Zero Population Growth [Z P G] *** (1972, Oliver Reed, Geraldine Chaplin, Diane Cilento, Don Gordon) – Classic Movie Review 8707

Director Michael Campus’s intelligent 1972 British-American-Danish sci-fi thriller film Zero Population Growth [Z P G] is handsome looking and has some thoughts in its head, which is always welcome.

In the smog-ridden over-populated 21st century, the government has decided on Zero Population Growth and introduced the death penalty as a punishment for having children.

But of course one couple (Oliver Reed, Geraldine Chaplin), dissatisfied with their robot baby, decide to have a human baby, are threatened with exposure by their neighbours (Diane Cilento, Don Gordon) and are forced to share the child with them until they develop over-possessive needs.

This intriguing, thoughtful premise has at its disposal goodish performances from the interesting cast of actors, though the dark tale tails off in such a daft and sentimental fashion that you start to lose patience. Nevertheless, overall it remains interesting and worthwhile.

Also in the cast are Bill Nagy, Aubrey Woods, David Markham, Sheila Reid, Lotte Tholander, Ditte Maria and Brigitte Federspiel.

Zero Population Growth [Z P G] is directed by Michael Campus, run 96 minutes, is made by Sagittarius Productions, released by Paramount Pictures and Scotia-Barber (1972) (UK), is written by Max Ehrlich and Frank De Felitta, is shot in Eastmancolor by Michael Reed and Michael Salmon, is produced by Thomas F Madigan, is scored by Jonathan Hodge, and is designed by Harry Lange and Peter Hojmark.

It was shot in Copenhagen, Denmark.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8707

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