Westworld (1973)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Michael Crichton

Writer:

Michael Crichton (written by)

Release Date:

21 November 1973 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Sci-Fi | Thriller | Western

Tagline:

Westworld ...where robot men and women are programmed to serve you for ...Romance ...Violence ...Anything

Plot:

A robot malfunction creates havoc and terror for unsuspecting vacationers at a futuristic, adult-themed amusement park.

Plot Keywords:

Computer | Saloon | Brawl | Futuristic | Seduction

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Yul Brynner	...	Gunslinger
Richard Benjamin	...	Peter Martin
James Brolin	...	John Blane
Norman Bartold	...	Medieval Knight
Alan Oppenheimer	...	Chief Supervisor
Victoria Shaw	...	Medieval Queen
Dick Van Patten	...	Banker
Linda Gaye Scott	...	Arlette (as Linda Scott)
Steve Franken	...	Technician
Michael T. Mikler	...	Black Knight (as Michael Mikler)
Terry Wilson	...	Sheriff
Majel Barrett	...	Miss Carrie
Anne Randall	...	Servant Girl
Julie Marcus	...	Girl in Dungeon
Sharyn Wynters	...	Apache Girl

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo

Certification:

Finland:K-16 (cut) (1974) | Iceland:16 | Germany:16 (DVD rating) | Australia:PG | Norway:15 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 (video rating) (1986) | UK:AA (original rating) | USA:PG | West Germany:16 (nf) | Singapore:PG | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Netherlands:12

Filming Locations:

Harold Lloyd's Greenacres Estate - 1740 Green Acres Drive, Beverly Hills, California, USA

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

Yul Brynner's character is known as The Gunslinger. Interestingly, the word "gunslinger" was only created in the 1950s and has no connection to the old West.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Right after John is shot, the Gunslinger says "Draw" to Peter. You can see the Gunslinger's breath (condense) just after saying it, despite the fact that he is an android. The Gunslinger model should not have any significant body heat, as that would have prevented a guest's gun from firing.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Interviewer of Delos Guests: [hosting a commercial] Hi. Ed Ramsey from Delos. If there's anyone who doesn't know what Delos is, well, as we've always said: Delos is the vacation of the future, today. At Delos, you get your choice of the vacation you want. There's Medieval World, Roman World and, of course, Westworld. Let's talk to some of the people who've been there.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Stranded in Space (#4.5)" (1991)

Wonderful mix of Sci-Fi, Western and .... creepiness!

Writer/director Michael Crichton clearly has an interest in amusement theme parks where things go horribly wrong! His most successful achievement "Jurassic Park" revolves on this ingenious premise, but so does this "Westworld" which predates Spielberg's box-office hit by 20 years! And maybe I don't know anything about cinema, but I sure think this film is at least ten times better and more unsettling than "Jurassic Park". Despite some flaws and script-errors, Crichton's film is a tense milestone that is ultimately compelling and far ahead of its time. In a near future, a couple of slick marketeers have developed a holiday resort where rich tourists are offered imaginative vacations in perfect copies of the ancient Rome, a medieval countryside or the Wild West. The story mainly focuses on Westworld, where robot gunslingers like Yul Brunner (even more brilliant than usual) are programmed to die bloodily whenever a jolly tourist challenges them to a duel. That is, until suddenly the central computer begins the malfunction and the robots stand up for themselves. The last half hour is amazingly suspenseful and contains some grueling images that'll definitely excite horror fans. The set pieces and costumes are excellent and with a great eye for detail. For the legendary actor Yul Brunner, this was an ideal movie to conclude his brilliant career and simultaneously a great opportunity to bring homage his entire repertoire. Slightly negative elements about "Westworld" include the rather goofy choice of music and the abrupt ending. Although this last remark may be a purely personal point of criticism, since I really wanted the film to go on for another hour or so. Great movie...terrific entertainment!