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The Last Child

  • TV Movie
  • 1971
  • 1h 13m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
256
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
    256
    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

    View Poster

    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

    6.6256
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    Featured reviews

    6Red-Barracuda

    Solid and pessimistic sci-fi TV movie

    This made for TV sci-fi thriller is set in a dystopian near future United States. Overpopulation has resulted in the government introducing policies limiting couples to one child and severely reduced medical aid for those over sixty-five. We are introduced to a young couple whose first child died in infancy. The woman has fallen pregnant again. The authorities find out and, facing forced abortion, they have to go on the run.

    I am guessing that concerns about overpopulation were rife back in the 70's, seeing as there were other science fiction films that dealt with this issue in slightly different ways (Soylent Green and Logan's Run spring to mind). It's a very bleak picture that The Last Child paints of the future in the USA, where the government has become somewhat fascistic in this issue at least and people are forced to flee to the more reasonable land of Canada! The movie's TV origins are pretty self-evident. For a sci-fi film it has a pretty contemporary look, with little in the way of futuristic sets or costumes. But it's the drama that propels this one, with a decent enough script. It isn't essential stuff by any means but it's certainly one that should interest sci-fi buffs, primarily those that have a love of the 70's strand.
    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.)
    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.
    6lastsonkrypton

    So How Was the Movie?

    So this reviewer's pro-life. This one's anti-socialized medicine. This one doesn't trust Bush. This one doesn't trust Democrats.

    Hey, guys, how was THE MOVIE?! You know, the one that came out in 1971 and had nothing to do with anything you're talking about? My answer: It was okay. Exciting in parts, kinda cheesy in production values as most TV movies are. Nothing that will likely stick with you forever or bear repeat viewings, but kinda thrilling for 70-some minutes. Van Heflin and Edward Asner were good, and the rest of the cast is mostly 70s actors who stuck mostly to supporting roles and occasional TV movies because none of them really had that much star charisma to speak of. Worth a watch if you catch it on cable or in the dollar bin.
    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.

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    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    James Earl Jones and David Prowse in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
    Sci-Fi
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    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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