United Artists released Logan’s Run in the United States on 23 June 1976. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) released it later throughout the world.
Back when it was first released, I saw it in the theater. I thought it was entertaining. But the special effects drove me crazy. They weren’t bad. But they were obvious. And watching it again, it is clear why. The design of city doesn’t match the live action. The miniatures look pretty good on their own with the vehicles moving through the tubes. It all looks like a normal city that is outside. But all the action takes place in what is very much like a shopping mall.
But there’s a bigger issue here. These connecting shots take us out of the claustrophobia of the characters’ lives. And it takes away from the expansive views once they get outside of the city. This is all the more sad because these special effects really aren’t necessary. I suspect that if the film had been made for TV, the producers wouldn’t have bothered.
None of this is a criticism of the film. I noticed it as a kid. That’s all. If anything, I like it more today. It’s fun throughout. And things that maybe didn’t work so well at the time (like Box, the ridiculous robot that kills and freezes runners) work very well today.
Hollywood often throws effects in films where they aren’t needed — studio heads aren’t rewarded for keeping costs down. And Logan’s Run is a film that doesn’t really need any effects. They could have made it like THX 1138. At this point, the special effects don’t take anything away. They just don’t add much.
Other 23 June Anniversaries
Filmmakers
- Bob Kelljan (1930-1982): Director of The Return of Count Yorga and Scream Blacula Scream.
- Frances McDormand (1957-): Actor known for Blood Simple, Fargo, and more.
- Joss Whedon (1964-): Writer-director known for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly, and much more.
Films
- Ben (1972): The main rat from Willard befriends a child.
- Murder by Death (1976): The greatest detectives of the world are brought to an Old Dark House to solve a murder that hasn’t happened.
- Batman (1989): The first Tim Burton Batman. It was thought to be very dark. It’s always silly.
- Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989): A scientist father shrinks his kids.
- Misbegotten (1997): Serial killer donates sperm.
- Chicken Run (2000): Chickens plan an escape from the farm.
- Hobgoblins 2 (2009): 25 years later, the story continues.
- Creep (2014): A friendly stalker and killer toys with his prey.
- Asteroid City (2023): A bunch of autistic people meet in the desert. You know, a Wes Anderson film.
Logan’s Run (1976) poster via Wikipedia under Fair Use.
