Episode 135: Episode 135 - Total Recall (1990).

On Episode 135 of The Film ’89 Podcast, Neil, Skye and Steve celebrate the 35th anniversary of yet another Arnold Schwarzenegger film, this time it’s the 1990 action-science-fiction classic, Total Recall. Following on from the recent success of our Commando episode, the guys are once again giving their in-depth analysis of a film starring one of the Film ’89 team’s favourite movie stars, but this time, they’re also discussing one of their favourite directors, Dutch filmmaker Paul Verhoeven. They discuss the source short story by Philip K. Dick upon which Total Recall is based as well as the making of this big budget special effects spectacle - at the time, one of the most expensive films ever made. The guys also dissect the film’s fiendishly complex plot and the many themes, layers and socio-political commentary that Verhoeven weaves into the film. Featuring a superb supporting cast including Sharon Stone, Rachel Ticotin, Michael Ironside and Ronny Cox, an incredible score by Jerry Goldsmith and incredible special effects that hold up 35 years on, Total Recall is a timeless classic and is given the usual Film ’89 treatment.