No it's not "better than 2001"! How can two such different films be compared? Is "Seven Samurai" better than "Solaris"? Silent Running is a wonderful film and I love it, and I see why you prefer it to 2001, but Silent Running, although it has a huge heart, doesn't have, at its core, the wonder and marvel that 2001 has.

As long as Mark hits our nerves, he's doing his job. I haven't seen the film but I definitely will. Most probably... tonight! Can't wait to see the guy who was chasing Ryan O'Neal so unsuccessfully in Walter Hill's Driver being sent into the space. ;)

I would say more accessible rather than better than. As much as I love 2001, I find myself more drawn to Silent Running or even Dark Star if i'm searching through my DVD's. The point the good doctor makes about 2001 being not a bout people, but the void is obviously the reason. While it's great to bask in Kubrick and Clarke's vision every now and then, it's too cold a film to just sit and enjoy.

I watched this about a year ago on your recommendation Mark and I've got to say, it's one of the rare times I disagreed with you - I hated it. I didn't just not like it, I really disliked it. It was so self-important and dull, the central character was a maniac who I hated. Furthermore, if you haven't bought into the hippie message of the film, the schmaltzy quality that you referred to is no longer endearing but toe-curling. And if that is the wound the soundtrack is definitely the salt.

Finally, I don't agree that Silent Running is about humanity any more than 2001. On the surface maybe, but films like 2001 and Blade Runner which are not directly about humans have a lot to say about them. 2001 is about our place in the universe and in time, I struggle to think of an issue that is more about humanity than that. A much more central and less superfluous issue than conservation which is the focus of Silent Running's boring lecture.

But is it better than Battle Beyond the Stars?......I think not