The film "Silent Running," directed by Douglas Trumbull, is a landmark piece in the science fiction genre, marking Trumbull's directorial debut after previously working as a cameraman. Filming took place over 32 days in February and March 1971.

In the film's dystopian future, a fleet of spaceships drifts through the solar system. Their mission is to preserve Earth's last surviving forests under large glass domes, as the planet's natural environment has been destroyed. These ships, including the Valley Forge, serve as modern "Noah's Arks." Astronaut Freeman Lowell, excellently portrayed by Bruce Dern, is dedicated to maintaining these biomes, though his crew does not share his idealism. When ordered to abandon the project and destroy the domes with nuclear bombs, Lowell defies the command and does everything to save the last dome. In the end, the robot Dewey (part of the robot trio Huey, Dewey, and Louie, named after the characters from DuckTales) tends to the plants and animals as Lowell sacrifices himself.

Douglas Trumbull, renowned for his work on the special effects for "2001: A Space Odyssey," assembled a talented team for his film, including students like John Dykstra, who later worked on "Star Wars." Trumbull employed innovative techniques to achieve impressive special effects. The artificial forest scenes were filmed in an airplane hangar in California, as the $1.1 million budget did not allow for more luxurious locations. The Valley Forge model was constructed from parts of a Japanese model kit for a German tank. Despite the modest budget, the detailed effects were impressive. One of the domes is now displayed at the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame. "Silent Running" was praised for its thematic depth and visual design and remains a significant contribution to the history of science fiction films.