MovieChat Forums > Silent Running (1972) Discussion > The models / robots were incredible

The models / robots were incredible

posted 13 years ago by scottylans
10 replies | jump to latest

1971 and yet they just were slick - the one stacking the pool table impressed me very much. Also using amputees in the suits for the drons is a very interesting idea.

A bit B grade but the idea is in the right place - definitely the first environmentalist film indeed. Also the main actor did very well considering what he had to work with, great passion. I wouldn't rate it for many people but for sci-fi fans and old cinema fans it's worth a single watch at least.

[–] Klein_Returns 13 years ago

This is a great film, and very very innovative in Spaceship and Robots design.

[–] geode 12 years ago

It obviously had an influence on Star Wars.

Oh Lord, you gave them eyes but they cannot see...

[–] scottylans 12 years ago

and The Black Hole.

[–] cowgoesmoo 12 years ago

Many years ago I had a book on movie special effects that told how 2001 did their photography and how Silent Running made their models. They bought oodles of plastic model kits of WW2 German tanks and re-purposed the parts.

[–] Avenger69 12 years ago

Too bad the model (as a whole) doesn't exist anymore. As far as I know, two domes survived (one is in the Science Fiction Museum in Seattle, the other was on eBay about eight years ago and sold for $11,000).

The Valley Forge was going to go on the convention circuit, but it was too unwieldy at 26 feet long, and besides, the glue used to adhere the pieces to the central frame was experimental, and began to fail.

I did hear second hand from a friend of Doug Trumbull's that the model was in storage for some time after filming, but was cut up and destroyed in the mid-70's. In the words of my contact, it is buried under several hundred feet of dirt and debris in an old garbage dump in the Sepulveda Pass in LA, visible from the 405 freeway.

All three robot suits still exist, apparently in Trumbull's possession.

"It's people..."

[–] gabby_bm 12 years ago

It's bittersweet, it is. Losing great treasures from cinema, yet it does make us appreciate, all the more, those that have survived- and appreciate those with the love of those iconic films to preserve them and keep them safe.

My "#3" key is broken so I'm putting one here so i can cut & paste with it.

[–] first-things-first 11 years ago

I agree about the robots, and was saddened when Lowell killed Huey. Lowell was unstable in my opinion. He killed 3 men, and then decided that a robot was not useful, so lets kill you too. He avoided being caught, instead of standing up for his principles. He was a contradiction-saving his plants, killing the undesirable.

"...as long as people can change, the world can change"

[–] jgroub 11 years ago

I'm particularly impressed by the robots. Amputees inside? No way! Just amazing.

I want the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.

[–] imbluzclooby 10 years ago

I was very touched as a child when that one robot lost its leg while riding on the spaceship in that windblast. It was like watching your favorite cartoon character get hurt or mutilated. It was a bit much for me to take. When Dern takes him in to repair or replace his leg I actually shed tears. So touching - The Milk of Human Kindness.

[–] jgroub 10 years ago

Oh, me too. I saw this when I was 7 or so. I fell pretty hard for those robots.

I want the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.