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veldman-heke
Reviews
Fahrenheit 451 (1966)
Pink Floyd's Another brick in the wall ("no thoughtcontrol")
The movie is made after the book (1951), which surely is recognizable in some ways. Because of the expansion of communism after WW II there were many people afraid of Stalin's and Mao's way of building a society. How frightening that could be Julie Christie as Lara showed that to us in Dr. Zhivago (a year before Fahrenheit 451). Only the ones that hated the old democratic society in the west more than (the unknown consequence of) communism, or would benefit of it, could support the dictators. For many reasons the movie made me think of: 1. other movies about the subject like: Invasion of the bodysnatchers, 1984 (Orson Wells), and several other American S.F.films in the 50's 2. the communist-hunt around that period (50's), especially in America it became notorious. 3. In the 60's there was a revival of the communist popularity, and Fahrenheit 451 was made in the middle of that. 4. the nazi-bookburnings in the 30's. 5. Jan Palach; in 1968 this Tjech young chap burned himself to protest against the communist indoctrination that was taking over again. (SPOILER: In Fahrenheit 451 a woman has herself burnt together with books). The movie had my full attention because it was very intriguing how the story would develop it self and how it would finish. I must say: the end was a complete surprise. A fantastic invention to escape from the law that there can be no books that are not allowed by the authorities. Only free thinking people (like the booktellers) can be that creative in order to resist stupid laws. I saw a strong comparison with The John Steed - Emma Peel movies (same time in the 60's): hardly others than the necessary people are on the screen. And just like the Steed/Peel-series Fahrenheit 451 also is worth watching. Also remarkable is that: A. hardly any affection in that society. No (com)passion. B. the burning of the book `Mein Kampf', even that had to go. C. the materialism. D. the telling-society: send a note to the authorities to betray someone who is having books. E.the link to Germany: the fireman is named Montag (German for Monday) and he spoke with a German accent on purpose. Truffaut doesn't like Germany so short after the war ? Anyway: like always somebody starts to think, so Montag starts to doubt the law on books more and more. Montag has books, his wife Linda (well played by Julie Christie) does not know, and (SPOILER) leaves him when she finds out. Linda basically is a frigid, afraid woman, slavishly following the orders of the authorities. These orders come by TV-programs, like TV-preaching. Montag's neighbour girl (Clarisse, schoolteacher, also Julie Christie) whom he travels with to work is familiar with the group of booktellers and so his consciousness and courage is rising and come to a burstout. The goal of the author and the movie was made very clear: to show that mindcontrol in order to whatever purpose is leading to a chilling society without culture, pleasure and development of the human fantasy. Who would like to be in such a society ? Nobody ! All the actors did well on their performances, absolutely, I liked it. I also think that Oskar Werner was underrated here, and Julie Christie was doing a very good job on her two characters. Why she did two is a question of course: perhaps because she was already famous after Billy Liar, Dr. Zhivago and Darling (several nominations/awards) she was to give the movie extra publicity ? In that case: she didn't fail ! And gained another nomination. So see the movie. Hans Veldman
Billy Liar (1963)
nice and recognizable story - actual now and then
I was a teenager when the film was made, and immediately recognized the pictures of cities in the 60's, the cars, streets, buildings, the interior of the houses. Even so the way people looked and talked. Beautiful. I never read the book but it seemed to me that Billies dreams were put on screen a bit overdone but therefore also very funny. Like small boys càn exaggerate, but Billy was not a small boy anymore, and therefore really a sad guy. His family had had it with him, quarrelling all the time, his boss and colleagues saw through him and everywhere his time was running out. That he had 2-3 girlfriends was a miracle. His lying promises did the trick. Time for a change, one would say ! The climax was the end of course. All of a sudden Liz got on his right side with messages of love and persuaded him onto the train to London. She was enthusiastic and dedicated to get with him out of her dull-after-war-life and gloomy city. The message of the movie is: grab your chances now or don't. In the 60's that was a coming up and everyday question for many of the young people (and still is !) and therefore very actual (then and now). I liked the movie and how the actors created their characters. Tom Courtenay did it with very much conviction. A splendid, for that time spirited, and very good looking Julie Christie as Liz the new-age young girl, with no ties or limitations (responsibility ?) whatsoever to withhold her from doing what she wanted to. We saw more of these girls in Holland soon after 1963. See the movie: you won't regret it I'm sure. Hans Veldman.