Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Classic man-vs.-machine adventure is funny but violent.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Westworld (1973)
What's the Story?
For only $1,000 per day (a major investment by 1973 standards), a thrill-seeking vacationer can stay at one of three fabulous "Delos" resorts -- Medieval World, Roman World, or WESTWORLD -- and immerse him or herself in the fantasy of living in times past. Peter Martin (Richard Benjamin) and John Blake (James Brolin), unattached and free-spirited friends, have chosen Westworld, where they can participate in an array of fabulous adventures, including a saloon shoot-out, a standoff with a lethal snake, and an old-time bank robbery, and they can even avail themselves of sexual favors from two pretty ladies of the evening. The fact that it's almost impossible to tell the true-life players from "so-real-looking-it's-uncanny" robotic participants at the resort makes it even more fun. The scientists and robot operators aren't having a good time, however. Unanticipated events in which robots begin to show signs of having minds of their own are unsettling. What if ... ? But nothing could have prepared them for the all-out uprising of epic proportions that soon threatens to destroy every living creature in all three of the fantasy lands. It isn't long before only Peter, an ill-prepared rookie cowboy, is left to stop the attack. With only his wits and a few remnants of scientific invention on hand, Peter must face off against the deadliest robot enemy of all: the Gunslinger (Yul Brynner).
Is It Any Good?
Still surprisingly effective given the primitive nature of the visual effects, Westworld is a clever hybrid of sci-fi and old-time Western. This film's impact, with its fledgling robotics and simple story, relies upon humor, surprise, and some startlingly bloody visuals of death and destruction. It's best for older kids who are familiar with exaggerated (perhaps intentionally laughable) point-blank kills by gunfire, blood-spurting swordplay, and life-and-death suspense. The movie is the offspring of Frankenstein and the forerunner of many other films that show a genius creator threatened by his creation. Notably, writer-director Michael Crichton followed this movie with Jurassic Park -- first a book, then a classic movie in which an ambitious industrialist creates another manufactured resort ... with dinosaurs. Westworld was a box office winner in 1973 and has retained a strong fan base ever since.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how special effects and robotics have changed since this movie was made. Did the outdated techniques lessen your enjoyment of the film? Given their limitations, how did the filmmakers manage to surprise you and engage you in the story?
A "cautionary tale" is a story told to warn about a possible danger. What is the danger to which Westworld is alerting the audience? How do you feel about science as a risk-taking venture?
Think about Peter as a hero in this story. What made him heroic? Did the fact that he was totally untrained and unprepared for his fight contribute to your appreciation of his actions?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 21, 1973
- On DVD or streaming : September 29, 1998
- Cast : Yul Brynner , Richard Benjamin , James Brolin
- Director : Michael Crichton
- Studio : MGM/UA
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Adventures , Robots
- Run time : 88 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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