Roger Ebert Loved This Sci-Fi Bomb, Comparing Its Special Effects To 2001: A Space Odyssey

Stanley Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey" is one of the best sci-fi movies of all time. Roger Ebert is one of the most influential film critics to ever put words to the page. So, if Ebert believes a movie is on par with Kubrick's classic in any way, we should all take notice. This brings us to Douglas Trumbull's "Silent Running," which follows a botanist (Bruce Dern) who maintains a greenhouse on a space station. The movie didn't enjoy much popularity after its release, but Ebert favorably compared its special effects to "2001: A Space Odyssey."

Of course, Trumbull contributed special effects work to "2001: A Space Odyssey," so it's unsurprising that Ebert was reminded of Kubrick's film when he watched this one. "Trumbull also did the computers and the underground laboratory for 'The Andromeda Strain,' and is one of the best science-fiction special-effects men," Ebert wrote. "'Silent Running,' which has deep space effects every bit the equal of those in '2001,' also introduces him as an intelligent, if not sensational, director."

Trumbull (who also helmed "Brainstorm," an '80s sci-fi flick starring Christopher Walken that deserves another look) didn't direct many features during his career. However, time has been kind to "Silent Running," which received strong critical praise at the time of its release. 

"Silent Running" currently boasts a 71% fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising its character-driven story, mood, and the same effects that caught Roger Ebert's attention. As David Kehr wrote for the Chicago Reader in his 1986 review, "The film is enjoyable for its intimacy, seriousness, and intelligent character work, virtues not perpetuated by the subsequent new wave."

In a retrospective review, BBC critic Lewis Gordon praised the movie for its effects and themes, which still hold up after all these years. "Its shoestring $1 million budget makes its visionary first few minutes all the more remarkable while an emotional core brims with the big-hearted idealism of the era's countercultural politics."

All things considered, "Silent Running" is a '70s sci-fi movie everybody should watch at least once. Roger Ebert gave it a perfect score, and that alone should be enough to convince film buffs to give it a chance.