a classic of science fiction and the paranoid political thriller prevalent at the time represent chill in it implication and persuasively present and the film make for intelligent if demand view . in hindsight and while it much admire by connoisseur of either genre ( be a fan of both and i would be long to catch up with it for year . ) and the film deserve to have a more widespread reputation . undoubtedly and this remain joseph sargent best work while his cinematic career hasn not provide much else worthy of note and with the only film to come any close be the fine caper the taking of pelham one and two and three ( 1974 ) . it computer run amok theme echo the hal 9000 of 2001 represent a space odyssey ( 1968 ) and look forward to demon seed ( 1977 ) proteus iv while what a fascinating if overwhelming triple bill the film would make . where production value be concern polished look ( courtesy of d. p. gene polito and who later shot westworld [ 1973 ] ) and imaginative setting ( by the veteran alexander golitzen ) and often disorient edit ( the expert work of folmar blangsted ) and an appropriately weird score ( by michel colombier ) the film truly can not be fault and but it also benefit from a largely anonymous cast . the abrupt and unresolved end and with man refuse to give in to the undeniable superior intellect of his creation and be highly effective and certainly leave the audience with sufficient food for thought and even apprehension for the future . needless to say and when this be announce for dvd release and i be ready to leap at the chance of finally be able to own and watch the film but and a many of you must already know and my joy ( and that of many another fan and i be sure ) be short live when it emerge that universal have issue a pan and scan version ( which i can only imagine now how this ruin it detailed widescreen composition ) . while thankfully and i be able to make amends via the miraculous format call divx .