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.
16 Reviews
from a high school assignment to 40 years in the future
hofnarr5 April 2011
There were two required courses my freshman year in high school that I recall for one or two reasons - "Comparative Economic Systems" I remember for the example of the price of hula hoops in regards to supply and demand and fads, et cetera. If the book is still being published a reference to the Coen brothers "The Hudsucker Proxy" would be a good update. As for "Comparative Political Systems" I vaguely remember something about the Kwakiutl Indians, but what remains sharply in focus 40 years later was the result of the assignment to watch this film.
If it seemed somewhat fantastic [3. imaginary or groundless in not being based on reality; foolish or irrational: fantastic fears] then, 40 years later it's not so unrealistic. While "death panels" are not mentioned per se in the film, cutting off medical aid to folks over 65 can be problematic if you're diabetic - as was the character of Senator Quincy George played by Emmett Evan Heflin Jr, and, as the trivia section notes "This TV movie was Van Heflin's final performance. He died of a heart attack three months before the original broadcast..." BTW - to avoid a spoiler don't read all of the trivia - I've truncated it so the spoiler doesn't show.
I don't want to write much more without seeing it again - memories of films forty years past may not be entirely reliable - but it made quite an impression on a young teenager raised in an extremely conservative environment. I've read most if not all of Philip Kindred Dick's short stories written in the 1950's and wonder at how prescient he was with many of them. "The Last Child" was the first produced script by Peter S. Fischer, to my knowledge. He won an Edgar Allan Poe Award for an episode of "Murder, She Wrote" and several Emmy nominations for other of these episodes. He would go on to work with the director, John Llewellyn Moxey, on a number of the "Murder, She Wrote," episodes.
If it seemed somewhat fantastic [3. imaginary or groundless in not being based on reality; foolish or irrational: fantastic fears] then, 40 years later it's not so unrealistic. While "death panels" are not mentioned per se in the film, cutting off medical aid to folks over 65 can be problematic if you're diabetic - as was the character of Senator Quincy George played by Emmett Evan Heflin Jr, and, as the trivia section notes "This TV movie was Van Heflin's final performance. He died of a heart attack three months before the original broadcast..." BTW - to avoid a spoiler don't read all of the trivia - I've truncated it so the spoiler doesn't show.
I don't want to write much more without seeing it again - memories of films forty years past may not be entirely reliable - but it made quite an impression on a young teenager raised in an extremely conservative environment. I've read most if not all of Philip Kindred Dick's short stories written in the 1950's and wonder at how prescient he was with many of them. "The Last Child" was the first produced script by Peter S. Fischer, to my knowledge. He won an Edgar Allan Poe Award for an episode of "Murder, She Wrote" and several Emmy nominations for other of these episodes. He would go on to work with the director, John Llewellyn Moxey, on a number of the "Murder, She Wrote," episodes.
So How Was the Movie?
lastsonkrypton29 August 2006
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.
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.
Not as good as other John Llewellyn Moxey TV movies!
storman9 November 2001
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.)
Solid and pessimistic sci-fi TV movie
Red-Barracuda15 October 2013
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.
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.
Welcome to the future! We kill our babies, but we do it kindly.
Coventry23 September 2023
"In a badly over-populated future...". I can hardly describe the joy I feel when reading a plot synopsis that opens like this! It usually means I stumbled upon another rare and moody dystopian Sci-Fi movie, and those are my absolute favorites!
Of course, in the case of "The Last Child", it's best not to set the expectations too high. This because it's a made-for-television movie, and more particularly an Aaron Spelling "ABC Movie of the Week" production, and these were by definition very low-budgeted. To draw a realistic picture of a bleak and depressing future, you need some money. The lack of budget is the biggest constraint of the movie, for sure. To illustrate just how badly overpopulated the world is, the opening sequences simply show crowded metro stations. Everything else, like apartments and cars, looks contemporary and not the least bit futuristic. I certainly wasn't expecting another "Logan's Run" or "Soylent Green", but some effort would have been nice.
Apart from this, however, "The Last Child" is definitely worth seeing. John Llewellyn Moxey is an always-reliable professional, the script is preachy but atmospheric and tense, and there are couple of fabulous performances. The plot is very similar to the awesome but terribly underrated "Z. P. G" (Zero Population Growth) but this obscure TV-dystopia flick surprisingly came first. People over 65 are denied medical treatment and couples are prohibited to have more than one child. If your first child dies after having lived for more than 10 days, and this is what overcame Alan and Karen Miller, you're not allowed a second child neither. Karen is illegally pregnant, and since the heartless law commands for her baby to be killed "kindly", the couple flees.
You obviously cheer for the couple on the run, simply because the "legislation" is so inhumanly cruel, and because the world doesn't seem too overpopulated at all! When they are heading for Canada, they don't even encounter a single soul. The performances of Van Heflin (as good Samaritan) and - especially - Edward Asner (as the Pitbull police officer) are excellent.
Of course, in the case of "The Last Child", it's best not to set the expectations too high. This because it's a made-for-television movie, and more particularly an Aaron Spelling "ABC Movie of the Week" production, and these were by definition very low-budgeted. To draw a realistic picture of a bleak and depressing future, you need some money. The lack of budget is the biggest constraint of the movie, for sure. To illustrate just how badly overpopulated the world is, the opening sequences simply show crowded metro stations. Everything else, like apartments and cars, looks contemporary and not the least bit futuristic. I certainly wasn't expecting another "Logan's Run" or "Soylent Green", but some effort would have been nice.
Apart from this, however, "The Last Child" is definitely worth seeing. John Llewellyn Moxey is an always-reliable professional, the script is preachy but atmospheric and tense, and there are couple of fabulous performances. The plot is very similar to the awesome but terribly underrated "Z. P. G" (Zero Population Growth) but this obscure TV-dystopia flick surprisingly came first. People over 65 are denied medical treatment and couples are prohibited to have more than one child. If your first child dies after having lived for more than 10 days, and this is what overcame Alan and Karen Miller, you're not allowed a second child neither. Karen is illegally pregnant, and since the heartless law commands for her baby to be killed "kindly", the couple flees.
You obviously cheer for the couple on the run, simply because the "legislation" is so inhumanly cruel, and because the world doesn't seem too overpopulated at all! When they are heading for Canada, they don't even encounter a single soul. The performances of Van Heflin (as good Samaritan) and - especially - Edward Asner (as the Pitbull police officer) are excellent.
Before Roe. . .
Tex_Arcana30 October 1999
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.
Killing babies "kindly".
mark.waltz11 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
That's the way of the future in this distopian world where the government has stepped into control the growing population by limiting each couple to one child. A young woman, hiding her pregnancy, is caught on the New York City subway and arrested so the unborn child can be disposed of. For the grieving Michael Cole and Janet Margolin (who lost their daughter a year ago), having a second child is out of the question, and they escape from the population control hospital (run by Ed Asner) to try to head to the more understanding country of Canada.
It's only through the ailing retired senator Van Heflin that they are able to get past law enforcement on the train, and it is revealed that Heflin, nearing 65, is also a part of the new world where senior citizens are not allowed medical care once they hit that age. Can he be trusted in this situation? Heflin makes a mysterious phone call while hiding them, so the stage is set for a very complex thriller of many emotions and reasons.
It's shocking to see Lou Grant, recently introduced to TV audiences, play a character so vile. Ivor Francis, as the doctor assigned to remove the baby from the mother, is asked by Cole if he can actually sleep at night, and his answer is rather shocking. This is not something that I'd watch more than once, but I have to highly recommend it for all of the moral questions it asks 50 years before our current complex world. Harry Guardino, as Margolin's brother, a government agent, shows how torn he is over all of the issues discussed here. This is the type of film to watch with friends or family because of the types of conversations it could ignite afterwards.
It's only through the ailing retired senator Van Heflin that they are able to get past law enforcement on the train, and it is revealed that Heflin, nearing 65, is also a part of the new world where senior citizens are not allowed medical care once they hit that age. Can he be trusted in this situation? Heflin makes a mysterious phone call while hiding them, so the stage is set for a very complex thriller of many emotions and reasons.
It's shocking to see Lou Grant, recently introduced to TV audiences, play a character so vile. Ivor Francis, as the doctor assigned to remove the baby from the mother, is asked by Cole if he can actually sleep at night, and his answer is rather shocking. This is not something that I'd watch more than once, but I have to highly recommend it for all of the moral questions it asks 50 years before our current complex world. Harry Guardino, as Margolin's brother, a government agent, shows how torn he is over all of the issues discussed here. This is the type of film to watch with friends or family because of the types of conversations it could ignite afterwards.
Warning on how population control can get out of hand
dnels8 April 1999
The Last Child is an excellent movie which was classified as science Fiction and shows how irrational demand for the control of population can get out of hand and how one couple was willing and able to defy an unjust law so that the law could be changed
They predicted the wrong dystopia
mls418230 November 2021
I remember being a small child and these cynical and depressing TV movies being advertised on TV. If it wasn't overpopulation it was pollution or nuclear war. Yet 50 years later we are still here. Either things work out or we've been lucky.
This film is just trashy fear mongering. Ironically, most responsible people only have one or two children because that is all they can afford. It is the irresponsible, which make a greater percentage of society today who overpopulated and sometimes drain resources.
This film is just trashy fear mongering. Ironically, most responsible people only have one or two children because that is all they can afford. It is the irresponsible, which make a greater percentage of society today who overpopulated and sometimes drain resources.
Extraordinarily scary and prophetic movie. We may arrive there one day soon.
britt_franklin@yahoo.com18 October 2005
This movie was one of the most frightening I've ever seen because it is not only plausible, but may actually come to pass. I only wish it could be shown again and again on national television to remind us all of what can happen if the government ever takes over the health care system. When we undertake to surrender that much control of our lives to politicians and bureaucrats, the results will be catastrophic. Even today (2005) more and more control is shoved into our lives under the pretext of "security," and we are constantly treated to genuine and heartfelt reasons why we should surrender ever more control to the "authorities" who only wish us well. It is horrific to contemplate!
Could be today
BandSAboutMovies1 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
In the future, overpopulation has created a world in which people are allowed to have only one child and are denied all medical care when they turn 65. So, you know, it's pretty much halfway close to the world we live in.
Another film in the storied career of John Llewellyn Moxey, this was written by Peter S. Fischer, who created Blacke's Magic and Murder, She Wrote.
Alan and Karen Miller (Michael Cole from The Mod Squad and Janet Margolin) are a couple attempting to have a second child after their first dies. Van Heflin, in his last role, plays Senator Quincy George, a man who attempts to get them into Canada. They must face off with perhaps the most frightening of all villains: Ed Asner.
Honestly, this movie is as good as any theatrical film made at the time, painting a great picture of a world where women have no control over their bodies and the government control is near absolute. It feels closer now than ever before.
Another film in the storied career of John Llewellyn Moxey, this was written by Peter S. Fischer, who created Blacke's Magic and Murder, She Wrote.
Alan and Karen Miller (Michael Cole from The Mod Squad and Janet Margolin) are a couple attempting to have a second child after their first dies. Van Heflin, in his last role, plays Senator Quincy George, a man who attempts to get them into Canada. They must face off with perhaps the most frightening of all villains: Ed Asner.
Honestly, this movie is as good as any theatrical film made at the time, painting a great picture of a world where women have no control over their bodies and the government control is near absolute. It feels closer now than ever before.
Another bleak view of the overpopulated future from the early 1970s.
planktonrules10 November 2016
In the late 60s and early 70s, folks in the US started worrying about overpopulation. This led to a few films set in the near future where society is a dystopian nightmare--where there are just too many people and not enough resources (such as "Soylent Green"). In "The Last Child", this overpopulation has led to a terrible time where folks are limited to only one birth AND folks over 65 are refused medical care...all in an effort to deal with the ever- expanding population.
When the film begins, you see that a young couple (Michael Cole and Janet Margolin) are expecting a child. The problem is she already had one...and even though it died shortly after birth, they are forbidden by law to have the second one. So they must hide and hope they aren't discovered. Unfortunately, a cop (Ed Asner) catches on and arrests her...and they're planning on sterilizing the poor lady and destroying the child! What comes next is a cross-country race to try to get to safety in Canada...and help from a couple very unlikely sources.
This film is bleak...but also exceptionally well done. It's a tense drama and works very, very well. I was particularly impressed by Van Heflin in his final role--he was exceptional. My only proviso is that some people might just find it too bleak.
When the film begins, you see that a young couple (Michael Cole and Janet Margolin) are expecting a child. The problem is she already had one...and even though it died shortly after birth, they are forbidden by law to have the second one. So they must hide and hope they aren't discovered. Unfortunately, a cop (Ed Asner) catches on and arrests her...and they're planning on sterilizing the poor lady and destroying the child! What comes next is a cross-country race to try to get to safety in Canada...and help from a couple very unlikely sources.
This film is bleak...but also exceptionally well done. It's a tense drama and works very, very well. I was particularly impressed by Van Heflin in his final role--he was exceptional. My only proviso is that some people might just find it too bleak.
I don't agree with this film
eugenia_loli17 April 2007
I am an anti-overpopulation believer. I believe that harsh laws will eventually be put into place in the future, be it 1-child per family or 2-children per family (it doesn't matter how many, point is, there will have to be a restriction at some point).
What I don't like about this movie is that they tried to make it look justified by introducing two elements that are not realistic: the forbidding of medically treating old people and the fact that the couple had a child before that died. I am pretty sure that if overpopulation becomes a problem, old people will be continued to be medically treated AND families that they lost their first child will be allowed to have a second chance.
But because overpopulation restrictions might actually make sense, the writers of the movie tried to give justification to their own knee-jerk reaction kind of movie by adding non-realistic, *truly* fascistic elements in it. That's what bothers me with the plot.
What I don't like about this movie is that they tried to make it look justified by introducing two elements that are not realistic: the forbidding of medically treating old people and the fact that the couple had a child before that died. I am pretty sure that if overpopulation becomes a problem, old people will be continued to be medically treated AND families that they lost their first child will be allowed to have a second chance.
But because overpopulation restrictions might actually make sense, the writers of the movie tried to give justification to their own knee-jerk reaction kind of movie by adding non-realistic, *truly* fascistic elements in it. That's what bothers me with the plot.
Superior TV movie about a dystopian future
contact-562-202497 June 2021
Superior 1971 made for television movie about a dystopian future where women in the U. S. are limited to one child due to over-population.
Edward Asner gives a truly remarkable performance as a demonic government agent who is as ruthless and relentless in doing his job as Inspector Javert in Les Miserables.
Van Heflin gives a terrific performance as a retired U. S. Senator in ill-health who tries to use his influence for good.
Harry Guardino is believable as a high-level bureaucrat who wants to help his pregnant sister, but is scared to death that making waves will ruin his career.
A-#1 script.
This movie is a little known gem.
Edward Asner gives a truly remarkable performance as a demonic government agent who is as ruthless and relentless in doing his job as Inspector Javert in Les Miserables.
Van Heflin gives a terrific performance as a retired U. S. Senator in ill-health who tries to use his influence for good.
Harry Guardino is believable as a high-level bureaucrat who wants to help his pregnant sister, but is scared to death that making waves will ruin his career.
A-#1 script.
This movie is a little known gem.
population overgrowth
cd9652a14 November 2006
Controlling population growth may not be such a bad idea since the fauna of this planet are suffering due to man's selfishness. Human overpopulation results in cutting down of trees for open space and farmland. This then results in greenhouse gases which today we sadly see the effects. Controlling population growth is not a fascist thing. Sure China does it. Yes I know that Chinese are communists but they too can be labeled fascists. I have not seen the movie. But we should make a science 'fiction' movie like this one. Perhaps another remake of this movie should be in the works. With a big starred cast, we will be more inclined to be struck by the message of the film and maybe change our habits.
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