The Martian Chronicles
Making contact was the beginning of the end...
From the mind of science-fiction giant Ray Bradbury springs what is perhaps his most epic vision. Capturing mankind's first venture into the colonization of another planet - and its tragic first contact with another species - "The Martian Chronicles" is a stunning achievement that will take you from the edge of your seat...to the stars.
Earth is on the verge of extinction. To survive, mankind must find another place to live. And when three expeditions to Mars, headed by Col. John Wilder (Oscar nominee Rock Hudson), find suitable conditions for relocations, humans pour in by the shipload, bringing the old evils of Earth with them! As Wilder begins to heed the lessons of the dying Martian civilization, can he save humanity from repeating its doom?
Member Reviews
Not that bad for a period piece - MaBanGrid
Ok, so the mini-series, now DVD release, might not be on a par with Star Wars [now Episode IV] which hit theatres about the same time. But it seems to my faint memory to be consistent with other TV fare of the time, both in acting and general production values. If one compares the mini-series to, say, Dr. Who episodes of the time, it comes out more favourably than against a mega production for theatres. I was not burdened by comparisons to the book, since I haven't read it yet, but the story is internally consistent, and I highly value that. The science adviser didn't really explain just how long it would take to get to Mars, or that Mars and Earth are not aligned very often, but I can suspend my disbelief as long as the story keeps me interested. On that score, it works for me.
It has thoughtful elements, not just alot of driving around on Martian roads. We can't move out to other planets without bringing all our baggage with us. Overpopulation and polution are classic rationals for moving out to the stars, but it seldom seems to work out well in the stories.Oh my goodness - Klaatu
The Martian Chronicles is one of the great pieces of literature of the twentieth century. Do not be led astray into thinking this is a "sci-fi novel". It most certainly is not that. Ray Bradbury himself desribes it as a Greek tragedy and that is far closer to the mark... and is also where there is some similarity to this mini-series which is certainly a tragedy. It is tragic and amazing that five years after Star Wars and 11 years after 2001, a movie set around space exploration and based on so epic a novel, could become such an insipid piece of video. Unless you are a die hard Martian Chronicles fan and will look for any small gem from the novel that has managed to find it's way onto the screen mostly intact... stay away. The acting and direction are stiff and jarring. The endless time waster shots of driving across a Martian road while cheesy music plays, only serve to show that the writers and director could not figure out how to translate Bradbury's thought provoking words into any form of meaningful film. Save yourself from four and a half hours of regret and pick another movie.
Member Reviews
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Not that bad for a period piece - MaBanGrid
Ok, so the mini-series, now DVD release, might not be on a par with Star Wars [now Episode IV] which hit theatres about the same time. But it seems to my faint memory to be consistent with other TV fare of the time, both in acting and general production values. ...Oh my goodness - Klaatu
The Martian Chronicles is one of the great pieces of literature of the twentieth century. Do not be led astray into thinking this is a "sci-fi novel". It most certainly is not that. Ray Bradbury himself desribes it as a Greek tragedy and that is far closer ...