West World Movie

A socio-politically related idea struck me while watching the old '73 Westworld movie. The idea came from the wall paper, near the beginning, on the plane of all things. I began relating simple pie chart circles, from the wall paper, to life and the theme of groups, hierarchy, and technology.

A peace sign is somewhat ironic because if it were a pie chart it would not be even. Except for if divided vertically down the middle then compared to the other corresponding part across from it. In west world the circles on the wall paper are divided evenly if thought of as a pie chart, with 5 equal triangles in the circle. These triangles possibly representing the three lands that can be visited, the visitors and the supervisors of the world all in the circle or larger umbrella of Delos. It should also be noted that Delos is an interesting choice in names. That is a Greek island and the birth place of Apollo amongst other facts. It was once a large religious center at one time. A microcosm for the world at large today. The movie world of Delos and our world both consisting of various religious centers and ideological groups, as well as the various factions that form and inhabit them.

In a world with cliques or 'gangs' if all were equal like the pie chart on display in the background, much like a nice idea kept in the back of our minds, there would be no group ahead of another. It would be a simplified idea similar to socialism. Fighting would be the only way to get ahead or get back to 'peace'(the peace sign pie chart) that actually affords more life. There has to be something for people to aspire to or there would be no motivation. The smaller portions of the pie chart gain motivation from knowing there is a place to strive for. The ones at the top compete with those at the top and must strive to stay at the top competing against all others in the other groups to hold their positions. Those at the bottom must have reason to want to better their position and compete with another groups ideology. Thus, more peace is present from un-peace than true peace (the all equal compartment pie chart) because it gives people purpose. So the peace sign vertically cut represents the west vs east. The remaining compartments left on either side still connected represent the wealth hierarchy. Rich and middle class the upper portion. Poor the lower portion.

However, sometimes these lines are pushed too far when one group wants too much or tries to eliminate another group all together or control another group completely. When this happens war is the outcome. I believe 'Westworld' is a satire about this concept of group relations. How all members of a given group or "world" are like drones/robots, acting similarly with similar expectations. Acting alike gets individuals accepted into a group and helps form a group in the first place. It is how a group survives from its birth and extends into existence to become more a way of life. The movie also shows how groups cater to those visiting with money, or are told to, as well as peoples ability to travel between groups comfortably as long as they have money. Lastly depicting how rebellion can spread if one side asks too much, such as the tourists of the drones/robots. One example of this is a female drone in medieval land rejecting an advance by a tourist who probably would have elicited the same response from a modern female. He was her senior and he was overtly pushy. This is very similar to the world we live in and the relationship between countries, states, groups, individuals, etc.

After James Brolins character breaks his friend out of jail they have a conversation that goes as follows

"I almost believe in all this", Peter says.

"Why shouldn't you?

It's as real as anything else", says John.

This again relates to the previous addressed theme and acts as the final foreshadowing for events to come in the breakdown of the dream of a safe land where individuals can experience whatever they like as superior beings to the drones/robots. It marks the middle point and change in tone of the movie. Possibly also alluding to the break down from Eden as a place where everyone got along, where roles were accepted. The creation and forming of factions and outliers there after, as well as what I will term the stand out individual. Standout individuals meaning those with a specific plan or purpose sometimes for fame or sometimes for a given ideology. The breakdown in the movie begins with a glitch from a rattlesnake. The rattle snake is being shot at and when it attacks John (James Brolin), which is not supposed to happen or be possible. But as John said after all this is "as real as anything else". From this point the idealized land becomes more and more like the real world. Some of the drones have found a way possibly even a motivation to fight back. The system at one point trapping the supervisors in the control room allowing for all out chaos. After John, James Brolins character, is shot by a glitched drone, Richard Benjamins character, Peter Martin is on his own to battle his way to survival.

In a final scene Peter must fight an antagonist, Yul Brynner. A dark outfitted gun slinger. He is a drone who shoots and kills John, also not supposed to be possible. At this point at the end, Yul Brynner is faceless. I believe his facelessness is representative of the overall system. In one context any system or group fighting for itself in another context technology or an A.I system. Therefore the face is not important because its anyone or part of the system being represented. He is the embodiment of a force.

The movie itself was made in 1973 produced by Paul N. Lazarus III and directed by Michael Crichton. Michael Crichton an author and director with an acclaimed list of works such as The Andromeda Strain, The Great Train Robbery, Jurassic Park, Congo and Sphere. Westworld, I have read was made on a small budget; the movie made even more impressive by this fact. It is a short film, only 1h 28min, and is a tranquil unfolding of an armageddon. Ultimately leaving Peter in contemplation on the stairs in reflection of the false promise of a great vacation, a great land. The way all disillusioned youths I believe reflect on aspects of the world as adults. This idea paralleling in the theme related to technology as a invention for uncomplicating life that often presents scarier consequences and new problems that complicate it.

An interesting and relevant watch especially since the new highly successful T.V recreation has come out.

Written with use of a google search and

-'Westworld', Wikipedia, 7.24.2022, www.wikipedia.org.

-Kashner, Sam; 2.13.2017, 'When Michael Crichton Reigned Over Pop Culture, from ER to Jurassic Park, Vanity Fair, 7.28.2022, www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/02/michael-crichton-reign-over-pop-culture-jurassic-park-westworld/amp