You are here:

The Harrad Experiment

The Harrad Experiment

Representation Score

7.9/10

Good

1973

R

Director

Ted Post

Runtime

95 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The Harrad Experiment serves as a cinematic reflection of the sexual revolution, using a female-centric environment to critique patriarchal conditioning. Its strongest point is the radical shift in gender hierarchies, giving women unprecedented autonomy and control. However, the film is constrained by the demographic limitations of its era, leading to a lack of racial and ethnic diversity. While it effectively deconstructs traditional social and moral institutions, it does so within a predominantly white context. Overall, the film's progressive stance on gender and cultural relativism balances its lack of characters who reflect more than one aspect of diversity, making it a noteworthy exploration of identity and systemic power dynamics.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The Harrad Experiment have LGBTQ+ representation?

Good

The film examines non-traditional relationships and female intimacy as part of its social experiment. It challenges conventional expectations by highlighting fluid interpersonal connections.

How does The Harrad Experiment portray gender?

Excellent

By excluding male characters, the narrative allows female characters to take full control over their social and sexual lives. It emphasizes women's intellectual independence rather than traditional submissive roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Harrad Experiment?

Limited

The film features a predominantly white cast, reflecting the demographic limitations of its time. The story does not explore racial diversity or intersecting backgrounds.

How does The Harrad Experiment represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film questions traditional Western institutions and family norms through situational ethics. It portrays established social norms as structures to be questioned through the lens of free love.

Does The Harrad Experiment include disability representation?

Fair

There are no prominent depictions of physical or neurodivergent disabilities. The score reflects a neutral baseline due to the absence of specific character arcs addressing these themes.

Present on Screen

  • Subverts traditional gender hierarchies by giving female characters full control over their social and sexual lives.
  • Challenges conventional expectations through the depiction of fluid interpersonal connections.
  • Embraces progressive themes of moral relativism and the deconstruction of established social institutions.

Limited or Absent

  • Lacks racial and ethnic diversity, featuring a predominantly white cast.
  • Does not engage with racial diversity or intersecting backgrounds.
  • Provides no specific character arcs or representation regarding physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

At fictional Harrad College students learn about sexuality and experiment with each other. Based on the 1966 book of the same name by Robert Rimmer, this movie deals with the concept of free love during the height of the sexual revolution which took place in the United States.

How are these scores produced? →

Where to Watch

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.