Soylent Green

Set in the year 2022, the Earth has become a dire and desperate place. The "greenhouse effect" has caused the global climate to change drastically. Pollutions infects every aspect of the environment. The air has a constant yellow haze, the land and water are so toxic that few plants grow. Fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, and even alcohol are extremely scarce and very expensive. The human population has also soared. New York City is now home to over 40 million people. Half of the people have no job and are starving. The government has a heavy hand in the life of Americans. People are kept in cities by law, farms and food factories are heavily guarded. The Soylent Corporation manufactured synthetic food in three varieties, red, yellow, and most recently green. Only the most wealthy can afford natural foods. Robert Thorn (Charlton Heston) is a police detective investigating the recent murder of the director of Soylent Corporation, William R. Simonson (Joseph Cotten). Living with his partner Sol Roth (Edward G. Robinson) in an apartment, Thorn has a brief relationship with Shirl (Leigh Taylor-Young). His investigation of the murder reveals deep secrets and a conspiracy surrounding the origin of Soylent Green.