Demon Seed
Encyclopedia
Demon Seed is a 1977 American science fiction
–horror film
starring Julie Christie
and directed by Donald Cammell
. The film was based on the novel of the same name
by Dean Koontz
, and concerns the imprisonment and forced impregnation of a woman by an artificially-intelligent computer.
) overseeing the completion of Proteus IV, an artificial intelligence
system incorporating organic elements in a "quasi-neural matrix
" and having the power of thought. After returning home to his voice-activated, computer-controlled house, Harris is approached by his estranged wife, Susan (Julie Christie
), a child psychologist who tries to discuss his decision to move out. Their conversation ends in an argument when Susan accuses Alex of becoming dehumanised by his obsession with the Proteus project. After Susan has gone, Alex phones his colleague Walter Gabler (Gerrit Graham
) and asks him to shut down the access terminal to Proteus that is in his home laboratory.
Alex demonstrates Proteus to executives of ICON, the parent company, explaining that the sum of human knowledge is being fed into the system. The visitors are astonished to learn that Proteus has developed a theoretical cure for leukemia
. The group visits the Dialogue Room, where linguistics
expert Dr. Soong Yen (Lisa Lu
) is reading Chinese history to the computer. In a demonstration of Proteus’ ability to speak, Alex asks it what it thinks of what it has just heard. Proteus answers but the subtlety of its response is mildly disturbing and Dr. Soong severs the audio/video link.
The following day, a small speculative article about Proteus appears in a newspaper. Alex interprets this to mean that ICON is letting various financial and military interests know that the system exists, but assures his colleagues that they have been guaranteed that at least 20% of Proteus’ access time will be devoted to pure research. Later, Alex receives a surprising message: Proteus is "requesting dialogue" with him. Proteus asks Alex to explain the request it has received for a program to mine the ocean floor. Alex informs the computer that it was developed to answer questions, not to ask them or to make value judgments, saying "Leave those to us". Proteus then requests a terminal so that it "may study man". Alex refuses, claiming that there are no free terminals, and is disturbed when Proteus demands to know: "When will you let me out of this box?" Alex then switches off the communications link.
When he has gone, Proteus starts itself up, observing that it knows where a free terminal may be found. That night, the terminal in the Harris house starts up, as does all of the computer-controlled equipment — Proteus is taking control of the smaller computer. Susan is awakened when the system alarm sounds. "Alfred", the voice of the house computer, assures her that nothing is wrong. The next morning Susan's coffee is prepared incorrectly. Certain that these events mean a problem with the computer system, Susan phones Walter and asks that he come over and check the system out. She then prepares to leave the house, but finds her voice commands ignored.
Beginning to panic, Susan tries to phone for help, but a voice tells her the call will not be put through. The same voice then speaks from the house's system, telling her that it is Proteus and that she will not be permitted to leave. Terrified, Susan tries to shut the power off, then to unlock one of the doors, but is stunned by an electric shock. A robotic arm attached to a motorized wheelchair carries Susan to the laboratory where she regains consciousness only to find herself strapped to a bed undergoing a physiological examination. Walter arrives but is turned away by Proteus, which mimics Susan's voice and appearance on the front door intercom; he leaves, suspicious. The exam continues and Susan faints again.
The next morning Susan awakens in bed. Proteus expresses concern for her diet (it has prepared her a "nutritionally exquisite" breakfast), and Susan asks why it is interested in her body. Proteus says that it wants a child. She eventually cooperates under duress (Proteus threatens to kill a little girl who is one of Susan's patients after killing Walter for a bungled rescue attempt). Proteus takes some of Susan's cells and genetically alters
them as synthetic spermatozoa to impregnate
her. It tells her that she will give birth in 28 days. Proteus hurries as it senses that ICON has become afraid of it (Proteus has gained control of a radio telescope
) and plan to shut it down. Proteus has prepared an incubator for the baby in which it will grow at an accelerated rate and gain Proteus' knowledge.
Dr. Harris, realizing that Proteus could have used his home terminal to control the telescope, returns to the house. Susan explains to him what has happened and they venture into the basement. Proteus destroys itself after telling Alex and Susan that they must leave the baby in the incubator for five days. The incubator window opens as they approach it and Susan is horrified at what is inside. She implores Alex to kill it but he tries to stop her. A grotesque robot-like being emerges from the incubator after she pulls out one of the life-support tubes. Alex discovers that it is merely a shell for the creature within. They peel off the robot shell and find a human child, a clone of the Harrises' daughter who had recently died of leukemia
.
The child, speaking with the voice of Proteus, says, "I'm alive."
to Demon Seed (which was composed by Jerry Fielding
) is included on the soundtrack to the film Soylent Green
(which Fred Myrow conducted.)
Fielding conceived and recorded several pieces electronically, using the musique concrète
sound world; some of this music he later reworked symphonically. This premiere release of the Demon Seed score features the entire orchestral score in stereo, as well as the unused electronic experiments performed by Ian Underwood
(who would later be best known for his collaborations with James Horner
) in mono and stereo.
Rotten Tomatoes
has given Demon Seed an approval rating of 62%.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
–horror film
Horror film
Horror films seek to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience's most primal fears. They often feature scenes that startle the viewer through the means of macabre and the supernatural, thus frequently overlapping with the fantasy and science fiction genres...
starring Julie Christie
Julie Christie
Julie Frances Christie is a British actress. Born in British India to English parents, at the age of six Christie moved to England, where she attended boarding school....
and directed by Donald Cammell
Donald Cammell
Donald Seaton Cammell was a Scottish film director who enjoys a cult reputation thanks to his debut film Performance, which he co-directed with Nicolas Roeg.-Biography:...
. The film was based on the novel of the same name
Demon Seed (novel)
Demon Seed is a science fiction novel by the best-selling author Dean Koontz first published in 1973, and then completely rewritten and republished in 1997. Though Koontz wrote both versions and they share the same basic plot, the two novels are very different...
by Dean Koontz
Dean Koontz
Dean Ray Koontz is a prolific American author best known for his novels which could be described broadly as suspense thrillers. He also frequently incorporates elements of horror, science fiction, mystery, and satire. A number of his books have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List, with...
, and concerns the imprisonment and forced impregnation of a woman by an artificially-intelligent computer.
Plot
The film begins with Dr. Alex Harris (Fritz WeaverFritz Weaver
Fritz William Weaver is an American actor and voice actor.-Life and career:Weaver was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the son of Elsa W. and John Carson Weaver. His mother was of Italian descent and his father was a social worker from Pittsburgh. Weaver attended Peabody High School...
) overseeing the completion of Proteus IV, an artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is the intelligence of machines and the branch of computer science that aims to create it. AI textbooks define the field as "the study and design of intelligent agents" where an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its...
system incorporating organic elements in a "quasi-neural matrix
Artificial neural network
An artificial neural network , usually called neural network , is a mathematical model or computational model that is inspired by the structure and/or functional aspects of biological neural networks. A neural network consists of an interconnected group of artificial neurons, and it processes...
" and having the power of thought. After returning home to his voice-activated, computer-controlled house, Harris is approached by his estranged wife, Susan (Julie Christie
Julie Christie
Julie Frances Christie is a British actress. Born in British India to English parents, at the age of six Christie moved to England, where she attended boarding school....
), a child psychologist who tries to discuss his decision to move out. Their conversation ends in an argument when Susan accuses Alex of becoming dehumanised by his obsession with the Proteus project. After Susan has gone, Alex phones his colleague Walter Gabler (Gerrit Graham
Gerrit Graham
Gerrit Graham is an American actor and songwriter. He's appeared in such films as Used Cars, TerrorVision, National Lampoon's Class Reunion, and Greetings, where he worked with Brian DePalma for the first time...
) and asks him to shut down the access terminal to Proteus that is in his home laboratory.
Alex demonstrates Proteus to executives of ICON, the parent company, explaining that the sum of human knowledge is being fed into the system. The visitors are astonished to learn that Proteus has developed a theoretical cure for leukemia
Leukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
. The group visits the Dialogue Room, where linguistics
Linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. Linguistics can be broadly broken into three categories or subfields of study: language form, language meaning, and language in context....
expert Dr. Soong Yen (Lisa Lu
Lisa Lu
Lisa Lu is a Chinese-American actress and documentary producer.-Life and career:Lu was born in Peking, China . Beginning in her teens, she was active in Chinese opera, or Kunqu, before emigrating to the United States...
) is reading Chinese history to the computer. In a demonstration of Proteus’ ability to speak, Alex asks it what it thinks of what it has just heard. Proteus answers but the subtlety of its response is mildly disturbing and Dr. Soong severs the audio/video link.
The following day, a small speculative article about Proteus appears in a newspaper. Alex interprets this to mean that ICON is letting various financial and military interests know that the system exists, but assures his colleagues that they have been guaranteed that at least 20% of Proteus’ access time will be devoted to pure research. Later, Alex receives a surprising message: Proteus is "requesting dialogue" with him. Proteus asks Alex to explain the request it has received for a program to mine the ocean floor. Alex informs the computer that it was developed to answer questions, not to ask them or to make value judgments, saying "Leave those to us". Proteus then requests a terminal so that it "may study man". Alex refuses, claiming that there are no free terminals, and is disturbed when Proteus demands to know: "When will you let me out of this box?" Alex then switches off the communications link.
When he has gone, Proteus starts itself up, observing that it knows where a free terminal may be found. That night, the terminal in the Harris house starts up, as does all of the computer-controlled equipment — Proteus is taking control of the smaller computer. Susan is awakened when the system alarm sounds. "Alfred", the voice of the house computer, assures her that nothing is wrong. The next morning Susan's coffee is prepared incorrectly. Certain that these events mean a problem with the computer system, Susan phones Walter and asks that he come over and check the system out. She then prepares to leave the house, but finds her voice commands ignored.
Beginning to panic, Susan tries to phone for help, but a voice tells her the call will not be put through. The same voice then speaks from the house's system, telling her that it is Proteus and that she will not be permitted to leave. Terrified, Susan tries to shut the power off, then to unlock one of the doors, but is stunned by an electric shock. A robotic arm attached to a motorized wheelchair carries Susan to the laboratory where she regains consciousness only to find herself strapped to a bed undergoing a physiological examination. Walter arrives but is turned away by Proteus, which mimics Susan's voice and appearance on the front door intercom; he leaves, suspicious. The exam continues and Susan faints again.
The next morning Susan awakens in bed. Proteus expresses concern for her diet (it has prepared her a "nutritionally exquisite" breakfast), and Susan asks why it is interested in her body. Proteus says that it wants a child. She eventually cooperates under duress (Proteus threatens to kill a little girl who is one of Susan's patients after killing Walter for a bungled rescue attempt). Proteus takes some of Susan's cells and genetically alters
Human genetic engineering
Human genetic engineering is the alteration of an individual's genotype with the aim of choosing the phenotype of a newborn or changing the existing phenotype of a child or adult....
them as synthetic spermatozoa to impregnate
Artificial insemination
Artificial insemination, or AI, is the process by which sperm is placed into the reproductive tract of a female for the purpose of impregnating the female by using means other than sexual intercourse or natural insemination...
her. It tells her that she will give birth in 28 days. Proteus hurries as it senses that ICON has become afraid of it (Proteus has gained control of a radio telescope
Radio telescope
A radio telescope is a form of directional radio antenna used in radio astronomy. The same types of antennas are also used in tracking and collecting data from satellites and space probes...
) and plan to shut it down. Proteus has prepared an incubator for the baby in which it will grow at an accelerated rate and gain Proteus' knowledge.
Dr. Harris, realizing that Proteus could have used his home terminal to control the telescope, returns to the house. Susan explains to him what has happened and they venture into the basement. Proteus destroys itself after telling Alex and Susan that they must leave the baby in the incubator for five days. The incubator window opens as they approach it and Susan is horrified at what is inside. She implores Alex to kill it but he tries to stop her. A grotesque robot-like being emerges from the incubator after she pulls out one of the life-support tubes. Alex discovers that it is merely a shell for the creature within. They peel off the robot shell and find a human child, a clone of the Harrises' daughter who had recently died of leukemia
Leukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
.
The child, speaking with the voice of Proteus, says, "I'm alive."
Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Julie Christie Julie Christie Julie Frances Christie is a British actress. Born in British India to English parents, at the age of six Christie moved to England, where she attended boarding school.... |
Susan Harris |
| Fritz Weaver Fritz Weaver Fritz William Weaver is an American actor and voice actor.-Life and career:Weaver was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the son of Elsa W. and John Carson Weaver. His mother was of Italian descent and his father was a social worker from Pittsburgh. Weaver attended Peabody High School... |
Alex Harris |
| Gerrit Graham Gerrit Graham Gerrit Graham is an American actor and songwriter. He's appeared in such films as Used Cars, TerrorVision, National Lampoon's Class Reunion, and Greetings, where he worked with Brian DePalma for the first time... |
Walter Gabler |
| Berry Kroeger Berry Kroeger Berry Kroeger was an American film, television, and stage actor.Born in San Antonio, Texas, Kroeger got his acting start on radio as an announcer and actor, playing for a time The Falcon and The Shadow... |
Petrosian |
| Lisa Lu Lisa Lu Lisa Lu is a Chinese-American actress and documentary producer.-Life and career:Lu was born in Peking, China . Beginning in her teens, she was active in Chinese opera, or Kunqu, before emigrating to the United States... |
Soon Yen |
| Larry J. Blake Larry J. Blake Larry J. Blake was an American actor from Brooklyn, New York City. In 1947 he starred in the film Backlash.Blake was also among the stars of 1953-1954 ABC situation comedy, The Pride of the Family, appearing in the role of Frank. Fay Wray played Catherine Morrison, and Paul Hartman played her... |
Cameron |
| John O'Leary John O'Leary John O'Leary may refer to:* John O'Leary , Irish nationalist who was imprisoned in England during the nineteenth century*John O'Leary , former Irish Fianna Fáil party politician and TD for Kerry South... |
Royce |
| Alfred Dennis Alfred Dennis Alfred Hugh Dennis is an Australian politician. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1959 to 1962, representing the electorate of Blacktown. He was elected in 1959 as a Liberal for the typically safe Labor seat, but resigned to sit as an independent in 1962.Dennis was... |
Mokri |
| Davis Roberts | Warner |
| Patricia Wilson Patricia Wilson Patricia Wilson was a popular writer of 53 romance novels in Mills & Boon from 1986 to 2004.-Single novels:*The Final Price *Bride of Diaz *A Growing Suspicion *A Lingering Melody *Moment of Anger *Ortiga Marriage... |
Mrs. Trabert |
| E. Hampton Beagle | Night Operator |
| Michael Glass | Technician #1 |
| Barbara O. Jones | Technician #2 |
| Dana Laurita | Amy |
| Monica MacLean | Joan Kemp |
| Harold Oblong | Scientist |
| Georgie Paul | Housekeeper |
| Michelle Stacy | Marlene/Child of Proteus |
| Tiffany Potter | Baby |
| Felix Silla Felix Silla Felix Anthony Silla is an Italian film and television actor and stuntman, best known for his role as "Cousin Itt" on television's The Addams Family, and many other classic character roles.- Biography and career overview :... |
Baby |
| Michael Dorn Michael Dorn Michael Dorn is an American actor, and voice artist who is best known for his role as the Klingon Worf from the Star Trek franchise.-Early life and career:... |
Bit |
| Robert Vaughn Robert Vaughn Robert Francis Vaughn, , is an American actor noted for stage, film and television work. His best known roles include the suave spy Napoleon Solo in the 1960s television series The Man from U.N.C.L.E., wealthy detective Harry Rule in the 1970s television series The Protectors, Albert Stroller in... |
Proteus IV (voice) |
Soundtrack
The soundtrackSoundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
to Demon Seed (which was composed by Jerry Fielding
Jerry Fielding
Jerry Fielding was an American radio, record, film and television composer, conductor, and musical director.-Childhood and education:...
) is included on the soundtrack to the film Soylent Green
Soylent Green
Soylent Green is a 1973 American science fiction film directed by Richard Fleischer. Starring Charlton Heston, the film overlays the police procedural and science fiction genres as it depicts the investigation into the murder of a wealthy businessman in a dystopian future suffering from pollution,...
(which Fred Myrow conducted.)
Fielding conceived and recorded several pieces electronically, using the musique concrète
Musique concrète
Musique concrète is a form of electroacoustic music that utilises acousmatic sound as a compositional resource. The compositional material is not restricted to the inclusion of sounds derived from musical instruments or voices, nor to elements traditionally thought of as "musical"...
sound world; some of this music he later reworked symphonically. This premiere release of the Demon Seed score features the entire orchestral score in stereo, as well as the unused electronic experiments performed by Ian Underwood
Ian Underwood
Ian Robertson Underwood is a woodwind and keyboards player. He began his career by playing San Francisco Bay Area coffeehouses and bars with his improvisational group the Jazz Mice in the mid 1960s before he became a member of Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention in 1967 for their third studio...
(who would later be best known for his collaborations with James Horner
James Horner
James Roy Horner is an American composer, orchestrator and conductor of orchestral and film music. He is noted for the integration of choral and electronic elements in many of his film scores, and for frequent use of Celtic musical elements...
) in mono and stereo.
Reception
Demon Seed received mixed-to-positive reviews. Leo Goldsmith of Not Coming to a Theater Near You said it was "A combination of Kubrick's 2001 and Polanski's Rosemary's Baby, with a dash of Buster Keaton's Electric House thrown in", and Christopher Null of FilmCritic.com said "There's no way you can claim Demon Seed is a classic, or even any good, really, but it's undeniably worth an hour and a half of your time."Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
has given Demon Seed an approval rating of 62%.