Electronic Labyrinth THX 1138 4EB (1967)

While monitored and pursued, a man races to escape through a futuristic labyrinth.

Director:

George Lucas

Writer:

George Lucas

Stars:

Dan Nachtsheim, Joy Carmichael, David Munson

1 win.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Dan Nachtsheim	...	1138 (as Dan Natchsheim)
Joy Carmichael	...	7117
David Munson	...	2222
Marvin Bennett	...	0480
Ralph Stell	...	9021

Storyline

The story is set in a futursitic society somwhat similar to George Orwell's 1984. People are identified by 4 digit numbers rather than names and all their movements are under constant scrutiny via computerized cameras. The story revolves around one man (1138) trying to escape from the system. The number of the leader of this society is 0000.

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Plot Keywords:

national film registry | escape | futuristic | dystopia | long title | 

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Genres:

Sci-Fi | Short

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The "EB" referred to in the title means "earth born" according to the original script writer.

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Goofs

During the credits where George Lucas is mentioned as the director, a piece of transparent tape is visible on the left side of the screen.

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Connections

Featured in A Legacy of Filmmakers: The Early Years of American Zoetrope (2004)

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Soundtracks

Still I'm Sad
(uncredited)
Performed by The Yardbirds
Written by Paul Samwell-Smith and Jim McCarty

User Reviews

For a Student Film Very Advanced

Although very little happens in terms of action in George Lucas's best-remembered student film "Electronic Labyringth THX 1138 4EB", there is already plenty to be admired in the visual look alone, considering the assumed small budget they had to work with at the USC. As in all of Lucas's early shorts, the film is very well-made with lots of good craft on display: the locations and costumes, while not overly elaborate, give enough of an atmosphere to suggest an otherworldly environment. The editing is skillful as well, being an almost abstract mishmash of shots and snippets of audio which add to the intensity of the action a little, although it certainly doesn't possess the type of intensity Hollywood would make use of. That aside, the plot itself is rather skimpy and carries plenty of repetition in the images and soundtrack; to expect a greater narrative would be admittedly absurd for fifteen minutes, yet the fact that Lucas took even that long to convey what plot he had shifts the focus to the atmosphere and setting built into it, rather than specifically the plot.

The context of the story is rather unclear, although it is made more interesting simply because we are left to decipher what is happening. The film seems to be occurring in a Dystopian setting as the likes of George Orwell would come up with - a time when the higher powers have taken over, enslaving and ruling over those below them with an iron fist. In this version, the setting is an Electronic Labyrinth in a presumed future when technology has taken over to control the lives of others. The film follows a man, given the designated number 1138, as he attempts to do the unspeakable - escape the slavery of technology, running through shiny white hallways to make it out before he is destroyed by his oppressors. With consistent intercoms blaring instructions on how to stop him mixed with security cam footage and scenes of men in headsets pulling switches, the film's atmosphere is a unique one, repetitive yet oddly surreal, with enough creativity to the settings and costumes to make give it a futuristic feel. The unanswered questions are many, yet they add to the experience - so much so that I doubt I would benefit much if at all from seeing Lucas's 1971 feature film "THX 1138" which elaborates on things. Little plot definitely, yet enough to play with the viewer's mind while simultaneously giving clues through a well-built environment. Certainly remarkable for a student's work, technically and analytically speaking.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1967 (USA)

Also Known As:

THX 1138 4EB

Filming Locations:

University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

University of Southern California (USC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

15 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1