The Brain Machine (1977)

The climax sequence is particularly well paced and interesting and, although a bit hard to follow (the characters themselves seem to share this confusion), actually has three competing influences effecting the experiment which involves 4 subjects- first the main actors at the lab are doing some type of environmental experiment, second the government interloper/conspirators are attempting to override the experiment with some mind control experiment of their own. Third, the computer "controlling" the experiment perhaps sensing this conflict seems to have ideas of its own and apparently goes haywire with everyone complaining about computer errors and their failure to achieve their desired ends. All three are entwined in a rapid fire climax that shows walls closing in, an attempted escape by the subjects, and a last minute attempted government cover-up (pre-watergate).
Perhaps the filmmakers were themselves disputing the type of movie plot they want in an on-the-fly improvisation with one faction wanting a government intrigue film and the other interested in some film about environmental ethics, computer malfunctions or whatever. If so, the film stands as a testament to their conflict and attempt for a resolution. Whether intended or not, the conflict presented is quite interesting. Loads of dramatic irony in this one.
All in all, a rather entertaining film. Mainstream movies are generally too slick and unwilling to experiment to be able to achieve this level of free wheeling improvisation.
Directed by Joy N. Houck Jr.. With James Best, Barbara Burgess, Gil Peterson.