The movie was filmed in the 70s and a lot of that is felt in the movie. People live in pure pleasure and free of responsibilities until they are killed on their 30th birthday in a ritual called Carousel, where they face the option of rebirth. Those who try to evade this fate are called Runners and tracked down by elite police (likened by star Michael York to the SS) called Sandmen. York plays a Sandman, Logan 5 who is put on a mission to find Sanctuary, which is supposedly where the 1000+ missing runners have gone. He pairs up with Jessica 6 (played by the lovely Jenny Agutter) in this pursuit and becomes a Runner himself.
It's a rather complicated movie, actually. Some of the things are illogical (the aging scheme is inconsistent and the world would have deteriorated far more by the 23rd century). However it's rather fascinating to watch and consider. On a production scale, they did a great job at creating a futuristic world, though the free love concepts of the 60s and 70s definitely make their way in. I am also caught off guard by the free expression of sexuality in the movie compared to the tame way we address it today. Jessica 6 is nearly naked the first time we see her and fully naked at least once in the film (she apparently was originally supposed to be naked more, but it was cut for timing ,though a "knicker reel" - her words - apparently circulated Hollywood). We get flashed repeatedly by women in very short skirts and loose tops. And in the Love Shop, people are naked and having sex, right on screen! It was a bit startling. I don't particularly object to it, I think we've gotten a bit prude as a society, but it was so unusual.
That aside, it is one of my favorite movies. If you haven't seen it, you should. It's available on Netflix (DVD only right now) and worth the rental. And Michael York remains one of the most attractive British actors ever. Even now, he's a stud.
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