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IMDbPro

Silent Running

  • 19721972
  • GG
  • 1h 29m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
29K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,934
564
Silent Running (1972)
Watch ’Trailer’
Play trailer2:53
2 Videos
82 Photos
  • Drama
  • Sci-Fi
In a future where all flora is extinct on Earth, an astronaut is given orders to destroy the last of Earth's botany, kept in a greenhouse aboard a spacecraft.In a future where all flora is extinct on Earth, an astronaut is given orders to destroy the last of Earth's botany, kept in a greenhouse aboard a spacecraft.In a future where all flora is extinct on Earth, an astronaut is given orders to destroy the last of Earth's botany, kept in a greenhouse aboard a spacecraft.
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
29K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,934
564
  • Director
    • Douglas Trumbull
  • Writers
    • Deric Washburn
    • Michael Cimino
    • Steven Bochco
  • Stars
    • Bruce Dern
    • Cliff Potts
    • Ron Rifkin
Top credits
  • Director
    • Douglas Trumbull
  • Writers
    • Deric Washburn
    • Michael Cimino
    • Steven Bochco
  • Stars
    • Bruce Dern
    • Cliff Potts
    • Ron Rifkin
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 258User reviews
    • 118Critic reviews
    • 67Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations

    Videos2

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:53
    Trailer
    Trailers From Hell - Silent Running w/Edgar Wright
    Featurette 3:04
    Trailers From Hell - Silent Running w/Edgar Wright

    Photos82

    Bruce Dern in Silent Running (1972)
    Silent Running (1972)
    Silent Running (1972)
    Silent Running (1972)
    Bruce Dern in Silent Running (1972)
    Bruce Dern in Silent Running (1972)
    Silent Running (1972)
    Bruce Dern in Silent Running (1972)
    Silent Running (1972)
    Bruce Dern and Ron Rifkin in Silent Running (1972)
    Silent Running (1972)
    Bruce Dern in Silent Running (1972)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Bruce Dern
    Bruce Dern
    • Freeman Lowellas Freeman Lowell
    Cliff Potts
    Cliff Potts
    • John Keenanas John Keenan
    Ron Rifkin
    Ron Rifkin
    • Marty Barkeras Marty Barker
    Jesse Vint
    Jesse Vint
    • Andy Wolfas Andy Wolf
    Mark Persons
    • the grey Drone # 1 'Dewey'as the grey Drone # 1 'Dewey'
    Steven Brown
    • the orange Drone # 2 'Huey'as the orange Drone # 2 'Huey'
    Cheryl Sparks
    • the orange Drone # 2 'Huey'as the orange Drone # 2 'Huey'
    Larry Whisenhunt
    • the green Drone # 3 'Louie'as the green Drone # 3 'Louie'
    Joseph Campanella
    Joseph Campanella
    • Neal - Berkshire' Captainas Neal - Berkshire' Captain
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    Roy Engel
    Roy Engel
    • Andersonas Anderson
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Douglas Trumbull
    • Writers
      • Deric Washburn
      • Michael Cimino
      • Steven Bochco
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The three drone robots Huey, Dewey, and Louie (named after Donald Duck's nephews) were operated by four multiple-amputee actors: Mark Persons, Steve Brown, Cheryl Sparks, and Larry Whisenhunt.
    • Goofs
      In all the forest domes, entry to the forest is shown to be through a tunnel in the rim of the dome. However, no connection of this kind can be seen in any of the exterior shots of the domes. Moreover, when the domes are jettisoned, the shots of the pylons connecting the domes to the ship reveal barely enough room for the ejection system engines. There does not seem to be any kind of connection which would indicate an access tunnel.
    • Quotes

      Freeman Lowell: It calls back a time when there were flowers all over the Earth... and there were valleys. And there were plains of tall green grass that you could lie down in - you could go to sleep in. And there were blue skies, and there was fresh air... and there were things growing all over the place, not just in some domed enclosures blasted some millions of miles out in to space.

    • Alternate versions
      In the Italian version, the three drones are named after "Paperino", "Paperone" and "Paperina" ("Donald Duck", "Uncle Scrooge" and "Daisy Duck") because calling them "Qui", "Quo" and "Qua" ("Huey", "Dewey", "Louie") would have been cacophonous: "Vieni qui, Qui!" ("Come here, Huey!").
    • Connections
      Edited into The Making of 'Silent Running' (1974)
    • Soundtracks
      Silent Running
      Lyrics by Diane Lampert

      Music by Peter Schickele

      Performed by Joan Baez

    User reviews258

    Review
    Top review
    The Feelgood, Sci-Fi "Save the Planet" film of the '70's.
    Originally having seen this film years back, all I could remember were a few squatty little robots, some kind of personal crusade, and alot of tears from Bruce Dern. Now, after a few years of having the film in my collection, I'm relieved to say that I recall (know) alot more about the underlying storyline therein. Silent Running is by no means a great science fiction film; it is instead a simplistic story about one man's refusal to destroy that which is dear to his heart, against all odds. What makes this film stand out from others, however, is a combination of great special effects (Trumbull was, of course, mentored by Stanley Kubrick on the set of 2001), a good message and... All of that emotion from Bruce Dern. I must admit that, even after all these years, those tearful moments when Dern breaks down stick in my imagination. Looking for a fabulous, laser blastin', grostesque alien, hyperspace shoot 'em up? Then don't rent Silent Running. However, if you are in the mood for a light, (not too preachy) thoughtful, sci-fi tale of a lonely, one-way journey, check this one out.
    helpful•53
    24
    • Milpool
    • Nov 4, 1999

    FAQ1

    • Are there people inside the "Drones?"

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 10, 1972 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Running Silent
    • Filming locations
      • Van Nuys Airport - 16461 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • Trumbull/Gruskoff Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 29 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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