Soylent Green (1973)
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71% of critics liked it
(35 reviews) -
70% of users liked it
(22,456 ratings)
Richard Fleischer directed this nightmarish science fiction vision of an over-populated world, based on the novel by Harry Harrison. In 2022, New York City is a town bursting at the seams with a 40-million-plus population. Food is in short supply, and most of the population's food source comes… More Richard Fleischer directed this nightmarish science fiction vision of an over-populated world, based on the novel by Harry Harrison. In 2022, New York City is a town bursting at the seams with a 40-million-plus population. Food is in short supply, and most of the population's food source comes from synthetics manufactured in local factories -- the dinner selections being a choice between Soylent Red, Soylent Yellow, or Soylent Green. When William Simonson (Joseph Cotten), an upper-echelon executive in the Soylent Company, is found murdered, police detective Thorn (Charlton Heston) is sent in to investigate the case. Helping him out researching the case is Thorn's old friend Sol Roth (Edward G. Robinson, in his final film role). As they investigate the environs of a succession of mad-from-hunger New Yorkers and the luxuriously rich digs of the lucky few, Thorn uncovers the terrible truth about the real ingredients of Soylent Green. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
- Directed By
- Richard Fleischer
- Written By
- Harry Harrison, Stanley R. Greenberg
- Genres
- Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics, Science Fiction & Fantasy
- In Theaters
- May 9, 1973 Wide
- On DVD
- Aug 5, 2003
- Studio
- WARNER BROTHERS PICTURES
Critic Reviews
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, Variety
The somewhat plausible and proximate horrors in the story of Soylent Green carry the production over its awkward spots to the status of a good futuristic exploitation film.
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Don Druker, Chicago Reader
Uneven and slightly muddled futuristic horror story -- not really science fiction, more like an antipollution PSA gone berserk.
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Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Good, solid stuff, assembled efficiently enough to be pretty persuasive.
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A.H. Weiler, New York Times
Their 21st-century New York occasionally is frightening but it is rarely convincingly real.
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Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
Not well thought-out and a genuine disappointment for all its visibility in the popular conversation
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Charlton Heston
as Detective Thorn
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Leigh Taylor-Young
as Shirl
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Chuck Connors
as Tab
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Joseph Cotten
as Simonson
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Brock Peters
as Hatcher
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Edward G. Robinson
as Sol Roth
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John Barclay
as Book 2
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Whit Bissell
as Santini
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Jan Bradley
as Woman with scarf
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Cyril Delevanti
as Book 4
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John Dennis
as Wagner
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Jane Dulo
as Mrs. Santini
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Morgan Farley
as Book 1
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Tim Herbert
as Brady
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Cheri Howell
as Live stock girl
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Roy Jenson
as Donovan
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Paula Kelly
as Martha
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Lincoln Kilpatrick
as Priest
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Celia Lovsky
as Exchange Leader
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Belle Mitchell
as Book 3
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Leonard Stone
as Charles
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Dick Van Patten
as Usher
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Joyce Williams
as Live stock girl
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Forrest G. Wood
as Attendant
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Stephen Young
as Gilbert
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Mike Henry (I)
as Kulozik
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Carlos Romero
as New tenant
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Erica Hagen
as Live stock girl
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Faith Quabius
as Attendant
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Beverly Gill
as Live stock girl


