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Movie: The Omega Man (1971)Charlton Heston, Anthony Zerbe Star in Science Fiction Film
Charlton Heston is the last man on Earth in director Boris Sagal's The Omega Man. Anthony Zerbe, Rosalind Cash and Paul Koslo appear in support.
Richard Matheson's classic sci-fi novel I Am Legend returned to the silver screen in 1971 via The Omega Man. Charlton Heston has the starring role, with Anthony Zerbe playing the charismatic leader of a group of marauding mutants. Pray for the last man alive! Based on the Novel by Richard MathesonThe Omega Man is based on the novel I Am Legend by noted science fiction author Richard Matheson. The 160-page I Am Legend was published in 1954 as original Fawcett Gold Medal paperback #417. I Am Legend was first filmed as The Last Man on Earth (American International Pictures, 1964). Vincent Price starred as Dr. Robert Morgan, with Richard Matheson contributing to the screenplay under the pseudonym "Logan Swanson." The Omega Man Screenplay, Director, MusicRichard Matheson, John William Corrington and Joyce H. Corrington wrote The Omega Man for Warner Bros. Boris Sagal, who had honed his skills on television (Peter Gunn, The Twilight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock Presents) directed. Ron Grainer created the original music score. The Omega Man CastCharlton Heston (1924-2008) plays Dr. Robert Neville. Other cast members include Anthony Zerbe (Jonathan Matthias), Rosalind Cash (Black Power Lisa), Paul Koslo (Dutch), Eric Laneuville (Richie), Lincoln Kilpatrick (Zachary), Jill Giraldi (Little Girl) and Brian Tochi (Tommy). Filming Dates, LocationsThe Omega Man was filmed from November 1970 to January 1971 in Los Angeles and at the Columbia/Warner Bros. Ranch in Burbank, California. Familiar L.A. landmarks seen in the picture include the Olympic Theatre on Eighth Street, Interstate 210 and the Tower Theatre on Broadway. The Omega Man Set in 1977The Omega Man opens in the year 1977. It's been two years since Red China and the Soviet Union engaged in an apocalyptic biological war, wiping out most of the world's population. Having injected himself with the experimental vaccine 93-B71 before the plague could kill him, U.S. Army Colonel Robert Neville, M.D. now believes himself to be the last man on Earth. But Neville has half-human company, with former L.A. television newsman Jonathan Matthias leading a group of mutant, bloodthirsty zombies who now call themselves "The Family." Perched atop his barricaded penthouse apartment, Neville keeps the ex-anchorman and his night-loving followers at bay, spraying them with automatic weapons fire as he ably defends his homestead. By day, Neville ventures out into the city, scavenging for supplies and searching for The Family's hidden lair. Release, ReviewsThe Omega Man was released on August 1, 1971. "The Omega Man is an extremely literate science-fiction drama..." said Variety. AnalysisRock-solid Charlton Heston, who had previously battled the chimps in Planet of the Apes (1968), is at his best as the rugged Army doc Robert Neville. Heston obivously delights in the role, taking in a private screening of 1970's Woodstock before repelling a zombie attack with his trusty Smith and Wesson M76 submachine gun and Browning Automatic Rifle with infra-red scope. Anthony Zerbe -- no stranger to offbeat roles -- appears equally at home, playing the newscaster-turned-zombie with just the right touch of humorous overkill. Sci-fi fans will forever be comparing The Omega Man to its predecessor, The Last Man on Earth (1964), and to its 2007 successor, I Am Legend, starring Will Smith. See all three films, then make the call. DVDThe Omega Man is available on DVD from Warner Home Video (2000). "Tell me something, would you? Are you fellas really with the Internal Revenue Service?" Neville asks his zombie interrogators. Worse. They're with television news...
The copyright of the article Movie: The Omega Man (1971) in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Films is owned by William J. Felchner. Permission to republish Movie: The Omega Man (1971) in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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