Joan Baez songs: Just terrible.

I'd rather stick red hot pokers in my ears than listen to that Joan Baez soundtrack again.

Yes, Joan Baez is bad

Most people who visit IMDb are too young to remember 60's, and things have changed so much ever since that many of the older ones don't remember them either.

Those were the years when Joan Baez was a symbol, and in 1972 this memory was so fresh that it was not her music but her symbolism, myth, image, importance why her songs were used for the movie.

It is hard to compare it to modern musicians. Most of them don't have or at least don't show any political or other attitudes. They are not devoted to any idea but the career and money that comes out of it. Media show only their scandalous side and not (if any) political awareness, activities for social or other welfare etc. And it seems that media are supported by the managers who think it's risky to stand for some idea, because the opponents might stop buying CDs and concert tickets.

Besides, we are talking about a movie almost 4 decades old. What do you think, which of the recently made movies will survive 4 decades and be available for the audience in middle of the 21st century? And which music made so up to date for so up to date made movies will be considered suitable, acceptable, let alone attractive after several generations?

I remember this film from when it was released but after re-watching Baez's voice and songs are horrible. I know she has her fans but for me the sound makes me laugh and cringe at the same time. Joan Baez ruined the film. If they ever re-master this film I hope they delete her from the soundtrack and come up with something else.

Isn't that one of life's universal truths?:

"Joan Baez songs" = "just terrible"

:o)

I completely agree; I love retro sci-fi films, but the Joan Baez songs used in Silent Running ruined the film for me. It's not so much that they sound awful, but that they make no attempt to empathize with the image, making their presence just sound weird and their premise shallow. Using pop music in any film seems like a big mistake to me, and this film seems like it would be much better accompanied with a classical soundtrack, or perhaps early electronics along the lines of the soundtrack to Forbidden Planet.

I think a combination of this and the unrealistic characterisations (the idiotic and thuggish crewmembers, who despite being sent on a mission to save the forests in a space biodome -a mission you'd expect would have strong personality profiling beforehand- seem to relish in running over the flowers in vehicles, as well as the lead himself who seems to act as a psychopath to humans and other robots, yet the audience is supposed to believe he cares for the forests) ruined this film for me, in that it seems like such a transparent attempt at reinforcing the conservationist ideals of the film, which would be better if done more subtly, allowing the audience to decide and understand for themselves.

I did love the visuals and the premise however, so I by no means hated the film.

Great film but totally agree, the songs are appalling. They sound like something off mid-70s Sesame Street.

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The memories of a man in his old age are the deeds of a man in his prime

There is a song called "Silent Running" quite a haunting tune released some time after the movie. Obviously it had nothing to do with the film but in my mind they are linked! I watched the movie today for the first time in about 20 years (found it on a $5 special table). In my memory it was better. Still loved Huey and Dewie though - esp the poker game where they cheat!