Synopsis

In the year 3000, Earth has been ruled for centuries by the technologically advanced Psychlos, who enslave the scattered human survivors. Jonnie Goodboy Tyler escapes captivity and begins organizing a rebellion. As the humans learn to operate the invaders' machinery and weapons, Terl, a powerful Psychlo security chief, tries to exploit Jonnie's resistance for his own advancement.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film is based on L. Ron Hubbard's 1982 science-fiction novel of the same name. The book was intended as the source for a much larger story, and the movie covers only part of its narrative.

• John Travolta was closely involved with the project as a producer and originally planned to play Jonnie Goodboy Tyler. By the time the film was made, he instead took the role of the Psychlo security chief Terl.

• The production was financed and distributed through Franchise Pictures. A later lawsuit alleged that the company had overstated the film's budget, contributing to a major financial dispute and eventually to Franchise Pictures' bankruptcy.

• Battlefield Earth became one of the most notorious critical failures of its era. At the 21st Golden Raspberry Awards, it won seven awards, including Worst Picture, Worst Actor, Worst Supporting Actor, Worst Supporting Actress, Worst Director, Worst Screenplay, and Worst Screen Couple.

• Screenwriter J.D. Shapiro later publicly disowned much of the finished film and accepted the Golden Raspberry for Worst Picture of the Decade at the 30th ceremony in 2010.

• The film is notable for its persistent use of tilted camera angles, an exaggerated visual style that became one of its most frequently mocked characteristics.