Omega Man, The (1971)

The Omega Man is my personal favorite version of I Am Legend, but it takes enormous liberties with the source material. Charlton Heston grouses his way through the film--as usual--playing Robert Neville, a scientist trying to develop a vaccine for a plague that resulted from biological warfare. He remains the last known illness-free survivor. In The Last Man on Earth (1964) and I Am Legend (2007), the plague turns people into vampire-zombies, but in The Omega Man they become light-sensitive albino Luddites called "The Family," ritually attacking and opposing any technology that reminds them of their former selves. The film is silly and campy, the worst of which is Heston talking to himself in the first half of the film. The film also really bounces for 1971, with some really dynamic action sequences and a pretty quick pace. The 70s TV music-style soundtrack also helps this quite a bit. Not a great film, but certainly a fun one.

6/10

Last Man on Earth, The (1964)

Mediocre low-budget horror film based on Matheson's I Am Legend. The plague causes the humans to turn into creatures that have many properties of vampires, the physical ability of zombies, and mental prowess slightly above that of typical zombies (they can talk). Interesting premise but the quality of the film is generally marred by the lack of budget and poor dubbing. None of the characters seem to do anything with much conviction. Even when they are hammering stakes or swinging clubs they look like limp noodles. Skip it unless you're a die-hard Vincent Price fan.

4/10