Fahrenheit 451 [VHS] [1966]
![Fahrenheit 451 [VHS] [1966]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/419ZKB6XASL._SL160_.jpg) 
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Parental Guidance 4 Front Video Release date: Monday 6th of March 2000 Starring: Director(s): Format: PAL, Number of discs: 1 Running time: 109 minutes Language: English (Original Language) |
RRP: £5.99
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
The classic science fiction novel by Ray Bradbury was a curious choice for one of the leading directors of the French New Wave, François Truffaut. But from the opening credits onward (spoken, not written on screen), Truffaut takes Bradbury's fascinating premise and makes it his own. The futuristic society depicted in Fahrenheit 451 is a culture without books. Firemen still race around in red trucks and wear helmets, but their job is to start fires: they ferret out forbidden stashes of books, douse them with petrol and make public bonfires. Oskar Werner, the star of Truffaut's Jules and Jim, plays a fireman named Montag, whose exposure to David Copperfield wakens an instinct towards reading and individual thought. (That's why books are banned--they give people too many ideas.) In an intriguing casting flourish, Julie Christie plays two roles: Montag's bored, drugged-up wife and the woman who helps kindle the spark of rebellion. The great Bernard Herrmann wrote the hard-driving music; Nicolas Roeg provided the cinematography. Fahrenheit 451 received a cool critical reception and has never quite been accepted by Truffaut fans or sci-fi buffs. Its deliberately listless manner has always been a problem, although that is part of its point; the lack of reading has made people dry and empty. If the movie is a bit stiff (Truffaut did not speak English well and never tried another project in English), it nevertheless is full of intriguing touches, and the ending is lyrical and haunting. --Robert Horton, Amazon.com
They're Here Already
Review date: 2009-06-02 Rating: 10 out of 10
A great story made into an interesting film - I knew that part already, and have not changed my mind in the years since I last saw it. I am glad to have this edition in my collection. Truffaut brings some nice touches that add richness to any who are prepared to notice, and various actors do a great job. This is a society too close to home - the sets help bring on a frightening familiarity - however distant in the future the story is supposed to be set in. There are no CGI, but then: do special effects occur in YOUR life?
The extras are new and a very welcome addition. The piece about Bernard Hermann caused me to notice the music afresh, and what a wonderful score this is.
All in all it leaves me wanting more - not better - just more.
Reviews
Better Than The Book!
Review date: 2008-12-23 Rating: 10 out of 10
Rarely do film adaptations exceed the quality of the book but this by Francois Truffaut does ! The reasons are many fold. The casting is excellent. Some might consider Oscar Werner a little wooden but he underplays Montag in a slightly 'child like' way, which emphasises his growing awareness and affinity for books. Julie Christie has the uneviable task of playing both the main female characters including Montag's air head/drugged up/reality tv obsessed wife. Montag's burning of the marital bed is deeply symbolic after his wife betrays him to the authorities. He chooses his love of books over everything in this dystopian vision of the future, akin to the world of 1984. Clever use of literary greats including Dickens and spoken opening titles elevate this film above many films of this period. So too does the original score by the great Bernard Hermann, who composed the music while going through divorce. There are some very moving pieces of music throughout and the final snowy, woodland scenes with the 'book people' all wandering around reciting their memorised books is a great ending to a great film ! Unlike 1984 there is the final upbeat message that 'freedom' (in this case to read) survives ! A must see.
Brilliant movie, brilliant book
Review date: 2008-07-10 Rating: 10 out of 10
It is not so often when a very good book makes an equally good movie. And yes I red the book first, well in advance (10-15 years). the book and the movie are quite different, that is probably why I like the movie so much.
It is not plain dystopia, nor just a plot and action. If you prefer T2 over Terminator and both of them over The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, it may not be the one for you, still probably it is mainstream enough to give it a try, -- mainsteream enough for a Truffaut movie, that is...
Average
Review date: 2007-11-11 Rating: 6 out of 10
I am a fan of 1960's subversive films, so having read the reviews was waiting to be blown away.
I wasn't. In saying that it was well worth watching, and it's message is still relevant in the reality TV, dumbed down noughties.
Dated celebration of the written word
Review date: 2006-11-06 Rating: 8 out of 10
The irony is fairly blatent - this is a celebration of books but at the same time it's a film. That aside, a major drawback to this film is thae time that has passed since its making. It is 40 years old now and the acting is theatrical, some of the action unconvincing and the pace is much slower than we may be used to. Actors speak in Pinewood English and the sets are sparse.
These do not detract from it being a strong adaptation of a classic story. Books are the ultimate evil, banned and scorned by the TV-addicted masses who are glued to their widecreens and divorced from emotion and passion. Their memories and perceptions are addled. Underground book readers find an illegal escape from the self-indulgence.
There's some beatiful shots in the film. Books are painfully burned, and the director gets you to share the loss and the interest in the titles and contents. The wonder of discovery in immersing yourself in the wriiten word comes through - to the deprived, even the unemotional facts from an encyclopedia are a revelation.
I loved the bonus material, and the interview with Ray Bradbury (author) was terrific. The 'Making Of' was a real insight too, and showed some lovely flaws in the process and cooperation at the time.
As for the adaptation, I have to criticise the first part of the ending, if you rad the book and I say 'mecanical hound' you'll know what I mean. An understandable omission, but one I felt harmed it.
The strengths are in some of the interactions, immersion in books and painful losses of priceless literature at the hands of the nazi-esque guards. Don't see the film expecting fast-paced modern cinematography this isn't it. Slow and thought provoking rendition of a classic book sums up this one.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Jeremy Spenser
Anton Diffring
Oskar Werner
Cyril Cusack
Julie Christie
Creators:
Oskar Werner (Primary Contributor)
Julie Christie (Primary Contributor)
François Truffaut (Writer)
Jane C. Nusbaum (Producer)
Lewis M. Allen (Producer)
David Rudkin (Writer)
Helen Scott (Writer)
Jean-Louis Richard (Writer)
Ray Bradbury (Writer)
Director(s):
Recording label: 4 Front Video
Manufacturer: 4 Front Video
EAN: 5013037784367
Binding: VHS Tape
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2000-03-06
Universal product code (UPC): 440044546360
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Running time: 109 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1966-11-14
Language: English (Original Language)
Tech info, cast and quotes/trivia when available. Exclusions may apply with free delivery. Price and availabiltity subject to change
