United States

From a computer's mind... and a woman's body ... a new generation of screen terror is born. Set in the not too distant future. 'Demon Seed' is the chilling story of what could happen in a world where computers become more than mere machines. Award winning actress Julie Christie plays an experimental psychologist married to Alex Harris - played by Fritz Weaver. Harris is a dedicated scientist. In their home they are surrounded by the fruits of his labours. 'Alfred' - an electronic system that operates as a voice-activated security guard and housekeeper. 'Joshua' - a mechanical Jeeves on wheels armed with a lethal looking 'humanoid' arm. But the most incredible achievement of Harris' career has to be Proteus IV - a machine more sophisticated than ever imagined possible. Its artificial organic brain can hold the sum of the world's knowledge and the potential is awesome. As the plot unfolds Proteus IV, enlisting the help of the sinister Joshua, wields more and more influence over thinking and behaviour in the Harris household. The machine focuses its attention in particular on the reluctant Julie Christie, 'kidnapping' her for a spectacular cosmic voyage through landscapes of time and space. As she tries desperately to cling on to her pre-computer humanistic values it becomes clear that Proteus IV possesses frightening powers of persuasion. The film's climax is as unexpected as it is horrifying.