44

I recall when I was young (about 30+ years ago) I saw on TV a movie about a civilization (possibly humans in the future) with limited life span (they died young) and if I recall correctly, an integrated red light indicator in their hands showing when they were about to die. When the light indicator turned on or turned off (I dont recall exactly) it meant they were about to die soon.

Does anyone have an idea which movie it could be?

Improve this question
10

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
74

You're describing Logan's Run.

In the year 2274, the remnants of human civilization live in a sealed city contained beneath a cluster of geodesic domes, a utopia run by a computer that takes care of all aspects of their life, including reproduction. The citizens live a hedonistic life but in order to maintain the population levels everyone must undergo the rite of "Carrousel" when they reach the age of 30. There, they are vaporized and ostensibly "renewed". To track this, each person is implanted at birth with a "life-clock" crystal in the palm of their hand that changes color as they get older and begins blinking as they approach their "Last Day". Most residents accept this promise of rebirth, but those who do not and attempt to flee the city are known as "Runners". An elite team of policemen known as "Sandmen", outfitted in predominantly black uniforms and serving in an agency of the city called "Deep Sleep", are assigned to pursue and terminate Runners as they try to escape.

Improve this answer
10
  • 15
    The 2011 film In Time (imdb.com/title/tt1637688/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_24) takes the life-clock idea but adds the ability for people to "earn" more time.
    – Matt Holland
    Commented Nov 29, 2018 at 23:08
  • 1
    @user14111 - The script say "Carousel"
    – Valorum
    Commented Nov 30, 2018 at 7:19
  • 3
    @user14111 - Mildly interesting story actually. There's a typo on the opening text of the film (or at least, the word is spelled the non-Standard French way) and there's been a running edit war on Wikipedia over it; youtube.com/watch?v=IQpIAx2Gzik
    – Valorum
    Commented Nov 30, 2018 at 7:40
  • "Is Logan still on his run?" - Vic Reeves (Big Night Out)
    – ilikeprogramming
    Commented Nov 30, 2018 at 15:00
  • 1
    "Carrousel" is an acceptable variant of "carousel" (well, according to at least one American Heritage edition, which is probably just fuel to the fire). The former is basically the French spelling, so one presumes that it was borrowed from that form at some point before being simplified. But this would be a question for another SE.
    – user106082
    Commented Nov 30, 2018 at 17:47
13

This is the 1976 film or 1977 TV series Logan's Run. The post-apocalyptic inhabitants of a domed city have crystal life clocks embedded in their palms. When they reach 30 years old (21 in the novel), the clock starts blinking and the must participate in a ritual called 'Carousel' to continue living. In actuality, nobody survives it.

Improve this answer
6
  • This does mention the TV series as well. Admittedly, if the OP actually saw it 30 years ago, the movie is the much more likely candidate.
    – RDFozz
    Commented Nov 29, 2018 at 21:42
  • 8
    Going from memory, but I believe there's a nominal possibility of "renewal" (surviving the Carousel), but as the film progresses Logan realizes that this is a myth.
    – Jack Brounstein
    Commented Nov 29, 2018 at 22:15
  • 1
    @NKCampbell belief was well implied. There was a novel as well you know. I would have thought this was mandatory viewing after the Family Guy reference. Amazing how this predicted Tinder so well too. It did borrow a bit from POTA and Soylent Green here and there too, the Univac style computer and the Brave New World style breeding made it almost generic. Population control and the eventual decay of the city were almost mandatory plotlines.
    – mckenzm
    Commented Nov 30, 2018 at 2:09
  • 1
    What in hell is POTA?
    – user89108
    Commented Feb 9, 2019 at 16:06
  • 1
    @user89108 I am guessing Planet of the Apes.
    – htmlcoderexe
    Commented Aug 12, 2021 at 6:40

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.