Rating: 
Summary: A great movie based on
Review: Released in 1970, OMEGA MAN is based on the book I AM LEGEND by Richard Matheson. OMEGA MAN and Heston were proceeded by the 1964 LAST MAN ON EARTH with Vincent Price portraying the protagonist. LAST MAN ON EARTH, as a side note, was admitted as an influence to NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD by that films creators. OMEGA MAN departs from the original story and the earlier film by eliminating the vampiric creatures lust for the flesh of living humans. Instead, it is turned into a Luddite-like hatred for technology that drives the protagonistic society against one man.
The society of vampires are also more intelligent than portrayed in LAST MAN ON EARTH, which is in keeping with the book.
Well placed in late 60's culture, the story portrays the survivor (Heston) of a holocaust created by a biologically created virus used as a weapon. All the survivors have turned into the night-dwelling 'Brotherhoood' (led by Anthony Zerbe); a technology- hating congleration of people infected with the deadly virus. The virus is slow to kill some, and causes a disdain for light and the ability to see in the dark. Eventually, all infected are subjected to death by the virus.
Heston's character took the only antidote for the virus before it could be delivered. He survives, and finds others who have not yet been infected after three years living on his own, barricaded from the Brotherhood who continually try to kill him as the last remnant of a hated past.
This DVD's special features include an Introduction by some of Heston's co-stars and one of the screenwriters, a film- contemporary documentary about the making of OMEGA MAN, a Charton Heston Sci-Fi Movies Essay, theatrical trailer, and cast biographies. It is subtitled in English French, and Spanish. The spoken languages it can be viewed in are French and the original English. A great film, and historically important as a post-NOTLD descendant!
Rating: 
Summary: A Classic - But not a "Legend"
Review: There are several ways to look at this movie. Unless you are willing to accept its early-70s ambience, it can seem quaint and hokey in spots. And if you're expecting a literal adaptation of Richard Matheson's "I Am Legend," you're going to be disappointed. But if you judge it for what it is -- an "end of civilization" movie made nearly 30 years ago -- it's a damn fine movie: thought-provoking, and suspenseful, with a near-great performance by Heston as the last "normal" man on Earth and a wonderful supporting-role performance by Anthony Zerbe as Matthias. I've watched this move about a dozen times over the years, and always enjoy it -- even though you begin to notice some production glitches after the first couple of viewings (e.g. a car crossing the street way back in the distance, in one shot). One of the best things about "Omega Man" is its pro-technology, pro-reason message in an era when most of pop culture was wallowing in mindless tribalism. I can't give it five stars, but it's sure a solid "four! !
Rating: 
Summary: Basically an interesting plot, but period kitsch distracts!
Review: This film would have had more dramatic impact if the kitsch of the early 70's had not been so intrusive--and the only redeeming thing about that was the cool muscle cars! Really, this is a good movie if you can get over the bad music, bad clothes, and occasionally painful "black slang" dialogue that is used by the main female character, and her brother Richie. Emmy-winner Zerbe seems to have a romping good time as the reporter-turned-prophet who leads the plague-deranged Family against Heston's gutsy Col. Neville. It takes some suspension of disbelief to buy the story that Neville has managed to hold off the Family all by himself for two years. Even with their strong social more against technology, and in spite of Neville's personal arsenal, the Family outnumbers Neville hundreds to one! And the two times the Family does get to Neville, Neville seems so utterly bumbling that it's hard to believe a man so easily captured has managed to avoid his fate for such a long time. But I am nit-picking. This is another one of those venerable Heston science fiction products, akin to Planet of the Apes and Soylent Green. It might be argued that Heston enjoys a sub-genre of film science fiction all to himself, between these three films, each of which exploits some of the great fears of the era in which they were made. You shouldn't see one without seeing the others. Especially Soylent Green, as it is almost the mirror image of Omega Man, in that Soylent Green studdies the impact of massive overpopulation whereas Omega tackles the mental experiment of a sudden, catastrophic population decline.
Rating:
Summary: The Omega Man - A Very Good B Movie
Review: The middle film of Charlton Heston's science fiction trilogy (Planet of the Apes ... Soylent Green), it is a very good B movie. Although based on Richard Matheson's "I Am Legend", it omits the vampire story line completely (a mistake) and picks up instead with the "mutant" theme of the latter third of Matheson's short story. Thus, a good opportunity to make a better film was missed (budget?). The film revolves around Robert Neville (Heston), the last survivor (he thinks) of germ warfare initiated by the Sino-Russian War. Neville is immune to the contagion (he injected himself with an untried, experimental vaccine which happened to work) but he must battle the living, unfortunate victims of the disease known as "The Family". "The Family" are a bunch of infected homicidal, albino mutants intent on ridding the world of Neville and thus destroying the last symbol of modern civilization. They harrass him and psychologically torture him incessantly. They have to, for Neville turns out to be a mutant hunting killing machine. Without giving away any surprises, Neville finds out he is not the last (normal) human on Earth. Although the film is somewhat dated (definitely 70's, the clothing of "The Family" makes them look like Inquisitors, and where did Matthias get the materials to make these costumes?) it is still a very entertaining film to watch. Charlton Heston is excellent as Robert Neville. DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHEN THE DVD IS COMING OUT?
Rating:
Summary: Thanks For This Filthy DVD, You Damned Dirty Apes!
Review: Well, it finally made it. Warner has given us "The Omega Man" on DVD, and I must say it's great to see it. The story is taken from Richard Matheson's much beloved modern gothic novel called "I Am Legend", and reworked by screenwriters John William and Joyce H.Corrinton into a 1970s biological warfare action film. Vampires were done away with, and replaced with neo-zombie mutants that can't stand any strong light. They've become anti-science zealots, and are out to destroy Robert Neville, "the last man on earth". As the story proceeds, we find that Neville is not the last man, and that indeed there are other humans striving to survive in this post-apocolyptic world. Only Neville's blood can save them, as he is immune to the disease that ravished the world.There are some nay-sayers out there who will immediately complain about how "dated" the movie is. Well, I guess you need enough of an imagination to ignore the intervening years and try not to take it too seriously. Of course the film is dated, it was made in 1971. Try to enjoy in the vein it is meant to be enjoyed, as a sci-fi action film with Charelton Heston in the lead. The picture quality of the DVD is very satisfying. The colors look sharp and vivid. The film is provided in widescreen format, enhanced for widescreen televisions, for any of you lucky enough to be able to afford one. This is the best this film has ever looked since its initial release in the theaters. The sound it clear and offered in Dolby stereo. Charlton Heston's performance is solid in the role of action hero. Anthony Zerbe at times nearly steals the show with his performance as Matthias, the Zealos leader of the anti-science cult members. And there are a few nice extras here. The original trailor, presented also in widescreen, an all-new introduction with co-stars Eric Laneuville (Richie), Paul Koslo (Dutch, "The mad bomber himself"), and screenwriter Joyce H.Corrinton (John William has passed away). This is a nice package. If you've been waiting for this movie to move to DVD as long as I have, I don't believe you'll be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Something a little different..
Review: I saw this movie on TV quite a while ago, yet it has lingered in the back of my mind ever since. Omega Man is a rather eerie look at a very lonely, empty world after biological warfare has seemed to kill everyone on the planet -- except Charlton Heston and some very weird and intolerant mutated people. If you are in the right mood, there are few movies more unsettling and depressing than this dark journey into an unknown future -- set in the early 1970s. From the beginning scene where Charton Heston, who gives a very believable and memorable performance, puts an 8-track in his car stereo and cruises down an empty city street to the theme from a Summer Place, you know you are in for a very timely and intriguing film. The love story subplot will tug at your heart strings as the hope for a healthy future and peace will provoke uncertainty. If you love the 1970s, don't miss this excellent sci-fi thriller, filled with impressive acting and lingering social commentary.
Rating:
Summary: Hippie Science Fiction.
Review: It is the height of irony that Chuck Heston, who has recently raised the ire of numerous liberal do-gooders for his arch-conservative stances on issues such as gun control, was the star of counter culture sci-fi flicks of the late 60's and early 70's: Planet of the Apes, Soylent Green, and this classic, The Omega Man. "The Man" has screwed up and destroyed mankind with his weapons of mass destruction. All that remains is a scientist (Heston) who discovered a vaccine against the deadly virus that has either killed people or turned them into mutant psychopaths. Also alive are a handful of children and a couple of adult free spirits; but unless they are vaccinated they will turn into mutants with time. ("Don't trust anyone over 30!") Can the Omega Man use his blood as a vaccine to save what is left of mankind? Can the Omega Man survive the night when all the mutants come out to try and kill him? This is a fun movie! Sure "The Omega Man" is dated; but that is part of its charm: the music, the clothes, and those afros. Some parts are priceless such as sight of Chuck Heston watching the movie "Woodstock" and knowing all the dialogue by heart. Or a black mutant trying to convince the head mutant, Anthony Zerbe, to allow him to use artillery to blast Heston out of his "honky paradise." (On a serious note: This movie did feature one of the first interracial movie romances in which race is considered inconsequential.) Heston is at his hammy best here, and he does utter his trademark line: "Oh, my God!" The ending is a hoot with Chuck as Christ- "The blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven." "I was like Charleton Heston in "The Omega Man." Beauty movie, eh?"- Strange Brew
Rating:
Summary: Last Man?
Review: Charlton Heston is Neville, who may be the last normal man on earth, after a biological war has killed everyone. He was able to develop a vaccine but it came too late. He does live with a contaminated zombie like group that call themselves "The Family". The Family can't stand the sunlight and they peruse Neville during the hours of darkness. Neville fights back during the hunting down members of the family. Neville is captured by the family and then save by a woman. He uses his serum to save the woman and her family and friends.
Rating:
Summary: Could have been better
Review: A very depressing look at the future, but it does what it's supposed to do, create a bleak future by painting it full of nihilistic color. The film is acted fairly well but the time period this was done hurts the film today. I find that if it had a bigger budget it could have been more effective with its plot twists and turns.
Rating: 
Summary: 4 stars when it's been released but what about now!
Review: I saw this movie very longtime ago and as a child or teen, I remember how scare I was of the albinos survivors : The family. I found the DVD and I was so excited to see it again. I finally found how silly this movie is. It looks so old now and hairy Heston is quite ridiculous in this role. The make up is laughable and the characters are so borrrrrriiiinnnnggg. This is an old fashioned science fiction movie and you have to watch it with the time it has been released in mind. Believe me It's today a very boring flick.
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