Home / Arts and Entertainment / Lucas' 'THX 1138': Flop to Future Classic
Lucas' 'THX 1138': Flop to Future Classic
27 Jan
Summary
- George Lucas' 1971 film 'THX 1138' initially flopped but is now a classic.
- Walter Murch was honored at a screening of the film he co-wrote and designed.
- The film's experimental nature led to studio executives pulling funding for other projects.
George Lucas' 1971 debut feature, "THX 1138," initially met with lukewarm reviews and low box office returns, has evolved into a recognized classic. A recent revival screening at the American Cinematheque's Egyptian Theatre played to a full house, highlighting the film's enduring appeal.
The screening served as a tribute to Walter Murch, the film's sound designer and co-screenwriter, celebrating his broader contributions to cinema. Murch shared that he and Lucas aimed for "THX 1138" to feel like a film from the future, influenced by Japanese cinema's direct storytelling.
This experimental approach, aiming for an "other culture" feel, met resistance from studio executives. They disliked the film and subsequently halted funding for other American Zoetrope projects, including "The Conversation" and "Apocalypse Now." This decision created financial pressure for Francis Ford Coppola, leading him to direct "The Godfather."
