Written and directed by sci-fi/ medical legend, Michael Crichton, Westworld (1973) is conceivably the foundation for his later literary work, Jurassic Park. Crichton revels in tearing down the egotistical, human assumption that just because a thing appears to be controlled doesn’t mean it will remain controlled. This is a prevailing theme in the later Jurassic Park in which the dinosaurs that are under the assumed control of man become the controllers. In Westworld, Crichton’s “controllers” are robots programmed to respond to the every whim of human fantasy from sex to murder. Mayhem ensues when the robots begin to catch a “virus” which enables them to make decisions on their own.

Westworld is just one of three areas that make up the amusement park Delos. In Westworld, for a hefty fee, the visitor can dress, talk, eat and drink just as they did in the Old West. One can also shoot and kill robots that look so real; it is difficult to tell them apart from humans. They have “spared no expense” (a line later parroted in Jurassic Park) in making a trip to Delos exciting and “safe”. Whether one chooses Romanworld, Medievalworld or Westworld, nothing could possibly go wrong to endanger the lives of the guests.

Enter the heroes of the story, Richard Benjamin as Peter Martin and James Brolin as John Blane. Peter, recently divorced, is the more timid of the two; unsure of himself and yet excited to hold a gun in his hand. He has some self esteem to build, maybe even some steam to blow off and what better way to express himself than through the art of gun slinging. Blane has been to Westworld several times and talks Peter through the whole process. Later he encourages Peter to murder the town bully, (who is programmed to always lose) and to engage in sexual activity with a robot call girl.

Yul Brynner portrays the merciless town gunslinger that will eventually contract the virus and begin to win every shoot out with guests. Chaos consumes the park as robots in all three worlds begin to act on their own accord. The scientists running the facility have found the problem too late and can do little to help the guests as Peter and Blane fend for their lives, alone and surrounded by enemies quicker and more powerful than themselves.

Westworld is a must see for fans of Crichton’s work and speaks to our need for escapism even today. It asks the questions, how far are we willing to go, how much will we risk in order to have “fun”?


Director: Michael Crichton

Writer: Michael Crichton

MPAA Rating: PG – violence and adult sexual situations

Trivia: Westworld’s pixilated Point of View (POV) for Yul Brynner’s character was the first use of computer digitized images as part of a feature film.

The sequel to Westworld entitled Futureworld (1976) had a cameo appearance by Yul Brynner. It would be his last performance before his death in 1985. Brynner passed away on the same day as Orson Wells.

There are currently talks to remake Westworld for a 2009 release date. Crichton is on board as a writer and rumors involve Arnold Schwarzenegger.