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      Harrison Bergeron

      R 1995 1 hr. 40 min. Sci-Fi List
      Reviews 82% 1,000+ Ratings Audience Score In the dystopian 2050s, a despotic American government forces all citizens to wear headsets that decrease their brain function, but young Harrison Bergeron (Sean Astin) continues to exhibit signs of intelligence. Just before he is to undergo an enforced lobotomy, agents of the secret intellectual society led by John Klaxon (Christopher Plummer) free Harrison and offer him the opportunity to live a creative life around interesting people, like the beautiful Phillipa (Miranda de Pencier). Read More Read Less

      Audience Reviews

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      Audience Member Kurt Vonnegut is a prophetic voice, equal to Orwell. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/29/23 Full Review Audience Member Scary how elements of this movie are proving to be true. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review Audience Member Fantastic movie well before its time. It starts off intentionally to sound and look like a "B" movie actually appearing to mock the viewer, however don't let this fool you. This is a highly cerebral movie that quickly turns into an extremely entertaining movie with a mixture of comedy containing a very serious message with insight most will find it challenging to understand it true depth. For those enlightened enough to truly understand this movie, it will be an eye opening and an epiphany. This movie mimics the results what we see today by current (12/10/19) liberal progressive democrat marxist socialist extremism. Let this movie be a warning to everyone what the goals of the Deep State really is...A classic movie worthy to be in anybody's library as this movie is on the current liberal progressive censorship list to be erased from history. It is just that dangerous to the left. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Audience Member Interesting! How did they know Jordan was gonna come back and dominate in 1994? Hummmmm Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Audience Member Una gran historia en las manos equivocadas. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Audience Member Harrison Bergeron 3 The short film "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut allows one to see a dystopian world in the future, in which every single human being is forced to look, think, behave, and have the exact same characteristics as the rest of the population of the United States. At the beginning of the narration, one realizes that everyone is crippled and forced to wear special devices which limit their eyesight. The device sends sound waves to their brain to stop their thinking process, other gadgets prevent people from having free will. All of those unbelievable things happen in that future world to make everyone "equal". But Harrison Bergeron, the protagonist, a person of super intelligence, is handsome and strong. He is above almost everyone and not satisfied with the reality. He even escapes from jail attempting to break the rules of that world. Unfortunately, a hero does not always exist. In front of the guns and power, Harrison dies rapidly and is not remembered by anyone. His brave behavior shows his deep desire to change the society. Nevertheless, his heroics seem insignificant in that "balanced" world. Normal citizens in that society are living in good conditions and they don't desire to go back to how life was before. Although forcing people seen as more gifted to wear heavy and uncomfortable devices and keeping them from using their abilities sounds unfair and tyrannical, these seem fair to the whole environment to some extent. "Nobody was smarter than anybody else. Nobody was better looking than anybody else. Nobody was stronger or quicker than anybody else. (1)" The ability to express yourself as an outstanding person is limited, so there is no comparison or competition between anyone. They don't have to consider their job and future; everything will be arranged perfectly. So the world is already in good order with no need to interrupt its course. Also, the same characteristics given to everyone means that an equivalent chance is given to every single person. "The television program was suddenly interrupted for a news bulletin. It wasn't clear at first as to what the bulletin was about, since the announcer, like all announcers, had a serious speech impediment. (1) " Even someone who has a speech impediment can have the chance to be a news reporter on TV. Although that man finally gives up on the speech, he tries hard and audience members like Hazel give him respect. This really shows that this world gives everyone identical opportunities and respect. So this world is not so bad and it is even wonderful to many people. This illustrates that Harrison's desires and behaviors are insignificant. Nevertheless, Harrison's actions may be significant to him, but it is possible to claim that for the rest of the population, those actions may are unimportant. Because every single citizen wears some sort of device which blocks his or her thoughts, emotions, or actions, his brave, rebellious, and decisive actions do not have an impact on any of them. Even Harrison's own mother forgets about the fact that her son was killed in front of her eyes. "'I forget,' she said. 'Something real sad on television.'?1?" So it is not hard to imagine that everyone just looks at Harrison with an empty mind. Everyone who watches TV in his home or just sits around as an audience, will not remember anything about this "hero". No matter how well he performs, , how good his speech is, no one will understand. All those things he does are flimsy and worthless in a society of brainwashed citizens. As seen above, one would say that Harrison's actions are insignificant. Although this world is entirely surpassing us, suppose in the future, it has its truth and advantages. People are owning similar features which insure equality to all citizens. Harrison achieves his goal to send a message to the public, but who will get it and resonate with it? This world is already perfect and needs no hero to break the rules. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Critics Reviews

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      Walter Goodman New York Times The generally listless production blunts the satiric edge, and the final commotion succumbs to B-picture pathos. Dec 8, 2017 Full Review Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault Brilliant, often upsetting satire. Rated: B+ Sep 1, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis In the dystopian 2050s, a despotic American government forces all citizens to wear headsets that decrease their brain function, but young Harrison Bergeron (Sean Astin) continues to exhibit signs of intelligence. Just before he is to undergo an enforced lobotomy, agents of the secret intellectual society led by John Klaxon (Christopher Plummer) free Harrison and offer him the opportunity to live a creative life around interesting people, like the beautiful Phillipa (Miranda de Pencier).
      Director
      Bruce Pittman
      Rating
      R, TV-MA
      Genre
      Sci-Fi
      Original Language
      English
      Sound Mix
      Stereo