Planet Earth (1974)

A man awakens from suspended animation and finds himself in the 22nd century, where women rule the world and men are slaves called Dinks. He is captured and sold as a slave, but escapes and hooks up with a male rebel movement.

Director:

Marc Daniels

Writers:

Gene Roddenberry (creator), Gene Roddenberry (teleplay)

Stars:

John Saxon, Janet Margolin, Ted Cassidy

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Saxon	...	Dylan Hunt
Janet Margolin	...	Harper-Smythe
Ted Cassidy	...	Isiah
Christopher Cary	...	Baylok
Diana Muldaur	...	Marg
Sally Kemp	...	Treece
Johana De Winter	...	Villar
Claire Brennen	...	Delba
Corinne Camacho	...	Bronta (as Corrine Camacho)
Majel Barrett	...	Yuloff
Jim Antonio	...	Jonathan Connor
Aron Kincaid	...	Gorda
John Quade	...	Kreeg Commandant
Rai Tasco	...	Pater Kimbridge
Sue Dahlman	...	Thetis (as Sara Chattin)

Storyline

Dylan Hunt is a 20th century man awakened from suspended animation on a post-apocalyptic Earth, now a member of PAX, the last remnant of technological civilization. When a PAX leader is critically wounded by violent mutants, Dylan and his teammates must seek out a missing surgeon, lost long ago in a mysterious agrarian region where women claim all the power and all men are inexplicably subservient and traded as slaves.

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Plot Keywords:

psychotronic film | low budget sci fi movie | astronomical object in title | suspended animation | 22nd century | 

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Genres:

Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Matte Painting used for Pax in this film was previously used as the city of Terrania, Pax enemies in the previous film, Genesis II.

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Connections

Referenced in Chaos on the Bridge (2014)

User Reviews

Roddenberry tried for the Future again, but it didn't happen

This might be enjoyed best as a review of 40-year old television effort. Gene Roddenberry is best remembered for Star Trek, but this Air Force veteran was writing well before the 1966 show hit the airwaves.

"Planet Earth" can be enjoyed on its own, but I got the opportunity to watch "Genesis II" first. Both these television pilots are based on the same story of a scientist suspended in time for 160 years. The world has mostly destroyed itself and we're invited for a collection of never-to-appear stories of the survivors bringing mankind back.

This story premise and those from Star Trek pivot on some type of Third World War wiping about most of our civilization. While Star Trek plots all seems to share the idea that mankind has evolved into a better kind of person, Planet Earth did not display that sensation to me; and maybe that's the problem. The illusion of an improved man seemed to led the following of Trekkers, plus the boundless story opportunities of visiting other planets. There was no way to expect that sense of wonderness with this story. Even though this future is probably a truer presentation of mankind following such a war, people like illusions and the lies to make us feel better.

Also interesting to see is the kind of loyalty Roddenberry has with actors. Like using DeForest Kelley, Leonard Nimoy, Nichelle Nichols and Majel Barrett (who he later married) on previous projects and then including them in Star Trek, Planet Earth cast includes Star Trek Alumni Diana Muldaur, Ted Cassidy and of course Majel.

I don't recall seeing either of the pilots (Genesis II or Planet Earth) in 1974 but I'm fairly sure I wouldn't been very intrigued by them. Roddenberry's humanists views are quite evident in all his material, which can make it difficult to fully engage in his stories. Star Trek, for the most part, worked well -- Planet Earth didn't. John Saxon acting and fight-scenes are better in other productions. Diana Muldaur is a very strong actress with great presence, but her character here was tiresome and I just wanted her to go away. I was looking forward to anything interesting for Ted Cassidy, but we barely see him.

So if you're interested in shows from the 70s or in Roddenberry, watch Planet Earth and possible Genesis II, but don't be disappointed that a new story franchise was not born.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 April 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

Pianeta Terra

Filming Locations:

University of California, Irvine, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros. Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

74 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1