Brave New World (1980) (TV)

Director:

Burt Brinckerhoff

Writers:

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

Release Date:

7 March 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Sci-Fi

Plot:

In a future society based on pleasure without moral worries, love is prohibited but casual sex, now called 'engaging'...

Plot Keywords:

Future | Pleasure | Cloning | 26th Century | Poet

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys.

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
Sam Chew Jr.	...	Chief Dispenser
Beatrice Colen	...	Gamma Female
Patrick Cronin	...	Gamma Male
Valerie Curtin	...	Chief Warden Stelina Shell
Jeff Doucette	...	Cosmetization Technician
Peter Elbling	...	Darwin Bonaparte
Marneen Fields	...	Futuristic Factory Worker
Leslie Hoffman	...	Soma Taker
Aron Kincaid	...	J. Edgar Millhouse
Susan Krebs	...	Anita Shapely
Carole Mallory	...	Miss Trotsky
Tricia O'Neil	...	Maoina Krupps
Victoria Racimo	...	Beta Teacher
Dee Dee Rescher	...	Neighbor Woman
Murray Salem	...	Chief Engineer
Delia Salvi	...	High Priestess
Delos V. Smith Jr.

Directed by
Burt Brinckerhoff

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Doran William Cannon		adaptation
Aldous Huxley		novel
Robert E. Thompson

Produced by
Jacqueline Babbin	....	producer
Milton Sperling	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Paul Chihara

Cinematography by
Harry L. Wolf

Film Editing by
James T. Heckert

Art Direction by
Tom H. John

Set Decoration by
Mary Ann Biddle

Sound Department
James LaRue	....	sound mixer

Stunts
Barbara Barnett	....	stunts
Gregory J. Barnett	....	stunt coordinator
Jean Coulter	....	stunts
Leslie Hoffman	....	stunts
Larry Holt	....	stunts
Frank James Sparks	....	stunt performer
Jesse Wayne	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
David Morton	....	rigging gaffer

Production Companies

• Universal TV

Distributors

• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1980) (USA) (TV) (original airing)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

USA:180 min (including commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Universal TV

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.

Movie Connections:

Version of Brave New World (1998) (TV)

Better than the 1998 version but not by much.

I finally got to watch this movie. All 3hours of it. Now, I gave it a little leeway seeing how its more than 20 years old but I was still a little set back by this adaptation. I remember when it debuted on NBC as a movie of the week. I was in the middle of traveling with my family and when we finally reached our destination, there were only 30 minutes of the film left on television for me to watch. VCRs were not common household appliances then so that was not an option for me or any of my friends at the time either. It was interesting to see what I missed. It looked like they raided the set departments of Buck Rogers and Battlestar Galactica (a distinct possibility as this was a Universal property) in their quest to make the future of BNW. Though they tried to make it sterile it came off as a bit garish and I guess they thought the future meant everything had flashing LEDs. Some things were inventive though. The contraceptive belts used rotary dialers off of old telephones, one set was actually a mock up 747 interior that was supposed to be a luxury hotel suite (very interesting). It seems great care went into trying to be as accurate to the novel of the same name, but there was still a clunkiness in the acting. Perhaps it was the novel's dialog brought to life. Unlike "1984" where the environs created a bleak landscape that added to the culture of the people presented, BNW creates almost cartoon like personalities living in a utopia world that come off as silly and often naive though they portray their duties as part of this utopia very seriously and steadfastly. The one highlight of finally getting to see this movie for me was seeing a young Bud Cort. His portrayal of a shy and tortured Alpha Plus Bernard Marx was quirky and fascinating to watch. I never knew he had this type of range as I often missed seeing some of his better performances. Overall it was worth watching once but after that you may want to watch 1984 or Brazil in order to sweep away the anodyne utopian visions of this version of BNW.