The Resurrection of Zachary Wheeler

Bob Wynn makes his directorial debut with a sci-fi political thriller that puts a fresh spin on the age-old myth of eternal life by availing itself of themes and concepts inspired by the incipient science of genetic engineering (1969 is conventionally considered “year zero” for this branch of biotechnology).

The brightest minds of medical science have forged a covert alliance with the highest echelons of world politics, working hand in glove to guide the course of human history. This behind-the-scenes committee is made up of nine “top men in international fields” who meet behind closed doors to hand-select their pawns: “Among other things, they evaluate people and decide who will be eligible for our services according to their… potential, future contribution to the country or to the world“.

Any moral scruples they might have seem to be swept away with broad ideological justifications that favor restricting this futuristic therapy to an unwitting elite of privileged individuals, to the exclusion of the masses: “No, I’m afraid our society is based on the people’s accepting the inevitability of death. To give them hope otherwise is to invite anarchy“. In short, a handful of powerful men have taken on the self-proclaimed role of judging who is worthy of receiving miraculous medical treatment, and in doing so, they covertly guide and mold the course of history, to their own benefit.

As a film, it’s perhaps overly didactic and verbose, with long, supercilious exposition such as: “I imprinted your DNA molecular structure on a compatible life form. After assimilation by osmosis, I transferred the organs to you“. Or, “That’s all they really are, bodies. They have only the most rudimentary instincts. You see, Dr. Redding takes synthetic female ova and artificially inseminates them. Then he matures them in the ectogenetic lab“.

This science-laden dialogue provides the requisite background to set the stage for ethical and theological reflections, which, in all honesty, aren’t terribly original: “But how can a group of men assume the divine right of life and death?“. And, “How can you be so sure you’re that propagating the right people? You’re completely upsetting the balance of nature“.

Something of a precursor to the Robin Cook-type medical thriller, “The Resurrection of Zachary Wheeler” still maintains a certain dignity, and although it leaves something to be desired as far as suspense and pacing, I don’t think fans of old-school sci-fi will be disappointed.

Atypical ending.