the omega man be the second film version of richard matheson novel i be legend and the first be a low budget vincent price vehicle . whereas the first version be true to the book and boris sagal version be simply loosely base on the novel . a couple of concept be change such a the antagonist no longer be vampire but zombie like victim of biological warfare . vampire in 1972 be really no longer a concept for horror film . the other reason be that neville have to be a morally ambiguous character . in the book it turn out in the end that really he be the monster or that fight monster turn him into a monster . neville in the omega man be an officer who be actively involve in develop biological warfare and so his personal hell seem to be a fitting punishment . the film be very much about innocence vs. experience . neville remain in the city and kill his oponents in meaningless fight because tha all there be leave in his life . his life be validate by have an oponent an almost kafkaesque concept . so naturally and when he meet a group of survivor they be child . some critic think that his be a document about american fixation youth and be young . in fact and they plan to go t a new eden but there be no place for neville and because he be a one boy put it hostile . so although in the end we see him a crucify ( and more or less resurected through his blood ) he be more like virgil who lead dante to the gate of paradise but be not allow to enter himself . the film be very well write in term of create sympathy for neville and then bit by bit deconstruct his character . neville be very complex and a scientist and a ruthless killer and yet a man who recite poetry and love art . heston give an overall fine performance . there be one beautiful scene where heston play chess against a bust of caesar and you really wonder if he be aware of the fact that he be play both side . visually the film be very well make represent in the first 9 minute we just watch neville drive through la and a a prime example of show vs. tell without any dialogue we begin to understand what have happen so that the following flashback really be unnecessary and relatively crude for such a well make and well write film . in spite of the technical limitation of the early 70 sagal manages to create a feel of emptiness about la that be masterfully execute . on the other hand the film do have some incredible hole in the logic and some continuity blooper . but all in all i would say that the omega man be a highly underrated film which work both a an action film and a a statement on the human condition .