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.

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Taglines:

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

---

Genres:

Comedy | Sci-Fi

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, and for some sexuality and violence

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Cast members Marc Marut and Marilyn Smith were together in another movie, the TV movie Goosebumps: Welcome to Dead House.

---

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...
[...]

---

Connections

Features It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

---

Soundtracks

Symphony No. 9 in D Major
by Ludwig van Beethoven

User Reviews

An overlooked and important little film

I saw this movie on TV one evening, probably even missed the start of it. I had no idea what it was, and it had the familiar TV-movie feel but it also had something compelling which kept my interest so I sat and watched it through.

I was amazed by this film, partly because of the scope, partly because of the parallels I could see in the world around me (which have only increased since), partly because it was so apparently innocent and unassuming and partly because I had never seen or heard of it before. It took me by surprise. I think I realised shortly after that it was written by the respected Sci-Fi author K.V. and that I should really have read the story sometime. Oh well. You can't catch them all.

However, much time passed and I forgot the name of the movie (it doesn't exactly stick in the mind) and I forgot which of the famous authors seeded it - but I didn't forget the content. From time to time I would ask somebody 'did you ever see that film...' and always got a blank response. I just remembered the author today and traced the name, which brings me here.

All I can say is this - watch it, and at the same time think about the last time you watched mainstream television 'entertainment'. If the parallels doesn't make your skin CRAWL, well - put the band back on...