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BFI Film Classics
Silent Running
A visually stunning and heartfelt riposte to the emotional sterility of Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey , Douglas Trumbull's eco-themed Silent Running (1972) became one of the defining science-fiction films of the seventies. Bruce Dern excels as lonely hero Freeman Lowell, cast adrift in deep space with three robotic 'Drones' who become his 'amazing companions' on a journey 'beyond imagination'.
Mark Kermode, writing on his favourite science fiction film of all time, traces Trumbull's sentimental masterpiece from its roots in the counter-culture of the sixties to its enduring appeal as a cult classic in the 21st century. Drawing on a new interview with Trumbull, Kermode examines both the technical and thematic elements of this uniquely moving space adventure, which continues to be mirrored and imitated by film-makers today.
This special edition features original cover artwork by Olly Moss.
Mark Kermode, writing on his favourite science fiction film of all time, traces Trumbull's sentimental masterpiece from its roots in the counter-culture of the sixties to its enduring appeal as a cult classic in the 21st century. Drawing on a new interview with Trumbull, Kermode examines both the technical and thematic elements of this uniquely moving space adventure, which continues to be mirrored and imitated by film-makers today.
This special edition features original cover artwork by Olly Moss.
88 pages, Paperback
First published October 31, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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March 11, 2016Magnificent love letter to film.
September 6, 2017
Awesome work full of fascinating stories - a brilliant read for fans of Silent Running!
June 12, 2019
I found it a thoroughly enjoyable read. As with the best books in the BFI Classics series, Mark Kermode hits the right balance between film fact, anecdotes and the author’s personal reflections.
For those revisiting or discovering well known classic films, such as ‘Citizen Kane’ there is plenty of written material available. As one would expect, for this less well-known film, far less is available. So, I’m very grateful that the author took the time to write this book, as new viewers come to the film some maybe grateful too.
For those revisiting or discovering well known classic films, such as ‘Citizen Kane’ there is plenty of written material available. As one would expect, for this less well-known film, far less is available. So, I’m very grateful that the author took the time to write this book, as new viewers come to the film some maybe grateful too.
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October 28, 2021Mark Kermode’s monograph on “Silent Running” is closer to movie-fan gushing than serious criticism or analysis. There are a lot of relevant facts interspersed with the adoration, so the book has its uses. Pretty disappointing, though.
December 12, 2014
If you've been following Mark Kermode for a while you know that „Silent Running“ is one of these films he never shuts up about. And that he was going to write a book about it sooner or later really was inevitable and just a matter of time.
Personally, my impression of the film is that only by people who „were there at the time“ rate it as highly as they do, while everyone else (myself included) just see it as a neat example of an early 70s SciFi B-picture that has some sweet ideas and scenes - but ends up feeling a bit slight when the credits come up. So reading a pamphlet that explains what exactly it is about the film that makes it so great in many people's eyes would have been interesting, but sadly this book isn't exactly that. At least not really, apart from the odd bit here and there. What it is though is an account of the production history with some bits of interviews thrown in, and a selection of photos and movie stills. So in an odd way it's exactly like the movie: Neat und not unentertaining, but a bit slight. (Not that this is a bad thing, though!)
Anyway, a nice and quick read for movie buffs.
Personally, my impression of the film is that only by people who „were there at the time“ rate it as highly as they do, while everyone else (myself included) just see it as a neat example of an early 70s SciFi B-picture that has some sweet ideas and scenes - but ends up feeling a bit slight when the credits come up. So reading a pamphlet that explains what exactly it is about the film that makes it so great in many people's eyes would have been interesting, but sadly this book isn't exactly that. At least not really, apart from the odd bit here and there. What it is though is an account of the production history with some bits of interviews thrown in, and a selection of photos and movie stills. So in an odd way it's exactly like the movie: Neat und not unentertaining, but a bit slight. (Not that this is a bad thing, though!)
Anyway, a nice and quick read for movie buffs.
March 7, 2015
A great short tight account of the movie Silent Running one of my favorite SF films. I especially liked the account of how the film got made and analysis of its content is really good and I learned some new insights into the film. This is part of the brilliant British Film Institute Classics series which I strong recommend: brilliant short books by writers who write well about films they care about and know much about. For those who don't know the film Silent Running I strongly recommend it as the best environmentalist SF I know.
December 27, 2015
A very lovely film with an equally lovely and heartfelt appreciation by the author. There are also some excellent interviews with the cast and crew which adds to the labor of love. Kermode has written a fine personal appreciation of the film.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews