Logan's Run

If you can stifle the urge to laugh at its pastel unisex costumes and futuristic shopping mall décor, this extravagant 1976 science fiction film directed by Michael Anderson is visually fascinating and provocatively entertaining. Set in the year 2274, when ecological disaster has driven civilization to the protection of domed cities, the story revolves around a society that holds a ceremonial death ritual for all citizens who reach the age of 30 in order to control overpopulation. In a disease-free metropolis where sex is encouraged and old age is virtually unknown, Logan (Michael York) is a “Sandman,” one who enforces this radical method of checking population growth—but he's about to turn 30 and doesn't want to die. Escaping via a network of underground passages, Logan is joined by another “runner” named Jessica (Jenny Agutter), while his former Sandman partner Francis (Richard Jordan) is determined to terminate Logan's rebellion. Using a variety of splendid matte paintings and miniatures, Logan's Run earned a special Oscar for visual effects (images of a long-abandoned Washington, DC, are particularly impressive), and in addition to fine performances by Jordan and Peter Ustinov (playing a character called simply “Old Man”), the film features ‘70s poster babe Farrah Fawcett in a cheesy supporting role. Jerry Goldsmith's semi-electronic score is still one of the prolific composer's best, and Logan's Run remains an interesting example of ‘70s sci-fi, preceding Star Wars by less than a year. Presented with a decent if unexceptional transfer on Blu-ray, extras include a previously released audio commentary track with Anderson, York, and costume designer Bill Thomas, as well as a vintage featurette. Recommended. (J. Shannon)