Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysHispanic & Latino VoicesSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

THX 1138

  • 19711971
  • GPGP
  • 1h 26m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
52K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
5,726
252
THX 1138 (1971)
Theatrical Trailer from Warner Bros. Pictures
Play trailer1:50
2 Videos
99+ Photos
DramaSci-FiThriller

In the 25th century, a time when people have designations instead of names, a man, THX 1138, and a woman, LUH 3417, rebel against their rigidly-controlled society.In the 25th century, a time when people have designations instead of names, a man, THX 1138, and a woman, LUH 3417, rebel against their rigidly-controlled society.In the 25th century, a time when people have designations instead of names, a man, THX 1138, and a woman, LUH 3417, rebel against their rigidly-controlled society.

IMDb RATING
6.7/10
52K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
5,726
252
  • Director
    • George Lucas
  • Writers
    • George Lucas(story by)
    • Walter Murch(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Robert Duvall
    • Donald Pleasence
    • Don Pedro Colley
Top credits
  • Director
    • George Lucas
  • Writers
    • George Lucas(story by)
    • Walter Murch(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Robert Duvall
    • Donald Pleasence
    • Don Pedro Colley
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 258User reviews
    • 92Critic reviews
    • 75Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 3 nominations

    Videos2

    THX 1138
    Trailer 1:50
    THX 1138
    THX 1138
    Trailer 2:37
    THX 1138

    Photos129

    Robert Duvall, Donald Pleasence, and Don Pedro Colley in THX 1138 (1971)
    Robert Duvall in THX 1138 (1971)
    THX 1138 (1971)
    Sid Haig in THX 1138 (1971)
    Robert Duvall in THX 1138 (1971)
    THX 1138 (1971)
    THX 1138 (1971)
    THX 1138 (1971)
    THX 1138 (1971)
    George Lucas in THX 1138 (1971)
    Robert Duvall in THX 1138 (1971)
    Robert Duvall and Maggie McOmie in THX 1138 (1971)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Robert Duvall
    Robert Duvall
    • THX
    Donald Pleasence
    Donald Pleasence
    • SEN
    Don Pedro Colley
    Don Pedro Colley
    • SRT
    Maggie McOmie
    Maggie McOmie
    • LUH
    Ian Wolfe
    Ian Wolfe
    • PTO
    Marshall Efron
    Marshall Efron
    • TWA
    Sid Haig
    Sid Haig
    • NCH
    John Pearce
    John Pearce
    • DWY
    Irene Cagen
    • IMM
    • (as Irene Forrest)
    Gary Alan Marsh
    • CAM
    John Seaton
    • OUE
    Eugene I. Stillman
    • JOT
    Jack Walsh
    • TRG
    • (as Raymond J. Walsh)
    Mark Lawhead
    • Shell Dweller
    Robert Feero
    Robert Feero
    • Chrome Robot
    Johnny Weissmuller Jr.
    Johnny Weissmuller Jr.
    • Chrome Robot
    Claudette Bessing
    • ELC
    Susan Stroh
    • Control Officer
    • (as Susan Baldwin)
    • Director
      • George Lucas
    • Writers
      • George Lucas(story by) (screenplay by)
      • Walter Murch(screenplay by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      George Lucas apparently named the film after his San Francisco telephone number, 849-1138, the letters THX correspond to letters found on the buttons 8, 4, and 9.
    • Goofs
      During the chase scene at the end, it is shown on one monitor that the THX budget is 3,410 units over the budget of 14,000 units (24%). A voice had stated earlier that accounts are to be terminated when they exceed their original budget by 5%. When the account/chase is terminated, we hear a voice say that the THX project is 6% over budget, which would be 840 units, not 3,410.
    • Quotes

      OMM: Let us be thankful we have commerce. Buy more. Buy more now. Buy. And be happy.

    • Crazy credits
      The Warner Bros. logo is preceded by a trailer for a Buck Rogers serial (or in early versions, a one-minute scene from Things to Come (1936)).
    • Alternate versions
      There are technically three versions of this movie: 1. The 1971 Warner Bros. Studio Theatrical Cut. Warner Bros in house cut 4 minutes from the film. This version has not been released on any home media. 2. The 1970/1977 Restored Version which is the version originally cut by the director prior to Warner Bros. cutting it for its 1971 theatrical release. This was finally released in 1977 following the success of "Star Wars" and later released on VHS and laserdisc releases. 3. The 2004 George Lucas Director's Cut with many scenes improved using CGI and some new shots added in following extensive work done by George Lucas and THX in 2003/2004. This was later released on all DVD and Blu-ray releases.
    • Connections
      Featured in Bald: The Making of 'THX 1138' (1971)
    • Soundtracks
      Elevator Music
      (uncredited)

      from the He kohtasivat sateessa (1956) score

      Composed by Franz Waxman

    User reviews258

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    6/10
    Lucas demonstrates great vision in an okay film
    Before "Star Wars," George Lucas had another vision of the future, particularly in a long time from now in a galaxy that happens to be our own. "THX 1138" is his Distopia film, his "1984" or "Brave New World." It's directly inspired from those works, borrowing the ideas of drugs to sedate human emotion (Brave New World) and sex being illegal (1984). It's a visionary work, not a revolutionary one, but for the early 70s, it impresses. Lucas manages to bring his concept to life, even if it's not exactly as thrilling or interesting as what the Star Wars saga would be.

    THX 1139 (Robert Duvall) is an ideal member of this "utopian" community where religion means stay calm and do as you're told. When his roommate, LUH, begins to change out his sedatives with other pills, he begins to fall in love with her. Consequently, the "big brother" equivalent finds out, and THX is taken captive.

    "THX" can be boring at times. Though you can tell Lucas has put a lot of thought into this world, he doesn't care to offer any help to those struggling to make sense of it. There is no clarification dialogue -- you have to pay close attention to the images and surroundings to understand it. This is admirable, but makes things difficult for most viewers. The film therefore drags at points not necessarily because what's going on isn't interesting, but the viewer is missing contextual help to illuminate the action on screen.

    Fans of the genre will appreciate Lucas' contribution and his imagination, but probably not love it. The themes are light and the drama low. There's no sense of danger or incredibly sympathy for the main characters. One thing to note is not to watch the Special Edition. As Lucas loves to do, the SE goes back and adds CGI to the film, which is a travesty. Part of what makes these movies so great is that they offer a vision of the future from the perspective of 30 years ago and today's technology doesn't interfere. Do your best to get a non-remastered copy.
    helpful•15
    5
    • Movie_Muse_Reviews
    • May 18, 2009

    FAQ1

    • What are the differences between the Original Version and the Director's Cut?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 11, 1971 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Lucasfilm Ltd. (United States)
      • Warner Bros. (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • THX-1138
    • Filming locations
      • BART Operations Control Center - 101 Eighth Street, Oakland, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • American Zoetrope
      • Warner Bros.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $777,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $2,437,000
    • Gross worldwide
      • $2,437,000
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 26 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    THX 1138 (1971)
    Top Gap
    What is the Japanese language plot outline for THX 1138 (1971)?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    The Best Movies and Shows in September
    See the IMDb Editors' picks
    View list
    List
    IMDb's Top 50 TV Dramas
    See the full list
    View image
    Photos
    We Love These Hollywood Power Couples
    See the gallery

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more access
    Sign in for more access
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.