In 2274, the survivors of a war live in a great domed city sealed from the outside world and their society provides all possible comfort to them. However there is a catch: when the dwellers reach the age of thirty years old, their life clocks become red, accusing that it is time of renewal and they must participate in a ceremony called Carrousel. The misfits are called runners and they are chased by the police force called Sandmen and terminated. The efficient sandmen Logan 5 (Michael York) and Francis (Richard Jordan) work together and they are best friends. When Logan meets Jessica 6 (Jenny Agutter) in a sexual encounter, she sees that he is a sandman and refuses to have sex with him, claiming that it was a mistake of the circuit. Then Logan terminates a runner and when the computer analyzes the belongings of the victim, it assigns Logan to an undercover mission. His life clock is advanced in four years and he is ordered to take the key and seek the Ankh Sanctuary. He uses Jessica to help him, but he falls in love for her while chased by Francis. Logan questions the system and leaves the domed city with Jessica; in the outer world, they find and old man, changing their perspective of life beyond 30.

"Logan's Run" is one of the best sci-fi ever and absolutely ahead of time. Even in 2009 and after watching this feature at least six times, I still love it. The original and engaging story is supported by magnificent cinematography, scenarios, set decoration, special effects, costumes, make-up and music score. Jenny Agutter is amazing and shows a wonderful chemistry with Michael York. One of the best moments is when they do not know the meaning of "beloved husband" and "beloved wife" since these concepts do not exist in their society. Last but not the least, the name of my daughter was inspired in the character performed by Jenny Agutter. My vote is ten.

Title (Brazil): "Fuga no Século XXIII" ("Escape in the 23rd Century")

Note: On 20 Aug 2015, I saw this film again.

This movie looks so 1970s and an enjoyable, but occasionally stupid film. I admit that it's kind of dumb, but somehow it still is fun to watch--a definite guilty pleasure.

In the 23rd century, people live a hedonistic lifestyle and have few cares. That is until they reach age 30--at which point they are blown apart to the delight of the audience watching and applauding. The way this is done is just one of the dopey elements of the film. The government knows that some rebels have run off to a sanctuary to avoid this death and want to close up this loophole. So, to do it, they make Michael York (a "Sandman" whose job it is to track down 30-somethings for death) a runner and have him infiltrate the underground. Unfortunately, the runners are actually being processed for future food by a dopey brain-dead robot. When York finds this, he kills off the robot (why hadn't anyone done this before?) and seeks out a new life with Jenny Agutter. They find the dilapidated ruins of Washington, DC as well as an old Peter Ustinov. They are SHOCKED anyone could be that old and still be happy or productive, so they take him back to their domed city to let them know that killing 30-somethings really isn't a good idea.

The film features some interesting special effects and I appreciated the hedonistic world, as it was highly reminiscent of the wonderful novel, BRAVE NEW WORLD. Unfortunately, it also has some dopey plot elements and a few really awful performances. The worst was a cameo by Farrah Fawcett, as she just seemed really addle-brained when she delivered her lines. Also, Peter Ustinov as the old man was an odd choice, as his character was pretty senile and annoying and seemed to be evidence for why they SHOULD kill old folks! Despite all this, it is entertaining--especially for kids and sci-fi freaks.

Logan's Run details a futuristic society that has developed after an atomic war where people live in a large dome which we learn is on the eastern seaboard of the old USA. People look happy and healthy, but none of them are old. Reason being is that those over 30 are killed and in a nice elaborate ceremony called Carousel. That has to be seen to be believed.

Naturally there are some that object to being killed and they run. When they do run, the government sends out people like Michael York and Richard Jordan to discourage that.

The government errs big time though when they send Michael York out on a mission to pretend he's a runner in order to seek out and destroy some mythical society where escapees have gone called Sanctuary. York makes his run and when he teams up with a real runner in Jenny Agutter he makes it real and Jordan his erstwhile friend goes after the both of them.

Some interesting concepts about the value of age and wisdom are dealt with her. Especially when York and Agutter meet up with Peter Ustinov who is the first old person they've ever met. Wait till you see where Ustinov has lived as a hermit in a world that seems to have healed itself from the ravages of atomic war.

Jordan has an interesting performance as a true believer in the society that has evolved and there is the first notice of Farrah Fawcett the 70s it girl as one who has reached her allotted time.

Logan's Run won an Oscar for Best Visual Effects and was nominated for Oscars in cinematography and art and set direction. It holds up pretty well for the new century. We may well ask the question is this the direction we are heading in.