À Beira do Fim (1973)

In the world ravaged by the greenhouse effect and overpopulation, an NYPD detective investigates the murder of a big company CEO.

Director:

Richard Fleischer

Writers:

Stanley R. Greenberg (screenplay), Harry Harrison (novel)

Stars:

Charlton Heston, Edward G. Robinson, Leigh Taylor-Young

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charlton Heston	...	Detective Thorn
Leigh Taylor-Young	...	Shirl
Chuck Connors	...	Tab Fielding
Joseph Cotten	...	William R. Simonson
Brock Peters	...	Chief Hatcher
Paula Kelly	...	Martha
Edward G. Robinson	...	Sol Roth
Stephen Young	...	Gilbert
Mike Henry	...	Kulozik
Lincoln Kilpatrick	...	The Priest
Roy Jenson	...	Donovan
Leonard Stone	...	Charles
Whit Bissell	...	Gov. Santini
Celia Lovsky	...	The Exchange Leader
Dick Van Patten	...	Usher #1

Storyline

In 2022, Earth is overpopulated and totally polluted; the natural resources have been exhausted and the nourishment of the population is provided by Soylent Industries, a company that makes a food consisting of plankton from the oceans. In New York City, when Soylent's member of the board William R. Simonson is murdered apparently by a burglar at the Chelsea Towers West where he lives, efficient Detective Thorn is assigned to investigate the case with his partner Solomon "Sol" Roth. Thorn comes to the fancy apartment and meets Simonson's bodyguard Tab Fielding and the "furniture" (woman that is rented together with the flat) Shirl and the detective concludes that the executive was not victim of burglary but executed. Further, he finds that the Governor Santini and other powerful men want to disrupt and end Thorn's investigation. But Thorn continues his work and discovers a bizarre and disturbing secret of the ingredient used to manufacture Soylent Green.

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Plot Keywords:

cannibalism | dystopia | overpopulation | conspiracy | food | 

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Taglines:

It's the year 2022... People are still the same. They'll do anything to get what they need. And they need SOYLENT GREEN.

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Genres:

Crime | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The fact that this was arguably the final movie that was shot on the near derelict "MGM" backlots, prior to its demolition, gives this movie an added poignancy. A further poignancy when the audience may remember scenes from other (upbeat) "MGM" movies and tv series shot on the same streets, in effect, memories of "better times" set in periods before the story universe of the Soylent Green.

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Goofs

During the riot a woman screams after being shot in the head, an injury which makes it impossible to scream.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Voice over PA: First stage removal. First stage removal. Streets prohibited to non-permits in one hour. Streets prohibited to non-permits in one hour.

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Alternate Versions

Deleted scene: When Tab Fielding (Chuck Connors) goes shopping with Shirl, he is mugged, and wins the fight. This scene was filmed, but deleted.

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Connections

Referenced in Terra dos Mortos (2005)

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Soundtracks

Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op.68: 'Pastoral': I. Allegro ma non Troppo
Ludwig van Beethoven

User Reviews

An Interesting Concept

This was a fairly interesting film when it first came out. I showed what the world could look like in the near future if population growth went unchecked and the awful consequences we would pay. The story itself was fairly engrossing especially the climax of the film as Thorn finds out the real source of the miracle food. But, perhaps the most memorable aspect of this film was that this was the final film of the late great Edward G. Robinson. He gave a fine performance as Saul, and his death scene was very touching, even for a movie like this.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

9 May 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

À Beira do Fim

Filming Locations:

The Promenade Marina City Club Apartments, 4333 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1