The Tenth Level

I have been waiting to see The Tenth Level starring William Shatner again,myself. I have never been able to find it even though I have searched for it from time to time, although not for a few years now. This drama made an indelible mark on my psyche and I have never gotten it out of my mind since first seeing it when it originally aired back in the seventies. It was chilling to the core! I watched it alone and I recall it being in black and white though it's possible we only had a black and white set at the time. If someone has a copy of The Tenth Level for sale or rent, please advise on how I might be able to acquire a copy from you! I am glad to find others that also were struck by the brilliance of this production and that I am not the only one looking for it. Thank you very much. Victoria Perkins Crystal Lake, Illinois

Of course this movie is astounding if you watch it closely. And I could not prevent myself to think of Henri Verneuil's I COMME ICARE sequence which has so much in common with this film subject. This TV feature focuses only on the experiment and its whereabouts, and of course Bill Shatner's character, who is terrific as an obsessed professor so involved in his task, his life purpose. The Verneuil's film only spoke about it, but it was mainly about many things else, political matters, more complex actually. I would say not more ambitious, because this one is, but yes more vast and complex. It may have been shot in video technicals and it has never been shown, aired in France, too complex for home audiences, housewives... So shame.

I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of The Tenth Level recently. I've watched it three times since then and it continues to chill my blood each time. Others I have shared this gem with have felt the same way. This is a story that works on many deep psychological levels, and sends a clear message which manages to transcend both time and the dated production values. This is truly a case where effective story-telling conquers all, and causes the viewer to forget they are watching something made on a shoestring budget 30 years ago. The story is cleverly woven in such a way that the viewer is compelled to put themselves in the place of the test subjects and left to wonder what choices they themselves would make. The real life statistics which are finally presented are absolutely frightening. If you ever have a chance to see this chilling glimpse into the human psyche, you MUST take advantage! You won't regret it.

This made-for-TV movie is taken directly from the work of Dr. Stanley Milgram. Although much of Milgram's scientific methods are omitted in favor of dramatic content, the central point of the experiment remains true and very poignant. There is supposed to be a remake of this film which came out in 2005. I haven't seen it and the title eludes me (something like Atrocity?). However, like the subject matter of "The Tenth Level", there are many eye-popping discoveries in psychology which movies could exploit to lay naked the flaws and fallacies of human nature without Hollywood's melodrama making the case inane and useless to a public desperately in need of modern morality tales. The most wonderful thing about "The Tenth Level" was that it sought a higher ground instead of the formulaic boy-meets-girl, boy-saves-world, boy-gets-girl garbage. If there is any way you can see this film, it is well worth watching even if all you wish to see is what William Shatner did between Star Trek and T. J. Hooker.

When reading my review, please consider my rating carefully. I saw it when I was a kid and it has not been on TV for many, many years AND it's not available on video. So, if I COULD see it again, maybe I would think less highly of it.

The reason I am rating it so high is that this film was very instrumental in influencing my career choices. As a psychology teacher, much of the time is spent discussing the moral implications of the famous Milgram Studies--on which this TV movie is based. It's too bad that such a moral dilemma is rarely discussed on television--TV too seldom is about moral decisions and choices.

If it every comes back on TV or video, get a copy FAST--it may be your only chance!

PS--NOTE that all the reviews as of 2/13/06 are VERY positive yet the movie has a score of only 5.0--this doesn't make sense. Please don't dismiss this film too quickly based on such a low score!

UPDATE (11/24/15)--The film IS currently available on YouTube. I haven't yet re-watched it but thought you might like to know.