Matt Shea
RubySoho
Morgan Bell
Cibbuano
David O'Connell
Mountain Fog
The Omega Man
March 31st 2009 21:27
Ah - "The Omega Man"... Charlton Heston plays Robert Neville in this adaptation of one of the most adored sci-fi/horror books written in the English language, "I Am Legend". You could watch the CGI antics and shabby storytelling of the modern adaptation, featuring Will Smith, but it'd be a dull slog through rough sewage.
Instead, Boris Sagal directed Heston in this far superior effort, which, it's clear, influenced the 2007 movie to a large extent. Much of the personality in the Will Smith film is taken directly from "The Omega Man", as it was not in the original novel.
Though I enjoyed it, this is not a good film, not by far. The original novel was a lean work of riveting excitement, moving from one act to another with ease, the conclusion hitting home with the force of a baseball bat.
Instead, "The Omega Man" reveals its hand too early, then builds an insubstantial story on a fantastic premise. Making it worse - but so, so good for cult cinema fans - is the delivery of Heston's lines, through that gravelly voice, and the clumsy symbolism of Neville as the dual symbol of Christ and Antichrist.
At this time, though, in 2009, all is forgiven, my friends. Without CGI to bolster the environment, the Technicolour landscape is greatly comforting, and the stunts, though laughable by today's standards, are still entertaining to watch, especially the motorcycle chase scene.
In fact, it's hard not to enjoy the film - it's silly at times, promoting a heavy use of eye-rolling, but these movies are from a time when the sense of storytelling was very different. The differences are obvious in the way that the 2007 adaptation deals with the themes of the book, preferring to make Smith an ubermensch, and the turn the novel's vampires into superghouls.
Instead, the 1971 film portrays Neville as a very regular man, albeit one with a machine gun, and the ghouls as very fragile enemies. There's no quality of 'super' in anything, which is a relief, after the constant bombardment of superheroes films in the past few years, and even the tendencies of action stars to have an air of invulnerability about them (think the new Bond, Jason Bourne, etc).
No, there's something that resonates with "The Omega Man" and perhaps it is exactly that, though the story is sci-fi, the action is believable. Despite some of the awful dialogue, I found myself immensely cheered by the fact that this adaptation of Matheson's novel could entertain so much.
I say: A must-see for sci-fi fans and definitely one to replace "I Am Legend" in your memory.
See it for: Rosalind Cash plays a female interest for Heston, and she's chocolately delicious.
*this image is from the Vintage Culture post on Charlton Heston
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Comment by Spike 2
Wordophilia
Qwerk
Peanut Butter
Comment by Damo
In 1971 it would be like comparing a film made in about 1935.
It has been a long time since I saw this film but like his other film from that era Planet of the Apes it was the script that carried a subplot of fanaticism. Heston is old style acting in the mold of John Whane so he looks out of place in today's world.
In its time it was a good film, but has not aged well.
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
I quite like the first half of I Am Legend but the CGI stuff rapidly diminishes its worth to say the least!
Comment by Matt Shea
20/20 Filmsight
Yeah, it's cheesy but you're absolutely right about it resonating - it's actually genuinely unsettling. If you accept the period in which it was made and you're prepared to have a bit of a laugh then it goes down pretty well. Crazy Heston talking to dead people, crazy ex-newsreader-led baddies, driving around desolate LA at the start - all gold.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Damo, you're definitely right... Heston's style seems so overdrawn, perhaps because he was continuously mocked on the Simpsons. It's fun for us to watch, though, as there are few leading men like that.
David - you liked the 2007 film more? It was an unbearable, teeth-gnashing experience for me...
Matt - yes, you can definitely feel the current events of that time, ie. Cold War threats... funny how it wouldn't seem so out of place right now - China and Russia going to war, accidental release of biological agents...
Bryn - I've got the Price version at home... time to crack that baby open!
Whoa - Ridley? Can we send him $20 to make that version?
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
i quite enjoy this take on the story too, Edward G Robinson steals it....the Vincent price film Last man on Earth is also entertaining and far superior to the fresh prince of zombieville
Comment by Anonymous
Ade.