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?
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Title: Harrison Bergeron (TV Movie 1995)
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4 nominations.
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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 |
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Plot Summary
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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. Written by Glenn Kurtzrock <glennk@pegasus.rutgers.edu>
Plot Keywords:
future | dystopia | reference to ludwig van beethoven | under achiever | retro future |Taglines:
Welcome to the future. It's a no-brainer.Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated R for language, and for some sexuality and violence | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
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Details
Country:
CanadaLanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
13 August 1995 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Kurt Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron See more »Company Credits
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IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Sound Mix:
StereoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1
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Did You Know?
Trivia
The film takes place in 2053. See more »Quotes
John Klaxon: Can you imagine how I must feel, knowing that I'm striving to create a world in which no Beethoven will ever be born? But it has to be, not just because of some words in a constitution. It has to be.See more »
Bruce Pittman's intelligent and modest TV adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's short story is a wonderful and much under-appreciated piece of high sci-fi. Films of this kind are rarely made, simply because there's not much potential audience for low-budget science fiction - most people are in sci-fi mainly for special effects and impressive battles. Harrison Bergeron, though, is one of those few adaptations made of real philosophical sci-fi, the kind that creates an image of the future as a reflection of our own reality. And it succeeds quite well in delivering its message, and for what it is it could be enjoyed by almost everyone - though I doubt it could have done well in the theaters.
The film revolves around two wonderful lead actors - one is Sean Astin, who recently gained success and fame as Sam Gamgee in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy. The other is the wonderful British actor Christopher Plummer, remembered by sci-fi buffs as the Klingon General Chang from Star Trek 6: The Undiscovered Country. Brilliant comedian Eugene Levy gives an eerily funny performance as the President. The story is of a future America in which equality is achieved by discouraging exceptional talent or intelligence and creating forced mediocrity. Harrison (Sean Astin) is one of the exceptional few whose intelligence surfaces despite the government's best efforts and is therefore given the chance to work for the government. There he discovers the timeless Orwellian truth of Fascist regimes - all are equal, but some are more equal than others. Astin's interplay with Clummer (the classic 'Big Brother') is wonderful, and the ending is beautiful. The script does an excellent job of expanding Vonnegut's very short story into a 100 minute film.
Harrison Bergeron is well worth watching - if you can get your hands on it. As far as I know there isn't a DVD available, but the VHS can be ordered on Amazon and the movie plays occasionally on television. If you're interested in science fiction literature of authors like Vonnegut, Philip K. Dick, or Isaac Asimov, this wonderful little think-piece is a good purchase.