8. THX 1138 (1971)
George Lucas's first feature film, THX 1138, has a different take on bleakness: instead of things having a dark, moody feel, Lucas uses white liberally, with all characters dressed in white, and the rest of the palette daubed in white or grey only. Taking place in the 25th century, human life is muted using drugs: sex is not allowed and people have to work long hours under constant surveillance. Against that backdrop LUH (Maggie McOmie), stops taking her drugs and swaps THX's (Robert Duvall) drugs with ones that don't work, and as both of the drugs begin to wear off, illegal love begins to spark between the pair, and they attempt to escape. THX 1138 is a much more adult affair than the rest of Lucas's filmography - it has a cold and sterile feeling, which is extremely effective in building a clinical feel for the universe. Regardless of how the events of the film play out, the canvas is what creates the bleak feel, and Lucas can be praised for such a simple, but hugely affecting creative choice.