Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > Soylent Green (1973)
Soylent Green
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Soylent Green (1973) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 23 | slideshow)

Overview

User Rating:
7.0/10   13,223 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 2% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Richard Fleischer
Writers:
Stanley R. Greenberg (screenplay)
Harry Harrison (novel)
Contact:
View company contact information for Soylent Green on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
9 May 1973 (USA) more
Tagline:
It's the year 2022... People are still the same. They'll do anything to get what they need. And they need SOYLENT GREEN.
Plot:
In an overpopulated futuristic Earth, a New York police detective finds himself marked for murder by government agents when he gets too close to a bizarre state secret involving the origins of a revolutionary and needed new foodstuff. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
3 wins & 1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
(10 articles)
Before the Oscars, They Belonged to Us, Part 3
 (From Dread Central. 26 February 2009, 2:51 AM, PST)

List: Ten Disturbingly Powerful Fictional Film Corporations
 (From IFC. 13 August 2008, 1:44 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
Far deeper and intelligent than what first meets the eye more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Charlton Heston ... Thorn

Leigh Taylor-Young ... Shirl
Chuck Connors ... Tab
Joseph Cotten ... Simonson

Brock Peters ... Hatcher
Paula Kelly ... Martha

Edward G. Robinson ... Sol Roth
Stephen Young ... Gilbert
Mike Henry ... Kulozik

Lincoln Kilpatrick ... The Priest
Roy Jenson ... Donovan
Leonard Stone ... Charles
Whit Bissell ... Santini
Celia Lovsky ... The Exchange Leader

Dick Van Patten ... Usher #1
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
...jahr 2022... die überleben wollen... (Austria) (West Germany) [de]
À Beira do Fim (Portugal) [pt]
...Jahr 2022... die überleben wollen... (Austria) [de]
2022: i sopravvissuti (Italy) [it]
Fremtidens rædsel (Denmark) [da]
Jahr 2022... die überleben wollen (West Germany) [de]
Maailma vuonna 2022 (Finland) [fi]
No Mundo de 2020 (Brazil) [pt]
Soirento geriin (Japan) [ja]
Soleil vert (France) [fr]
Soylent Green: Cuando el destino nos alcance (Spain) [es]
Soylent green - Amerika år 2022 (Sweden) [sv]
Zöld szója (Hungary) [hu]
Zelena soja (Serbia) [sr]
more
Runtime:
97 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
Australia:M (original rating) | Australia:PG (TV rating) | France:U | UK:15 (DVD rating) | UK:AA (original rating) | Iceland:16 | USA:TV-MA (TV rating) | Canada:PG | Finland:K-18 | Norway:15 (re-rating) | Norway:16 (original rating) | Singapore:PG | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:PG | West Germany:16

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Among the buildings in the matte "skyline" in the background of the early scene where Gilbert crosses the drainage ditch, one can see the Marina City towers (Chicago) and the Transamerica Pyramid (San Francisco). more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Sol is in the suicide theater his bed changes position. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Voice over PA: First stage removal. First stage removal. Streets prohibited to non-permits in one hour. Streets prohibited to non-permits in one hour.
more
Movie Connections:
Spoofed in "The Simpsons: Million Dollar Abie (#17.16)" (2006) more
Soundtrack:
Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op.68: 'Pastoral': I. Allegro ma non Troppo more

FAQ

What is "soylent green"?
The opening montage was brilliant! Who is responsible for it?
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
more
31 out of 39 people found the following comment useful:-
Far deeper and intelligent than what first meets the eye, 19 July 2006
9/10
Author: planktonrules from Bradenton, Florida

This is a brilliant sci-fi movie that is very strange in how men and women both view the same film. I have talked to many people about the film and almost every guy loved it and said it was brilliant--while most women thought it was just disgusting and stupid! This is the only movie I know of that has such polarized views based on gender. Perhaps many women just have a lower tolerance for disgusting or depressing plots--but whatever the cause, I have always found this difference fascinating.

The film begins with a murder and a subsequent investigation headed by Charlton Heston. This is set in the near future and the head of the huge international Soylent Corporation has been assassinated. As the film unfolds, you quickly realize this is a terrible and highly inequitable future American society. The rich live in gorgeous apartments with security and all the pleasures money can buy(including "furniture"--a euphemism for paid mistresses that come along with the apartment). At the same time, the masses are dirt poor, unemployed and in many cases living in abandoned cars or apartment hallways. Overpopulation and smog have taken a severe toll and the future looks awful indeed!

Why the rich man died and the awful truth he could not live with I really should NOT discuss--it could ruin the film for you. However, the film has a great plot and acting and is super-exciting to watch. Plus, it features Edward G. Robinson in his final screen performance as the crusty sidekick to Heston. Though not for the easily depressed or squeamish, this is a great sci-fi film that is allegorical and profound.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Soylent Green (1973)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
overpopulation was a fear in 1973 pepegoldie
*SPOILERS* Am I just a product of late 80's feminism? WDformerWB
Oscar for.... JCDenton-5
OK, so when you type in 'Soylent Green' into the search engine... SilverCreedWolf
Calling Quentin Tarantino! kdladyj
One-time movie? DMarkwick
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Watchmen L.A. Confidential V for Vendetta Midnight Cowboy Edmond
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.