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Genres
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MPAA RatingNR
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Runtime1 hr 36 min
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LanguageEnglish
The Last Man on Earth is a post-apocalyptic science-fiction film released in 1964. The story is based on the novel I Am Legend by Richard Matheson, which was published in 1954. The movie stars Vincent Price in the lead role as Dr. Robert Morgan, who is the last surviving man on Earth after a pandemic wipes out humanity. The film takes place in Los Angeles, where Morgan lives in a fortified house while trying to find a cure for the mysterious disease that caused the apocalypse.
The story opens with Morgan driving through an abandoned city, scavenging for food and supplies. He spends his days killing vampires, the former humans who have been turned into mindless, zombie-like creatures by the pandemic. He has managed to survive for over three years by staying away from the infected and making sure his house is secure.
However, Morgan is not alone in the city. The vampires gather outside his house every night, calling him by name and demanding that he come outside. He has no idea why they are attracted to him, but he knows that he needs to be vigilant if he wants to survive.
Throughout the film, we learn more about Morgan's past and how he has coped with the loss of his family and the collapse of society. We see flashbacks of his wife and child dying in his arms, and we see him talking to a doll that belonged to his daughter. He also listens to recorded messages from a radio station, which give him a sense of hope that there might be other survivors out there.
One day, while out on a supply run, Morgan meets a woman named Ruth (played by Franca Bettoia), who initially seems afraid of him but eventually reveals that she too is immune to the disease. However, she thinks that the vampires are the new dominant species and that they deserve to survive. Morgan is appalled by her views and tries to convince her that there is still hope for humanity.
The Last Man on Earth is a bleak and haunting film that explores themes of loss, loneliness, and survival. Vincent Price delivers a powerful performance as a man who is struggling to hold on to his sanity in the face of overwhelming odds. The film is notable for its depiction of the vampires, who are not the blood-sucking aristocrats of traditional vampire stories but rather diseased, zombie-like creatures who are more pitiable than terrifying.
Overall, The Last Man on Earth is a classic piece of science-fiction cinema that still holds up today. Its themes of isolation and hopelessness are just as relevant now as they were in 1964, and its portrayal of a post-apocalyptic world is both chilling and thought-provoking. If you're a fan of science-fiction or horror, this film is definitely worth checking out.
The Last Man on Earth is a science fiction movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes.