Logan’s Run *** (1976, Michael York, Richard Jordan, Jenny Agutter, Roscoe Lee Browne, Farrah Fawcett, Peter Ustinov, Michael Anderson Jr) – Classic Movie Review 6639

Director Michael Anderson provides a lively showcase for the lavish decor of the dubious 23rd century paradise that he conjures up in his good, crowd-pleasing 1976 sci-fi movie with the accent on pace, entertainment value and visual effects, rather than intelligence and ideas.

In the world of 2274 everyone leads a happy life in a domed city – that is before being killed off at 30. Michael York stars as Logan, a death squad member who escapes from the city to uncover the truth. It also stars Richard Jordan, Jenny Agutter, Roscoe Lee Browne, Farrah Fawcett [Farrah Fawcett-Majors], Peter Ustinov, and Michael Anderson Jr.

The Special Achievement Award Oscar for visual effects went to L B Abbott, Glen Robinson and Matthew Yuricich, and the film was also nominated for best art direction-set decoration (Dale Hennesy, Robert De Vestel) and best cinematography (Ernest Laszlo).

David Zelag Goodman’s screenplay is based on the novel by William F Nolan and George Clayton.

Also in the cast are Gary Morgan, Denny Arnold, Glen Wilder, Lara Lindsay, Bob Neil, Randolph Roberts and Camilla Carr.

It is shot in Metrocolor by Ernest Laszlo, produced by Saul David, scored by Jerry Goldsmith and designed by Dale Hennesy.

MGM’s film, budgeted at $9,000,000, did well at the box office, grossing $25,000,000 in the US. A one-season TV series followed in 1977-78, with Gregory Harrison, Heather Menzies-Urich and Donald Moffat.

RIP Michael Anderson.

British director Michael Anderson, Oscar nominated for directing Around the World in 80 Days (1956), died in Vancouver on 25 April 2018, aged 98. He is also fondly remembered for The Dam Busters (1955).

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 6639

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