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The Last Child

  • TV Movie
  • 1971
  • 1h 13m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
255
YOUR RATING
Michael Cole and Janet Margolin in The Last Child (1971)
DramaSci-FiThriller

In a badly-overpopulated future, where each couple is only allowed one child and where people over 65 are forbidden medical care under a very draconian set of laws, a young couple, pregnant ... Read allIn a badly-overpopulated future, where each couple is only allowed one child and where people over 65 are forbidden medical care under a very draconian set of laws, a young couple, pregnant with their second child (the first died shortly after birth) enlist the help of an elderly... Read allIn a badly-overpopulated future, where each couple is only allowed one child and where people over 65 are forbidden medical care under a very draconian set of laws, a young couple, pregnant with their second child (the first died shortly after birth) enlist the help of an elderly former US Senator to help them escape to Canada.

  • Director
    • John Llewellyn Moxey
  • Writer
    • Peter S. Fischer
  • Stars
    • Michael Cole
    • Van Heflin
    • Harry Guardino
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    255
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John Llewellyn Moxey
    • Writer
      • Peter S. Fischer
    • Stars
      • Michael Cole
      • Van Heflin
      • Harry Guardino
    • 16User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Photos1

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    Top cast20

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    Michael Cole
    Michael Cole
    • Allen Miller
    Van Heflin
    Van Heflin
    • Senator Quincy George
    Harry Guardino
    Harry Guardino
    • Howard Drumm
    Janet Margolin
    Janet Margolin
    • Karen Miller
    Edward Asner
    Edward Asner
    • Barstow
    Kent Smith
    Kent Smith
    • Gus Iverson
    Michael Larrain
    • Sandy
    Philip Bourneuf
    Philip Bourneuf
    • Dr. Tyler
    James A. Watson Jr.
    James A. Watson Jr.
    • Sergeant O'Connell
    • (as James A. Watson)
    Barbara Babcock
    Barbara Babcock
    • Shelley Drumm
    Sondra Blake
    • Woman in Subway
    Roy Engel
    Roy Engel
    • Conductor
    Phyllis Avery
    Phyllis Avery
    • Nurse
    Ivor Francis
    Ivor Francis
    • Doctor Young
    Jason Wingreen
    Jason Wingreen
    • Ticket Clerk
    Bill Walker
    Bill Walker
    • Dining Car Waiter
    Victor Izay
    Victor Izay
    • Silverman
    Frank Baxter
    • John
    • Director
      • John Llewellyn Moxey
    • Writer
      • Peter S. Fischer
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews16

    6.6255
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    Featured reviews

    eugenia_loli

    I don't agree with this film

    I am an anti-overpopulation believer. I believe that harsh laws will eventually be put into place in the future, be it 1-child per family or 2-children per family (it doesn't matter how many, point is, there will have to be a restriction at some point).

    What I don't like about this movie is that they tried to make it look justified by introducing two elements that are not realistic: the forbidding of medically treating old people and the fact that the couple had a child before that died. I am pretty sure that if overpopulation becomes a problem, old people will be continued to be medically treated AND families that they lost their first child will be allowed to have a second chance.

    But because overpopulation restrictions might actually make sense, the writers of the movie tried to give justification to their own knee-jerk reaction kind of movie by adding non-realistic, *truly* fascistic elements in it. That's what bothers me with the plot.
    8bobbyf

    So how about that movie?

    The Mod Squad's Michael Cole heads up this great made-for-TV thriller about a young couple on the run from authorities in a near-future world where couples are limited to one child per family. I saw this film several times on Saturday afternoon TV- gosh I hate infomercials. I miss great Saturday afternoon movies. The story in "The Last Child" takes place in the United States in a near future where population growth has caused the government to control the birth rate. Families are limited to one child. What makes this story compelling, is that the couple in question has had a child that died, and this "second" child is not permitted under the law. They are on the run for nearby Canada (of all places) where the law is not so imposing. Now, this is where I could digress into all kinds of political rhetoric, or force my own opinion on you, but in lieu of that, I'll tell you that the ensuing "pursuit" is what makes up the meat of the story. There are stereotypical "bad guys" determined to stop the couple from having their child and there are "sympathetic" good guys who endanger themselves by helping the young couple flee to safety. There's some low budget special effects, but over all, this is a good film for its time that imposes some compelling questions about how far political agendas should be pushed, etc. Personally, this stands as one of the best made-for-TV sci-fi films ever made. The acting and script make up for any technical shortcomings. If you can catch it- go for it.
    7Tex_Arcana

    Before Roe. . .

    Before Roe v. Wade, and the pro-abortion cult became the state's approved PC religion, the ABC Movie-of-the-Week folks turned out this surprisingly prophetic film. Set in a time when the American democracy had devolved into fascism, and personal freedom was little more than a cliche, this was intended to be a look into a bizarre futuristic world, something like "Brave New World". Nearly thirty years later, that future seems right around the corner.
    storman

    Not as good as other John Llewellyn Moxey TV movies!

    I just never bought into this story. Even though I agree with the stories subtle premise, that some time in the future, Population Control will be necessary for the survival of the human race. The other part of this movies premise was just not believable. The fact that this couple had to run from the Population Control Police, because they were going to have a second child, even though the first child died at just over 1 year old, seems a little too extreme, and made it hard for me to buy into. This movie seemed too one sided and more of a political statement about one's rights, rather than dealing equally with the serious questions of Overpopulation. Not as good as the other classic TV-movies directed by John Llewellyn Moxey, the Master of 70's TV-Movies & Pilots (Genesis II, Night Stalker, Kung Fu, A Taste of Evil, etc.)
    9planktonrules

    Another bleak view of the overpopulated future from the early 1970s.

    In the late 60s and early 70s, folks in the US started worrying about overpopulation. This led to a few films set in the near future where society is a dystopian nightmare--where there are just too many people and not enough resources (such as "Soylent Green"). In "The Last Child", this overpopulation has led to a terrible time where folks are limited to only one birth AND folks over 65 are refused medical care...all in an effort to deal with the ever- expanding population.

    When the film begins, you see that a young couple (Michael Cole and Janet Margolin) are expecting a child. The problem is she already had one...and even though it died shortly after birth, they are forbidden by law to have the second one. So they must hide and hope they aren't discovered. Unfortunately, a cop (Ed Asner) catches on and arrests her...and they're planning on sterilizing the poor lady and destroying the child! What comes next is a cross-country race to try to get to safety in Canada...and help from a couple very unlikely sources.

    This film is bleak...but also exceptionally well done. It's a tense drama and works very, very well. I was particularly impressed by Van Heflin in his final role--he was exceptional. My only proviso is that some people might just find it too bleak.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Peter S. Fischer, later a very prolific TV writer and producer, made his television scriptwriting debut with this TV movie.
    • Quotes

      Doctor Young: I'm Doctor Young. I suppose this might seem very frightening and confusing to you but, er. let me assure you that no one here is going to hurt you. In a sense we're here to help.

      Doctor Young: Now then, you came here from Syracuse?

      Alan Miller: Yes, the last year. After our first child died.

      Doctor Young: Yes, I see - Miller baby, female. She was only 15 days old. That's unfortunate. Yet, I observe from Mrs. Miller's condition that the mandatory hysterectomy wasn't performed?

      Alan Miller: Well, we made the appeals to the government office, and no one would listen so we just decided it was hopeless and left town to move down here.

      Doctor Young: I understand. Not a very palatable law is it? Perhaps if we'd practised planned parenthood in the past, it wouldn't be necessary. But now it's the law. One child per family. No more. And no exceptions.

      Alan Miller: But our baby's dead.

      Doctor Young: After having lived longer than ten days. The law's very specific, Mr. Miller. I know how unfair this must seem to you. The child is gone, now your wife is facing an operation that will end her ability to bear children. Not so sure I wouldn't have done the same thing, if I'd been in your place. Now, when is the child expected, Mrs. Miller?

      Karen Miller: The end of November.

      Doctor Young: Hmm-mm. Have you been experiencing any pains of any kind? Or any difficulties?

      Karen Miller: No.

      Doctor Young: Good. Now, we're at a very difficult period in the pregnancy, Mrs. Miller. I suppose we could bring on a miscarriage. But at this point, that always carries a danger to the mother. On the other hand, we could wait until the child is actually delivered and then immediately dispose of it.

      Alan Miller: Disposal? You're not talking about a piece of garbage.

      Doctor Young: I'm sorry. I apologise, I didn't mean it to sound that way. Now look, both of you, I promise you, there is no pain for the baby. There's no life to speak of really, it's just a fleeting moment. It's all done with kindness. Quickly, efficiently.

      Alan Miller: You're murdering a baby, but you're doing it kindly?

      Doctor Young: We don't think of it as murdering. We simply can't let...

      Alan Miller: You're taking a human life. That is murder. Every human being has the right to live.

      Doctor Young: No, Mr. Miller. You're wrong. In this day and age, not every human being has a right to live. You and your wife knew that when you conceived this child. You're free to go, Mr. Miller. Mrs. Miller will have to remain with us. We simply have to make sure that you don't disappear again. You'll find it very comfortable here, I assure you.

      Alan Miller: Can I ask you a question? Do you sleep at night?

      Doctor Young: Sometimes. If it's of any help to you Mr. Miller, sometimes with vast difficulty.

    • Connections
      References Assassin of Youth (1938)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 5, 1971 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Barnförbjudet
    • Filming locations
      • Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA(Studio)
    • Production company
      • Aaron Spelling Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 13m(73 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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