--- title: "Silent Running: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/silent-running/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/silent-running" critics_score: 75 critics_reviews: 11 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Silent Running (1972): what the critics said Critics' score 75 from 11 reviews: 10 positive, 1 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics like Silent Running a good deal, and the praise gathers in the same three places. Douglas Trumbull’s effects and lived-in spaceship interiors are singled out repeatedly, with several reviewers noting how much he manages on a small budget. Bruce Dern’s performance is the second constant, described as committed, subtle or twitchy depending on the writer. The third is the ecological message itself: the reviews treat it as a quiet, humane counterweight to 2001, and the later ones find it more relevant as the decades pass, not less. The drones come in for particular affection. The reservations are minor and scattered. One review finds the early scene-setting awkward; another thinks the soundtrack has dated badly. The spread is narrow, with one exception: Variety, writing at release, argues that Dern is miscast and that the casting undermines the drama, a view no later critic shares. ## Time Out — PH Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 21 July 2014. A wonderful film whose message—that humanity (and its creations) must save itself—contrasts with 2001 by emphasizing personal responsibility and ecological hope. The critic singles out the stunning visuals and strong central ideas for praise, noting they outweigh the somewhat awkward early scene-setting. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/silent-running) ## Little White Lies — Brian Quinn Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 16 November 2020. Trumbull's directorial debut is a soulful, homespun eco-parable that serves as a tender riposte to the emotional sterility of 2001: A Space Odyssey, prioritizing heart and human (and robotic) connection over grand cosmic spectacle. The critic praises the film's thriftily inventive effects, lived-in spaceship interiors, and especially Bruce Dern's committed performance alongside the endearing drones. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/in-praise-of/silent-running-douglas-trumbull-stanley-kubrick-2001-a-space-odyssey) ## Empire — Adam Smith Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The critic praises the film's thoughtful, moving tale of ecological concern in space, highlighting its strident political stance on environmental issues and the poignant ending with the drone tending the flower. Dern's performance is noted positively. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/silent-running-review/) ## The Guardian — Philip French Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 27 November 2011. The critic praises this 1970s cult sci-fi as a deeply moving and immaculately staged ecological fable. It highlights the humour and imagination in its screenplay and the innovative direction by special-effects expert Douglas Trumbull. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/nov/27/silent-running-french-classic-dvd) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 1971. The critic praises the film's simplicity and quiet ecological concern, calling it a movie out of the ordinary for science-fiction fans. He highlights the deep-space effects on par with 2001 and Bruce Dern's subtle performance as the uncomplicated protagonist who chooses the last plants over his fellow crew members. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/silent-running-1971) ## Slant Magazine — Budd Wilkins Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 4 December 2020. Trumbull’s sci-fi fable explores environmental issues and the effects of isolation on human beings. It praises the nuanced portrayal of the protagonist’s obsessive struggle and the memorable drones that develop personality. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/dvd/silent-running-blu-ray-review-douglas-trumbull/) ## The AV Club — Sam Adams Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 16 April 2013. The film is a fascinating oddity from Universal’s brief indie period, with philosophical sci-fi themes focused on ecology and isolation. It highlights Dern’s twitchy performance and the cult status of its unique vision despite limited runtime. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/universal-s-brief-indie-fling-produced-great-odd-resul-1798237531) ## Variety — Variety Staff Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). 31 December 1971. The review credits the excellent special effects from debuting director Douglas Trumbull and a literate script, but criticizes the crucial miscasting of Bruce Dern, which undermines dramatic credibility and makes the production teeter on the ludicrous. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1971/film/reviews/silent-running-1200422718/) ## Collider — Zach Laws Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 2 June 2024. The critic praises Silent Running as a prescient eco-sci-fi film that explores corporate greed threatening nature, with Bruce Dern's character making extreme choices to preserve the last plants. They single out its enduring relevance to climate concerns today. [Read the review](https://collider.com/silent-running-sci-fi-movie/) ## Film Stories — Ryan Lambie Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 27 November 2023. The critic praises Silent Running as a masterpiece of economic filmmaking and highlights its influence on later sci-fi through its heart and intelligent storytelling, particularly Bruce Dern's performance and the robots. The main praise is for its emotional depth and technical ingenuity on a low budget. [Read the review](https://filmstories.co.uk/features/silent-running-one-of-the-most-quietly-influential-films-of-the-1970s/) ## Eye for Film — Jennie Kermode Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 17 June 2009. The critic notes that Silent Running combines a big environmental idea with a human story, praising its beautiful cinematography and well-dated special effects, while noting the dated soundtrack as a minor issue. It is seen as an important contribution to the genre reminding of early warnings. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/silent-running-film-review-by-jennie-kermode) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/silent-running.md