Rent Silent Running (1972)

3.5 of 5 from 252 ratings
1h 25min
Rent Silent Running (aka Running Silent) Online DVD & Blu-ray Rental
  • General info
  • Available formats
Synopsis:
In the not-so-distant future, Earth is barren of all flora and fauna, with what remains of the planet's former ecosystems preserved aboard a fleet of greenhouses orbiting in space. When the crews are ordered to destroy the remaining specimens, one botanist, Freeman Lowell (Bruce Dern), rebels and flees towards Saturn in a desperate bid to preserve his own little piece of Earth that was, accompanied only by the ship's three service robots.
Actors:
, , , , Mark Persons, , Cheryl Sparks, Larry Whisenhunt
Directors:
Producers:
Michael Gruskoff, Douglas Trumbull
Voiced By:
Joseph Campanella, Roy Engel
Writers:
Deric Washburn, Michael Cimino, Steven Bochco
Aka:
Running Silent
Studio:
Universal Pictures
Genres:
Classics, Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Collections:
10 Films to Watch if You Like Blade Runner, Cinema Paradiso's 2024 Centenary Club: Part 3, Films & TV by topic, Films to Watch If You Like..., Giant Leap for Mankind: A History of Astronaut Films, Masters of Cinema, Top 10 Films of 1972, Top Films
BBFC:
Release Date:
24/12/2001
Run Time:
85 minutes
Languages:
English Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono, German Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono
Subtitles:
Danish, Dutch, English Hard of Hearing, Finnish, German, Norwegian, Swedish
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Full Screen 1.33:1 / 4:3
Colour:
Colour
Bonus:
  • Theatrical Trailer
BBFC:
Release Date:
14/11/2011
Run Time:
90 minutes
Languages:
English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Subtitles:
English Hard of Hearing
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 1.85:1
Colour:
Colour
BLU-RAY Regions:
B
Bonus:
  • Full-length commentary by director Trumbull and actor Bruce Dern
  • Isolated music and effects track
  • The Making of Silent Running, a 1972 on-set documentary (50:00)
  • Two video pieces with Douglas Trumbull (31:00 + 5:00)
  • A Conversation with Bruce Dern, a discussion with the actor (11:00)
  • Original Theatrical Trailer (3:00)
BBFC:
Release Date:
12/12/2022
Run Time:
90 minutes
Languages:
English Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono
Subtitles:
English Hard of Hearing
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 1.85:1
Colour:
Colour
BLU-RAY Regions:
B
Bonus:
  • Audio commentary by critics Kim Newman and Barry Forshaw
  • Original audio commentary by Douglas Trumbull and actor Bruce Dern
  • Isolated music and effects track
  • No Turning Back - an interview with film music historian Jeff Bond on the film's score
  • First Run - a visual essay by writer and filmmaker Jon Spira exploring the evolution of Silent Running's screenplay
  • The Making of 'Silent Running' - an archival 1972 on-set documentary
  • 'Silent Running' by Douglas Trumbull and Douglas Trumbull: Then and Now - two archival interviews with the film's director
  • A Conversation with Bruce Dern - an archival interview with the film's lead actor
  • Theatrical trailer
  • Extensive behind-the-scenes gallery

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Reviews (2) of Silent Running

Unique science fiction - Silent Running review by CP Customer

Spoiler Alert
11/03/2009

Silent Running was years ahead of its time, promoting an environmental message. The main character played superbly by Bruce Dern, develops a fondness of his robotic companions, as opposed to his human colleagues. Unlike many of the science fiction films of the era, it lacks dramatic effects, a huge 2001 space opera theme, lasers or explosions. Instead its a much more personal and intimate take of a man faced with some difficult decisions. WALL-E was heavily influenced by Huey and Dewey, as the robots develop unique identities and overcome their limited technology.

5 out of 6 members found this review helpful.

A CGI Free Sci/Fi Classic - Silent Running review by Spoons

Spoiler Alert
17/07/2019

Ok so we know that CGI wasn't around in the 70's but that just goes to show that you don't need overblown SFX to make a great science fiction movie. Silent Running has to be the minimalist, gentlest sci/fi film ever and it's fantastic for it. Bruce Dern is fantastic and gives the viewer a real sense of isolation and the relationship between him and the two drones is strangely touching. The end scene will tug at even the hardest of heart strings. I saw this back in the 70's and it's subject matter is still relevant today. If you or you're children grew up watching overblown space/super hero epics, then I urge you to check this out. It may just change your perspective of how a real science fiction film should be made.

3 out of 3 members found this review helpful.

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