Soylent Green | 
 enlarge | Director: Richard Fleischer
Actors: Charlton Heston, Leigh Taylor-young, Chuck Connors, Joseph Cotten, Brock Peters
Studio: MGM (Warner)
Category: Video
Buy New: $15.98
New (3) Used (11) Collectible (1) from $5.40
Rating:  188 reviews
Sales Rank: 12965
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Hifi Sound, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: VHS Tape
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 97 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 4.2 x 1.1
ISBN: 0792840909
UPC: 027616734235
EAN: 9780792840909
ASIN: 0792840909
Theatrical Release Date: May 9, 1973
Release Date: May 4, 1999
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand new -- sealed in factory shrinkwrap
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Charlton Heston seemed fond of starring in apocalyptic science-fiction films in the late 1960s and early '70s. There was Planet of the Apes, of course, and The Omega Man. But there was also 1973's Soylent Green, a strange detective film (based on Harry Harrison's Make Room! Make Room!) set in 2022 and starring Heston as a Manhattan cop trying to solve a murder in the overpopulated, overheated city. His roommate (a necessity in the overcrowded metropolis), played by Edward G. Robinson, tries telling him about a better time on Earth before there were no more resources or room left; but Heston doesn't care. Directed by Richard Fleischer (The Vikings), the film has a curious but largely successful mix of mystery and bleak futuristic vision, somewhat like Blade Runner but without the extraordinary art direction. This was Robinson's last film and he's easily the best thing about it; his final scene seems terribly appropriate in retrospect. Joseph Cotten makes an appearance as the man whose murder results in the revelation of a shocking secret. --Tom Keogh
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| Customer Reviews: Read 183 more reviews...
 speechless, but something to write January 3, 2009
L. R. McCarthy (Hesperia, CA USA)
Incredible. I was speechless. The "riot control" bulldozers scooping up people were hilarious, and I was wondering about how comfortable it must be to sleep on stairs. The bulldozers seemed much more comfortable than the stairs to some of the extras and the menacing "people scooping machines" seemed like basically, well, just a form of a cheap ride and entertainment for the rioters. I'm thinking the next time I go to the video store and see this on the Sci-fi shelf, I'm going to switch it and put it in the comedy section.
I got mixed messages from the film and there were some loose ends. Heston's and other's acting were, obviously, over the top, but another hilarious aspect of the whole show. They did make an honest try and Heston filled the part pretty good for the 1970's era, errr, excuse me, the 2020's era. It did however take some avant-guard risks and had anti-government implied overtones and warnings of fascism and of the things that can possible result from our present deterorating situation in the USA and many other places on the planet- both ecologically and socially. Wow. Worth watching for a good laugh, that is, if you have a good sense of humor, and also critically think about our destructive actions on the planet we all ride together. The movie kind of reminded me of a Grateful Dead line in one of their songs, "Ship of Fools on a Cruel Sea" from 1974, a year after the movie was made. Won't re-watch or buy, I'll just listen to an old Grateful Dead album for my nestalgia.
If you decide to watch, just keep a good sense of humor and try to make something of it at the end.
 soylent green December 6, 2008
Sheila M. Pecor (Vermont)
Came in as described. daughter loves the movie and was glad to be able to have it.
"Soylent Green is ..." November 26, 2008
L. Cabos (planet earth)
Another Chuck Heston foray into Sci-Filand, this time a future of global warming and over-population. Based on Harry Harrison's novel "Make Room! Make Room!", Heston stars as Det. Thorn investigating the murder of a prominent member of the Soylent Corporation -- the leading food supplier of the world. It is another the late 1960's early 1970's doom and gloom films -- like THE OMEGA MAN, A BOY AND HIS DOG, SILENT RUNNING, COLOSSUS: THE FORBIN PROJECT, et al. Edward G. Robinson in his last screen performance as Sol Roth -- Thorn's "Book", member of an information exchange. Also starring Joseph Cotton, Rosemary Forsyth and Chuck Conners. Best remembered for Heston's last line (memorably parodied by the late Phil Hartman in an SNL sketch).
Dystopian Classic July 8, 2008
Sharon Lynn Farley (Colton's Point, Maryland United States)
We all know by now about climate change and waste heat in cities, but Soylent Green was the first to show it. The alarm about population growth had been sounded by Dr. Paul Ehrlich, and during the eco-conscious seventies, people were taking it seriously. Several films (and many books) featured overpopulation themes, but few did it better than SG. The gap between rich and poor also seems more prescient now, with the rich living in fortresses and the poor scrambling as best they can. Given those conditions, it is not surprising that New York looks like Calcutta, or that the local constabulary is corrupt as a matter of course. The film barrels along with Charlton Heston playing his other stalwart (the Hero-Heel) and Edward G. Robinson stealing every scene he's in. The McGuffin is the murder of Joseph Cotten (we never do find out why) but the murder is just the trace of a plot to lead us through this society of divided classes, scarce resources, and social management amounting to mob control. The lack of high-tech stuff has been noted - they didn't anticipate the miniaturization of electronics - but the energy problem is right in front. Energy costs, and the poor ride their stationary bikes to charge up the batteries. (I've often wondered why Sears doesn't sell that arrangement.) In short, see it twice. The first time through, follow the plot and weep for Eddie. The second time, notice the scenery along the way. Fascinating.
Soylent Green DvD May 24, 2008
Ms. Cheryl C. Riley
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I liked this movie when I saw it many years ago. When I found it out again to buy I just had to have it. I never for got the movie, once you see it , it will stay with you for a long time. Good movie if you like to think about future possibilities.
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