THX 1138 (1971)

Last updated:
October 14, 2024

THX 1138 is a dystopian science fiction film directed by George Lucas in his directorial debut. It’s a haunting exploration of a future society where individuality is suppressed, and the human population is controlled through surveillance, drugs, and robotic enforcers. The film touches on themes of conformity, rebellion, and the loss of personal freedom, establishing the groundwork for Lucas’s later, more famous work on Star Wars.

Detailed Summary

Introduction: A Cold and Controlled Future

The film is set in a distant future where human society has been completely regimented by a faceless, authoritarian government. People live in a sterile underground city, devoid of personal identity or emotion, and are given designations instead of names. THX 1138 (played by Robert Duvall) is the protagonist, a worker in this oppressive society.

Citizens are forced to consume drugs that dull emotions and reduce sexual desire, while surveillance is omnipresent. The government uses robotic police to maintain control, and life is cold, mechanical, and utterly controlled.

THX Begins to Question the System

THX’s life begins to change when his roommate, LUH 3417 (played by Maggie McOmie), stops taking her medication and secretly swaps THX’s drugs to free him from the government’s mind control. As the effects of the drugs wear off, THX begins to experience emotions for the first time, including love and sexual desire. He and LUH fall in love, an act that is forbidden in this society.

This is a critical turning point, as THX begins to see the cracks in the system and realize that life doesn’t have to be this way.

The Escape Attempt

The government soon discovers that THX and LUH are not complying with the drug regimen, and both are arrested. LUH is taken away, and THX is imprisoned. In prison, he meets SEN 5241 (played by Donald Pleasence), who harbors his own rebellious thoughts against the state. Together, they plan an escape.

THX, along with SEN and another prisoner, makes a desperate bid for freedom. The last act of the movie becomes a tense escape sequence where THX tries to flee the totalitarian city. The minimalist aesthetic of the film’s underground city and the oppressive atmosphere add a surreal quality to his escape, underscoring the bleakness of their world.

Movie Ending

In the film’s iconic final sequence, THX manages to escape the underground city and emerge onto the surface. The last shot is him standing in front of a setting sun, symbolizing his newfound freedom. The open-ended conclusion leaves viewers to ponder what happens next. Has he found a new world, or is it just the beginning of another struggle?

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, THX 1138 does not have any post-credits scenes. Given the film’s era and its minimalist approach, post-credits sequences were not a common cinematic device at the time.

Type of Movie

THX 1138 is a dystopian science fiction film that leans heavily on themes of authoritarianism, dehumanization, and societal control. Its sparse, minimalist style and slow pace give it an almost experimental feel, setting it apart from other sci-fi movies of the time.

Cast

Robert Duvall as THX 1138
Donald Pleasence as SEN 5241
Maggie McOmie as LUH 3417
Ian Wolfe as PTO
Sid Haig as NCH

Film Music and Composer

Lalo Schifrin, widely recognized for his work on projects like Mission: Impossible, crafted the score for THX 1138. His eerie and dissonant composition enhances the film’s chilling and unsettling tone perfectly.

Filming Locations

The movie was filmed in various locations, including:

San Francisco’s BART subway system: The unfinished parts of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system were used to depict the futuristic underground city.
Dalles Dam in Oregon: The exterior scenes showing the escape route.

The stark, brutalist architecture of these locations helped create the film’s sterile and dystopian aesthetic.

Awards and Nominations

THX 1138 didn’t win any major awards upon its release. However, it has gained a cult following over the years, appreciated for its innovative design and its commentary on technology and control. Its visual and narrative style has been influential in the sci-fi genre.

Behind the Scenes Insights

The film was based on Lucas’s student film, Electronic Labyrinth: THX 1138 4EB.
Producer Francis Ford Coppola helped Lucas secure funding through his production company, American Zoetrope.
The bald heads of the actors were a radical choice at the time, adding to the film’s dehumanizing aesthetic.
Many of the crowd scenes used real San Francisco residents who volunteered to shave their heads for the film.

Inspirations and References

THX 1138 was heavily inspired by works like:

George Orwell’s 1984: The film’s depiction of a surveillance state and a dehumanized society echoes Orwell’s classic novel.
Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World: The drug-controlled society in THX 1138 is reminiscent of the soma-induced populace in Huxley’s dystopia.
Metropolis (1927): The influence of Fritz Lang’s silent sci-fi classic is clear in the industrial, totalitarian setting.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There is no known alternate ending to THX 1138, but George Lucas made significant edits and restorations to the film in its 2004 Director’s Cut, including enhanced visual effects and some additional scenes.

Book Adaptations and Differences

While THX 1138 is not based on a specific book, it draws heavily from dystopian literature, particularly Orwell’s 1984 and Huxley’s Brave New World. The film diverges by focusing more on visual storytelling and a minimalist plot.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

The scene where THX and LUH rebel against their society by making love, a deeply human act in an inhuman world.
In the shocking brainwashing scene from *THX 1138*, they subject him to terrifying psychological conditioning.
The final escape sequence, culminating in THX’s emergence into the unknown.

Iconic Quotes

SEN 5241: “Work hard, increase production, prevent accidents, and be happy.”
Computer Voice: “What’s wrong?”
THX: “I can’t think. My mind is going.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The film’s name, THX, later became the brand name for Lucasfilm’s sound system, THX.
The sequence numbers given to the characters (1138, 3417, etc.) emphasize the dehumanization of individuals in this society, reducing people to mere numbers.

Trivia

George Lucas was only 27 when he directed THX 1138.
The film’s budget was just $777,000, which was small even by 1971 standards.
Francis Ford Coppola backed Lucas through his production company and played a key role in getting the film made.

Why Watch?

If you enjoy cerebral sci-fi that explores dystopian futures and societal control, THX 1138 is a must-watch. It’s an early look at George Lucas’s vision of the future, and its themes of rebellion and freedom resonate even today. It’s a slower, more meditative film, perfect for fans of thought-provoking cinema.