Logan's Run

 

 

Screenplay by       David Zelag Goodman

 

Produced by       Saul David

 

Directed by       Michael Anderson

 

 

 

Cast List:

 

Michael York      Logan

Richard Jordan      Francis

Jenny Agutter      Jessica

Roscoe Lee Browne    Box

Farrah Fawcett      Holly

Michael Anderson Jr.    Doc

Peter Ustinov      Old Man

 

 

 

 

Please note the crystal will be used in the left hand of all characters.

 

 

 

FADE IN:

 

 

BEFORE AND DURING TITLES

 

EXT. SKY NIGHT

 

The moon and stars are visible, but as CAMERA looks down, the SCREEN fills with dark, billowing clouds. CAMERA moves into the clouds and just as they blank out the SCREEN, a distant shimmer of light becomes visible. Moving toward it, the shimmer becomes

 

 

EXT. DOME OF GLASS – NIGHT

 

A glowing but not transparent structure stretching off into the clouds that press it. CAMERA continues to move in until the detailed structural webbing of the dome fills the SCREEN and then CAMERA MOVES THROUGH IT and we see

 

 

EXT. THE CITY – DAY

 

Shining below the dome (which we now see as a series of dome-like structures standing off without end) -a marvelous crystalline city of great openness, building clusters, green plazas, fountains... multi-leveled but human scale, crisscrossed by the flickering clear tubes of the MAZE-CARS.

 

 

CLOSER ANGLE – ROOFTOPS

 

As a MAZE-CAR slides softly to a stop.

 

 

ROOFTOP – THE RUNNER

 

The hatch opens and a MAN in a hurry leaves the maze-car and runs swiftly along the rooftop and disappears into an open elevator which instantly starts to descend.

 

 

INT. RESIDENCE PLAZA – THE ELEVATOR

 

From a busy courtyard below we watch the elevator slide down from a great height. As it reaches the courtyard the RUNNER darts out, pushes into the crowd.

 

 

WITH THE RUNNER

 

As he reappears around a corner, skirts a brimming pool and makes for a kind of broad corridor which seems to lead out of the courtyard. He is moving even faster now, glancing back as if he fears pursuit.

 

 

ANOTHER ANGLE – CORRIDOR

 

Above, at the railing of an oval light well, dressed in black and silver, a figure holding an odd looking weapon lazily in one hand – and watching. It is FRANCIS.

 

 

WITH THE RUNNER

 

Moving rapidly down the corridor, he suddenly stops as if feeling the presence above. He looks up, sees the SANDMAN and his face breaks in terror. He wheels, frantic, screaming, runs back into the hall.

 

 

THE SANDMAN (FRANCIS)

 

Vaulting the rail, dropping lightly to ground level, weapon poised.

 

 

POV

 

The crowd melting, parting to reveal the Runner backed against the pool. People are YELLING, shaking their fists, terribly excited and fearful.

 

 

THE SANDMAN

 

Emotionless. Aims. Fires.

 

 

THE RUNNER – CLOSE

 

Seeming to burst aflame in the LENS, then slipping BELOW FRAME to reveal Francis sauntering forward, holstering his weapon. The crowd closing in behind him, applauding, congratulating him.

 

 

THE SANDMAN

 

Arriving at the pool where the body lies, half immersed. He leans over, lifts the right hand from the water, revealing a palm with a black flower-crystal shape in it. He lets the hand fall back now as the crowd CHEERS and APPLAUDS him.

 

 

EXTREME CLOSEUP – HAND – IN THE WATER – (INSERT)

 

Closing in until the crystal fills the SCREEN.

 

TITLES END

 

MATCH DISSOLVE TO:

 

 

CLOSEUP – CRYSTAL – (INSERT)

 

Clear, sparkling, flower-like. CAMERA PULLS BACK to reveal...

 

 

INT. NURSERY CORRIDOR

 

The crystal is in the hand of a sleeping INFANT who is behind glass in one of many cubicles. Standing outside, looking in, LOGAN, dimly lit in the soft glow of the cubicle where the sleeping infant lies, swaddled and coccooned in the rosy auto-tender which caters to the baby's every need. Faint MUSIC bubbles like distant laughter.

 

 

LOGAN

 

Logan is twenty-five, strong, virile (yet sensitive) with a kind of austere grace.

 

He is somewhat manic... proud... as he peers through the nursery window into a kind of foam cocoon which cradles THREE SLEEPING INFANTS. Logan is KNOCKING on the soundless glass.

 

LOGAN

Wake up... come on, Logan-6.

 

 

FRANCIS

 

Entering.

 

FRANCIS

(shaking his head in mild, mocking disbelief)

You are here. I couldn't believe it when they told me. What are you doing?

 

LOGAN

(still knocking on the soundless glass)

Turn this way.

(as one of the infants stirs, smiles, bubbles)

No, no... not you... YOU!

 

Francis tries to pull Logan away from the window, but Logan is intent on waking one of the infants.

 

FRANCIS

You should've seen me take my last Runner... perfect.

(Logan continues to pound the soundless glass)

I backed him up against a residence pool and when he terminated... his hand...

(breaks off as Logan is paying no attention)

So now you've seen him... what's the difference awake or asleep?

 

LOGAN

(to infant)

Open your eyes once, idiot.

(to Francis)

It's not every day that a Sandman son is born. I'm telling you, Francis – that's him!

 

FRANCIS

Maybe, maybe not. What's the difference? Come on, Logan, let's get out of here before

everybody finds out.

 

But Logan isn't moving. Francis gets an idea.

 

FRANCIS

Okay... you really want to wake him up?

 

Francis starts to pry at the Panel... knowing it will sound an ALARM.

 

LOGAN

Hey, cut that out !

 

Too late: There is a SOUND OF ALARM CHIMES. The area in which they stand is bathed in a violet glow. Logan grabs Francis firmly and stops him from prying at the panel:

 

LOGAN

Now you've done it...

 

The CHIMES STOP... but the glow continues, a metallic VOICE is heard:

 

VOICE

Break-in scanners report intrusion, identify.

 

LOGAN

Logan-5... Francis-7, authorized duty quadrant. Intrusion accidental.

 

VOICE

Clear Logan-5 and Francis-7.

 

The violet light goes off.

 

FRANCIS

(with affection: to Logan)

Had enough?

 

LOGAN

(looking at the infant)

Even the alarm didn't wake him.

 

As Francis starts out:

 

LOGAN

(one last look; joining Francis)

All right, Francis... I'm with you.

 

They move off down the corridor... the lights behind them DIMMING as they pass cubicles suffused with soft pink light, CHILDREN automatically tended.

 

CHIMES... soft. A lullaby and a soothing impersonal VOICE.

 

VOICE

Sleep time... go to sleep. Sleeping time, little ones.

 

As they exit Nursery... Logan stops and takes one final look backward.

 

FRANCIS

You need a lift. Let's go to Arcade and celebrate...

(teasing tone)

your alert successor... Logan-6.

 

LOGAN

Has anyone ever broken in to where the babies are?

 

FRANCIS

(putting a card key into a door which opens soundlessly)

Not in my time...

 

They move through the door which closes.

 

 

EXT. MAZE STATION – NIGHT

 

They are now on a kind of enclosed platform with widely spaced doorways, each glowing faintly. They pause, waiting.

 

FRANCIS

(peering at Logan curiously)

Why?

 

LOGAN

Just wondered... what happens?

 

FRANCIS

(shrugs)

Dunno... flameout maybe. Whatever happens, you can bet it's final. But who would want to find out?

 

One of the doorways brightens and the word "ARCADE" appears on it. The two men move to the spot as a maze-car stops. They enter it through the doorway which dims behind them as the maze-car HOOSHES softly off into a kind of twilight.

 

 

INT. MAZE-CAR – LOGAN AND FRANCIS

 

The door slides shut. They sink into seat forms which yield to them. They move off.

 

 

EXT. MAZE- CAR

 

Moving through the city at terrific speed. Giving us glimpses of the city as it goes. slowing finally as we see:

 

 

THE CITY – FEATURING ARCADE

 

Brightly lit, garish. We get only a glimpse as the maze-car disappears into a tunnel.

 

 

MAZE-CAR STATION – ARCADE

 

As the maze-car stops, opens and Logan and Francis exit into a gathering CROWD.

 

 

FULL SHOT – ARCADE

 

Glittering, crowded. Throngs of people moving on many levels, some walking, some on moving platforms. It's The Great White Way, Luna Park – you name it. Gaudy booths and entrances, featuring every delight – too much to take in at a glance.

 

 

WITH LOGAN AND FRANCIS

 

As they thread their way through a crowd which admires them when it notices them, across halls and up moving platforms, the good-natured argument continuing...

 

LOGAN

But you don't know, you Just say what everyone says. One for one. One for one."

 

FRANCIS

Well, why no!? That's exactly how everything works. How else could the city stay in balance – You have a better idea?

 

LOGAN

(laughs)

No, but at least I wonder sometimes – instead of doing that "one for one" song of yours. You sound like a sleepteacher with a stuck tape.

 

FRANCIS

Well the minute you get a better idea you can stop wondering.

(beat)

You know, Logan – you wonder a lot. Too much for a Sandman

 

They are passing the facade of a Relive Shop The signs urging people to: "RELIVE YOUR MOST PRECIOUS MEMORIES. DO IT AGAIN AND AGAIN! REFRESH AND RENEW ANYTIME!!"

 

As they cross the entrance, two men come out, grinning broadly, falling into step just ahead of Logan and Francis. Then one of the men stops abruptly, almost colliding with them. He mumbles an apology and starts back to RELIVE.

 

As he disappears into the RELIVE SHOP, his friend shrugs cheerfully to Logan and Francis and moves on.

 

 

ARCADE – ANOTHER ANGLE – NEW YOU

 

They are moving past a shop called NEW YOU #483 when a man comes cannonading out, thrilled and excited. He rushes over to a pretty young woman who has been eying Logan and Francis, plants himself in front of her with his hands framing his face.

 

MAN

Well? How do you like it?

 

WOMAN

(critically)

I don't know. The cheeks maybe... look a little –

 

MAN

Cheeks? Cheeks? Right. Too much, you think?

 

WOMAN

Too little.

 

MAN

Too little?

(gestures)

Too little. Okay, wait for me.

 

And he darts back into NEW YOU #483. The woman shrugs, glances around, smiles and goes off with a passer-by.

 

 

ARCADE – ANOTHER ANGLE – LOVE SHOP

 

Signs promising "LOVE, FULFILLMENT, RARE DELIGHTS". People streaming in and out. A woman comes out looking gazed, breathing "yes... yes..." As she passes CAMERA Logan and Francis emerge from the crowd and CAMERA moves with them.

 

LOGAN

Did you ever see Francis-8?

 

FRANCIS

(shaking his head)

I never even visited Nursery before tonight.

(beat)

When you wonder, it slows you up – you know?

 

They are now passing the facade of HALLUCIMILL where the signs promise: "LIFT OFF, CRAZY LIFT, SUPER LIFT"... here the people going in are simply excited but the ones coming out are clearly stoned out of their minds...

 

FRANCIS

I don't know what makes you so curious. You have any idea who his seed-mother was?

 

LOGAN

(quickly)

Of course not! I m curious, not sick.

(laughs)

 

The crowd is growing denser, funneling into a kind of passageway. Logan and Francis are swallowed up in the group.

 

 

FULL SHOT – ARCADE GREAT HALL

 

An immense room into which the streams of people coming from the entertainment area are mingling. There is a general air of anticipation stirring the crowd as CAMERA singles out Logan and Francis entering, waving to friends. CAMERA closes in on them just as they reach a beautiful woman who is obviously pleased to see Francis. They embrace, and as they break:

 

FRANCIS

And that's my friend, Logan.

(as she acknowledges the introduction)

We're celebrating his next in line. Carousel – Arcade – who knows? Want to come along?

 

WOMAN

(smiles, shakes her head)

Only if I make it to the top of Carousel.

(she holds up her hand)

Thirty – and the big spin.

 

In her palm the crystal blinks, red, black. Francis nods, gives her a half-squeeze.

 

FRANCIS

You're thirty – already? I always thought I was older than you –

(beat)

Well, give it a good try.

 

WOMAN

(pleasantly)

You know I always have.

 

Another beautiful WOMAN joins them.

 

2ND WOMAN

(to the first)

Sorry I won't be at Carousel tonight. It's my Love-Shop turn.

 

WOMAN

That's all right. Happy turn.

 

2ND WOMAN

You'll renew. I've got a feeling.

 

WOMAN

(smiles)

So do I... but if I don't at least I'll have the ultimate thrill. I'd almost rather have that than renew.

 

2ND WOMAN

I feel the same way. Sometimes I think I'm not even going to try and renew when my time comes. But – that's three years away. So long.

 

The 2nd Woman walks away.

 

FRANCIS

(after a beat; to first Woman)

It's been nice.

 

WOMAN

Um-huh.

 

They look briefly and then she turns away. Francis takes Logan's arm and they move off.

 

FRANCIS

I guess you never had her?

 

Logan shakes his head.

 

FRANCIS

You missed something special.

 

LOGAN

Well... you can't have them all.

 

LOGAN AND FRANCIS

(together, it's an old joke)

But you can try.

 

They laugh, but the laughter is broken as a trio of youngsters, moving with erratic speed of lightning, smashes between them, almost knocking Francis over. He reels, Logan catches him and they recover in time to see the trio rip wildly through the crowd, knocking people down, screaming with shrill joy as they disappear.

 

FRANCIS

The damned Yellows are getting out of hand. Those three ought to be in Cathedral. No business scrambling in Arcade...

 

LOGAN

(laughs cuffs Francis' arm)

What an old, old man you're getting to be, Francis. Weren't you ever a Yellow? I bet you were even wilder than –

(he breaks off as the lights in the Great Hall dim)

 – come on, Sandman.

 

The two of them start to move to the far end of the Great Hall.

 

 

FULL SHOT – GREAT HALL

 

As everyone begins to move to the far end, where great curtains have parted to reveal

 

 

ARCADE GREAT HALL – CAROUSEL ENTRANCE

 

At the far end of the hall, where the throng is a huge crystal design ornaments an entrance The crystal is red and pulsing rhythmically to the accompaniment of a deep and thrilling TONE. As we move toward it with Logan and Francis, the TONE deepens, the great pulse takes on a hypnotic quality...