10 '70s Sci-Fi Movies You Need To Watch Before You Die

Silent Running is not usually a film that gets thrown in the mix when discussing the greatest science fiction movies, but it’s a shame because Douglas Trumball’s futuristic flick is a universe of striking visuals and thrilling action.

The plot is based in the not-so-distant future as Freeman Lowell looks after plants in giant space greenhouses. Meanwhile on planet Earth, all the trees have vanished which is why the lone member works hard to keep them alive.

In a turn of events, he receives orders from Earth to destroy the greenhouses. As a passionate botanist, he struggles to go through with it and is faced with a tough decision.

Perhaps the script is slightly heavy-handed with the film's overall message but nevertheless, the themes are still relevant to a modern day audience. Moreover, it’s a charming little adventure story with a unique aesthetic of plants and technology fused together, not to mention an innovative storyline. Ahead of its time, Silent Running never quite lifted off like it should have done.