Westworld Movie Review

Michael Crichton wrote and directed this story of Delos, an adult vacation resort of the future which offers the opportunity to live in various fantasy worlds where guests’ every need and fantasy are serviced by lifelike robots. James Brolin and Richard Benjamin are businessmen who choose the western fantasy world. When an electrical malfunction occurs, the robots begin to go berserk, and the vacation turns deadly. Despite low-end special effects, the taut script and good performances make this a solid thriller. The film was an early attempt at the technology-runs-amok story that Crichton would make famous in Jurassic Park. Yul Brynner is perfect as the menacing western gunslinger whose skills become all too real. Followed by a sequel, Futureworld (1976).

1973 (PG) 90m/C Yul Brynner, Richard Benjamin, James Brolin, Dick Van Patten, Majel Barrett, Norman Bartold, Alan Oppenheimer; D: Michael Crichton; W: Michael Crichton; C: Gene Polito. VHS, Beta, LV MGM