- September 2000
 From an original story by one of the most prolific authors of our time, The Lathe Of Heaven became a made-for-TV PBS film in 1979 and allowed Sci-Fi / Fantasy fans to have visualized one of the most complex stories written. Following some political embroilment after only being shown once on TV, this classic fell into obscurity as it was shelved for around twenty years - thus ensuring that it also became one of the most sought-after films of all time.
Written by author Ursula Le Guin, a former Portland, Oregon, native until recently relocating to San Francisco, The Lathe Of Heaven is not only classic, but certainly not one of the easiest stories to explain in a few words. The basis of the tale is of one George Orr, a mild-mannered young man who happens upon a blessing/curse that allows his dreams to become reality. Unfortunately, only he is aware of the changes. His dreams alter reality instantly and alter it so thoroughly that it affects all the previous history behind whatever has changed.
After an attempted suicide, George goes to see a dream psychologist in order to help him stop. At first the pyschologist doesn't see the changes so long as actually live them as everyone else does. Once he recognizes what is happening, he attempts to make use and take control over George's dreaming in order to make a better world - so he claims. He uses an "Augmentor" of his design, that he is always upgrading, in order to better make suggestions and make effect of George's dreams. There are quirks that go along with George's dreaming, subconscious oddities that may not make full sense of the suggestions of his dreams. One example is of a suggestion to solve overcrowding in the streets. This results in a dream/reality change in which a plague had wiped out six billion people on the Earth five years previous. Another is when a suggestion to end all wars between man on Earth results not in total peace, but an invasion, of a now-appeared moon colony, by aliens from deep space. Nothing ever happens exactly as hoped for. What the doctor does not realize about George, as he digs and probes into his mind, is that George had been the victim of a bombing holocaust that left him most likely radition poisoned and dying, before dreaming - as he passed into subconsciousness - that he was alive and well. That had happened four years previous to the current episodes in the film.
Along the way arrive peaceful aliens who are best described as odd sea-turtles in appearance. Their thoughts and logic are very Taoistic and offer one to suggest an answer to one's self rather than asking it of others. This comes down to the belief that all goodness and all answers lie within ourselves. Even their manner of speech is something akin of both the teacher in TV's "Kung Fu" series and Yoda of Star Wars. (Think "do or do not, there is no in between".)
The clincher in this film comes when the doctor - as would have been made quite mad in other films - decides to finally cure George, as originally requested, and create his own dream-realities with his latest "Augmentor" - without really understanding the undertaking at hand.
The Lathe Of Heaven is not the quickest paced film and may bore some of the new breed of Sci-Fi fans who have been raised on the likes of "Matrix" and such. There is no flash and flutter. There are no CGI effects. There is not even really any antagonist. No standard hero or enemy. As Ursula herself said, "Nothing happens in this film. It unhappens." Most of the thought behind the story is purely cerebral. This is by all means a thinking person's film and story. It is something to be watched and absorbed. We can learn about our fears, our subconscious and how we think and perceive things around us. It really puts the questions to us - What are dreams and what is reality.
Made in 1979, this film certainly has its moments of dated appearance but yet, surprisingly, holds its own timelessness in other parts. Again, if you are into conceptualizing the world around us, this is a riveting film indeed and carries across.
Most of the reason that this title became so hot and sought-after for so long was mostly because of its rarity in being shown, having been written by such a famous author, and just being one of the few truly intelligent film reworkings - and that it had been lost. An unfortunate thing is that all original prints have been lost (or, in my belief, lost on purpose by someone disgruntled). This DVD was made from the best possible prints left available. The end result is satisfying. Nothing overly spectacular, but what matters is that the legions of fans and would-be fans now, after twenty years, have the chance to see this film - and on DVD quality.
This DVD offers a bio of Ursula Le Guin along with a recent interview with her, hosted by Bill Moyer, about her work and the making of the film. It is insightful to hear where she came from and how this particular title of hers was chosen to be made into a film - especially for PBS.
For any fans of Sci-Fi, Fantasy or just introspective drama, this is one of the most classic of all titles that can be had. Don't miss the chance to pick up this DVD before the possibility of its disappearance once again (just going by its history). Thanks to New Video for making it available to begin with.
Written by Philip Anderson
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Philip Anderson is a musician, in addition to being a writer/photographer. He has performed as a guitarist/vocalist, as well as songwriter, in several bands over the past 20 years. As a writer and photographer, he has been published by several magazines and in several books, and had his works appear on television. |
