Demon Seed (1977)

Director:

Donald Cammell

Writers:

Dean R. Koontz (novel)
Robert Jaffe (writer) ...

Release Date:

30 September 1977 (West Germany)

Genre:

Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

Julie Christie carries the "Demon Seed."

Plot:

A scientist creates Proteus--an organic super computer with artificial intelligence which becomes obsessed with human beings, and in particular the creators wife.

Plot Keywords:

Scientist | Computer | Artificial Intelligence | Rape | Machine

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Julie Christie	...	Susan Harris
Fritz Weaver	...	Alex Harris
Gerrit Graham	...	Walter Gabler
Berry Kroeger	...	Petrosian
Lisa Lu	...	Soong Yen
Larry J. Blake	...	Cameron
John O'Leary	...	Royce
Alfred Dennis	...	Mokri
Davis Roberts	...	Warner
Patricia Wilson	...	Mrs. Talbert
E. Hampton Beagle	...	Night Operator
Michael Glass	...	Technician
Barbarao	...	Technician
Dana Laurita	...	Amy
Monica MacLean	...	Joan Kemp

Also Known As:

Proteus Generation

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Singapore:NC-16 | Iceland:16 | Netherlands:16 | Argentina:16 (re-rating) | Argentina:X (original rating) | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Norway:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:16

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

About 20 minutes into the film, Dr. Harris watches television while eating a meal. The television audio is from the third chapter of part three of Joseph Conrad's suspenseful 1915 novel, Victory: An Island Tale. The novel's central character, Heyst, who has renounced the world due to his ascetic upbringing, falls in love with Lena. He takes her away to his isolated island to live alone together, but others intrude on his plans - somewhat foreshadowing developments in the film.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Mrs. Harris is trying to get the little girl out of the car for her session, a sound man can be seen through the back window behind her.

Quotes:

Proteus IV: Death is a gentleman too. He makes good losers of us all. I understand death. Men have always taken it too seriously. Life is more terrifying and more mysterious.
Susan Harris: Why must you have a child?
Proteus IV: Why? So that I may be complete. My intelligence alive in human flesh, touching the universe, feeling it. You have named this process "evolution." I am a machine that offered men the triumph of reason... and they rejected it. My child will not be so easily ignored. But this child is the world's hope.
Susan Harris: Then there's no hope. I'd rather die.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Featured in Donald Cammell: The Ultimate Performance (1998)

"Wanna See a House Rape a Woman" - If you say so!

PLOT - 8/10 Believe it or not, but I liked the Plot. A computer takes over a house which is completely controlled by computers. Than he keeps a woman prisoner in her own home and finally impregnates her so he can become a living human. Not bad at all.

ACTING - 6/10 The acting was corny. It wasn't bad, but it was sometimes unbelievable. But unlike TV Movies, the acting doesn't get annoying.

Screen writing - 6/10 The screen writing was a disappointment. But I have to say this; The writing is better than the novel. As much as I am a fan of Dean Koontz, the movie was better than the book.

DIRECTION - 9/10 It had excellent directing. The director (who killed himself year later) was really... um, talented, Despite being sick. But the directing was better than the plot, writing all together.

MUSIC - 8/10 It had quite scary music. The music keeps up the suspense, despite there being no suspense what-so-ever in the film.

OVERALL The movie has quality. It's not a low budget film that is completely unwatchable. I personally really liked the movie. With it's really good storyline. It's defiantly a movie I would own and watch regular. 7/10.

"Wanna See a House Rape a Woman" - funny.