The movie Silent Running, directed by Douglas Trumbull and starring Bruce Dern, was released. It is a science fiction film notable for its environmental message and special effects.
Silent Running was filmed primarily on the Universal Studios lot, with innovative use of miniatures and indoor sets to depict a future with Earth's last remaining forests in space.
All Earth's natural forests have been destroyed, leading to ecological devastation and the creation of automated greenhouse domes in space.
The spaceship Valley Forge is launched carrying large biodomes preserving the last remaining forests.
Freeman Lowell, an ecologist, is assigned to maintain the forest domes aboard Valley Forge.
The Valley Forge crew receives orders to jettison and destroy the biodomes due to budget cuts and mission termination.
Lowell kills his fellow crew members to prevent destruction and preserves one biodome on board.
Lowell pilots Valley Forge solo through space, protecting the last forest biome to save Earth's botanical legacy.
Lowell sends a flying drone (Dewey) to explore an asteroid that might support the forest dome environment.
The remaining drone Dewey accidentally is destroyed during a test flight, leaving Lowell with only one operative drone.
Lowell pilots Valley Forge on a collision course to avoid the destruction order, sacrificing himself to protect the last forest dome.
