Sadly another film to file under 'not as good as the book.'
The Omega Man (1971)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:32
Fresh:19
Rotten:13
Average Rating:5.6/10
Consensus: It may not live up to its classic source material, but The Omega Man transcends its limitations often enough to offer some mildly entertaining post-apocalyptic thrills.
Runtime: 1 hr 38 mins
Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy
Synopsis: In the aftermath of a bacteriological war, the future of mankind hangs in the balance. Only a chosen few have survived the mutating effects of germ warfare unharmed. A small enclave of healthy,... In the aftermath of a bacteriological war, the future of mankind hangs in the balance. Only a chosen few have survived the mutating effects of germ warfare unharmed. A small enclave of healthy, stalwart resistors has formed a camp where, for the moment, they live peacefully. The other human survivors are terribly disfigured mutants who walk the earth at night in search of prey. [More]
Starring: Charlton Heston, Anthony Zerbe, Rosalind Cash, Paul Koslo
Starring: Charlton Heston, Anthony Zerbe, Rosalind Cash, Paul Koslo, Eric Laneuville, Lincoln Kilpatrick, John Dierkes, Monika Henreid
Director: Boris Sagal
Director: Boris Sagal
Producer: Walter Seltzer
Screenwriter: John William Corrington, Joyce H. Corrington
Reviews for The Omega Man
Despite not having aged particularly well, the opening sections of this sci-fi allegory remain potent, although the rest of its apocalyptic storyline is decidedly leaden.
A breezy film about the death of mankind in a way that only the '70s could have provided.
Another misfired adaptation of Richard Matheson's fine science fiction novel I Am Legend.
Despite being baked in early '70s cheese, The Omega Man is easily the most entertaining film version of Richard Matheson's sci-fi novel, I Am Legend
Lacks the power and cleverness of the Matheson book, but worth viewing just for Heston's sake.
Peppered with some sharp, even amusing dialogue, the story temporarily shelves the heavy allegory and slips into good, slam-bang suspense. But it doesn't last.
The ghouls are a little too ridiculous to quite fulfill their function in the movie. They make all the wrong decisions, are incompetent and ill-coordinated.
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