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Silent Running
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Silent Running

1972
Drama
Sci-fi
1h 29m
Lowell Freeman looks after plants in giant space greenhouses. Back on earth, all the trees have long vanished... (imdb)
Directed by:
Douglas Trumbull Douglas Trumbull
Written by:
Steven Bochco Deric Washburn Michael Cimino Michael Cimino
+2 more
Starring:
Ron Rifkin Ron Rifkin Bruce Dern Bruce Dern Cliff Potts Jesse Vint Steve Brown Mark Persons
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Genres:
Drama, Sci-fi, Adventure
Country:
USA
Language:
English
imdb More information at IMDb
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Silent Running

1972
Drama
Sci-fi
1h 29m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 45.84% from 753 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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markjpMArkjp
Rated 18 Aug 2011
30
9th
This will not stand. This goddamn, tree hugging piece of hippie shit taking a piss in the face of my beloved sci fi genre. My beloved and versatile genre that has scared me to death with fierce creatures from the beyond, let me dream of galaxies far, far away and let me travel through time and dimensions. And the this: A Joan Baez scored movie with a 'must kill people to save forests'-message. It did introduce me to concept of circular pool though. Also: nice use of multiple-amputee actors.
Rated 18 Aug 2011
frederFreder
Rated 29 Aug 2007
85
78th
Dern is fantastic in this '70s eco-friendly SF thriller. Bleak and ultimately defeatist, it's still a fascinating product of its time, and one of Freder's guilty pleasures. Certainly much different from and superior to most anything being done in the genre today.
Rated 29 Aug 2007
terrymacterrymac
Rated 29 Nov 2018
66
49th
It's decent, thoughtful, but maybe a bit slight. And I don't really want to see it again soon because it made my throat go a bit sore and my eyes verge on watering. Damn robots...
Rated 29 Nov 2018
big_lemonsBig Lemons
Rated 05 Jun 2010
75
22nd
Every time I heard Joan Baez' voice I cringed.
Rated 05 Jun 2010
davidblastDavidBlast
Rated 18 Nov 2009
55
49th
Very strange film. You wonder if it's supposed to be a film for tree-hugging hippies, or quite the opposite, a film exposing Greenpeace lovers for the murderous crazy loons they really are. For sheer attempt at doing something different this movie deserves an audience, but at the end of the day, the premise and story is plain silly: A highly trained astronaut cannot figure that trees need sunlight? If you think about it, almost a kinda precursor to the Alien 3 that never was. Acquired taste.
Rated 18 Nov 2009
edkrakedkrak
Rated 20 Aug 2017
45
23rd
If you watched that movie about Matt Damon growing potatoes on Mars and thought "I need more of that shit!", Bruce Dern growing melons in a spaceship might be your best call.
Rated 20 Aug 2017
desertpunkDesertPunk
Rated 23 May 2015
66
39th
Soylent Green's awkward, rarely-seen cousin with dreadlocks.
Rated 23 May 2015
dean_franzDean Franz
Rated 02 Feb 2010
10
11th
The nadir of post-Easy Rider new HW cinema, this heavy handed and glacial exercise in eco-wankery also stands as one of the worst sci-fis I have ever seen. This, mainly, is because it is the wrong kind og bad. Not that the film isn't ridiculous enough, but it's much too self-indulgent to fly as good camp and way too slow to pull off duty on a double bill with other pretentious, but funnier, sci-fiers like Zardoz. And while I am an advocate of shit cinema, this load just doesn't sit right with me
Rated 02 Feb 2010
doyler29doyler29
Rated 14 Oct 2020
50
13th
I don't really like this film. In fact, I think Bruce Dern is the secret villain. His co-workers certainly don't take their jobs seriously, but Dern is a royal asshole to them. Plus ... he murders them when things don't go his way. He then exploits the poor little robots, giving them the privilege of continuing to do all their own work AND helping him in his precious garden, and this is after they're down 1 robot (who Dern berates for dying).
Rated 14 Oct 2020
luna6ixLuna6ix
Rated 23 Apr 2009
76
57th
it's easy to tell this is a product of the disillusion popular in the end of the 60's with the views of lowell, and the whole plot in the first place, not to mention a soundtrack provided by joan baez. still, as a movie it lacks, saving forests in space is great and everything, but show me a little more entertainment man, and robots playing poker doesnt count.
Rated 23 Apr 2009
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 01 May 2011
60
12th
Could have been an interesting film with a good setup and effects, but it never gets out of first gear. Not only is there little explanation of what's going on, the more things are revealed the less sense the whole film makes, right up to a finale that's surprising because it's so obvious that it makes no sense as a climax. Still, the mood is well done enough that it's not a total waste, and short enough that it's over by the time you decide to bail.
Rated 01 May 2011
sirrobbieSirRobbie
Rated 22 Jan 2011
50
8th
Highly disappointed.
Rated 22 Jan 2011
indyatmnINDYATMN
Rated 07 Jan 2011
73
33rd
Preachiness (e.g. Joan Baez on the sdtrk!) becomes almost a non-issue as the focus turns 2 the mystery of what will become of Dern's isolated protagonist & 2 its credit, the film never excuses Dern's actions. It's also suprisingly prescient given that the utter indifference towards nature expressed by most of the characters seems profoundly less far-fetched than it used 2. It's a fair bet that plenty of today's Ayn Randian conservatives would find Dern's activist arguments completely w/out merit
Rated 07 Jan 2011
chemtrailschemtrails
Rated 12 Aug 2010
45
31st
If you think this movie is great you should try watching it because it's honestly not, it's really awful
Rated 12 Aug 2010
panomadgreekpanomadgreek
Rated 03 May 2010
58
11th
Great Scott Billy! Plants need sunlight!
Rated 03 May 2010
velvet_croweVelvet Crowe
Rated 04 Oct 2021
73
80th
What's engaging about this film is less the environmentalism but how the theme of isolation ties into that. The film shows how motivation falters in the face of extreme loneliness where even the most ardent of advocates can lose desire for a cause when placed in a situation of excessive loneliness and boredom. On the other hand, the film doesn't explore the intriguing environmental ideas it conceives and it ends up becoming more of a means to reach other plot beats than be something substantial.
Rated 04 Oct 2021
ribcageribcage
Rated 15 Feb 2016
67
50th
Bruce Dern plays "that guy", the environmentalist conspiracy theorist so well i was angry the whole movie. Not much happens so my score is mostly devoted to my love for 70s scifi asthetic and how cool everything looks here. The drones were great.
Rated 15 Feb 2016
djrossdjross
Rated 21 Jan 2009
25
7th
Well-intentioned, perhaps, and a reasonable premise, but very poorly executed in nearly all departments.
Rated 21 Jan 2009
joseywalesjoseywales
Rated 13 Feb 2012
64
42nd
Watchable and very influential. Huey's attempt at planting a tree had me in stitches! Fucken soundtrack is TERRIBLE though.
Rated 13 Feb 2012
skiewulfyskiewulfy
Rated 05 Jan 2009
45
41st
A very iconic film that, while great for the stuff it inspired (Wall E, MST3k) doesn't really stand on its own, but feels like a short story stretched to a full length movie.
Rated 05 Jan 2009
tathieltathiel
Rated 05 Oct 2008
9
0th
The whole movie could have ended in minute 18, but instead it was extended more and more to no end. Douglas trumbull has other talents, definitely not directing.
Rated 05 Oct 2008
backwardsuitbackwardsuit
Rated 12 Nov 2014
87
94th
It's not as simplistic as many people think. Yes it's hippies in space but there's a dark psychological side to that which plays out beautifully. The music by none other than Peter Schickele equals the special effects in its grandeur (although the Baez songs are possibly too much) & Dern is convincing as the dedicated & slightly psychotic ecologist. Also the robots are just brilliantly used & the story is painfully tragic & uncompromising. I can't believe they made a family film as bold as this.
Rated 12 Nov 2014
mrandersen10mrandersen10
Rated 06 Aug 2012
65
31st
After the slaughter to save the beloved forest, the movie drags us along, forcing us to watch this space hippie try to coexist with his robot friends. The rather simplistic message on humanity and nature is fully told and then abandoned after the first 15 min, leaving viewers in disbelief as to what the whole point of the movie is. Why didn't it build on that message? What an aimless mess.
Rated 06 Aug 2012
hunterkingHunterKing
Rated 19 Feb 2008
73
33rd
Hippies in space! Less a great sci-fi movie than it is a different one, this is worth catching for the adorable robots
Rated 19 Feb 2008
astrakhanastrakhan
Rated 04 Jan 2020
76
43rd
Pretty dumb sci-fi space movie made in an era where 2001 had put grandiose ideas in some producers' heads but true accomplishments like Alien were still light years away from happening. The action sequences in this stand the test of time about as well as Doctor Who or Star Trek episodes from the 60s.
Rated 04 Jan 2020
absteeleabsteele
Rated 14 Oct 2016
30
4th
The model ships look great and the interiors are convincing, but every flyby looks totally unconvincing to me. This was surprising considering the film's reputation as technically ahead of its time. The less said about the plot, the better.
Rated 14 Oct 2016
3drevelation3dRevelation
Rated 11 Aug 2014
55
19th
Bruce Dern isn't bad, but the story is kind of ridiculous (I'm no environmental scientist, but I have a suspicion that if no plants existed on Earth, there would be no oxygen-breathing life left). The parts with Joan Baez' soundtrack are unintentionally hilarious. It's short enough that you aren't super pissed about watching it, but it isn't good.
Rated 11 Aug 2014
hellboy76hellboy76
Rated 27 Jul 2014
65
45th
Interesting hippie vibe, which I haven't often seen in sci-fi (normally a wasteland of post apocalyptic, or bright shiny utopias). Dern is capable, but really could use a sharper script with a little bit of intelligence in it.
Rated 27 Jul 2014
mandymandy
Rated 28 Jan 2014
4
6th
A slightly dull and dated oddity but it may need to be seen in the context of the time it was made.
Rated 28 Jan 2014
comepeliculacomepelicula
Rated 19 Dec 2018
10
0th
There I was thinking why this movie didn't show up in any pop culture reference or Sci-Fi list, when you watch it you realize: "It's terrible". Be aware.
Rated 19 Dec 2018
snufkin88Snufkin88
Rated 28 Jan 2024
64
20th
The Sci in this Sci-Fi is borderline farcical. The Fi in this Sci-Fi resembles a runner up submission in a 6th grade short story competition. Luckily it's short.
Rated 28 Jan 2024
mike365365mike365365
Rated 16 Dec 2021
60
36th
There is enough here to recommend it, but it's not a great film. Plants need sun? Joan Baez's voice is irritating.
Rated 16 Dec 2021
mspraguemsprague
Rated 04 Feb 2022
65
45th
The set design is fantastic. Good story.
Rated 04 Feb 2022
mcproustMCProust
Rated 06 Feb 2022
88
87th
I completely understand why this painfully sincere film about a man who has made a brutally uncomfortable (and perhaps ultimately fruitless) bit of ethical calculus might be divisive, but I loved it. Not surprisingly from Trumbull, the look of the production is beautiful; more unexpected is the script's strength of moral conviction both in favour of and against its tortured protagonist. That it ends on such a bittersweet note is enough proof that its idealism isn't unreflexive.
Rated 06 Feb 2022
li0lili0li
Rated 19 Aug 2022
59
32nd
Interesting enough premise, but too slow.
Rated 19 Aug 2022
matthagenmatthagen
Rated 23 May 2023
27
7th
I had to look up who was behind a couple of those awful songs that absolutely don't fit the movie in any way. It's Joan Baez if anyone is curious. Dern's performance doesn't work unfortunately, but neither does the paper thin script. It's too odd and campy to be taken seriously.
Rated 23 May 2023
robbytrobbyt
Rated 22 Oct 2023
82
33rd
Like his other work, great production design, bad dialogue
Rated 22 Oct 2023
alsweiderAlsweider
Rated 18 Dec 2023
70
45th
Weltraumgärtner rettet den letzten Rest des irdischen Ökosystems und geht dabei über Leichen. Quasi ein Film, um unbedarfte Hippies zu radikalisieren. Rund 20 Jahre später begann der Bau von Biosphäre 2 in Arizona.
Rated 18 Dec 2023
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 22 Feb 2007
75
89th
Excellent.
Rated 22 Feb 2007
carsonwidCarsonWid
Rated 11 Apr 2010
73
67th
It's enjoyable in the way that you don't want anyone to know you liked it. Simple, could've been done better, but not terrible.
Rated 11 Apr 2010
stainStain
Rated 28 May 2007
80
68th
Unique sf story about a biologist who kills his shipmates to save the last trees
Rated 28 May 2007
irvinejumpirvinejump
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
84th
Bruce Dern is outstanding in this ecology tale of robots, the last plant life and space truckers. Well thought out, as well as visually impressive
Rated 14 Aug 2007
tonydaltonydal
Rated 29 Sep 2007
40
11th
Goofy '60's stuff.
Rated 29 Sep 2007
krmrkrmr
Rated 08 Apr 2008
74
28th
Has some really interesting ideas and the robots are great, but it's just not quite enough.
Rated 08 Apr 2008
derbarneyDer_Barney
Rated 19 Apr 2008
75
28th
I've always had a soft spot for this movie, but Doug Trumbull should have just stuck to visual FX instead of trying his hand at directing. Silent Running has an interesting premise that reveals the time it was made in and some of the visuals are outstanding, the robots are cute and all, but Dern just can't carry the entire movie on his own, not least due to the lack of a powerful script. And so this movie plods on and gets unintentionally hilarious at times.
Rated 19 Apr 2008
unohav1unohav_1
Rated 07 Oct 2008
75
31st
Tough to score this one...Took a somewhat good premise and butchered it to hell. Psychodude kills everybody to save plants and even takes out a handicapped robot for absolutely no reason. That and the CRAPPIEST soundtrack to a movie EVAR.
Rated 07 Oct 2008
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 09 Jan 2009
55
11th
Uninspiring hippie sci-fi with a confused environmentalist message. The main character is supposed to be this incredibly dedicated botanist, but his revelation at the end suggests that he's tremendously bad at his job. Dern has an interesting presence, but he's really not a very good actor. And Joan Baez is hard to stomach under any circumstances. The only thing about this movie that rises above average are the special effects. Everything else is pretty hokey, clichéd, or mediocre.
Rated 09 Jan 2009
dziekieldziekiel
Rated 28 Jan 2009
85
25th
worth seeing if you have a sense of humor. if you are a sci fi purist, stay away. "In the sun......."
Rated 28 Jan 2009
angrypierreangrypierre
Rated 25 Jun 2009
78
69th
Quiet, gentle, and thought provoking, even if it's a little bit weird in places.
Rated 25 Jun 2009
difontaineDifontaine
Rated 11 Sep 2009
76
68th
Sci-fi with soul, even if the guy is a bit violent for a hippy
Rated 11 Sep 2009
wetwillieswetwillies
Rated 22 Nov 2013
85
59th
Much, much better than studying for my Environmental Science test - that's for sure.
Rated 22 Nov 2013
mattyMatty
Rated 12 May 2010
63
18th
Typical 70s Science Fiction ideals are put on display in this film. It's filled with lovable droids, and a plot that makes your head spin. However, whats lacking is a sense of humanity. The conflicted protagonist doesn't leave you cheering for him, and his derangement only serves to alienate the audience. Overall though, an incredible character study on what happens when one man's life is destroyed at the push of a button.
Rated 12 May 2010
neonmanNeonman
Rated 07 Sep 2010
58
13th
Eric Cartman's least favourite film, that is for sure.
Rated 07 Sep 2010
slantmagSlantMag
Rated 19 Oct 2010
20
41st
"Silent Running definitely shows its age." - Ed Gonzalez
Rated 19 Oct 2010
actionbergActionberg
Rated 29 Jul 2011
65
38th
The production design is very clearly influential to future science fiction works; the subject matter is not. Bruce Dern the Space Hippie (in a good performance) fights to protect the space bunnies and the space trees from the space rednecks to the sound of the two worst Joan Baez songs ever composed. The stuff related to environmentalism falls flat; the more inspired moments stem from Dern's lonely interactions with his robot friends. The ending is bad and accentuates the film's aimlessness.
Rated 29 Jul 2011
lluviaLLuvia
Rated 12 Dec 2011
70
48th
Saygı duyulması gereken bir konu ama basit bir anlatım.
Rated 12 Dec 2011
barraocBarraoc
Rated 20 Mar 2012
70
64th
Hippie steals interstellar wildlife preserve and takes it for a spin around Saturn. Modifies some cartridges for his mobile Atari 2600s because he's a little lonely.
Rated 20 Mar 2012
chemical404chemical404
Rated 03 Jun 2012
47
33rd
Sheesh, what an unlikable protagonist. I think nature is awesome, but I would never want to have something in common with such a butt-hurt douchbag. Moral values displayed are questionable, to put it mildly. One thing this film has going for it is originality. I would recommend it because of that even when the movie is mostly Dern making dramatic chipmunk expressions and Dern playing cards with some weird robots. File it under 'odd'.
Rated 03 Jun 2012
burkayadaligburkayadalig
Rated 23 Aug 2012
76
55th
its great to see the great great grandfathers of Wall E in this weird, eco-friendly sci-fi with music by Joan Baez (WTF?)
Rated 23 Aug 2012
jarmannJarmann
Rated 20 Nov 2012
84
81st
Utterly depressing and bleak.
Rated 20 Nov 2012
thewatchertheWatcher
Rated 15 Apr 2013
54
6th
This is a great looking film, and the soundtrack (excepting cringe-worthy songs sung by Joan Baez) is pretty good too, but the plot is not well executed enough for me to care enough about Freeman. It's a shame because so much love has obviously gone into this film, it's a pity they couldn't pull it off.
Rated 15 Apr 2013

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