Today is the premiere of the much anticipated "
I Am Legend" movie starring
Will Smith. Paul Brownfield (L.A. Times) wrote an extensive article, "
Francis Lawrence finds hope in the dystopia of 'I Am Legend'" in which he interviews the film's director, Francis Lawrence, and the film's screenwriter, Akiva Goldsman. It's worth reading.
Will Smith will portray Robert Neville for the third film adaptation of the 1954 Richard Matheson novel. Charleton Heston starred in the second film adaption called "The Omega Man" in 1971. The first film adaption was called "The Last Man on Earth" starring Vincent Price as Robert Morgan in 1964. Below is the full 90-minute movie in two parts.
Watching Vincent Price as Robert Morgan in this film is amazing. His performance isn't an over-the-top horror genre presentation, but it is subtle and filmed in almost a documentarian style. I think "The Last Man on Earth" is basically presented in three acts.
In act one, we watch as Morgan goes through his mundane yet bizarre daily routine. Vincent Price literally does not speak on screen for almost 30 minutes, but instead we hear him narrate. For me, this really seemed to hammer home the desolation and loneliness he's feeling as if we're simply hearing him think to himself. With no one around, who is he going to speak to after three years alone?
In act two, we flashback three years to the time before the plague is widespread. It's a happy life with Morgan, his wife and daughter, friends and co-workers. Sadly, we watch as Morgan endures the death of his daughter and wife. He buries his wife, and his worst fears are confirmed when she returns from the grave as a zombie-like vampire, or vampire-like zombie.
In the final act, we're back in the present as Morgan continues his work of clearing the city of pesky vampire zombies, block-by-block, while they hide from the sun. He has killed hundreds of them, and it is wearing on Morgan. Then, he spots a young woman during the day, the first person in three years.
I won't continue describing the end as a spoiler, but it's a twist ending as Vincent Price utters the namesake of the novel and new 2007 film, "I Am Legend."
Now, if you've just watched "Last Man On Earth," it may remind you of another vastly popular horror movie. Fours years later, in 1968, George Romero made his cult classic horror film "Night of the Living Dead" which has a similar unhappy ending.
[ headphones ] - Caelris' Project Playlist
I Am Legend The Last Man On Earth Vincent Price
