Harrison Bergeron (1995)

In a distant future, egalitarianism has created a truly equal state. The cost? The sacrifice of everything great about humankind. The question: is peace worth the price?

Director:

Bruce Pittman

Writers:

Kurt Vonnegut Jr. (story), Arthur Crimm

Stars:

Sean Astin, Miranda de Pencier, Eugene Levy

4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sean Astin	...	Harrison Bergeron
Miranda de Pencier	...	Phillipa
Eugene Levy	...	President McCloskey
Howie Mandel	...	Charlie (of 'Chat with Charlie')
Andrea Martin	...	Diana Moon Glampers
Christopher Plummer	...	John Klaxon
Nigel Bennett	...	Dr. Eisenstock
Peter Boretski	...	Newman
David Calderisi	...	Commissioner Benson
Emmanuelle Chriqui	...	Jeannie
Hayden Christensen	...	Eric
Cindy Cook	...	Weatherperson
Roger Dunn	...	George Bergeron
Jayne Eastwood	...	Ms. Newbound
Hal Eisen	...	TV Announcer - San Quentin

Storyline

"All men are not created equal. It is the purpose of the Government to make them so." This is the premise of the Showtime film adaption of Kurt Vonnegut's futuristic short story Harrison Bergeron. The film centers around a young man (Harrison) who is smarter than his peers, and is not affected by the usual "Handicapping" which is used to train all Americans so everyone is of equal intelligence.

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Plot Keywords:

character name as series title | future | dystopia | reference to ludwig van beethoven | under achiever | 

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Taglines:

Welcome to the future. It's a no-brainer.

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Genres:

Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, and for some sexuality and violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

A TV movie for the Showtime network.

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Quotes

Reynolds: Mr. President, I believe it to be critical that an extension be given to this particular situation.
President McCloskey: [via videoconference] No. No way.
Reynolds: But Mr. President, the Premier is only asking for another 24 hours. He wants the approval of the Moroccan parliament. He fears a civil war if he acts without their backing.
President McCloskey: Fuck 'em. I told them two weeks ago-if they didn't agree to dismantling that factory under our supervision-we'd bomb the shit out of it. They got one hour to agree-otherwise, bombs away.
Reynolds: But Mr. ...
[...]

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Connections

Features Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928)

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Soundtracks

Only Hope
Music by Louis Natale
Performed by Pat La Barbara

User Reviews

I can still remember

It's been over two years since Ive seen this movie and I can still remember it. the movie was just so mezmerizing, I couldn't stop watching it if I wanted to! I had to know what happened to harry. The movie was able to be depressing and funny at the same time, great tongue and cheek stuff. Its all in how you take it with this film. it can be precieved in so many ways. In short I loved it! this deserves to be a classic.

Details

Official Sites:

Cypress Films home page

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 August 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kurt Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron

Filming Locations:

Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Atlantis Films, Cypress Films (I)

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1