I was watching the Movie Network Saturday morning and saw for the first time the 1967 film adaptation of Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451. I had never seen it before. Directed by Francois Truffaut, this little unpretentious movie cleverly depicts Bradbury's vision. They have newspapers, but they are comics without words, merely pictures or images, much like the television in each family's living room. Yes, the movie is slow. Yes, the sets and the costumes are very 60ish and very dated. But it has something to say.
Oskar Werner does an excellent job as Guy Montag. I think both Truffaut and Werner wanted the audience to see the fireman's partial dehumanization. He recovers much of that humanity as the film progresses. The supporting cast was good, especially the actor who played the fire chief.
Perhaps something less than one of the great films. But it is a very thoughtfulfilm with a lot to say to its audience.
Even cooler is that Frank Darabont has recently confirmed that he'll be doing Farenheit 451.
Frank Darabont has directed only a few films, but each has been a tremendous success. He directed The Shawshank Redemption (1994), The Majestic (2001) among some other great movies. Writes Empire Online:
Frank Darabont is nothing if not versatile. His career as Hollywood writer-director has taken in everything from epic tear-jerkers (The Shawshank Redemption) to terrifying pant-wetters (er, his screenplay for Nightmare On Elm Street 3). Steven Spielberg even asked him to write the first draft for Indiana Jones 4. There's little doubt that he can handle anything he puts his mind to, so when we spoke to him recently, we asked him to confirm whether he really plans to tackle cult Ray Bradbury novel Farenheit 451.
"I've written the script for Farenheit 451 and think it's the best thing I've ever done," he enthused. "As soon as the dust settles on the M:I-3 situation I'm going to try and make it, as it's been a passion project for me since I was about nine years old. Actually, before I even knew I wanted to be a filmmaker I wanted to make that movie."
The story imagines a frightening not-so-distant future where all books are banned and people brainwashed with mind-numbing, compulsory television shows. Instead of putting out fires, firemen start them in order to burn literature. The hero, one such fireman, is forced to go on the run after his curious young daughter brings a forbidden book home.
"The Truffaut version was markedly lacking in passion, which was very bizarre to me considering what a passionate book it is," says Darabont. "As a literary work it's a cry from the heart and Truffaut's film was like paint drying on a stick. I don't consider this a remake. I'm doing this as an adaptation of a book that's never been done before, that's never been made before."
Darabont isn't the only one in Hollywood to be blown away by the book - earnest superstar Mel Gibson snapped up the rights a while back with a view to making it himself.
"Well, I was raising my hand back then saying, "Mel, do you need a writer?". He didn't, but after trying to develop it for a few years he cooled on the idea of directing it himself. I met with him one day and said, "Let me come and grab the ball because this is the movie I would sell all my wordly possessions to make." And it speaks well of the man that he's been so gracious and supportive. He's a good fellow."
I don't know if I agree with what he had to say about the Truffault piece-it is a little wooden in parts but... Perhaps its too subtle for today's generation. If you are expecting a Sci-Fi film-set in a space-like future, with astounding special effects-you will be disappointed, it's not that sort of film.
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