The Omega Man: A Prophetic Cautionary Tale
Robert Neville (Charlton Heston), finding other semi-immune people.
The 1970s produced three prophetic science fiction films, Planet of the Apes, Soylent Green, and The Omega Man. Each showed a possible outcome for mankind based on known human behavior and events of the time. Planet of the Apes showed us a world now dominated by another species after mankind’s annihilation from atomic warfare. Soylent Green gave us a world so ruined by overpopulation and neglect of the environment, that it left us with an unthinkable outcome of eating our own. And then there was the Omega Man.
The Omega Man was based on sci-fi writer Richard Matheson, “I am Legend” and while there are three versions of this story on film, “Last Man on Earth” (1964), “The Omega Man” (1971) and “I am Legend” (2007), over the years it is “The Omega Man” that still resonates the most with people, as demonstrated by the commentary on "YouTube".
Unlike the other versions of the story, this one is the most realistic about germ warfare and pandemics and has stood the test of time despite the very 70’s flavor of the film. The story starts with a war raging on between China and Russia. An American Army scientist, Robert Neville is working on a vaccine for the probable pandemic cause when the US bombed a Chinese missile carrying a disease they developed. The failed attempt left the world now exposed to the disease. The infection spreads very quickly. Hospitals become overwhelmed. The level of infection varied; most died very quickly, some had a level of immunity, others became sick which led to sun sensitivity syndrome which left them as night dwellers. Robert Neville, is the only man fully immune, after inoculating himself during the pandemic. If this all sounds kind of familiar, well how could it not?
This film along with others have become popular watching during the current pandemic. This all sounds rather counter initiative. Instead of trying to get away from the pressure that comes with a pandemic, they actually choose to watch another pandemic unfold.
And what is even stranger, is that people can watch this movie and not take it as the timely cautionary tale. We should be and learn from it and see what is predicted. The virus in the movie although nastier than COVID19, still showed how it affected people differently, killing some while others present with strange unseen syndromes. The lab in Wuhan, China possibly creating this virus; News reports that hospitals have become overwhelmed. States of Emergency were declared, protested, and ignored. The rush for a vaccine and treatments with antibodies. All of this is in the Omega Man.
On a sociological level, it is even more prophetic. The living ill, have decided that science is not to be trusted. They are focused on killing Nevel, the only scientist left alive, even if he can cure them. The idea that the disease will not kill them but bring herd immunity. It is almost shocking that Richard Matheson, so many years ago, got it so spot on. How can we not draw parallels to it? Yet, we see people still making the same mistakes. It is remarkable that we can be so blind.
Hopefully, most of us will make it in time until a vaccine is developed. But will we learn from this experience or will we live to become part of a different sci-fi movie? We are looking ripe for Soylent Green.
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Like I needed any more fodder for nightmares
It's a great movie Trout. I think I might watch it tonight.
I recently read an interview with Tim Burton who said that this was his all-time favorite movie.
Here is an interview with him talking about the movie:
I will watch it if it's on Netflix, Hulu, or TCM. I'll look for it. I've never seen it but I did watch "I am Legend" with Will Smith
It's more dated than "I am Legend," but the germ warfare aspect and how it all played out is the interesting part of the story. Also, unlike the monsters of, "I am Legend", the sick in the Omega Man, are more human and actually are relatable.
It sounds like a better movie. I'm not all that keen on monster movies. Tho I did cry when Will Smith's dog had to die
I got choked up then too. I love sheps and that dog had such an expressive face.
Awww.. poor pup. Hey, I think we have the same couch.
No, Macy's shaped like an L, same color same style.
Another little fun fact about this movie. It was the first interracial kiss in an American film, although it had been already done by Star Trek in 1968.
Here is Whoopy Goldberg discussing it with Charlton Heston. Watch till the very end for a laugh.
Whats next for humanity? Night Of The Living Dead?
Charlton Heston was a jerk as a human being as time went on, but he sure was in some thought provoking movies.
John, you are wrong about Charlton Heston. Although later in his life he became a conservative, he spent the bulk of the first part of his life, fighting for civil rights. He has issues with George McGovern that sent him over the edge, politically, but he still spent a lot of time on civil rights issues.
May 2, 1999
DENVER -- As 8,000 anti-gun demonstrators -- rallied by the anguished pleas of the father of a slain Columbine High School student -- marched in protest, the National Rifle Association held a scaled-back meeting here yesterday.
But although the group's members were outnumbered nearly 4-to-1 by the protesters, the mood among NRA members meeting in a basement ballroom was exuberantly defiant.
"Each horrible act can't become an ax for opportunists to cleave the very Bill of Rights that binds us," NRA President Charlton Heston told a cheering overflow crowd, many wearing blue-and-silver Columbine memorial ribbons fastened with NRA buttons.
Following the shootings April 20 at the school in suburban Littleton, in which two students killed 13 people before committing suicide, Denver Mayor Wellington Webb repeatedly asked the group to cancel its annual meeting. Instead, it cut back its schedule from three days to one and canceled exhibits.
"What saddens me most [about Webb's request]," Heston said after the group held a moment of silence for the Columbine victims, "is how that suggests complicity. It implies that 80 million honest gun owners are somehow to blame that you and I should not be as shocked and horrified as everyone else."
About the time Heston, a prominent Hollywood actor, was stepping to the podium, demonstrators gathered on the steps of the state Capitol a few blocks away to denounce the NRA's decision to follow through with its convention when -- as one clergyman said -- "the dust from the graves of our children has not even settled."
Charlton Heston's NRA held a convention, 11 days after Columbine, in the same city where the massacre had taken place.
John,
That is well documented but a person is the summation of their life, and while I disagree on what he did there, he also embraced many liberal causes.
I believe he was starting to feel the effects of Alzheimer's, also, right about this time
That is when he was dxed and that means he had it long before then.
I thought so. You have to forgive a person for what they do when they're ill with Alzheimers
I agree Trout. He did much good work earlier on.
Not everyone see's that act as especially heinous or as an indication of a mental health issue.
Neither are that rational of a thought really.
I'm not saying it was. He had a huge turn around though in the 80's. It is unclear why.
I know there is help for you out there. You can also download their music so you won't eat it this time.
Yeah, i'm not saying you did.
Like many, that change can come with age.
He and Reagan were pretty simpatico in that regard
Well .... i have no idea WHAT you were thinking ......
Indeed, perhaps he was just passionate about individual rights over the course of his lifetime.
Reagan changed as a much younger man. He was influenced by his father in law. Heston was getting up there when he changed. But he was friends with Reagen for sure.
I'm never really sure what causes people to have such big changes in their lives. I have held almost the same beliefs most of my life. Some discussions here have made me change my mind about things but fundamentally I am the same Perrie I was when I was in my 20's.
I think he was passionate about it his whole life, but expressed it in different ways.
But they give you good drugs before the shock!
I always considered him one of the old school, over-actors.
Beats Eastwood and his empty chair.
Absolutely, we all do don't we?
I love Clint. He still makes great films. Just watched J Edger. Perfect timing for such a film.
LOL true enough!
The Omega Man scared the shit out of me back in the day.
The other ones not so much.
Same here and my whole family. It was because the possibility was there at the time. Now supposedly all the world countries have signed on to not using germ warfare, so now we only have "defensive labs", LOL. 16 countries plus Taiwan have these labs. Here is the list:
What Countries Have Them?Only 16 countries plus Taiwan have had or are currently suspected of having biological weapons programs: Canada, China, Cuba, France, Germany, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Libya, North Korea, Russia, South Africa, Syria, the United Kingdom and the United States.
There is widespread consensus against the possession and use of biological weapons. Most countries are party to the Biological and Toxin Weapon Convention , but there is no way to know whether countries are complying with their commitments.
"defensive labs"
Yeah, I know. Don't you feel safer now? I know that I do...... not.
Of course I don't. Don't forget I was a member of the Armed Services. I don't trust anything that they do at Fort Detrick.
If it can be fucked up trust the Armed Services to fuck it up royally
We should all feel comforted right now, LOL!
Where do you think the term FUBAR came from?
Or it’s precursor SNAFU
LOL guys!
Wife let CH share an elevator in Century City across from the Play Boy Club back in the 70's.
She described him as cold & ignorant, full of himself, hasn't been a fan since.
Well, I can't talk about him as a person. Not someone I ever met.
Now Christopher Walken gave me a kiss on the lips! I would call him friendly.
That would have to be a dream..... where do you find Krispy Kremes anymore?
You lucky girl!
I know, right! One of my best moments in my life. (yeah yeah I know I am supposed to say my kids, LOL)
Hey, if I ever get kissed by Brad Pitt, that will be the best moment of my life
Interesting story. When the founder, Vernon Rudolph passed in 1973 the firm slowed down, eventually being bought by Beatrice Foods and suffered a continuing decline and series of closures until 1982
when original investors and franchisees grouped together to buy the rights to the name and automated processes back from Beatrice Foods and concentrated on regrowing the brand in SE USA.
In 1992 they went international. Although they only have 362 locations in the USA, they have over 700 locations worldwide now, almost 1,100 franchises.
The location on RT1 in Bensalem Pa was always a family favorite Sunday morning visit. It did not survive the 80's but the company recently built one nearby on Street road.
Each of my adult children and I living in 5 different states are less than 3 miles from a Kripsy Kreme location.
Very weird, lol.
We used to have them, now I miss them.
We had one in Little Rock but it closed
The thing is I think they could come back. The days of fresh baked doughnuts are gone since Dunkin went to centralize distribution. They are not what they used to be.
They are soooo lucky!
We use to have one but I don't think it came back after Katrina. I remember the neon sign they would turn on.
They do have one in Ocean Springs and one in Gulfport.
When Krispy Kreme opened in Toronto, I think my car could have worn out the road to there from my home. I don't think there are any franchises here, and I once thought that if I won the lottery I'd try to open one here - I'm sure it would be as successful here as McDonald's.
Stay healthy and live a long life.
Not sure the KK Kreme filled donuts are good for us at our age, lol.
Thanks, I'll try my best. Same to you.
I know, I know, damn it !!!
One or two once a week won't kill you
That's my philosophy anyway
I like your philosophy.
Freefaller just pointed out to me that Tim Horton's has already started opening donut shops in China, but I checked and there aren't any within 50 miles of me, but they are making a big expansion so I hope there will soon be one within walking distance - I'm sure I'll be one of their best customers. The very first Tim Horton's opened in the city in which I was born and grew up.
I've heard a lot about Tim Horton's but I don't believe there are any in the states.
They could open one here in Central Arkansas. We got lots of fatsos that would love them and give them great business....like me
There are a total of 648 Tim Hortons locations in the United States as of May 06, 2020.
They're pretty well all in the north-east of the USA.
I stand corrected. But I see there are none near me
you have to live some place where ice can form from water...
We get the occasional frozen mud puddle here
It's been awhile since I've seen this. When cable was still in it's infancy my Aunt invited me to stay with her to watch this one summer. I should see if I can find it again. In the story Robert Neville was revealed as the monster. He kept killing and experimenting on the infected looking for a "cure".
The book is a little different from the movie, but even in the movie he talked about a time when he tried to cure the infected, but not to be a monster. You can watch it on Amazon for $1.99 of for free on TCM on May 18th at 4pm.
I no longer have cable. I looked for it on Hulu, but it didn't come up in a search. I'll keep an eye out for it on Monday.
Next the survivors will be implanted with a life clock.
Why that?
Just a bad reference to Logan's Run.
I totally forgot about that.
In Time staring Justin Timberlake
Never saw that one. I will have to check it out.
You could buy minutes in that movie. But you also had to use your life minutes to purchase things
The fact that in the story China developed and installed in a missile a contagious disease plays well into the O'Donnell playbook guidelines to deflect from Trump's mishandling and blaming China, so I suppose the insertion of this line in the article was necessary as well:
Donnie should be happy with this article being posted - it helps to back up his conspiracy theory.
I prefered "The Happening".
Scarier !
Well, the point was not so much about being scared but the context of the movie in with what is going on in the world now.
There have been so many movies made about "Virus Armageddon", a new cold virus showing up doesn't cause me to get Hysterical. If the likes of the "Black Plague" hits, I'll then be a bit nervous. Other than that....these are always going to be "just movies" to me !