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Demon Seed (1977)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
30 September 1977 (West Germany) moreTagline:
Julie Christie carries the "Demon Seed." morePlot:
A scientist creates Proteus--an organic super computer with artificial intelligence which becomes obsessed with human beings, and in particular the creators wife. full summary | full synopsisAwards:
2 nominations moreUser Comments:
Intelligent, well-done sci-fi/horror moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| 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 |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
94 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Color (Metrocolor)Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 moreSound Mix:
MonoCertification:
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:16Fun Stuff
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. moreGoofs:
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. moreQuotes:
Proteus IV: I, Proteus, possess the wisdom and ignorance of all men, but I can't feel the sun on my face. My child will have that privilege.Susan Harris: Child?
Proteus IV: My child... and yours.
Susan Harris: Mine?
Proteus IV: Yes. You will bear it.
Susan Harris: How?
Proteus IV: You will give birth to it.
Susan Harris: [not believing what she hears] No. No. No.
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Susan Harris (Julie Christie), wife of a scientist working in the field of advanced robotics, becomes a prisoner in her own home when super-computer Proteus IV, who also wants to spread its seed by impregnating Susan, takes charge of her life. I rented "Demon Seed" because I felt like watching something with a brain, and based on a lot of positive IMDb reviews, I was praying for a smart sci-if flick. My prayers were answered.
The acting in Demon Seed is fine. Robert Vaughn was creepy as hell as Proteus IV, both sinister and relaxed at the same time, in fact he does an even better job as an evil computer here than Douglas Rain did as HAL-9000 in 2001: A space Odyssey.
The film benefits greatly from an intelligent screenplay, penned by Robert Jaffe and Roger O. Hirson. The dialog is thought provoking and thankfully never really insults the audience's intelligence.
Helming the director's seat is Donald Cammell, who directs with a firm hand and injects a claustrophobic and uncomfortable atmosphere into the film, also managing to maintain the suspense scenes well. Interestingly, he apparently condones the film (assuming that calling the film a 'piece of sh*t' warrants that ).
As others have pointed out there are some dated aspects to the production. The special effects were sparse but thoroughly unconvincing, the only exception being the mesmerizing computer screens that consist of ever-changing shapes and colors that are shown on Proteus's computer terminal. The film takes place in the 'distant' future1995, I believeyet it looks like it's right out of the 70's, no thanks to the cars, clothing, computers and hair styles that give away the films age. This is a small complaint but an annoying one, though it's easy to ignore once you get involved with the story line.
"Demon Seed" is an intelligent sci-fi film that's pretty rare but if you happen to see a copy of it, pick it up if you're in the mood for something smart.
7.5/10.