The Terminal Man

Director: Mike Hodges Mike Hodges

Overview

Based on a novel by Michael Crichton, Terminal Man is a sci-fi thriller about a scientist who decides to be the lab rat in an experimental surgery to control his violent tendencies. During the surgical procedure, a miniature computer is implanted in his head. Unfortunately, the mechanism malfunctions, and he becomes a vicious killer.

Product Details

Release Date:	08/04/2009
UPC:	0883316195376
Original Release:	1974
Rating:	PG
Source:	Warner Archives
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:47:00
Sales rank:	34,094

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

George Segal	Harry Benson
Joan Hackett	Dr. Janet Ross
Richard Dysart	Dr. John Ellis
Michael C. Gwynne	Dr. Robert Morris
Jill Clayburgh	Angela Black
Donald Moffat	Dr. Arthur McPherson
Matt Clark	Gerhard
Norman Burton	Detective Capt. Anders
William Hansen	Dr. Ezra Manon
James B. Sikking	Ralph Friedman
Ian Wolfe	The Priest
Gene Borkan	Benson's Guard
Burke Byrnes	Benson's Guard
Jim Antonio	Richards
Jordan Rhodes	Questioner
Dee Carroll	Night Nurse
Jason Wingreen	Instructor
Steve Kanaly	Edmonds
Fred Sadoff	Police Doctor
Robert Ito	Anesthetist
Victor Argo	Orderly
Lee de Broux	Reporter
Jack Colvin	Coroner
Michael Gwynn	Dr. Robert Morris

Technical Credits

Mike Hodges

Mike Hodges	Producer,Director,Screenwriter
Nessa Hyams	Casting
Michael Dryhurst	Producer
William Randall	Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

This Michael Crichton adaptation is a chilly yet intriguing affair. Mike Hodges adapts Crichton's narrative in a style that keeps the audience at arm's length: the characters are either remote or off-putting while the plotting downplays emotion and instead favors a clinical exploration of its ideas about how technology and medicine often overlook the human cost of their advances. The clinical tone is further extended via Hodges' directorial approach: sets and costumes are colored in only black and white and a traditional musical score is avoided in a favor of a single Glenn Gould piano recording. Thus, The Terminal Man isn't an easily accessible piece of work and a good cross-section of viewers are likely to find it an alienating experience. That said, The Terminal Man has rewards to offer to the adventurous viewer. Richard Kline's photography lends the film an eye-catching style and Hodges uses it to impressive effect during the film's big moments, particularly the atmospheric, graveyard-set finale. The Terminal Man also boasts fine performances: Joan Hackett is convincing as a chilly doctor whose emotions thaw as she sees the effects of the operation on her patient, Donald Moffat offers a believable portrait of bureaucratic indifference as the executive who approves the operation and George Segal turns in his most underrated work as the title character, a decent man who has become weary from the evil caused by his neurological problems. To sum up, The Terminal Man is not for all viewers but those can appreciate its cerebral approach to science fiction will find it rewarding.

All Movie Guide