Intrepid young researchers with the ability to travel ahead in time as part of a government sponsored project to survey ecology and forecast future food shortages, discover that earth may have succumbed to a nuclear disaster. As a result of the discovery, the government suspends their research and they stage a daring time travel to the future in an attempt to locate signs of life, or, aid its continuance. Isolated in the Idaho wilderness, they pair off in search of life only to encounter a series of harrowing symbols and shocking revelations concerning the fate of mankind.
Director Fonda has merged the youth movement culture of the early seventies with the sci-fi genre, affecting a creatively unique and stylishly photographed film that would surely attract cult status. While the themes are heavily symbolised (you really need to find the meaning beyond the text here), the dialogue somewhat lacking narrative context, and the characters shallow, the film still packs a punch. Bruce Logan's cinematography in a barren Idaho wilderness is a highlight, while performances by the unknown cast (save for Keith Carradine in a small role) range from rank amateur to semi professional at best, although this doesn't diminish the overall impact.
Quirky (the time transporter has to separate metal from mineral matter and so the researchers commute sans pants owing to the zippers) and experimental looking, there's an apparent allegorical message about mankind's custodianship of the planet, and the role of youth in arresting its decline which will either hit or miss depending on your preference for sci-fi rendered social commentary. And while forbearance is required to accept some of the events depicted in the film (e.g. there's a character who's head is seemingly beaten to a pulp with a rock in a sustained, frenzied attack, yet bares little more than a scratch), if you persevere, you may be rewarded.
Director Fonda has merged the youth movement culture of the early seventies with the sci-fi genre, affecting a creatively unique and stylishly photographed film that would surely attract cult status. While the themes are heavily symbolised (you really need to find the meaning beyond the text here), the dialogue somewhat lacking narrative context, and the characters shallow, the film still packs a punch. Bruce Logan's cinematography in a barren Idaho wilderness is a highlight, while performances by the unknown cast (save for Keith Carradine in a small role) range from rank amateur to semi professional at best, although this doesn't diminish the overall impact.
Quirky (the time transporter has to separate metal from mineral matter and so the researchers commute sans pants owing to the zippers) and experimental looking, there's an apparent allegorical message about mankind's custodianship of the planet, and the role of youth in arresting its decline which will either hit or miss depending on your preference for sci-fi rendered social commentary. And while forbearance is required to accept some of the events depicted in the film (e.g. there's a character who's head is seemingly beaten to a pulp with a rock in a sustained, frenzied attack, yet bares little more than a scratch), if you persevere, you may be rewarded.