Brave New World (1980)

In a future society based on pleasure without moral worries, love is prohibited but casual sex, now called 'engaging', is strongly encouraged. Everyone is kept happy with a legal drug, soma... See full summary »

Director:

Burt Brinckerhoff

Writers:

Doran William Cannon (adaptation), Aldous Huxley (novel),

Stars:

Julie Cobb, Bud Cort, Keir Dullea

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys.

Cast

Credited cast:
Julie Cobb	...	Linda Lysenko
Bud Cort	...	Bernard Marx
Keir Dullea	...	Thomas Grambell
Ron O'Neal	...	Mustapha Mond
Marcia Strassman	...	Lenina Disney
Kristoffer Tabori	...	John Savage
Dick Anthony Williams	...	Helmholz Watson
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jonelle Allen	...	Fanny Crowne
Jeannetta Arnette	...	Dwightina
Casey Biggs	...	Beta lighthouse guard
Reb Brown	...	Henry
Tara Buckman	...	Alpha Teacher
Nigel Bullard	...	Plant Manager
Shane Butterworth
Lee Chamberlin	...	Head Nanny Nurse

Storyline

In a future society based on pleasure without moral worries, love is prohibited but casual sex, now called 'engaging', is strongly encouraged. Everyone is kept happy with a legal drug, soma. People are hatched and cloned on conveyor belts to meet the requirements of five different social classes, from ruling Alphas to robot-like Epsilons. Bernard Marx is a different Alpha male with an inclination to thinking. He and a girl called Lenina Disney go visit a reservation of 'savages' where they meet a handsome young man John and bring him back to 'civilization'. John turns out to be the son of the director of the cloning authority, which causes a scandal and makes John a celebrity freak. John falls in love with Lenina but his desire is ruined by his antiquated sexual morale derived from reading Shakespeare. John hates the over-social but anti-emotional civilization, asks to be sent to live in isolation, and gets a job as a lighthouse guard. But even there he can't forget Lenina or escape ...

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Plot Keywords:

future | pleasure | cloning | 26th century | poet | 

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Genres:

Drama | Sci-Fi

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 March 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

Un mundo feliz

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

180 min 180 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Mustapha Mond: You see, Mr. Savage, my special conditioning has allowed for all this, even though it's prohibited to everyone else. For those of us who must ultimately guide others to do what is right, it is imperative to understand the lure of what is wrong.

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Connections

Version of Brave New World (1998)

User Reviews

Worthwhile realization of Huxley's Classic

If you haven't read the book, this 1980 made-for-TV rendition will do quite nicely. It strikes the right balance between humour and futuristic melodrama to hold interest but always remain credible. Julie Cobb is hysterical in her supporting role, and Jonelle Allen is wonderful. It does a great job of illustrating Huxley's vision of what could be the future, and its potential downside.