Z.P.G. (1971)

In a futuristic society, childbirth is forbidden and punishable by death. People go to museums to see dogs and cats and plants as they no longer exist. In a gallery of notorious 20th century criminals, there are images of the Pope. Lakes and rivers are filled in to make room for the overpopulation. The air is so polluted that citizens must wear oxygen masks when they go outdoors. Couples are given plastic dolls as baby substitutes. Yet one woman (Geraldine Chaplin) is so obsessed with having a child of her own, she intentionally and without telling her husband (Oliver Reed) breaks the law. Directed by Michael Campus, this science fiction film has a sensational premise but it doesn't do anything with it, not really. Overall, it's a rather tedious affair. It's hard to find sympathy for Chaplin's predicament as she doesn't think of the obvious consequences of her act and the child and the world is overpopulated. The acting with one exception, is pretty dull. Even the normally charismatic Oliver Reed seems pretty dead. The one exception is Diane Cilento, who's excellent as a neurotic wife who must be brainwashed into accepting her plastic baby. With Don Gordon and Bill Nagy.