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Director Laslo Benedek's, THE MAN WITH THE POWER,
is a powerful and memorable "Outer Limits" episode.
Donald Pleasence is a mild-mannered university professor, who has had
a special device implanted into his head. As Pleasence explains it,
"I have developed a link gate complex enough to regulate the forces,
the field energy, surrounding us."
Pleasence seems to have been born to play this role of a quiet, mousy
type who wants to do something important. As the episode proceeds, Director
of Photography, Conrad Hall, by the use of ever more, frequent, close
shots of an unsettling brain surgery scar ,on Pleasence's forehead,
as well as shots of his large, staring eyes, helps sell Pleasence's
transformation from an insignificant teacher to a frightening bringer
of destruction.
Priscilla Morrill is well cast as Pleasence's wife, who seems to enjoy
belittling him and keeping him down. A scene where she savagely trims
a hedge while chatting with him seems to have intentional symbolic meaning.
Edward C. Platt is credible as a college dean ,who wants Pleasence to
keep teaching and not run off to take part in space experiments. "Get
Smart" fans may fondly remember him as "The Chief" on
that show.
The episode's central effect, a silent, rolling dark cloud with lightning
coming out of it, is surprisingly good. It was designed and created
by Ray Mercer and Company.
My favorite scene is when Pleasence levitates a half ton space boulder.
While the FX involved are simple, the results are impressive.
The music, by Dominic Frontiere, builds well, effectively underscoring
the action.
THE MAN WITH THE POWER should be highly watchable for most Sci-Fi viewers.
"Get Smart" fans will get an extra kick out of this show.
THE MAN WITH THE POWER offers powerful Sci-Fi entertainment! BACK
TO: EPISODE
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