Logan's Run

For it is mentioned in a recent entry, the opportunity should be taken to introduce Logan's Run from 1976. The science fiction movie is based on the same-titled novel by William F. Nolan and George Clayton Johnson in 1967 and is an example for an early use of a hologram in a movie.

In the 23rd century people live in a seemingly paradise trapped under a glass dome, not knowing what is outside. Apparently there is no way out. Under drugs and hallucinogen living a life of sexual laxity most people are not interested of gettig out and knowing what is going on in the outside world. Almost everyone believes in a ritual called renewal, sort of a reincarnation. No one is allowed getting older than 30. A lifeclock - a crystalline device, which changes its colour as a person ages - is implanted in the palm of everyones hand. When on a person's 30th birthday the crystal starts to blink and finally gets black, everyone has to visit the Carousle, which promises a reincarnation on a higher plane of consciousness. But in fact they get killed. There's a legend that there is a place outside the glass dome called Sanctuary. But no one really knows. Few people philosophize about Sanctuary in hidden places and try to escape. These called Runners are haunted by Sandmans of which Logan 5 is one. His job is to find Sanctuary - for it exist - and destroy. He contacts a group of Runners. To make his identiy more credible, his lifeclock is set ahead to his 30th birthday. Logan 5 gets to know Jessica 6 who gets him access to a secret Runner's meeting. But instead of executing her, he helps her to escape. Together the find savaged places where Sanctuary is expected. They meet a very old man far beyond the age 30 and they destroy roboter BOX which froze thousands of other Runners. They realize that the age limit of their society is arbitrary to avoid over population within the glass dome. Returning to tell the people what they found out, they get caught by other Sandmans. Logan 5 is getting interrogated. For his testimony that there is just ruins and wilderness where Sanctuary is expected and that BOX froze thousands of Runners contradicts the calculations of the computer that watches all over the glass dome, it stars its automatic self-destruction.

The attached snippet shows the scene of Logan 5's interrogation.

Logan's Run (1976)

During the interrogation Logan 5's brain is separated into six pieces. Each facsimile acts independently of each other and answers individual questions.

This revolutionary screen technique is seen as a forerunner of the movies and TV entertainment of the future.

Actor Michael York (Logan 5) becomes the first film star performing a hologram.

In 1977 Logan's Run is awarded with the Oscar Special Achievement Award for best visual effects.