The Power (1968) is based on the 1956 science fiction novel The Power by Frank M. Robinson. The novel's protagonist Tanner, a researcher discovers evidence of a person with psychic abilities among his co-workers. The story follows his attempts to uncover the mysterious and elusive superhuman. As the mystery unfolds, Tanner's very existence is being erased and his associates murdered, until the climactic showdown with a seemingly invincible opponent. I strongly suggest that you try to read the novel first as it's told from the protagonist's viewpoint and the unfolding mystery has more meat to it than does the film version. Certain events from the novel don't appear in the film probably due to time and other constraints.
The story was first televised live as a one hour Studio One Episode aired on Jun 4, 1956.
The Power (1968) was shot at Culver City and Santa Monica
The film is somewhat of a hybrid type of film combining elements of murder mystery, conspiracy thriller and science fiction.
The Power was competently directed by Byron Haskin who had worked in Warner Brothers Special Effects department. Haskin was also responsible for Walt Disney's first live-action film, Treasure island (1950) and from the mid-1950s he began a partnership with producer George Pal. A memorable result of that association was the classic science fiction film, War of the worlds (1953). Other sci-fi collaborations between Pal and Haskin include Conquest Of Space (1955) and Robinson Caruso On Mars (1964).
A strong cast has been assembled with the then younger co-stars, George Hamilton and Suzanne Pleshette being supported by well-known veterans such as Michael Rennie, Yvonne de Carlo, Aldo Ray, Richard Carlson and Earl Holliman. Among others. Some of these characters seem to have been very much under utilized. Suzanne Pleshette for instance, is part of that cohort of lovely 1960's female actors that include Jane Fonda, Faye Dunaway, Raquel Welch and of course, Barbara Eden. In this film, however it is hard to pin down her role or function. She just seems to be...there. As for Earl Holliman! Talk about miscasting! And what did Michael Rennie's character, Nordlund intend to do with his power?
The Power contains sufficient thrills, mystery, suspense, intrigue and plot twists to keep it entertaining and even though generally well-paced there are some slow-moving plodding scenes and moments. The film also comes across as do many others of the era as being quite dated despite its efforts to be modern and even on the verge of being futuristic.
The main feature of the film is the mystery surrounding the identity of the Adam hart character and Tanner's efforts to find who he was in the past and who or what he has become. During the course of the film, the audience isn't given the chance to warm to any of the characters and is never isn't sure who can be trusted, as they are being strung along throughout.
Miklos Rosza's score is sufficiently eerie and effective in enhancing the tension and suspense through the use of a cymbalum / dulcimer instrument, a Hungarian folk instrument. The soundtrack also featured the rhythmic sound of a beating heart to signal the psychic mind-control attempts
Th film reminds us that what we need to be aware of is the kind of power that is concentrated in the hands of the few (human or artificial intelligence) and exercised over our thoughts, perceptions and view of reality as a means of absolute control. For that would be the kind of power we should fear - the power that corrupts...absolutely!
The story was first televised live as a one hour Studio One Episode aired on Jun 4, 1956.
The Power (1968) was shot at Culver City and Santa Monica
The film is somewhat of a hybrid type of film combining elements of murder mystery, conspiracy thriller and science fiction.
The Power was competently directed by Byron Haskin who had worked in Warner Brothers Special Effects department. Haskin was also responsible for Walt Disney's first live-action film, Treasure island (1950) and from the mid-1950s he began a partnership with producer George Pal. A memorable result of that association was the classic science fiction film, War of the worlds (1953). Other sci-fi collaborations between Pal and Haskin include Conquest Of Space (1955) and Robinson Caruso On Mars (1964).
A strong cast has been assembled with the then younger co-stars, George Hamilton and Suzanne Pleshette being supported by well-known veterans such as Michael Rennie, Yvonne de Carlo, Aldo Ray, Richard Carlson and Earl Holliman. Among others. Some of these characters seem to have been very much under utilized. Suzanne Pleshette for instance, is part of that cohort of lovely 1960's female actors that include Jane Fonda, Faye Dunaway, Raquel Welch and of course, Barbara Eden. In this film, however it is hard to pin down her role or function. She just seems to be...there. As for Earl Holliman! Talk about miscasting! And what did Michael Rennie's character, Nordlund intend to do with his power?
The Power contains sufficient thrills, mystery, suspense, intrigue and plot twists to keep it entertaining and even though generally well-paced there are some slow-moving plodding scenes and moments. The film also comes across as do many others of the era as being quite dated despite its efforts to be modern and even on the verge of being futuristic.
The main feature of the film is the mystery surrounding the identity of the Adam hart character and Tanner's efforts to find who he was in the past and who or what he has become. During the course of the film, the audience isn't given the chance to warm to any of the characters and is never isn't sure who can be trusted, as they are being strung along throughout.
Miklos Rosza's score is sufficiently eerie and effective in enhancing the tension and suspense through the use of a cymbalum / dulcimer instrument, a Hungarian folk instrument. The soundtrack also featured the rhythmic sound of a beating heart to signal the psychic mind-control attempts
Th film reminds us that what we need to be aware of is the kind of power that is concentrated in the hands of the few (human or artificial intelligence) and exercised over our thoughts, perceptions and view of reality as a means of absolute control. For that would be the kind of power we should fear - the power that corrupts...absolutely!