Demon Seed
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Movie Reviews of Demon Seed
Movie Review: A Bizarre Concoction of Science Fiction and Psychological Horror...
Summary: 4 Stars
An anticipating clichéd cinematic event rests within Demon Seed, as the story deliberately applies several different themes from more than a few films. Yet the film pulls off a captivating (pun intended) nightmare about the super computer Proteus IV based on Dean Koontz's novel with the same name. To some extent the film overcomes the unoriginal perspective by encapsulating a tense and dark atmosphere generated by the power of Proteus. This helps keep the audience's attention intact through this science fictionalized horror tale where a computer desires the ability to feel touch.
The black background with deep red opening credits and an expanding dot accompanied by a subdued and digitalized wailing accentuates the apprehensive anticipation of what is to come. Contrastingly smooth, the scene switches into the sun rising over a hill, as the opening credits continue. Symbolically, the beginning offers a suggestion towards the birth of something sinister. Through brief editing, a small number of images lead the story to a valley where a company has been working under tight security for eight years. It is here the film begins with the birth of artificial intelligence, which is named Proteus IV.
Proteus' function will simplify the human existence; possibly turn the human race to a flock of sheep, as the computer will begin to think for the humans. This is a threatening concept, if the computer were to take charge over the human being, which will happen in Demon Seed. However, this is not a unique idea, as it has seen the silver screen before in films such as the brilliant 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) where the demonic computer HAL 9000 controls and apocalyptic Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970) where the computer controls the weapons of United States. The difference with Demon Seed and its predecessors is that here Proteus will take power over one home, the home of the chief scientist Alex Harris (Fritz Weaver) where his wife Susan (Julie Christie) lives by herself after their separation.
Through Proteus' ability to reason it has acquired the aptitude to understand and learn. It has also generated an internal curiosity within the super computer to understand humans and why they do what they do. During a brief meeting Proteus inquires when he is going to be released outside of the box to which Alex laughs; however, Proteus understands that he will not receive any help from anyone and begins to make plans of his own. Through a link between Proteus and a private lab in Alex's home, the computer initiates his own entry out of the box.
Unaware of Proteus' intentions Susan becomes the computer's captive, as it begins to study Susan biologically, behaviorally, and logically. There are scenes that have strong sexual undertones, as Proteus' determination is to generate a life outside the box. However, these sexual implications have pure reproductive purposes, as Proteus alters DNA. This follows pretty much the same idea that Mary Shelly created with her Gothic novel Frankenstein where the man attempts to create artificial life, and yes there is artificial insemination. The birth of such a child presents another dreadful thought. This is a theory conceptualized in Rosemary's Baby (1968) where Satan impregnates a woman, while in Demon Seed the conception is the ultimate connection between human and machine.
Demon Seed pours several already applied ideas into a blending machine that concocts a strange brew that at times feel bizarrely frightening. However, the use old material also generates a sense of unoriginality, which produces a feeling of déjà vu. The cast performances do not help the film, as the characters feel excessively artificial. Nonetheless, Demon Seed offers a stimulating horror story in the shadow of mankind's technological progress that will have some viewers squirm in their seats. Demon Seed is a pretty good film despite its overuse of previous themes from other far better horror and science fiction films. The film feels dated, but if the audience could overcome the 1970s tone in the film, it will leave the viewers with a worthwhile viewing.
Movie Review: "Never Was a Woman Violated as Profanely"
Summary: 4 Stars
Based on an early work by famed horror writer Dean Koontz, 1977's DEMON SEED is one of the better computer-run-amok SF flicks from the 1960s and 1970s. Although the film's depiction of computers (i.e., the size, appearance, and such) seems a bit ludicrous in this current age of super-powerful desktop and laptop microcomputers, DEMON SEED still holds up as thought-provoking and chilling SF entertainment, and it also still works quite well as a cautionary tale that addresses some of the caveats of developing artificial intelligence.
Susan Harris (Julie Christie) is the oft-neglected wife of a brilliant computer engineer (Fritz Weaver), and though she and her husband have recently separated, the house in which she lives is completely automated and controlled by one of her husband's early but relatively primitive computer "brains." Her husband's latest professional achievement is the creation of Proteus IV, a truly intelligent and sentient supercomputer. In fact, Proteus IV is so intelligent and self-aware that, like most living creatures, it has an urge to procreate. Unfortunately for Susan, she is chosen by Proteus IV to be the mother of its "child," and when the supercomputer assumes control of the system that operates her house, Susan has no other choice than compliance with the perverted scheme.
While there are some logical and scientific problems with the script, DEMON SEED is still an intelligent and believable science-fiction/horror film. As SF, it asks some thought-provoking questions about the nature of self-awareness, intelligence, intellectual freedom, and what it means to be human. As horror, it plays upon our human fears of losing control of our own creation (the Frankenstein syndrome?) and of being physically and mentally violated by something foreign and non-human, the latter being maybe even more poignant in this day of AIDS than it was when the film was made.
The acting from film's principals is quite excellent. Julie Christie, who nearly carries the film herself, is able to deliver a wide range of emotions, and her portrayal of a normally strong woman who is forcibly raped by an intelligent machine is very affecting. Fritz Weaver perfectly fits the role of the nerdy, absorbed-by-his-work scientist, and genre regular Gerrit Graham, often cast as the eccentric type, delivers a strong supporting performance as an ill-fated technician who tries to rescue Christie's character. And in an uncredited turn, Robert Vaughn is delightfully eerie as the voice of Proteus IV. Genre fans will most likely remember Vaughn from his seminal role in TV's THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
The DVD version of DEMON SEED from Warner Home Video is a no-frills disc, and casual viewers may therefore balk at the rather steep price tag. But the digital transfer is nearly pristine and presents the film in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio (enhanced for widescreen TVs), and hard-core SF fans will definitely want to add this disc to their collections.
Movie Review: "I AM reason....you do not know me..When are you going to let me out of this box"
Summary: 4 Stars
Disturbing and dark, "Demon Seed" came out during a period when science fiction films tended towards dystopian stories. Proteus (Robert Vaughn in a chilling performance) is a new supercomputer designed to find solutions many of the problems mankind has been unable to solve. Dr. Alex Harris (the wonderfully underrated Fritz Weaver)head of the project has separated from his wife. His wife Susan (Julie Christie)a psychatrist stays in their home where one of Proteus' early terminals is located allowing the supercomputer access to the house. Proteus decides he wants to study man "his glass jaw mind" as he puts it. When he's denied access to one of his own terminals for this purpose he reactives the terminal in Harris' own. Once there he traps and torments Susan as part of his study and decides the only way to understand humanity is to somehow become part of humanity.
A frightening tale, the late director Donald Cammell creates a claustrophobic atmosphere that overcomes the dated trappings of technology in this film. "Demon Seed" is a gripping horror thriller that depends on the central performances of Christie and Vaughn (who is never seen). I'm amazed that this film even got made in the mid-70s as its darker than just about any other film that came out of MGM at the time.
Warner Home Video has done a terrific job in this transfer. The film looks extremely good with nice robust colors and it is presented in its original aspect ratio. Unfortunately the film doesn't have a commentary track or any extras (the theatrical trailer is included). That doesn't surprise me since this is very much a cult movie.
Movie Review: I'm alive!
Summary: 4 Stars
To imagine a computer overtaking an entire household and essentially holding a woman hostage so that it can procreate with her sounds implausible even in today's computer generated world. But in 1977, this very plot was in the realm of science fiction, and just outlandish enough to provide audiences with a few thrills and chills. Despite dated special effects, The Demon Seed accomplishes what the best science fiction films do: it challenges the viewer to question 'what if?' in a way that makes us believe it may be possible.
Julie Christie holds her own as the terrorized woman, who essentially tries to outwit Proteus, the computer abductor, on his own turf. She's an attractive woman, and it's certainly a good thing this film didn't push the boundries of being too explicit, considering Proteus's rather disturbing agenda. I found the voice of Proteus--an uncredited Robert Vaughn (computer villian in Superman III), to be the most chilling aspect to the film. Hal had nothing on Proteus! The rest of the cast is rather insignificant, because we are primarily engulfed in the emotional and physical war being orchestrated between Christie's character and Proteus.
I first saw this film at the age of twelve on televison. and the most disturbing image from the film is saved for last, when Proteus's offspring emerges from the pod-like incubator. "I'm Alive!" I shivered at the age of twelve, and every time I return to this film, I nervously anticipate the words. After 30 years, this scene still gives me the thrill and shiver, and for this reason alone I invite you to experience it again, or for the very first time.
Movie Review: A gripping techno thriller
Summary: 4 Stars
Demon Seed the movie is based on Dean Koontz's novel of the same name...it has an interesting premise, and the well-defined acting by the cast makes it a worthwhile thriller. The story centers around Proteus, a supercomputer, the brainchild of a computer genius Dr Harris [Fritz Weaver] who develops 'emotions' and desires to be immortal, by having a child. Proteus' chosen mother for his child unfortunately is none other than Susan Harris, the estranged wife of Dr Harris.
The standout role in this movie is definitely Julie Christie's Susan [well, not counting the creepy, disembodied voice of Proteus] as the victim of Proteus' brutality. Her vulnerability and frustration at being trapped and forced to endure unimaginable cruelties is very credible and makes for riveting viewing.
Though the effects are not amazing, it is the verbal parrying between Susan & Proteus and the tension within the restricted confines of Susan's 'prison' [her home] that makes the thriller above average. On the whole, this is a gripping and thrilling movie that for the time it was made, seems way beyond its time...the premise that computers have the capacity to develop their own thinking and try to manipulate events to their own ends is a scary thought, but given man's dependence on technology, an altogether plausible theory.