Brave New World (1980)

A man who grew up in a primitive society educating himself by reading Shakespeare is allowed to join the futuristic society where his parents are from. However, he cannot adapt to their repressive ways.

Director:

Burt Brinckerhoff

Writers:

Aldous Huxley (by), Robert E. Thompson (teleplay)

Stars:

Julie Cobb, Bud Cort, Keir Dullea

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Julie Cobb	...	Linda Lysenko
Bud Cort	...	Bernard Marx
Keir Dullea	...	Thomas Grambell
Ron O'Neal	...	Mustapha Mond
Marcia Strassman	...	Lenina Disney
Kristoffer Tabori	...	John Savage
Dick Anthony Williams	...	Helmholz Watson
Jonelle Allen	...	Fanny Crowne
Jeannetta Arnette	...	Dwightina
Valerie Curtin	...	Chief Warden Stelina Shell
Tricia O'Neil	...	Maoina Krupps
Victoria Racimo	...	Beta Teacher
Sherri Brewer	...	Rochina
Reb Brown	...	Henry
Lee Chamberlin	...	Head Nanny Nurse

Storyline

In a future society based on pleasure without moral worries, love is prohibited but casual sex, now called 'engaging', is strongly encouraged. Everyone is kept happy with a legal drug, soma. People are hatched and cloned on conveyor belts to meet the requirements of five different social classes, from ruling Alphas to robot-like Epsilons. Bernard Marx is a different Alpha male with an inclination to thinking. He and a girl called Lenina Disney go visit a reservation of 'savages' where they meet a handsome young man John and bring him back to 'civilization'. John turns out to be the son of the director of the cloning authority, which causes a scandal and makes John a celebrity freak. John falls in love with Lenina but his desire is ruined by his antiquated sexual morale derived from reading Shakespeare. John hates the over-social but anti-emotional civilization, asks to be sent to live in isolation, and gets a job as a lighthouse guard. But even there he can't forget Lenina or escape ...

---

Plot Keywords:

male protagonist | drugs | cloning | future | pleasure | 

---

Genres:

Drama | Sci-Fi

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 March 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

Un mundo feliz

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

180 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The exterior and interior lighthouse location used in the later part of the film is the Point Conception Lighthouse in California, the same locations used in The Monster of Piedras Blancas [1959].

---

Quotes

Mustapha Mond: You see, Mr. Savage, my special conditioning has allowed for all this, even though it's prohibited to everyone else. For those of us who must ultimately guide others to do what is right, it is imperative to understand the lure of what is wrong.

---

Connections

Referenced in Detention (2011)

User Reviews

All too likely to be realistic

I am not going to pretend this is my favourite film of all time, but it was a good, clear version of the excellent book.

The film looks dated and would be boring for some. But those who are interested in what might happen to the human race should check this out. This idea is the most likely to come true of all possible fates of humans.

The acting is in places 2-dimensional, but this is usually only when portraying characters who are themselves 2-dimensional, such as Lenina, Linda and Thomas.

The three more interesting and deeper characters of Bernard, John and Mustapha are portrayed well and all change dramatically and believably as the story unwinds.

Not a funny, thrilling or exciting film but a clear film that makes you think.