of Beethoven, Grieg, and Tchaikovsky combined with the pastoral visual elements make for some truly moving scenes. This was the icing on the cake for the film.

And the theme (or the "point") of the film is a significant one. Yes, it's a film about overpopulation, but on a more important note it's a cautionary tale about what can go wrong with Man's stewardship of Earth. It's in the subtext that you find the real message of the film. Pay attention to what Sol says about the "old days" of the past (which is our present), and note how Thorn is incapable of comprehending what Sol is saying.

This film is one of my top sci-fi films of all time.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (181 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Soylent Green (1973)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
The Simpsons ruined the plot twist. (Spoilers) johnnyknox07
Terrible Movie... incrowdcynic
A Possible Future -- looking more and more likely buddy4000
*SPOILERS* Am I just a product of late 80's feminism? WDformerWB
hair coverings sylvia67
How did Thorn know.... O_Pechey
more

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